Wind Turbine Phase Advance Capacitor Maintenance Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wind turbine generators with phase advance capacitors have low utilization rates and are costly to install for reactor loads, leading to decreased system phase factors and increased transformer or circuit breaker requirements, with risks of heat generation or firing in devices like air conditioners.

Innovation Solution

A maintenance operation method for wind turbine generators that includes connecting and disconnecting phase advance capacitors from the power output line, allowing for their effective utilization during standby or maintenance modes to improve power factor in the distribution system, using a control circuit and external operating signal generating unit for manual or automatic operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phase advance capacitors are installed in each reactor load (e.g., air conditioners) to improve power factor, then power factor improvement is achieved, but cost increases and risk of heat generation or firing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower factorVSAvoidheat generation or firing risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wind turbine generator acts as an intermediary device to improve power factor in the distribution system. Instead of installing capacitors directly in each reactor load (which causes heat generation risks), the phase advance capacitor is installed in the wind turbine generator and connected to the distribution system through the power output line, serving as a mediator to compensate for reactive power without direct contact with individual loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The phase advance capacitor in the wind turbine generator serves multiple functions: it improves the power factor of the wind turbine's own output power and simultaneously improves the power factor of the entire distribution system by compensating for reactor loads. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate capacitor installations at each load

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If phase advance capacitors are installed in each reactor load to improve power factor, then power factor improvement is achieved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower factorVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The power factor improvement function is merged with the wind turbine generator system. The phase advance capacitor is integrated into the wind turbine generator's electrical system rather than being installed separately at each reactor load. This consolidation leverages the existing wind turbine infrastructure to achieve power factor improvement across the entire distribution system, eliminating redundant capacitor installations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wind turbine generator system is designed to serve dual purposes: generating electrical power and improving power factor in the distribution system. The phase advance capacitor installed in the wind turbine generator benefits both the wind turbine's own operation and the broader distribution system, providing universal power factor correction without additional per-load installation costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Power

If a lot of reactor loads exist in the distribution system, then more power generation capacity is needed, but system phase factor decreases and larger transformers or circuit breakers are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation capacityVSAvoidsystem phase factor
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit continuously monitors the operation state of the wind turbine generator and automatically controls the connection and disconnection of phase advance capacitors based on real-time conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal power factor compensation by adjusting capacitor configuration according to the actual operational state, maintaining system phase factor despite varying load conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively utilizes phase advance capacitors to improve power factor in the distribution system, enhancing the system's phase factor and reducing the need for larger transformers or circuit breakers, while minimizing risks of heat generation or firing.

Implementation Method 1

at least one phase advance capacitor parallel-connected to the power output line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2375563B1Method for maintenance operation of a wind power generator and wind power generation apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2375563B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2375563B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2375563B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a maintenance operation method for a wind turbine generator and a wind turbine generator, which can effectively utilize a phase advance capacitor equipped in the wind turbine generator and contribute to the phase factor improvement of the system side. A maintenance operation method for a wind turbine generator including an induction generator 3 driven by rotation of blades 2, a power output line 5 for outputting power of the induction generator 3 to a distribution system 5, and at least one phase advance capacitor 10 parallel-connected to the power output line, comprises: a first step of releasing connection between the phase advanced capacitor 10 and the power output line 5 when a maintenance mode is selected; and a second step of returning the connection between the phase advanced capacitor 10 and the power output line 5 by a manual operation or an automatic operation, wherein the phase advance capacitor 10 returned to the connection with the power output line 5 performs a power factor improvement of reactor loads 53, 54 in the distribution system 50 side through a linkage portion 60 with the distribution system 50.