Wind Turbine Pitch and Tip Speed Ratio Control Under Thrust Limits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine control methods struggle to maximize power production while effectively limiting rotor thrust, leading to component fatigue and reduced electricity generation due to high aerodynamic forces.
Innovation Solution
A method and controller that utilize an iterative search algorithm to optimize pitch angle and tip speed ratio, determining optimal values that maximize power coefficient while adhering to thrust coefficient constraints, using predefined data structures and sensor feedback to adjust rotor speed and blade pitch in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the wind turbine operates at high power output, then electricity generation is maximized, but thrust loads on the rotor increase causing component fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of rotor speed and blade pitch angle based on real-time wind conditions and thrust measurements. The system continuously adjusts operating parameters to operate at optimal points that maximize power production while keeping thrust loads within safe limits, rather than using fixed operating modes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thrust measurements from sensors mounted on the rotor or blades to provide feedback to the control system. This feedback loop allows the controller to monitor actual thrust levels and adjust pitch angle and rotor speed accordingly to maintain thrust within acceptable ranges while maximizing power output
2Strength
If the pitch angle is increased to limit thrust, then thrust loads are reduced, but power production decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes multiple operating parameters simultaneously - both pitch angle and rotor speed - to achieve the desired balance. By adjusting both parameters together based on the power coefficient and thrust coefficient curves, the system can reduce thrust while maintaining or improving power production compared to adjusting pitch alone
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines optimal pitch angle and rotor speed combinations based on current wind conditions and thrust measurements. The control algorithm continuously searches for operating points that maximize power production while keeping thrust below thresholds, adapting to changing conditions in real-time
3Productivity
If the rotor speed is increased to maximize power output, then electricity generation increases, but aerodynamic forces and thrust loads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses thrust measurements as feedback to adjust rotor speed. When thrust levels indicate high aerodynamic forces, the controller reduces rotor speed to bring thrust back within acceptable ranges, while still maintaining optimal power production points when conditions allow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic rotor speed control that adapts to real-time wind conditions and thrust measurements. The system operates at variable speeds optimized for each moment's conditions rather than maintaining constant high speed, maximizing the balance between power production and force management
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
Enhances power production while protecting the wind turbine from excessive thrust loads, ensuring efficient operation and prolonged component lifespan by dynamically adjusting to varying wind conditions.
Implementation Method 1
converting the kinetic energy from incoming wind into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
The blades and the rotor enable the wind turbine to deliver power to the grid by converting the kinetic energy from incoming wind into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to controlling a wind turbine. A predefined power coefficient data structure and a predefined thrust coefficient data structure respectively comprise values of a power coefficient and a thrust coefficient as functions of blade pitch angle and tip speed ratio. The invention includes using an iterative search algorithm to determine values of pitch angle and tip speed ratio that maximise the power coefficient value in the predefined power coefficient data structure subject to a constraint that the thrust coefficient value in the predefined thrust coefficient data structure is no greater than a maximum threshold thrust coefficient value. A rotor speed reference is determined based on the determined tip speed ratio value and on a received wind speed. The determined pitch angle value is set as a pitch angle reference. The wind turbine is controlled in accordance with the pitch angle and tip speed ration references.