Wind Turbine Cog Belt Fatigue Detection from Pitch Angle Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

The cog belt in wind power generator sets experiences significant fatigue due to long-term operation, leading to potential failure and loss of control, necessitating an effective detection method to prevent accidents.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for detecting cog belt fatigue by acquiring pitch angles, signal characteristic values, and performing statistical analysis to determine if the cog belt is in a fatigue state, using a proximity switch to feed back signal values and compare them to predetermined thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional detection methods are used for cog belt fatigue, then detection accuracy may be improved, but detection cost and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cog belt's own operational parameters (pitch angles, signal characteristic values) are used for self-diagnosis of fatigue state. The system monitors the cog belt's inherent operational data without requiring external specialized sensors or complex detection equipment, enabling the component to detect its own condition through its normal operational signatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pitch angles and signal characteristic values as intermediary parameters to indirectly assess cog belt fatigue. Instead of directly measuring fatigue or using complex vibration analysis, the system employs these readily available operational parameters as mediators to infer the fatigue state, simplifying the detection mechanism while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If advanced detection systems are implemented, then reliability of cog belt monitoring is improved, but cost of implementation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidimplementation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system utilizes existing operational parameters (pitch angles and signal characteristic values) that serve multiple functions in the wind power generator's normal operation. By repurposing these existing data streams for fatigue detection, the system achieves reliable monitoring without requiring specialized expensive equipment, making the solution economically viable while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors pitch angles and signal characteristic values, compares them against threshold values, and provides real-time feedback on the cog belt's fatigue state. This continuous feedback mechanism ensures reliable detection of fatigue conditions, enabling timely maintenance decisions while using simple, cost-effective comparison logic rather than complex analysis algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If real-time monitoring is implemented, then safety of wind power generator set is improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time safety monitoring by continuously comparing current pitch angles and signal characteristic values against predetermined threshold values. When thresholds are exceeded, the system immediately indicates potential fatigue issues, enabling timely safety interventions. This simple feedback mechanism achieves effective real-time safety monitoring without requiring complex operational procedures or manual analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system operates autonomously by automatically collecting pitch angle data, calculating signal characteristic values, comparing them against thresholds, and generating fatigue assessments without requiring manual intervention. This self-service operation maintains high safety standards through continuous real-time monitoring while keeping operational complexity low through automated decision-making logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3315771B1Method, apparatus and system for detecting fatigue state of toothed belt of wind generator set
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 BEIJING GOLDWIND SCI & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3315771B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3315771B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3315771B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A method for detecting fatigue state of cog belt of wind power generator set is provided, including acquiring pitch angles satisfying preset condition, acquiring signal characteristic values corresponding to the pitch angles, selects from the pitch angles according to acquisition timing sequence of signal characteristic values pitch angles at which signal characteristic value changes, performing characteristic statistics on selected pitch angles to acquire characteristic statistic value and determining whether the cog belt is in fatigue state by comparing characteristic statistic value with predetermined threshold. The method can achieve detection of fatigue state of cog belt in service without auxiliary detection device and hardware measure, with stronger instantaneity and low cost. The method is easily implemented with low-complexity algorithm and thus better applicability. An apparatus and system for detecting fatigue state of cog belt of wind power generator set are further provided to ensure application and achievement of above method practically.