External Yaw Controller for Wind Turbine Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face challenges during maintenance when the native yaw drive control system is non-operational, leading to an inability to adjust the yaw angle, which increases maintenance duration and cost, and results in undesirable aerodynamic loading.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising external sensors and a controller, independent of the native control system, that can detect wind conditions and control the yaw drive mechanisms to adjust the yaw angle, allowing for operation even when the native control system is disabled or removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the native yaw drive control system is disabled during maintenance, then maintenance operations can be performed on the control system components, but the yaw angle cannot be adjusted leading to increased maintenance duration and undesirable aerodynamic loading
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into native control system components and external control system components. The external controller can independently control the yaw drive mechanisms without relying on the native control system, allowing maintenance on native components while preserving yaw control capability through the external system.
Solution Approach 2:
The external controller acts as an intermediary between the maintenance operation and the yaw drive mechanisms. It provides an alternative control path that bypasses the non-operational native control system, enabling yaw angle adjustment during maintenance without requiring movement of maintenance equipment.
2Ease of repair
If the native yaw drive control system is disabled during maintenance, then maintenance operations can be performed on the control system components, but maintenance duration increases due to inability to adjust yaw angle
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into separate native and external control systems. The external controller operates independently to manage yaw drive mechanisms, allowing maintenance on native components without interrupting or extending maintenance duration, as yaw control remains functional through the external system.
3Ease of repair
If the native yaw drive control system is disabled during maintenance, then maintenance operations can be performed, but undesirable aerodynamic loading occurs on nacelle and rotor
Solution Approach 1:
The external controller serves as an intermediary that maintains control over the yaw drive mechanisms during native system maintenance. It can adjust the yaw angle to optimize aerodynamic performance, preventing harmful loading on the nacelle and rotor while maintenance personnel work on the native control system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The external control system provides self-service functionality by independently managing the yaw drive mechanisms without requiring the native control system. This ensures continuous aerodynamic optimization capability during maintenance, as the external system can autonomously adjust yaw angle to minimize harmful loads.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a system 100 for controlling a yaw drive 36 of a wind turbine 10 when a native yaw drive control system 50 is non-operational. The system 100 includes an external sensor 102 configured to detect a parameter indicative of a wind condition experienced by the wind turbine 10. The system 100 also includes an external controller 106 communicatively coupled to the external sensor 102. The external controller 106 is configured to control the yaw drive 36 based on measurement signals 130 received from the external sensor 102. The external sensor 102 and the external controller 106 are electrically isolated from the native yaw drive control system 50.