Wind Turbine Blade Mass Change Detection via Vibration Frequency Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining mass changes, particularly icing conditions, in wind turbine blades are not accurate, simple, or cost-effective, and often require significant structural modifications to existing wind turbines.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that measure vibration frequencies of wind turbine blades by combining vibration data with azimuthal angle measurements, using trigonometric functions to extract blade-specific frequencies, and comparing these to reference frequencies to detect mass changes, which can indicate icing conditions without requiring major modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing methods for determining mass changes are used, then detection capability is provided, but accuracy and simplicity are insufficient and structural modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The method utilizes the wind turbine's own operational vibration data and existing azimuth measurements to detect mass changes, eliminating the need for external sensors or structural modifications. The system serves itself by processing data already generated during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention detects mass changes by monitoring changes in vibration frequency parameters rather than directly measuring mass. By analyzing how operational parameters (vibration frequency) change with mass variations, the system achieves accurate detection without physical modifications to the blade structure
2Reliability
If additional sensors or major modifications are implemented, then detection accuracy improves, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The method replaces physical sensors mounted on blades with a computational approach using existing vibration and azimuth data. Instead of mechanical/sensor-based detection, the system uses signal processing and mathematical analysis of operational parameters to detect icing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The existing vibration measurement system, originally designed for general structural monitoring, is repurposed to specifically detect mass changes and icing conditions. The same data infrastructure serves multiple functions including structural health monitoring and icing detection
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 allows for accurate and reliable detection of mass changes, including icing, using existing wind turbine infrastructure, improving operational efficiency by enabling adjustments to maintain optimal performance without extensive modifications or additional sensors on the blades.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a vibration quantity representative of a vibration of the wind turbine
Implementation Method 2
determining a frequency quantity representative of a vibration frequency of the blade from the vibration quantity and the azimuthal quantity; wherein the determining the frequency quantity comprises multiplying a trigonometric function of a term related to the azimuthal quantity with the vibration quantity
Data Source
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AI summary
It is described a method for determining a mass change at a rotating blade of a wind turbine, the method comprising: measuring a vibration quantity representative of a vibration of the wind turbine; measuring an azimuthal quantity representative of a rotation angle of the blade; determining a frequency quantity representative of a vibration frequency of the blade from the vibration quantity and the azimuthal quantity; determining the mass change at the blade based on the frequency quantity.