Hub Power Controller for Wind Turbine Blade Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind energy installations in cold climates face challenges with ice formation on rotor blades, leading to reduced energy production, increased operational complexity, and safety risks due to the need for blade heating, which requires significant power and results in downtime and inefficient energy generation.
Innovation Solution
A pitch power controller dynamically distributes hub power between the pitch system and supplementary loads like blade heating, reducing power draw in high-load modes to prioritize blade heating while maintaining energy generation, using an adaptive power management system that includes current surveillance, restrictor, and interruption modules to optimize power allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the wind energy installation is shut down to heat the rotor blades, then all electrical power available in the hub can be used for heating, but no electrical energy is generated during the heating time and restarting is extremely time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by dynamically adjusting the power distribution between the pitch system and blade heating based on real-time operating conditions. The control system continuously monitors power availability and operational state, dynamically allocating hub power to enable blade heating without complete shutdown while maintaining pitch control functionality. This dynamic power management resolves the contradiction by allowing simultaneous heating and limited energy generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by providing blade heating with a portion of the available hub power rather than requiring complete shutdown. The control system allocates sufficient power for heating while retaining enough power for basic operational requirements and limited energy generation. This partial power allocation enables heating to occur during operation, reducing downtime while still achieving the temperature increase needed to prevent ice formation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If blade heating is provided to prevent ice formation, then safety risks are reduced, but a relatively large amount of heating power is required which amplifies the power available in the hub
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by utilizing the existing hub power source for multiple functions: pitch control and blade heating. The control system intelligently allocates the hub power between these functions based on operational requirements, eliminating the need for separate power sources or amplification equipment. This multi-functional use of the hub power source prevents ice formation without amplifying the power available in the hub or increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the power allocation parameters between pitch control and blade heating. The control system monitors operational conditions and modifies the power distribution parameters in real-time, optimizing the balance between maintaining pitch control functionality and providing sufficient heating power. This parameter adjustment enables effective ice prevention while working within the existing hub power constraints without requiring system amplification.
3Power
If the pitch system power draw is reduced in high-load mode, then power is available for blade heating, but pitch control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing dynamic power distribution that adjusts in real-time based on operational conditions. The control system continuously monitors the operational state and dynamically allocates power between pitch control and blade heating, ensuring sufficient power for heating while maintaining adequate pitch control precision. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting power allocation to actual needs rather than using a fixed reduced power mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the control system to monitor both pitch control performance and power availability. The system receives feedback on operational conditions and adjusts power distribution accordingly, ensuring that pitch control precision is maintained at levels sufficient for safe operation while allocating adequate power for blade heating. This feedback mechanism prevents excessive power reduction that would compromise pitch control while maximizing power available for heating.
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
This solution allows for efficient operation of large supplementary loads like blade heating without amplifying the hub power source, reducing energy downtime and ensuring continuous power generation while preventing ice formation, thus enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the blades are both adjustable in terms of pitch and heatable by blade heating... a relatively large amount of heating power is required for the blade heating
Data Source
AI summary
A wind energy plant comprising a rotor having blades and a generator driven by said rotor for generating electric energy. The pitch of the blades can be adjusted and a pitch system for adjusting the pitch angle of the blades is provided, which is supplied by a hub power source. An additional electric load is provided on the hub. A pitch power control device is provided which dynamically distributes the power of the hub power source between the pitch system and the additional electric load and further acts on the pitch system such that its power consumption during high-load operation is reduced. Thus, the power consumption of the pitch system during high-load operation can be reduced and additional power provided for operating the additional load. Even large additional loads, such as a blade heater, can be operated in this way, without having to boost the hub power source.