Wind Turbine Brake Hydraulics for Leak-Safe Fast Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic systems for wind turbine brakes face challenges in ensuring quick and safe activation while minimizing the risk of unintended activation due to leaks and power reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system with a normally closed first activation valve and a normally open first drainage valve, along with a second activation valve in parallel, prevents pressure buildup and unintentional brake activation during operation, using accumulators to store and release pressurized fluid for controlled brake engagement and disengagement, and includes a drainage line to manage fluid flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If normally open valves are used in the supply line to enable quick brake activation, then the brake response speed is improved, but the risk of unintended activation due to leaks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional valve configuration by using normally closed valves instead of normally open valves. The brake is activated by opening the normally closed valve to allow pressurized fluid to reach the caliper, rather than using a normally open valve that must be closed to prevent activation. This inversion fundamentally changes the safety approach from preventing leaks causing activation to ensuring valves remain closed during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-pressurizes the fluid line upstream of the normally closed valve during normal operation, so that when the valve opens, brake activation occurs immediately without delay. The pressurized fluid is ready in advance, eliminating response time delays while maintaining safety through the normally closed valve configuration.
2Loss of time
If pressurized fluid is maintained in the supply line during normal operation for quick activation, then the brake response time is reduced, but pressure buildup from leaks may unintentionally activate the brake
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressurized fluid from the brake supply line during normal operation by routing it through a bypass line that connects downstream of the normally closed valve back to the reservoir. This removes the harmful pressurized fluid that could cause unintended activation from leaks, while still maintaining the ability to quickly activate the brake when needed by opening the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass line acts as an intermediary pathway that allows pressurized fluid to circulate during normal operation without reaching the brake caliper. This mediator prevents direct contact between the pressurized fluid and the brake mechanism, eliminating the risk of leak-induced activation while preserving quick response capability.
3Device complexity
If normally open valves dependent on power being on are used to control brake activation, then the system complexity is reduced, but reliability issues arise from power dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The normally closed valve configuration is self-securing, meaning it automatically maintains the safe closed state without requiring continuous power supply or active control. The valve only requires power to open for brake activation, and naturally returns to or remains in the closed position when power is removed, making the system inherently more reliable and less dependent on continuous power supply.
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 configuration enhances safety and reliability by preventing unintended brake activation, reducing the risk of leakage-induced errors, and ensuring the system can maintain the brake engaged without constant power supply, thus improving overall system reliability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic system with a normally closed first activation valve and a normally open first drainage valve, along with a second activation valve in parallel, prevents pressure buildup and unintentional brake activation during operation, using accumulators to store and release pressurized fluid for controlled brake engagement and disengagement
Implementation Method 2
using accumulators to store and release pressurized fluid for controlled brake engagement and disengagement
Implementation Method 3
Disc brakes include a disc coupled to a shaft in the drivetrain and one or more hydraulically actuated calipers configured to apply friction to the disc via brake pads. The friction creates a braking torque that opposes the motion of the disc, thereby slowing the drivetrain and rotor.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hydraulic system and method for controlling the brake of a wind turbine are provided. During operation of the wind turbine, pressurized working fluid in the hydraulic system is blocked from being supplied to the brake. Even if some of this fluid does reach the brake, it is drained to prevent a pressure build-up and activation. To activate the brake, this drainage is stopped and the pressurized fluid is supplied to the brake. The blocking and unblocking the pressurized working fluid may be controlled by first and second activation valves arranged in parallel in a supply line that communicates the working fluid to the brake.