Wind Turbine Generator Cooling Control with Shared Frequency Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine generator cooling systems face issues such as high cost, large distribution transformer capacity, significant starting shock, high self-power consumption, and generator temperature fluctuations, particularly when directly connected to the power grid or using frequency converters.
Innovation Solution
A cooling control method and apparatus that utilize a single frequency converter to manage both the generator's cooling device and yaw motor operations at different times, optimizing their startup based on predicted generator temperatures and operational conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cooling device directly connects to the power grid, then the cost is reduced, but the starting shock becomes great and the distribution transformer capacity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a frequency converter as an intermediary device between the power grid and the cooling device. The frequency converter gradually adjusts the frequency and voltage supplied to the cooling device, enabling smooth startup without direct connection to the power grid. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the starting shock while maintaining cost-effectiveness through shared frequency converter usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary temperature prediction before startup decisions are made. The controller calculates predicted temperature based on operational parameters, and only initiates cooling device startup when temperature thresholds are exceeded. This preliminary assessment prevents unnecessary startups, reducing starting shock frequency while maintaining effective cooling when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cooling device directly connects to the power grid, then the cost is reduced, but the distribution transformer capacity becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency converter serves multiple functions: it controls both the yaw motor and the cooling device, and provides soft startup capability for both. By making the frequency converter universal, the system eliminates the need for separate direct power grid connections that would require large transformer capacity, while maintaining cost-effectiveness through shared infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency converter acts as an intermediary that decouples the cooling device from direct power grid connection requirements. This intermediary enables the system to operate with smaller transformer capacity by managing power draw through frequency conversion, thus resolving the contradiction between cost and transformer size.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cooling device directly connects to the power grid, then the cost is reduced, but the self-power consumption becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature prediction and assessment before activating the cooling device. By calculating predicted temperature based on current operational parameters and comparing it against thresholds, the system avoids unnecessary cooling device operation, thereby reducing self-power consumption while maintaining cost-effectiveness through intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors operational parameters and temperature conditions, using feedback to determine when cooling is actually needed. This feedback mechanism prevents the cooling device from running unnecessarily, reducing self-power consumption while maintaining the cost benefits of the overall system design.
4Ease of manufacture
If the cooling device directly connects to the power grid, then the cost is reduced, but the generator temperature fluctuation becomes great
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback from temperature sensors and operational parameter monitoring to determine when cooling is needed. By continuously assessing actual temperature conditions and predicted temperature trends, the system activates cooling only when necessary, maintaining stable generator temperature while preserving the cost advantages of the frequency converter-based approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary temperature prediction before cooling device activation. By calculating predicted temperature based on current operational state and comparing against thresholds, the system proactively manages temperature fluctuations, preventing excessive variations while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
5Force
If the frequency converter is used to control the cooling device, then the starting shock is reduced, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency converter is designed to serve multiple purposes: controlling both the yaw motor and the cooling device. By making the frequency converter universal, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated frequency converters for each device, thereby reducing overall cost while maintaining the starting shock reduction benefits for both applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control functions of the yaw motor and cooling device into a single frequency converter unit. This consolidation reduces the total number of frequency converters needed, lowering system cost while maintaining the soft startup capabilities that reduce starting shock for both devices.
6Volume of stationary object
If the frequency converter is used to control the cooling device, then the distribution transformer capacity is reduced, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single frequency converter serves dual purposes, controlling both the yaw motor and cooling device. This universal application reduces the need for large distribution transformer capacity that would be required if separate direct connections were made, while keeping costs manageable through equipment consolidation and shared infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the control functions into one frequency converter, the system reduces overall power infrastructure requirements, including distribution transformer capacity. The consolidated approach lowers total system cost despite the higher per-unit cost of the frequency converter, achieving better overall economic efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a cooling control method and a cooling control apparatus for a generator of a wind turbine. A cooling device of the generator and an intermittent operation device of the wind turbine are connected to a frequency converter, the frequency converter controls the cooling device and the intermittent operation device to start up at different times, and the cooling control method for the generator includes: under a condition that a starting condition of the intermittent operation device is determined to be satisfied according to operation data of the wind turbine, calculating a predicted temperature of the generator after a duration required for using the frequency converter to control the intermittent operation device to start up to execute a predetermined related action; under a condition that the predicted temperature is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold temperature, using the frequency converter to control the intermittent operation device to start up to execute the predetermined related action; and after the intermittent operation device executes the predetermined related action, using the frequency converter to control the cooling device to start up to cool the generator.