Wind Turbine Rotor Oscillation Control Using Amplitude and Phase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling wind turbine rotor oscillations suffer from high false positive and false negative events, leading to unnecessary energy yield losses and potential damage due to inadequate detection of significant oscillations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize amplitude and phase information from multiple signals representing loads in different directions to identify dominant oscillation modes, allowing for improved control and reduced false positives and negatives by determining phase offsets and amplitudes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing methods are used to control wind turbine rotor oscillations, then the system can operate with simple monitoring, but high false positive and false negative events occur leading to unnecessary energy losses and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from monitoring a single vibration signal to analyzing multiple signals across different spatial dimensions (three orthogonal directions). By adding dimensional information about the oscillation patterns, the system can more accurately identify true oscillation events versus false positives, improving detection reliability without requiring overly complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary analysis layer that processes multiple sensor signals through mathematical operations (cross-products, amplitude/phase extraction) to generate derived signals representing oscillation modes. This intermediary processing stage filters out false positives and negatives before triggering control actions, enhancing detection accuracy while keeping the overall system architecture manageable
2Measurement precision
If multiple signals and parameters are analyzed to improve oscillation detection, then detection accuracy increases, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex oscillation analysis into distinct computational steps: first deriving signals in three orthogonal directions, then extracting amplitude and phase information separately, then combining these to identify oscillation modes. This segmentation of the measurement and analysis process makes the complex task more manageable and implementable with standard control system components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional signal processing framework where the same set of derived signals and analysis methods can identify different types of oscillation modes (whirl modes, flapwise modes, edgewise modes) universally. This universal approach avoids the need for separate specialized detection systems for each oscillation type, managing complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
3Reliability
If the wind turbine is stopped or operated at reduced power to avoid oscillation damage, then component safety is improved, but energy yield losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based control system that continuously monitors oscillation parameters and dynamically adjusts turbine operation. By providing real-time feedback on actual oscillation severity rather than relying on fixed thresholds, the system can maintain full power operation when oscillations are within safe limits and only reduce power or shut down when truly necessary, optimizing both component safety and energy yield
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial control actions proportional to the detected oscillation severity rather than always applying full shutdown actions. The control system can implement graduated responses such as minor power reductions, adjusted blade pitch angles, or selective blade damping, reserving full shutdowns for only the most severe cases. This partial action approach maintains component safety while minimizing energy yield losses from unnecessary complete stoppages
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method (100) of controlling operation of a wind turbine (10). The method (100) comprises receiving operational (215) data indicative of oscillations in a wind turbine rotor (18). The method (100) comprises deriving a first signal (224) representative of loads in a first direction in a reference plane and a second signal (226) representative of loads in a second direction in the reference plane. The second direction is different from the first direction. The method (100) further comprises determining an amplitude (A1, A2) of the first (224) and second (226) signals, as well as a phase offset (ϕ1-ϕ2) between the first (224) and second (226) signals. Finally, the method (100) comprises controlling the wind turbine (10) based on the amplitudes (A1, A2) and the phase offset (ϕ1-ϕ2). The disclosure also relates to a control unit (36) for controlling operation of a wind turbine (10) and to a wind turbine (10).