Wind Turbine Control Unit Torque Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind power generating systems face issues with breakdowns and damage due to excessive rotational speeds during high wind speeds, as existing protection mechanisms can cause sudden torque changes that damage fan blades and generators.
Innovation Solution
A wind power generating system with a control unit that dynamically switches between normal, rotational speed control, and safety modes based on operational conditions, using a brake unit to adjust rotational speed and torque, ensuring the system operates within safe limits by shifting to a safety mode when high wind speeds are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a relay or circuit breaker is activated to short-circuit the three phase outputs of the electric generator to instantly stop the wind turbine, then the rotational speed decreases quickly, but the fan blades and electric generator are easily damaged due to maximum torque
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit gradually increases the torque angle from its initial value to a maximum value over a predetermined time period when transitioning to safety mode, rather than instantly applying maximum torque. This gradual transition acts as a cushion that prevents sudden mechanical shocks to the fan blades and generator, while still achieving the goal of reducing rotational speed to a safe level within a reasonable time frame.
2Productivity
If the wind turbine operates under normal mode to generate electricity power according to maximum power extraction curve, then power generation efficiency is maximized, but the system becomes vulnerable to damage when external wind speed exceeds predetermined limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between three operational modes (normal mode, rotational speed control mode, and safety mode) based on real-time external wind speed conditions. The control unit continuously monitors wind speed and adjusts the torque angle and operational mode accordingly, allowing the system to optimize power generation during safe conditions while automatically protecting itself when wind speeds exceed predetermined thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback signals from sensors that monitor external wind speed, rotational speed, and operational parameters. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the torque angle and switches between operational modes to maintain system safety while maximizing power generation efficiency when conditions permit.
3Reliability
If the wind turbine switches between multiple operational modes with different torque extraction strategies, then system protection is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct operational modes (normal mode, rotational speed control mode, and safety mode), each with specific control strategies and torque angle ranges. This segmentation allows the complex protection logic to be organized into manageable, well-defined states that are easier to implement and maintain compared to a single monolithic control algorithm.
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 system effectively limits rotational speed and torque to prevent damage, maintaining stable operation and protecting the wind turbine by gradually reducing speed during high winds, thus preventing instrument breakdowns and ensuring continuous power generation.
Implementation Method 1
a wind turbine (110), a control unit (120), and a load unit (130). The wind turbine (110) includes a blade module (112) and an electric generator (114), in which the blade module (112) is actuated by an external wind to drive the electric generator (114) to generate an electricity power
Data Source
AI summary
A control method for a wind power generating system includes the following procedures. When a rotational speed control condition is satisfied, a wind turbine is switched to operate under a rotational speed control mode to limit the electricity power by a maximum power point shifting manner. When a speed of an external wind is greater than a predetermined wind speed, the wind turbine is switched to operate under a safety mode to decrease a rotational speed of the wind turbine by a maximum torque extraction manner to protect the wind power generating system. A wind power generating system is also disclosed herein.