Wind Turbine Blade Angle Monitoring via Signal Averaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring methods for wind turbine blade adjustments, particularly in large offshore systems, fail to efficiently detect faults and mechanical load asymmetries, leading to increased mechanical loads and potential system malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that monitor collective blade angle signals and difference signals over time to detect deviations and malfunctions, allowing for early detection of faults and reduced mechanical loads by averaging individual blade angle signals and comparing set point and actual values to determine if limiting values are exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If individual blade adjustment is used to reduce mechanical loads, then mechanical load reduction is achieved, but monitoring complexity increases due to intentional asymmetries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions into a unified monitoring device that simultaneously evaluates individual blade angles, collective blade angles, and their difference signals. This merging approach simplifies the overall monitoring system while maintaining the ability to detect faults despite the intentional asymmetries created by individual blade adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces collective blade angle signals as an intermediary element that mediates between individual blade angle measurements and the overall system monitoring. By comparing individual blade angles against the collective signal, the system can detect deviations and faults without requiring complex direct comparisons between all individual blades.
2Ease of operation
If monitoring settings are loosened in amplitude and time for IPC, then monitoring flexibility improves, but mechanical loads increase in specific situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic monitoring thresholds that adapt based on operating conditions. The evaluation unit dynamically adjusts the acceptable ranges for blade angle deviations and difference signals, allowing flexible monitoring that prevents excessive mechanical loads while accommodating the intentional asymmetries of individual blade adjustment during different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes monitoring parameters such as threshold values and evaluation time windows based on the operational state of the wind turbine. During normal operation, more lenient parameters allow flexibility, while during critical phases, stricter parameters prevent excessive mechanical loads by triggering earlier fault detection.
3Measurement precision
If collective blade angle signals are averaged over time, then fault detection accuracy improves, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial averaging by evaluating both short-term individual blade angle deviations and long-term collective blade angle trends. This partial action approach provides timely detection of acute faults through individual measurements while using averaged collective signals for confirming systematic issues, thus balancing response time and detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a system for monitoring an individual blade adjustment of a wind turbine which includes a tower, a rotor which is arranged on the tower and has at least two rotor blades whose blade angle can be adjusted individually, and a blade adjustment system, wherein the blade adjustment system includes a blade controller and sensors for sensing individual actual blade angles of the at least two rotor blades, wherein an individual blade controller is included which receives a collective set point blade angle from the blade controller and which actuates at least two rotor blades with respectively individual set point blade angles, as well as a corresponding wind turbine.