Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Clearance Detection via Doppler Shift

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining blade clearance in wind turbines using radar units are costly and time-consuming, requiring multiple units and extensive empirical data collection, which increases costs and processing resources.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a mathematical model to determine blade clearance by calculating Doppler shift and rotor blade velocity, with pre-computed data arrays stored in memory units, allowing for efficient lookup instead of real-time computation, reducing the need for empirical data collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple radar units are used to detect blade position, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade position detection precisionVSAvoidnumber of radar units

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/radar-based detection system with an electromagnetic field-based system using a single radar unit. By utilizing the Doppler effect and mathematical modeling, the system achieves blade clearance measurement without requiring multiple physical sensors, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mathematical model as an intermediary between the single radar unit and the blade clearance measurement. The model processes the radar signals and converts them into accurate clearance values, enabling precise measurement with minimal hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If empirical data is collected for each wind turbine, then measurement accuracy is improved, but time and resources required increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade clearance measurement accuracyVSAvoiddata collection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-computing and storing mathematical models and lookup tables during system setup. This eliminates the need for time-consuming empirical data collection during operation, as the models are ready to process measurements immediately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a mathematical copy of the physical blade clearance measurement process. Instead of physically measuring clearance for each turbine, the system uses a mathematical model that replicates the measurement logic, allowing rapid deployment without time-consuming empirical data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If a single radar unit is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and redundancy decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of radar unitsVSAvoiddetection redundancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent compensates for using a single radar unit by replacing physical redundancy with mathematical redundancy. The mathematical model processes the single radar signal through multiple computational steps and reference frames, achieving reliable measurements without requiring multiple physical sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach saves processing resources and time, enabling precise and cost-effective determination of blade clearance without the need for extensive empirical data, improving the efficiency of blade position monitoring in wind turbines.

Implementation Method 1

A processing unit is configured to receive measurement data from the radar unit and to determine, by analysis of Doppler shift, time of flight, phase and amplitude in received radar signals relative to transmitted signals due to movement of the blade towards or away from the turbine tower, the velocity of the blade in the direction towards or away from the turbine tower.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12140117B2Detecting rotor blade clearance in a wind turbine using doppler shift and a mathematical model

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

A method of determining a blade clearance during operation of a wind turbine is provided, the blade clearance corresponding to a distance between a rotor blade and a tower of the wind turbine. The method includes (a) detecting a rotor blade velocity, (b) emitting a first signal from an observer location, the first signal having a first frequency, (c) receiving a second signal at the observer location, the second signal being reflected from the rotor blade when the first signal impinges on the rotor blade, (d) determining a Doppler shift of the second signal relative to the first signal, and (e) determining the blade clearance based on the first frequency, the Doppler shift, the observer location, and the rotor blade velocity, wherein the step of determining the blade clearance utilizes a mathematical model. A corre-sponding system and a wind turbine comprising such a system are also provided.