Unified Load Dump for Wind Turbine Converter and Grid Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power wind turbines require significant and costly load dumps for both converter and grid failures, leading to increased weight, size, and space requirements, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine design incorporating a single load dump arrangement with a generator side converter, grid side converter, and a DC link, utilizing switches and resistors to connect the load dump to both the generator output and DC link, allowing for both converter and grid failure management with reduced space and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two separate load dumps are used (one across generator terminals and one across DC link), then both converter failures and grid failures can be managed, but the cost, weight, size, and space requirements significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate load dump arrangements into a single unified load dump arrangement that can serve both converter failure protection and grid failure protection functions. The single load dump is connected to both the generator terminals and the DC link through switching mechanisms, allowing one load dump to perform the protective function that previously required two separate load dumps, thereby reducing weight, cost, and space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The single load dump arrangement is designed with multi-functionality to handle both converter failures and grid failures. By incorporating switching mechanisms that can connect the load dump to different parts of the system (generator terminals or DC link) based on the type of failure detected, the single load dump achieves universal protective capability that replaces the need for separate dedicated load dumps for each failure mode
2Reliability
If two separate load dumps are used for converter and grid failures, then comprehensive protection is provided, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate load dump configurations into a single integrated arrangement with unified control logic. Instead of maintaining two independent load dump systems with separate controls, the invention combines them into one system that uses switching mechanisms to route the load dump connection to the appropriate location (generator terminals or DC link) based on the detected failure type, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection
3Power
If larger load dumps are used for higher power wind turbines (6-15MW), then adequate power dissipation capacity is achieved, but the weight, size, and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle to reduce the total power dissipation capacity required from load dumps. By combining two separate load dumps into one and enabling it to serve dual functions (converter failure and grid failure protection), the required power dissipation capacity of the single load dump is less than the sum of two separate full-capacity load dumps, thereby reducing the volume, weight, and space requirements for higher power wind turbines
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
The single load dump arrangement reduces the weight and size of the power converter system, requiring less space for higher power wind turbines, while effectively managing both converter and grid failures, thus optimizing the turbine's efficiency and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a load dump arrangement, including at least one resistor, a plurality of switches, and a plurality of electrical connections which electrically connect the at least one resistor to the output of the generator and across the DC link
Data Source
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AI summary
A wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a generator, an output thereof being connectable to a power grid via a power transmission path, the power transmission path comprising a generator side converter coupled to the output of the generator, a grid side converter coupled to the power grid, and a DC link coupled between the generator side converter and the grid side converter. For diverting the generator power, a load dump arrangement is provided which includes at least one resistor, a plurality of switches, and a plurality of electrical connections which electrically connect the at least one resistor to the output of the generator and across the DC link via the plurality of switches. One common and configurable load dump is used for both converter system failures and grid failures. As compared to two separate load dumps for converter failures and grid failures, the single load dump will require a smaller space for a wind turbine. Thus, the weight and size of the power converter system may be reduced.