Wind Turbine Drive System Testing via Energy Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing the functionality of wind turbine drive systems, such as pitch and yaw drive systems, are inaccurate due to dependence on rotational blade position and wind conditions, and require the turbine to be disconnected from the grid, which disrupts operation.
Innovation Solution
A method for testing the functionality of wind turbine drive systems that involves discharging energy from the energy storage unit to an energy dissipating element, such as a braking resistor, while maintaining connection to the grid and turbine operation, using controlled discharge current and power to ensure reliable results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the turbine is disconnected from the grid for testing, then the test can be performed, but the operation of the wind turbine is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an energy dissipating element as an intermediary component that allows the energy storage unit to be tested independently without disconnecting from the grid. The energy dissipating element absorbs and dissipates energy from the energy storage unit during testing, enabling the test to proceed while the turbine remains connected and operational.
2Productivity
If the test is performed with the turbine connected to the grid, then operation continuity is maintained, but the test accuracy is compromised due to external energy sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy storage unit from the overall system for isolated testing by connecting it to the energy dissipating element. This separation allows the energy storage unit to be tested independently with controlled energy discharge, eliminating interference from external energy sources like the grid while the turbine remains operational.
3Reliability
If the energy storage unit is tested by powering blade movement, then the drive system functionality is evaluated, but the test results are influenced by wind conditions and blade position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical testing approach (powering actual blade movement) with an electrical testing approach. Instead of evaluating the drive system through mechanical blade movement influenced by wind conditions, the test evaluates the energy storage unit and energy dissipating element through controlled electrical energy discharge and dissipation, providing consistent and repeatable results.
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 method provides a reliable and accurate assessment of the drive system's functionality without disrupting turbine operation, using existing hardware components, and allows for simultaneous testing of both the energy storage unit and dissipating element, ensuring safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
supply of at least a portion of the discharged energy to the energy dissipating element
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for testing a functionality of a system (200) of a wind turbine (100), in particular a drive system of a wind turbine, the system (200) is provided. The system comprises an electro-mechanical actuator (250), an energy storage unit (240), and an energy dissipating element (260) connectable to the energy storage unit (240) for selectively transferring energy from the energy storage unit (240) to the energy dissipating element (260). The method comprises: providing first information (11) which is representative of an operating mode of the system (200), and, if the operating mode is a test mode: causing a discharging of energy from the energy storage unit (240) and a supply of at least a portion of the discharged energy to the energy dissipating element (260); receiving measurements (M1, M2, M3, M4) being representative of a state of at least one of the energy storage unit (240) and the energy dissipating element (260) during the discharging and the supply; and determining a functionality of at least one of the energy storage unit (240) and the energy dissipating element (260) based on the measurements (M1, M2, M3, M4). Further aspects relate to a controller (210, 218) configured to execute the method and to a drive system.