Segmented Yaw Drive Ring Torque Control for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
As wind turbines increase in size, the drive-ring in yaw systems becomes larger, requiring higher torque for rotation, which complicates manufacturing, replacement, and transportation, and poses safety risks due to potential irregularities at intersections of segmented drive-rings.
Innovation Solution
The yawing assembly is designed with a drive-ring composed of multiple segments joined at intersections, where a reduced torque is applied by a crossing drive at these intersections to minimize wear and extend the system's lifetime, using a controller to manage torque distribution and compensate for irregularities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the drive-ring is manufactured as a single large piece, then the structural integrity and strength are improved, but the ease of manufacture, transportation, and replacement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drive-ring is divided into multiple drive-ring segments that can be manufactured separately and assembled together. This segmentation allows each segment to be manufactured more easily, transported more conveniently, and replaced individually if needed, while still forming a complete functional drive-ring when assembled. The segments are joined at intersections using joining means such as bolts or other fastening mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If the drive-ring is segmented into multiple sections, then the ease of manufacture and transportation are improved, but the reliability and lifetime of the yawing assembly deteriorate due to potential irregularities at intersections
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies different torque characteristics to different drives based on their location. Specifically, crossing drives that pass through intersections are assigned a reduced torque to minimize wear at these vulnerable locations, while non-crossing drives maintain normal torque levels. This local differentiation of torque application protects the intersection areas while maintaining overall system functionality and extending the lifetime of the segmented drive-ring system.
3Productivity
If full torque is applied by all drives, then the productivity and speed of yawing are improved, but the wear on drive components at intersections increases, reducing the expected lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically changes the torque parameter for crossing drives when they are positioned at intersections. By reducing the torque parameter for these specific drives at these specific locations, the system minimizes wear and extends component lifetime. The control system monitors drive positions and adjusts torque parameters in real-time, applying reduced torque only when necessary at intersection areas while maintaining full torque for non-crossing drives to preserve productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of yawing a nacelle in a wind turbine having a yawing assembly comprising a drive-ring and a plurality of drives configured to exert a torque during movement along the drive-ring and thereby move the nacelle relative to the tower. The drive-ring is made of drive-ring segments joined in intersections. The method comprises defining a location for each intersection, defining a reference torque exerted by the drives when moving along the drive-ring, defining a reduced torque being lower than the reference torque, determining when a crossing drive moves across the location of an intersection, and to increase the lifetime, exerting the reduced torque by the crossing drive.