Decentralized Voting Wind Turbine Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine control systems lack true fault-tolerance, particularly when the main communication unit fails, as they do not have a reliable replacement, leading to potential system failures.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized voting scheme is implemented in a fault-tolerant wind turbine control system, where each wind turbine component generates and selects a set-point value from replicas, using a reliable data communication network and distributed control nodes to ensure continuous operation even if individual components fail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a main communication unit is used to control prioritised control units, then the control system can select a lower prioritised control unit to take over when a control unit fails, but the system is not fault-tolerant when the main communication unit itself fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control function into multiple distributed control units, each capable of independent operation. Instead of relying on a single main communication unit to select and control other units, the system segments control authority across multiple nodes that can autonomously execute control functions and participate in voting processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements pre-configured redundant control units that are ready to take over control functions before any failure occurs. Each control unit is preliminarily prepared with the capability to assume control, and the voting mechanism is pre-established to automatically select the most reliable control unit when failures occur, eliminating the need for real-time selection decisions.
2Reliability
If critical control functions are doubled with redundant control units, then fault-tolerance is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs control units with multi-functionality, where each control unit can perform multiple control functions and serve different purposes depending on system needs. This universal design allows the same hardware platform to fulfill various control roles, reducing the need for specialized redundant units for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software-based control logic that can be replicated across control units rather than requiring complete hardware duplication. The control algorithms and decision-making logic are copied as software modules that can run on standardized hardware platforms, reducing complexity compared to full hardware redundancy.
3Reliability
If a decentralized voting scheme is implemented with multiple control units, then fault-tolerance and reliability are improved, but the communication network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a voting mechanism where control units exchange status information and control decisions through the communication network. Each control unit provides feedback about its operational status and control output, and the network aggregates these votes to determine the system control state, enabling fault detection and tolerance through distributed consensus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses homogeneous control units with identical hardware and software capabilities throughout the system. This homogeneity simplifies the communication network protocol, as all nodes speak the same language and follow the same communication rules, reducing network complexity compared to heterogeneous systems with different node types.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a fault-tolerant control system for a wind turbine comprising a plurality of controllable wind turbine components, the control system comprising control means for generating a replica of essentially concurrent set-point values, a data communication network for transmitting the replica of essentially concurrent set-point values to the plurality of wind turbine components, and a plurality of decentralised voting means being arranged so that a decentralised voting means is assigned to each wind turbine component, each decentralised voting means being adapted to select one set-point value out of the replica of set-point values. The present invention further relates to a wind turbine and to an associated method.