Wind Turbine Blade Deformation Detection via Optical Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbine control systems rely on sensors that are often unreliable due to disturbances from the rotor, leading to poor control precision, especially in detecting blade deflections and wind speed variations.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine control system utilizing image reflection measuring devices with light sources, reflectors, and cameras inside each blade to detect deformations and emit control signals for pitch actuators, brake actuators, and inverters, allowing for precise control of blade angles and load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sensors are used to measure wind speed and blade deflection, then the control system can operate with simple architecture, but the measurement reliability deteriorates due to disturbances from the rotor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light reflectors as intermediary elements attached to the blades, which reflect light beams to enable optical measurement of blade deflections. This intermediary mechanism allows the measuring device to detect blade movements without being physically attached to or disturbed by the rotating rotor, thereby maintaining high measurement reliability while avoiding the complexity of direct mechanical sensing on the rotating components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or electromagnetic sensors with an optical measurement system. By using light sources, light reflectors, and cameras to detect blade deflections through optical path changes, the system eliminates the need for mechanical sensors that would be subject to rotor disturbances, achieving high reliability measurements without complex mechanical sensing arrangements
2Measurement precision
If sensors are placed on the nacelle to measure wind speed, then the control system architecture remains simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to rotor disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from measuring wind speed directly at a single point on the nacelle to measuring blade deflections across multiple dimensions and locations. By placing light reflectors at different positions on the blades and using cameras to detect their movements, the system captures spatial distribution of wind effects, providing more precise and comprehensive wind field information that compensates for the inability to directly measure wind speed at each blade position
3Measurement precision
If conventional control systems are used with limited sensor data, then the device complexity remains low, but the control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the optical measurement device continuously monitors blade deflections and provides real-time data to the control system. The control system processes this feedback information and adjusts pitch actuator positions accordingly, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that achieves high control precision by continuously responding to actual blade movements rather than relying on estimated or indirect measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional control system that uses the optical measurement data for multiple purposes: controlling pitch actuators for load management, detecting rotor imbalances, identifying ice accumulation, and monitoring blade structural health. This universal approach allows a single measurement system to drive multiple control functions, achieving comprehensive control precision without requiring separate specialized sensors for each function
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 solution provides reliable information for fine control of wind turbines, enabling precise adjustment of blade angles, load management, and detection of operational parameters like rotor imbalance and ice presence, thereby enhancing the integrity and efficiency of the turbine operation.
Implementation Method 1
each image reflection measuring device is located inside a blade and comprises a light source, at least two light reflectors spaced apart along the blade axes for reflecting beams, and a camera for receiving the reflected light
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A wind turbine (1) is provided with a rotor (4) rotatable about a rotor axis (A) and having a plurality of blades (7) rotatably fitted to a hub (6) about a blade axis (B) and a plurality of pitch actuators (8) for adjusting the pitch angles of the blades (7); a brake (9) controlled by a brake actuator (10) for arresting the rotor (4); a rotating electric machine (5) connected to the rotor (4); an inverter (11) for controlling the rotating electric machine (5); and a control system (22) configured to emit control signals for selectively controlling at least one of pitch actuators (8); the brake actuator (10); and the inverter (11) as a function of the deformations retrieved by means of a plurality of image reflection measuring devices (24) configured for detecting the deformations of each blade (7).