Twist Correction Factor for Wind Turbine Aerodynamic Performance Map
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine control systems do not account for blade twist and torsional stiffness, leading to inaccurate thrust and wind speed estimates and power loss due to static aerodynamic performance maps that do not adapt to changing wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating twist correction factors into aerodynamic performance maps, determined by air density, speed parameters, and blade torsional stiffness, to adjust power, torque, and thrust coefficients, allowing for dynamic control actions such as pitch angle adjustments and generator torque modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If static aerodynamic performance maps are used in wind turbine control, then the control system is simple and easy to implement, but the thrust and wind speed estimates become inaccurate and power is lost due to inability to account for blade twist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static aerodynamic performance maps into dynamic maps that adapt to changing wind conditions. The corrected performance maps incorporate real-time blade twist effects that vary with wind speed, turbulence intensity, and other atmospheric conditions, allowing the control system to maintain accuracy across varying operational states rather than relying on fixed design-point data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the aerodynamic performance maps by incorporating correction factors that account for blade twist as a function of multiple parameters including wind speed, turbulence intensity, and atmospheric stability. These correction factors adjust the power, thrust, and torque coefficients to reflect actual blade deformation under different loading conditions, thereby improving estimation accuracy without requiring a complete redesign of the control architecture
2Productivity
If static aerodynamic performance maps are used, then the control system requires fewer computational resources, but power is lost due to inability to optimize operation under varying wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores correction factors for blade twist effects across a range of operating conditions in lookup tables or pre-computed performance maps. During real-time operation, the controller simply retrieves and applies the appropriate correction factors based on current wind conditions, avoiding the need for complex real-time simulations while still capturing the essential physics of blade deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex real-time mechanical simulations of blade deformation with simplified correction factors derived from pre-computed aerodynamic models. This substitution allows the control system to account for blade twist effects using basic arithmetic operations rather than solving differential equations in real-time, significantly reducing computational energy consumption while maintaining accuracy
3Strength
If blade twist is not accounted for in aerodynamic performance maps, then the control system is simpler to implement, but component loading increases due to suboptimal pitch control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors actual wind conditions and uses corrected aerodynamic performance maps to determine optimal pitch angles. The correction factors account for blade twist that occurs under different loading conditions, creating a closed-loop system that adapts pitch control to actual operational states rather than relying on fixed pitch schedules designed for ideal conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
A method 100 for controlling a wind turbine 10 based on aerodynamic performance maps that account for blade twist includes controlling 102 the wind turbine based on at least one aerodynamic performance map. Further, the method includes determining 104 at least one speed parameter of the wind turbine 10. Moreover, the method 100 includes determining 106 a blade torsional stiffness factor. Thus, the method 100 further includes determining 108, via the processor, a twist correction factor for the aerodynamic performance map as a function of the at least one speed parameter and the blade torsional stiffness factor. The method 100 then includes applying 110 the twist correction factor to the at least one aerodynamic performance map to obtain an adjusted aerodynamic performance map. In addition, the method 100 includes controlling 112 the wind turbine 10 based on the adjusted aerodynamic performance map.