Wind Farm Software Update Packets for Remote Safe Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for updating software in wind turbines and other units of a wind farm are cumbersome, requiring expert personnel, precise planning, and can be lengthy due to slow data connections, posing risks of unsafe operating states and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A centralized updating device outside the wind farm compiles and transfers software update packets to units via an external data connection, allowing automated updates with remote approval, ensuring safe states and reducing the need for on-site intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software updates are performed manually by service employees, then safety and compliance can be ensured through expert oversight, but the updating process becomes time-consuming and requires precise planning
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-updating of software packages through the package manager on the control unit. The updating device automatically selects appropriate packages, transfers them, and executes installation without requiring manual intervention from service employees, while maintaining safety through pre-validation of update compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-selecting and validating software packages before transfer. The updating device checks compatibility, prepares update packages in advance, and validates them before actual installation, reducing on-site updating time while ensuring safety
2Ease of operation
If software updates are transferred over slow data connections, then remote updating is possible, but the transfer time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The updating device prepares and compresses software packages in advance before transfer. By pre-processing update files and organizing them into optimized packages, the system reduces transfer time over slow connections while maintaining remote updating capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system transfers only necessary software packages and configuration files rather than complete software images. This selective copying approach reduces data transfer volume and time while enabling remote updates
3Reliability
If comprehensive software updates are performed across multiple units, then system currency is improved, but the risk of unsafe operating states increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the updating device receives status information from control units, monitors update progress, and can abort updates if safety criteria are not met. This feedback loop ensures software currency while preventing unsafe operating states through continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs safety checks and validations before executing updates. Compatibility checks, backup creation, and rollback capability preparation are performed in advance to cushion against potential unsafe states during multi-unit updates
4Reliability
If expert personnel are required for updates, then proper assessment of update necessity can be ensured, but the complexity and cost of the updating process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The package manager on the control unit automatically assesses update necessity by comparing installed package versions with available updates. This self-assessment capability maintains update accuracy while reducing the need for expert personnel involvement in the actual update process
Solution Approach 2:
The updating device acts as an intermediary that automates the assessment and execution of updates based on pre-defined criteria. It translates expert knowledge into automated decision-making algorithms, maintaining assessment accuracy while simplifying the process
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for updating at least one unit in a wind turbine of at least one of several wind farms, with an updating device arranged outside of the wind farm and configured to establish a data connection with the several wind farms. The method includes providing a database that includes entries for several units of the several wind farms with software configured to be updated; receiving a selection of at least one unit of the several units from the database; assembling a packet for the wind farm, the packet including the unit selected, and at least one software update file; transferring the packet to the wind farm; outputting information after completion of the transfer; receiving an approval for performing the update; performing the update; receiving a confirmation of a successful update; and storing an indication of the successful update in the database.