Wind Turbine Generator Rotor Temperature Sensing Without Slip Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring the temperature of wind turbine generators are prone to errors due to the use of slip rings, which are unreliable and require frequent replacement.
Innovation Solution
A temperature monitoring system for wind turbine generators that uses a passive control element on the rotor and a receiving unit on the stator to detect temperature changes without a slip ring, utilizing mechanical, magnetic, optical, or electromagnetic means to transmit signals, including movable pins, magnetic elements, and temperature measuring strips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a slip ring is used to transmit temperature signals from the rotor to the stator, then temperature monitoring is enabled, but the system becomes error-prone and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the slip ring component entirely from the temperature monitoring system. Instead of using electrical contacts through the rotor-stator interface, the invention extracts the signal transmission function to use magnetic field coupling across the air gap, eliminating the unreliable mechanical contact component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical contact system (slip ring) with a magnetic field-based sensing system. The temperature signal is transmitted through magnetic coupling between the rotor and stator, substituting mechanical contact with non-contact magnetic field interaction.
2Reliability
If a passive control element is used on the rotor to detect temperature, then signal transmission without slip rings is enabled, but the control element requires mechanical or optical changes to indicate temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a temperature-sensitive paint or coating on the rotor surface that changes its optical properties (color, reflectivity, or emission characteristics) in response to temperature changes. This optical change is detected by sensors on the stator side, enabling non-contact temperature measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magnetic field sensing to detect the position or state of the passive control element, replacing mechanical contact-based detection with non-contact magnetic field measurement. This allows temperature indication without physical contact across the air gap.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable temperature monitoring without slip rings, reducing maintenance and ensuring timely intervention to prevent overheating, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of wind turbine operations.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature change on the rotor triggers a mechanical or optical change in the control element
Implementation Method 2
The receiving unit has an optical sensor, such as a camera, in order to acquire the change in color of the temperature measuring strip
Implementation Method 3
the movable pin has a magnetic element, and the receiving unit has a magnet sensor, which acquires an approach by the magnetic element of the control element
Implementation Method 4
the obstacle detection sensor is designed as an infrared or an ultrasound sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for monitoring the temperature of an electric generator of a wind turbine, wherein the generator has a stator, a rotor and a temperature monitoring unit. The temperature monitoring unit has a passive control element on the rotor and a receiving unit on the stator. A change in temperature on the rotor leads to a mechanical or optical change in the passive control element. The mechanical or optical change in the passive control element is acquired by the receiving unit on the stator.