Integrated Wind Turbine Control Architecture for Low-Latency Data Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The conventional wind turbine control architecture experiences data jitter, loss, and high maintenance costs due to communication via an ethernet network and a legacy proprietary protocol, with complex configuration and setup requirements.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a turbine control portion and a turbine data storage portion within a single computer, utilizing inter-process communication and a time-series data storage container, eliminating the need for an external interface computer and reducing reliance on ethernet networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data is transmitted via ethernet network between control computer and interface computer, then data can be stored and logged, but data jitter and latency occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddata latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control computer and interface computer into a single integrated control system. The control computer directly accesses the data storage device without network transmission, eliminating ethernet communication delays. This consolidation removes the interface computer and protocol converter, creating a direct data path from sensing to storage that eliminates jitter and latency while maintaining data reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If interface computer with SQL data storage container is used, then data can be stored and made available for offline analysis, but system complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata storage capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control computer and data storage functionality are merged into a single integrated system. The control computer directly writes data to the data storage device using simplified data structures, eliminating the need for a separate interface computer with SQL database. This reduces system complexity while maintaining data storage and offline analysis capabilities through direct file access and simplified data formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the interface computer and protocol converter from the system architecture. By taking out these intermediate components, the system achieves direct communication between the control computer and data storage device, simplifying configuration and reducing maintenance requirements while preserving essential data storage and retrieval functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If ethernet network communication is used between control computer and interface computer, then data can be transferred, but data loss may occur due to network instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission stabilityVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the control computer and data storage into a single integrated system with direct access, the patent eliminates network transmission entirely. Data flows directly from the control computer to the data storage device through internal system buses, removing the ethernet network from the data path. This eliminates network instability and prevents data loss while maintaining reliable data transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If two separate computers (control computer and interface computer) are used, then data can be collected and stored, but maintenance and initial costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection and storage functionalityVSAvoidinitial investment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the control computer and interface computer into a single integrated control system. This consolidation reduces the total number of hardware components, lowering initial investment costs for equipment procurement, installation, and configuration. The integrated system maintains all necessary data collection and storage functionalities while reducing complexity and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control computer is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling turbine components, collecting data from sensors, processing data, and storing data directly. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for a separate interface computer, reducing hardware costs while maintaining comprehensive data management capabilities throughout the turbine's operational life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12410774B2Wind turbine control architecture

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

A wind turbine control architectures, including a turbine control portion which is configured to control at least one component of a wind turbine, and a turbine data storage portion which is configured to store a data storage container therein is provided. The turbine control portion and the turbine data storage portion communicate with each other via an inter-process communication.