Wind Turbine Actuator Control Using Energy-Store DC Link Boost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine control systems face challenges in efficiently managing power and voltage demands for electro-mechanical actuators during extreme conditions such as wind gusts or grid faults without adding additional components.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a DC link intermediate circuit powered by a first converter, with a second converter activated to boost voltage and power from an energy storage unit when demands exceed the first converter's capacity, allowing parallel operation to enhance actuator performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the first converter is used to provide power to the electro-mechanical actuator during normal operation, then the system operates reliably with grid power, but the voltage and power are insufficient during extreme conditions such as wind gusts or grid faults
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage unit is pre-charged during normal operation when grid power is sufficient, so that it can immediately provide additional power during extreme conditions without delay. This preliminary energy accumulation resolves the contradiction by ensuring both normal operation reliability and extreme condition performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The second converter acts as an intermediary between the energy storage unit and the electro-mechanical actuator, selectively activating during extreme conditions to boost voltage and power output. This intermediary component enables the system to transition from grid-only power to combined power sources, resolving the voltage and power insufficiency during extreme conditions.
2Power
If the second converter is activated to boost voltage and power from the energy storage unit during extreme conditions, then the actuator performance is enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second converter is designed to dynamically activate only during extreme conditions rather than operating continuously. This dynamic activation strategy enhances actuator power output when needed while minimizing the operational complexity burden, as the additional component remains dormant during normal operation.
3Force
If the energy storage unit is used to provide additional power during extreme conditions, then the actuator can overcome field weakening effects and achieve higher torque, but there is a risk of draining the energy storage unit
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage unit operates in periodic cycles of charging during normal conditions and discharging during extreme conditions. This periodic action pattern ensures that the unit provides high torque when needed through controlled discharge while recovering energy during normal operation, preventing permanent depletion.
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
Enhances the performance of electro-mechanical actuators like servo motors by overcoming field weakening effects, achieving higher torque and power during short-term extreme conditions without draining the energy storage unit.
Implementation Method 1
triggering a boost mode of a second converter configured to be connected between the DC link intermediate circuit and an energy storage unit to at least one of: boost the voltage at the DC link intermediate circuit to a second voltage, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage
Implementation Method 2
boost the power supplied to the electro-mechanical actuator via the DC link intermediate circuit to a second power, the second power being higher than the first power
Data Source
AI summary
The electro-mechanical actuator of a wind turbine is configured to be powered from a DC link intermediate circuit. A method for controlling the actuator includes: determining whether a voltage demand and a power demand for operating the electro-mechanical actuator at a specific operating point can be met by an output of a first converter. The first converter is connected to a supply grid and configured to provide a first voltage and a first power to the DC link intermediate circuit; and, when the voltage demand and the power demand cannot be met, triggering a boost mode of a second converter connected between the DC link intermediate circuit and an energy store. The boost mode is triggered to: boost the voltage at the DC link intermediate circuit to a second voltage; and, boost the power supply to the electro-mechanical actuator via the DC link intermediate circuit to a second power.