Wind Turbine Generator Fault Monitoring via Second Harmonic Transients
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting interturn short-circuit faults in wind turbine generators are not reliable and often result in late detection, leading to extensive damage due to low signal-to-noise ratios and varying operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using two analysis criteria: a first criterion for steady-state power detection and a second criterion for transient analysis of the second harmonic's strength, requiring both to be satisfied over a given time interval to confirm an interturn short-circuit fault, thereby reducing false alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If monitoring methods use existing fault detection techniques, then they can detect some fault conditions, but they cannot detect interturn short-circuit faults early due to low signal-to-noise ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring method segments the fault detection process into two independent analysis criteria: (1) steady-state power analysis to detect abnormal power levels, and (2) transient response analysis to detect sudden changes. This segmentation allows each criterion to focus on specific aspects of the fault signature, improving overall detection reliability while filtering out noise that would affect a single comprehensive method.
Solution Approach 2:
The method dynamically adapts the monitoring approach by evaluating both steady-state and transient conditions. The steady-state criterion monitors continuous power levels, while the transient criterion captures sudden changes during switching events. This dynamic dual-criterion approach enables the system to detect faults at different stages of development, significantly improving early fault detection capability.
2Reliability
If monitoring methods use sensitive detection thresholds, then they can detect faults early, but they produce many false alarms due to varying operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The false alarm problem is solved by segmenting the detection logic into two independent criteria that must both be satisfied. The steady-state power criterion filters out transient noise and operating condition variations, while the transient response criterion captures actual fault events. This segmentation ensures that only genuine faults triggering both criteria generate alarms, dramatically reducing false positives.
Solution Approach 2:
The method applies partial action by requiring only a given number of time steps (not all time steps) to satisfy both criteria before triggering a fault alarm. This partial satisfaction requirement provides a buffer against transient disturbances while maintaining sensitivity to persistent fault conditions, effectively balancing early detection with false alarm reduction.
3Loss of information
If monitoring methods require multiple criteria to be satisfied, then they reduce false alarms, but they may delay fault detection if criteria are not met consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The method requires the given number of time steps (partial action) rather than continuous satisfaction of criteria. This partial requirement allows the system to tolerate brief interruptions or variations in operating conditions while still detecting faults promptly. The given number of time steps is calibrated to provide sufficient confirmation of the fault condition without imposing excessive delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The steady-state power analysis serves as preliminary action, continuously monitoring power levels and preparing the system for fault detection. When a transient event occurs, the system is already primed to evaluate the transient criterion, enabling rapid fault confirmation once both criteria are satisfied. This preliminary monitoring reduces the effective detection time while maintaining the dual-criterion false alarm protection.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented method for monitoring a generator (13) of a wind turbine (1) for detecting interturn short-circuit faults in at least one stator winding set (15, 23) of the generator (13), wherein a strength of a second harmonic of a power produced from the stator winding set (15, 23) and the DC value of the power are determined,wherein, in respective time steps,a first analysis criterion describing the DC value of the power being constant evaluates the DC value of the power,a second analysis criterion describing the occurrence of a transient in the strength of the second harmonic evaluates the strength of the second harmonic, andan interturn short-circuit fault signal is generated if the first and the second analysis criterion both yield true for a given number of time steps.