Blade Angle Adjustment Drive Converter Emergency Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wind turbines, converter systems used for blade angle adjustment can experience faults leading to temporary interruptions, which may result in rotor blade asymmetries and unsafe conditions during emergency exits, as the monitoring units block the converter operation to prevent damage, potentially causing the drive to stall or stop.
Innovation Solution
An additional unit is activated to prevent interruptions during emergency exits, allowing uninterrupted operation of the converter, ensuring the rotor blades can reach a safe position quickly by maintaining peak current availability and controlling intermediate circuit voltage, thus avoiding standstill and asymmetries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the monitoring unit interrupts converter operation upon detecting faults, then converter protection is improved, but rotor blade positioning speed deteriorates during emergency exits
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: normal operation with full monitoring protection, and emergency mode with disabled monitoring interruptions. The additional unit detects emergency exit conditions and dynamically disables the monitoring unit's ability to interrupt converter operation, allowing the system to adapt its protection level based on operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the monitoring unit from active (able to interrupt) to inactive (unable to interrupt) during emergency exits. This parameter change is controlled by the additional unit which monitors the operational state and switches the monitoring unit's interruption capability accordingly.
2Reliability
If the converter operation is interrupted during faults, then converter damage is prevented, but drive standstill and rotor blade asymmetries occur
Solution Approach 1:
The solution applies different operational qualities to different operational contexts: during normal operation, the monitoring unit actively protects the converter by enabling interruptions; during emergency exits, the monitoring unit's interruption capability is disabled to maintain continuous drive operation. This local differentiation of protection quality prevents harmful standstills while maintaining converter safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the monitoring unit's interruption behavior based on the operational state. The additional unit detects emergency exit conditions and dynamically modifies the monitoring unit's functionality, switching from a protective interruption mode to a continuous operation mode, thereby preventing drive standstill and rotor blade asymmetries.
3Speed
If peak current is maintained during emergency exits, then rotor blade positioning speed is improved, but converter load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for emergency exits by maintaining peak current capability in advance. The additional unit detects emergency exit conditions and pre-activates the high-performance mode of the converter, ensuring peak current is immediately available when needed, rather than waiting for the emergency to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic monitoring of operational parameters by the additional unit to detect emergency exit conditions. When detected, the converter switches to a high-power periodic operation mode that maintains peak current, allowing rapid rotor blade positioning while managing converter load through controlled periodic operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a blade angle adjustment drive for a wind power plant, having at least one electrical converter (13); at least one electric motor (20) which is electrically coupled to the converter (12) and which is powered, or can be powered, by the converter (13); at least one monitoring unit (43) which monitors the operation of the converter (13) and by which one or more malfunctions in the operation of the converter (13) can be identified, and subject thereto, the operation of the converter (13) is, or can be, disrupted at least temporarily; and at least one additional unit (28) that can be activated. Activating said additional unit prevents, or can prevent, a disruption of the operation of the converter by the monitoring unit (43) during an emergency situation.