Wind Turbine Tower Thermal Gradient Displacement Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face challenges in accurately controlling nacelle displacement due to solar heating, which can lead to sub-optimal performance and power output, as existing systems struggle to differentiate between displacements caused by wind turbine operation and those caused by thermal expansion from uneven solar heating.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the thermal gradient of the wind turbine tower due to solar heating, calculate the displacement magnitude and direction, and apply a correction factor to mitigate the impact of thermal expansion, thereby adjusting the setpoints for wind turbine components to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If solar heating is not accounted for in nacelle displacement control, then the control system remains simple, but the measurement precision of nacelle displacement deteriorates due to inability to differentiate thermal expansion from operational displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary calculations of thermal gradient and thermal expansion displacement before generating the final setpoint. By pre-computing the thermal displacement component based on measured thermal gradient and known thermal expansion characteristics, the system can subtract this known effect from the total measured displacement, thereby isolating the operational displacement component with higher precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal gradient measurement and thermal expansion calculation as intermediary steps between raw displacement measurement and final control setpoint generation. These intermediaries act as mediators that separate the thermal expansion effect from the operational displacement effect, enabling more precise measurement of the operational component.
2Reliability
If thermal expansion correction is applied to nacelle displacement, then the reliability of wind turbine control improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional thermal gradient measurement and calculation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously measures the thermal gradient across the tower and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the thermal expansion correction. By implementing closed-loop feedback where the measured thermal gradient directly influences the correction applied to the nacelle displacement setpoint, the system maintains high reliability under varying thermal conditions without requiring overly complex open-loop compensation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter space by measuring thermal gradient (temperature distribution) rather than directly measuring displacement. This parameter transformation allows the system to infer thermal expansion effects from temperature measurements and material properties, simplifying the correction process while improving reliability.
3Productivity
If thermal gradient measurement is implemented, then the productivity of wind turbine control is improved through better setpoint accuracy, but the loss of energy increases due to additional sensors and computational requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal gradient measurement system serves multiple functions: it characterizes the thermal state of the tower for expansion correction, provides insights into environmental conditions, and can potentially be used for structural health monitoring. By making this measurement system multi-functional, the patent justifies the energy expenditure through multiple benefits rather than a single purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses the thermal gradient measurement to self-correct for thermal expansion effects without requiring external intervention or additional complex instrumentation. The system serves itself by using its own thermal measurements to generate accurate operational setpoints, reducing the need for separate correction mechanisms.
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 approach improves the alignment of wind turbine setpoints with nominal conditions, enhancing power output and extending the life expectancy of wind turbines by accurately accounting for displacements caused by solar heating.
Implementation Method 1
a displacement of a reference point of the wind turbine from a nominal position resulting from a thermal expansion of a portion of the tower
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine. Accordingly, a controller of the wind turbine determines a thermal gradient of the tower due to solar heating. The controller also determines a displacement of a reference point of the wind turbine from a nominal position resulting from a thermal expansion of a portion of the tower. The displacement includes a displacement magnitude and a displacement direction. The displacement direction is in a radial direction opposite of a maximal peak of the thermal gradient. Additionally, the controller determines a correction factor corresponding to the displacement and a setpoint for a component of the wind turbine based, at least in part, on the correction factor. Finally, an operating state of the wind turbine is established based, at least in part, on the setpoint.