Wind Turbine Idler Speed Control With Energy Storage Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face issues with idlers rotating at inconsistent speeds due to varying wind conditions, leading to fluctuations or complete stoppage, which affects the generation of constant electric power.
Innovation Solution
A speed control device comprising a wind-powered electrical generator, first and second speed control units, transmission gear sets, and an idler energy storage unit, which utilizes wind activation and speed-control gears to maintain idler rotation at a constant speed through mechanical and electrical interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wind turbine relies solely on wind force to drive the idler, then the device complexity is low, but the idler rotation speed becomes unstable and may stop during insufficient wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage unit stores mechanical energy in advance during high wind conditions, which is then released during low wind conditions to maintain continuous idler rotation. This preliminary energy accumulation resolves the contradiction by ensuring rotation stability without requiring complex real-time control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission gear set acts as an intermediary mechanism between the wind turbine and the generator, incorporating both wind-driven gears and motor-driven gears. This intermediary system allows flexible switching between wind power and motor power, maintaining idler rotation stability while avoiding overly complex direct control.
2Productivity
If the idler rotation speed varies with wind conditions, then the device complexity is low, but the electric power output becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage unit accumulates mechanical energy during periods of high wind speed, creating a reserved energy supply that can be utilized during low wind conditions. This preliminary energy storage ensures stable electric power output by preventing generator speed fluctuations, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the driving parameter from wind-only to a combination of wind and motor power based on wind conditions. By adjusting the power source parameters according to actual wind speed, the system maintains stable generator rotation and electric power output without requiring overly complex control mechanisms.
3Speed
If the idler stops rotating during low wind, then the device complexity is low, but the generator main shaft cannot rotate at constant speed
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission gear set serves as a mediator that can switch between wind-driven operation and motor-driven operation. During low wind conditions, the motor-driven gears engage to maintain idler rotation, ensuring the generator main shaft continues rotating at constant speed without requiring direct complex speed control on the generator itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage unit prepares mechanical energy in advance during high wind conditions, which is then deployed during low wind conditions to prevent idler stoppage. This preliminary energy preparation ensures the generator maintains constant rotation speed by preventing complete stops, resolving the contradiction between speed stability and device complexity.
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
Ensures the idler of the wind turbine rotates at a constant speed, even during periods of insufficient wind, by integrating mechanical and electrical components to synchronize the rotation of the generator main shaft, thereby stabilizing electric power output.
Implementation Method 1
the wind turbine machine is driven to rotate by a wind force
Implementation Method 2
the first swing link is returned to the original position by elastic recovery stress of the spring
Implementation Method 3
the generator creating the electric power and outputting the electric power by rotation of the generator main shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A speed control device for control of idlers of wind turbines is provided. The speed control device includes a wind-powered electrical generator, a first speed control unit, a transmission gear set, an idler energy storage unit, and a second speed control unit. A wind activation gear set of the wind-powered electrical generator is driven by a wind force with a preset value. When the wind force is lower than the preset value, a rack unit on a speed-control motor is driven by power so that a speed-control gear set and the transmission gear set are respectively driven by a first and a second unidirectional gear of the first and the second speed control units. Thus the transmission gear set is rotated for a period and an idler drives a generator main shaft of the idler energy storage unit to rotate for a period. Therefore, the idler rotates constantly, without stopping.