Wind Turbine Spinner Pressure Measurement for Yaw Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind turbines face inefficiencies due to inaccurate wind direction measurements caused by turbulence from rotor blades, leading to yaw angle errors and asymmetrical loading, which result in suboptimal power output and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A measurement system for wind turbines that uses pressure measurement points on the windward surface of the spinner to determine wind conditions, decoupling measurements from rotor blade turbulence and allowing for accurate control signals to be generated and issued to the controller, eliminating the need for external wind measuring devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wind measuring equipment is placed on the nacelle to measure wind direction, then the equipment can be exposed to airflow and generate output signals, but the measured wind data becomes inaccurate due to turbulence from rotor blades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind direction measurement accuracyVSAvoidturbulence from rotor blades

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system extracts the pressure measurement function from the traditional wind vane/anemometer located on the nacelle and relocates it to the spinner. Pressure measurement points are arranged on the windward surface of the spinner in front of the rotor plane, extracting the measurement function from the turbulent zone to the clean upstream flow zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces pressure measurement points as an intermediary element on the spinner surface. These measurement points serve as mediators between the wind flow and the measurement system, converting wind direction information into pressure differential signals that can be accurately measured without direct exposure to rotor blade turbulence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wind measuring equipment is placed on the outside of the nacelle to be exposed to severe weather conditions, then the equipment can measure wind conditions, but costly maintenance procedures become necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind condition measurement capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost and accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is nested within the spinner structure itself. The pressure measurement points are integrated into the windward surface of the spinner, which is an existing structural component of the wind turbine. This nesting eliminates the need for separate external measuring devices that would require maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The spinner's windward surface serves dual purposes: it maintains its structural function while simultaneously serving as the measurement surface for wind direction detection. The existing spinner structure protects the measurement points from severe weather conditions while still allowing accurate wind direction measurement, making the system self-protecting and maintenance-free.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the spinner is not precisely positioned into the wind due to yaw angle error, then the wind turbine can operate, but energy output becomes suboptimal and components suffer from asymmetrical loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy outputVSAvoidyaw angle control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system provides continuous feedback on the actual wind direction by measuring pressure differentials on the spinner surface. This feedback enables the yaw control system to continuously adjust the spinner orientation to maintain precise alignment with the wind direction, maximizing energy capture and preventing asymmetrical loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure measurement points are positioned on the windward surface of the spinner before the rotor plane, in the undisturbed upstream flow zone. This preliminary positioning allows the system to measure wind direction before the flow is disturbed by rotor blades, enabling proactive yaw adjustments that optimize energy capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution enables precise control of wind turbines to optimize energy output by accurately responding to wind conditions, reducing yaw angle errors and maintenance costs while withstanding severe weather conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure distribution over the windward surface of the spinner will depend on the momentary wind conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure distribution: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11280315B2Wind turbine measurement system

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

A measurement system is provided for a wind turbine having a plurality of rotor blades mounted to a spinner at the front of a nacelle and arranged to rotate in a rotor plane. The measurement system includes a measuring device for determining a pressure at a number of pressure measurement points. The pressure measurement points are arranged in front of the rotor plane, an analysis module for generating a control signal on the basis of the pressure measurements, and output means for issuing the control signal to a controller of the wind turbine.