Wind Turbine Rotor Plane Monitoring Using Single-Receiver GNSS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine rotor plane alignment systems face accuracy and cost issues due to local turbulence, lightning risks from electrical devices, and errors from ionospheric and tropospheric distortions, leading to inefficient energy harvesting and structural loading.
Innovation Solution
A rotor plane monitoring system using a single receiver unit with a switching mechanism and multiple detection nodes to determine orientation accurately, employing GNSS signals corrected by ground-based systems, and a sequencing module to compute direction vectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple GNSS receivers are mounted on the wind turbine to determine spatial alignment, then the rotor plane orientation can be directly established, but the system cost increases significantly and measurement accuracy is compromised by ionospheric and tropospheric distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement function into multiple detection nodes distributed on the wind turbine structure, each node containing an antenna. By segmenting the receiver functionality across multiple nodes and using a single centralized receiver to process signals from all nodes sequentially, the system achieves orientation measurement capability equivalent to multiple receivers while reducing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
A single GNSS receiver unit is designed to perform multiple measurement functions by sequentially connecting to different detection nodes. This universal receiver can determine the spatial positions of multiple nodes and calculate rotor plane orientation, replacing the need for multiple dedicated receivers and reducing system complexity
2Measurement precision
If electrical devices are arranged in the rotor blades to establish rotor plane orientation, then direct measurement is achieved, but flashover risk occurs in the event of lightning strike
Solution Approach 1:
The active electronic measurement devices (GNSS receivers) are extracted from the rotor blades and relocated to safe positions on the nacelle or tower. The rotor blades retain only passive detection nodes (antennas) that pose no lightning risk, while the active processing equipment is positioned in lightning-protected zones, separating the measurement function from the hazardous environment
Solution Approach 2:
Detection nodes with antennas are introduced as intermediary elements on the rotor blades to capture GNSS signals without requiring active electronic devices in the blades themselves. These passive nodes serve as signal collection points that can be safely connected to protected receivers through switching mechanisms, eliminating direct exposure of electronic equipment to lightning risks
3Ease of operation
If pressure sensors at the front hub are used to detect misalignment relative to measured wind direction, then rotor plane alignment can be determined, but accuracy is compromised by local turbulence caused by rotating rotor blades
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical pressure sensor-based alignment detection system is replaced with an electromagnetic/GNSS-based spatial position measurement system. By using GNSS signals to directly determine the three-dimensional positions of detection nodes and calculate orientation through geometric relationships, the system eliminates the need for pressure sensors and avoids turbulence-related measurement errors while providing more precise orientation data
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective rotor plane alignment, optimizing energy harvesting and reducing structural loading by continuously correcting alignment to wind direction changes.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna assembly configured to detect radio-frequency signals at a plurality of distinct detection nodes on the wind turbine
Implementation Method 2
a single receiver unit configured to decode positioning signals or GNSS signals broadcast by satellites of a satellite navigation system
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention describes a rotor plane monitoring system (1) of a wind turbine (2), comprising a single receiver unit (10) configured to decode positioning signals (10in) originating from a satellite navigation system; an antenna assembly configured to detect radio-frequency signals at a plurality of distinct detection nodes (N1, …, Nn) on the wind turbine (2) and to relay detected signals (10in) to the receiver unit (10); a signal processing module (13) configured to compute a direction vector (V12,..., V45; V54,..., V21) from the signals (10in) relayed to the receiver unit (10); and an evaluation module (14) configured to determine the rotor plane orientation from the direction vector (V12,..., V45; V54,..., V21). The invention further describes a wind turbine (2) comprising such a rotor plane monitoring system (1); and a method of monitoring the orientation of a wind turbine rotor plane.