Wind Turbine Blade Position Estimation for Tower Strike Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods to prevent rotor blade collisions with the tower in wind turbines either reduce efficiency or require costly hardware and lack reliable data for collision prevention, while current control approaches may not be sufficiently accurate or robust.
Innovation Solution
Employing a state estimation technique using multiple measuring units and a state estimator, such as a Kalman filter, to continuously and accurately estimate the position of rotor blades relative to the tower, allowing for timely and reliable collision prevention by adjusting the wind turbine's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotor blades are stiffened, coned, or given large prebend to prevent tower strike, then collision risk is reduced, but power production capability and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the blade geometry adaptive rather than fixed. The variable geometry blade can change its prebend and coning angle in real-time based on operating conditions, allowing it to maintain optimal power production in normal conditions while preventing tower strike during high wind or turbulent conditions. This resolves the contradiction by making the structural properties dynamic rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the blade (prebend magnitude, coning angle) based on operating conditions. By varying these geometric parameters dynamically, the blade can optimize for power production when safe and prevent collision when necessary, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Reliability
If variable geometry blade with active control is used to prevent tower strike, then collision prevention is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing effort are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The variable geometry blade is divided into multiple segments or sections that can independently adjust their geometry. This segmentation allows for controlled complexity, where only specific portions of the blade have active geometry control, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective collision prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade incorporates dynamic geometry control mechanisms that allow real-time adjustment of blade shape. This dynamic capability enables the blade to adapt to changing conditions, providing effective collision prevention while the control system manages the complexity through automated adjustment based on sensor feedback.
3Productivity
If active control approaches with derating are used to prevent blade tower strike, then efficiency is improved compared to passive measures, but high-cost hardware and reliable data requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The variable geometry blade system is designed to be self-regulating, using sensor feedback about wind conditions and blade position to automatically adjust its geometry. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex external control systems and high-cost hardware, while maintaining efficient operation through automated derating when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor blade position, wind conditions, and geometric parameters. This feedback enables the control system to make real-time adjustments to blade geometry, optimizing efficiency while preventing tower strike without requiring overly complex or expensive hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of estimating a position of at least a part of a rotor blade of a rotor of a wind turbine during operation of the wind turbine is provided. The rotor blade is deflected due to a deflection motion of the rotor blade towards a tower of the wind turbine and the position is indicative of the deflection. The method includes measuring a first parameter indicative of an absolute and/or a relative position of at least a second part of the rotor blade or of a further rotor blade of the rotor. The method further includes measuring second parameters indicative of an absolute and/or a relative position of at least a third part of the rotor blade or of the further rotor blade of the rotor. The method further includes estimating a state of the rotor blade and deriving the position from the estimated state of the rotor blade.