Wind Turbine Pitch Control Testing via Gravity Vector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing wind turbine pitch control systems are inadequate due to their dependency on rotor blade orientation, which complicates the evaluation of blade pitch control systems, especially during emergencies when grid power is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that incorporate blade pitch torsional loading information, utilizing accelerometers to measure tangential gravity and predict torque, allowing for accurate testing of pitch control systems by adjusting pitch rate limits based on gravity vectors and blade angles, enabling testing regardless of rotor position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional testing methods are used for pitch control systems, then testing can be performed with existing equipment, but testing accuracy is compromised due to dependency on rotor blade orientation
Solution Approach 1:
An accelerometer is introduced as an intermediary device to measure tangential gravity on the rotor. This intermediary provides the missing orientation information needed to calculate torque, enabling accurate pitch control system testing independent of rotor blade position. The accelerometer acts as a mediator between the gravitational field and the control system, providing the necessary data to compensate for varying blade orientations during testing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If torque prediction based on accelerometer data is implemented, then testing can be performed at any rotor position, but system complexity increases due to additional sensors and calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the wind turbine's own operational data (rotor position, blade pitch angle) combined with accelerometer measurements to self-determine the torque conditions during testing. Rather than requiring external test equipment to impose known loads, the system services itself by calculating the actual gravitational torque based on its own state variables and sensor data, enabling autonomous testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing methodology transitions from fixed, orientation-dependent test parameters to dynamic parameters that change with rotor position. By continuously updating the expected torque values based on real-time accelerometer data and blade orientation, the system adapts its testing parameters to match actual operating conditions, enabling versatile testing without requiring complex mechanical test rigs.
3Reliability
If pitch rate limits are adjusted based on gravity vectors, then emergency backup system reliability is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pitch rate limits transition from static, pre-defined values to dynamic limits that are continuously adjusted based on real-time gravity vector measurements and blade pitch angle. This dynamic adaptation allows the control system to accommodate varying gravitational torques at different rotor positions, ensuring reliable emergency operation regardless of when the backup system is activated. The limits are recalculated on-the-fly using simple trigonometric relationships between measured parameters.
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 approach ensures the reliability of emergency backup systems by accurately predicting and testing pitch rates and torque, ensuring the wind turbine can safely feather blades to zero rotational speed during grid outages, thereby ensuring system health and operational readiness.
Implementation Method 1
measure one or more components of a gravity vector (Ag) with the accelerometer
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for testing a wind turbine pitch control system (200). According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for testing a wind turbine pitch control system is provided. The method can include measuring tangential acceleration (At) (114) of a wind turbine rotor (102), determining pitch angle of one or more turbine blades (104, 106, 108), and predicting torque applied to the one or more turbine blades (104, 106, 108) based at least in part on the tangential acceleration (At) (114) and the pitch angle.