Wind Turbine Rotor-Lock Disengagement Using Counter-Torque Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During wind turbine construction, deconstruction, and maintenance, the rotor lock may experience frictional interference due to minor rotor movements, leading to potential damage from incorrect torque application, particularly affecting the rotor lock and bearings.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sensor system to determine the direction of rotor torque, applying a counter-torque using a rotor-drive system to oppose the rotor-lock torque, and disengaging the rotor-lock mechanism, with a torque restriction preventing incorrect torque direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user applies torque to the rotor using a rotor drive to reduce frictional interference, then the rotor lock can be unlocked, but the user may apply torque in the incorrect direction, increasing frictional interference and potentially damaging bearings
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting the rotor torque direction using sensor systems and preventing the rotor drive from applying torque in the incorrect direction. The control system monitors the gravitational torque on the rotor and blocks torque application that would oppose this natural torque direction, thereby preventing increased frictional interference and potential bearing damage before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using sensor systems to continuously monitor the rotor's torque direction and gravitational pull. The control system receives feedback about the rotor's orientation and torque state, and uses this information to determine whether torque application is safe. This closed-loop feedback ensures that torque is only applied when it will reduce frictional interference, not when it would increase it and risk bearing damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If torque restriction is applied to prevent incorrect torque direction, then bearing damage is prevented, but the rotor drive system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by utilizing the rotor's own gravitational torque as the reference for determining safe torque application. The sensor systems detect the natural gravitational pull direction, and the control system uses this self-provided information to automatically determine when torque application is safe. This eliminates the need for external reference systems or complex manual monitoring procedures.
3Reliability
If sensor systems are used to determine rotor torque direction, then incorrect torque application is prevented, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor systems serve multiple functions: they detect the rotor's gravitational torque direction, determine the safe direction for torque application, and provide feedback to the control system for real-time monitoring. By making the sensor system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability in torque direction determination.
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
Prevents damage to the wind turbine by ensuring the torque applied by the rotor-drive system opposes the rotor torque, reducing frictional interference and maintaining the rotor lock's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the rotor comprising one or more blades, which due to the gravitational pull, generate a rotor torque which is opposed by a rotor-lock counter-torque from the rotor-lock
Implementation Method 2
the rotor lock may have a frictional interference with the rotor, which may prevent unlocking of the rotor lock
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of disengaging a rotor-lock of a wind turbine, the rotor comprising one or more blades, which due to the gravitational pull, generates a rotor torque which is opposed by a rotor-lock counter-torque from the rotor-lock, the method comprising: a) determining a direction of the rotor torque with a sensor system; b) applying a rotor- drive counter-torque to the rotor with a rotor-drive system, wherein the rotor-drive counter-torque acts to oppose the determined rotor torque and causes the rotor-lock counter-torque to reduce; c) during or after the application of the rotor-drive counter- torque, disengaging the rotor-lock mechanism; wherein the step of determining a direction of the rotor torque comprises applying a torque restriction to the rotor-drive based on the determined direction of the rotor torque, the torque restriction preventing the application of torque to the rotor by the rotor-drive system in the same direction as the rotor torque.