Wind Turbine Blade Sensor Wind Field Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating electrical power production in wind turbines are inaccurate due to insufficient measurement of wind characteristics over the rotor area, leading to discrepancies between expected and actual power output, especially in large wind parks with limited meteorological masts.
Innovation Solution
A control device with blade sensors that measure physical properties of rotor blades to estimate wind field characteristics, allowing for precise calculation of mechanical and electrical power production directly from the rotor area, using a wind field estimator and power table to establish accurate power values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If meteorological masts are used to measure wind characteristics, then wind speed data can be obtained, but measurement precision is insufficient because they only measure wind at a single spatial point and not over the entire rotor area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical meteorological masts with optical measurement systems (LIDAR, PDPA) that can measure wind characteristics over the entire rotor area without physical contact. This substitution enables precise measurement of wind speed, direction, and shear across the full rotor surface area, eliminating the single-point measurement limitation of traditional masts.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple meteorological masts are deployed to improve measurement coverage, then wind field data coverage increases, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point measurements (1D/3D coordinates) to area measurements by using optical systems that can measure wind characteristics across the entire rotor surface area simultaneously. This dimensional expansion allows comprehensive wind field mapping without multiplying the number of physical measurement devices.
3Measurement precision
If gondola-mounted sensors are used to measure wind at the rotor location, then measurement location is accurate, but measurement precision is reduced due to wind field distortions caused by the gondola and blade turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the gondola environment and relocates it to the rotor blades themselves. By mounting sensors directly on the blades, the measurement system operates in the undisturbed wind field before the wind interacts with the gondola structure, eliminating the harmful distortions caused by gondola-induced turbulence and blade wake effects.
4Measurement precision
If blade sensors are installed to measure wind field characteristics directly at the rotor area, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple measurement functions into the rotor blade structure itself. The blade sensors serve dual purposes: they measure wind field characteristics (speed, direction, shear) and simultaneously monitor blade structural conditions. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by combining meteorological measurement and structural monitoring into a single integrated system.
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 provides a precise and reliable estimation of electrical power production by directly measuring wind field characteristics at the rotor area, reducing inaccuracies and enabling timely identification of mechanical issues, thus improving operational efficiency and reducing disputes between manufacturers and operators.
Implementation Method 1
a blade sensor means which is associated with at least one of the rotor blades and which measures at least one physical property of the at least one rotor blade dependent on at least one characteristic variable of a wind field describing the wind at the location of the rotor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a control device for a wind power plant having an electrical system and a rotor including a plurality of rotor blades driven by wind, and outputting a mechanical rotor power to the electrical system. The system converts the mechanical rotor power at least partially into electrical power. The control device includes a blade sensor associated with at least one of the rotor blades and measuring at least one physical property of the rotor blade dependent on at least one characteristic value of a wind field describing the wind at the location of the rotor. The blade sensor generates a blade sensor signal characterizing the physical property. The control device also includes an estimation unit to determine an estimated value for the electrical power as a function of the blade sensor signal.