Rotor Balancing via Dynamic Pitch Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility-grade wind turbines face imbalanced loading issues due to mass imbalances, geometrical irregularities, and aerodynamic differences in rotor blades, leading to fatigue damage and failure of components like bedplates, nacelles, and main shaft bearings.
Innovation Solution
A method for balancing the rotor by using sensors to measure loads, accelerations, and displacements, determining pitch offset angles, and adjusting blade pitch angles to reduce bending moments, thereby balancing the rotor and minimizing imbalanced loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional rotor balancing methods are used, then manufacturing precision can be improved, but device complexity and operational reliability remain insufficient due to inability to address dynamic imbalances during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement and analysis of imbalance conditions during normal operation, then proactively adjusts blade pitch angles to correct imbalances before they cause fatigue damage or component failure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from static manufacturing balancing to dynamic operational balancing by continuously measuring loads during rotation and adjusting blade pitches in real-time to adapt to changing operational conditions
2Object-generated harmful factors
If blade pitch angles are adjusted to balance the rotor, then imbalanced loads are reduced, but this requires complex measurement and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical balancing mechanisms with a control system that uses sensors to measure loads and electronically adjusts blade pitch angles, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where sensors continuously measure loads and accelerations, the controller processes this data to determine optimal pitch adjustments, and the pitch actuators implement corrections, creating an automatic self-regulating system
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to measure loads, accelerations, and displacements, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - measuring loads, accelerations, and displacements with a integrated sensor array, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate measurement systems for each parameter
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system automatically captures and processes data during normal operation without requiring external intervention, and the controller self-adjusts pitch angles based on measured parameters, eliminating the need for external balancing equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary machine (10) includes a rotor (18) including a hub (22), at least two rotor blades (24) coupled to the hub, and a rotor shaft (28, 30) coupled to the hub for rotation. At least one blade pitch actuator (56) is coupled to at least two rotor blades for controlling an angle of pitch of at least two rotor blades. At least one sensor (48, 50) is configured to measure at least one of a load, an acceleration, and a displacement that pertains to at least one bending moment acting on the rotor shaft. A processor (64) is coupled to at least one blade pitch actuator and coupled to at least one sensor. The processor is configured to balance the rotor by receiving (102), from at least one sensor, at least one measurement of either a load, an acceleration, or a displacement that pertains to at least one bending moment acting on said rotor shaft. Determining (104) at least one value of at least one bending moment acting on the rotor shalt based, at least in part, on the received at least one measurement and determining (106) a pitch offset angle value for at least one rotor blade that facilitates reducing the at least one bending moment acting on said rotor shaft.