Wind Turbine Controller Eigen Frequency Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face damage due to instability issues caused by resonance at specific frequencies, which existing control systems fail to effectively mitigate, leading to potential catastrophic events like high fatigue loads on blades and structural components.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that periodically enters an Eigen frequency detection mode to determine and adjust its gain, monitoring parameters like pitch angle and generator speed to identify and manage resonance frequencies, initiating actions such as shutdown or safe mode operation when amplitude thresholds are exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the controller operates without Eigen frequency detection and monitoring, then the wind turbine can maintain continuous operation, but the components may suffer damage due to resonance-induced instability
Solution Approach 1:
The controller periodically enters an Eigen frequency detection mode before normal operation to determine the closed loop Eigen frequency of the system. This preliminary detection allows the controller to establish safe operating parameters and avoid resonance conditions that could cause component damage, thereby improving reliability without requiring continuous complex monitoring during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors the amplitude of controlled parameters at or near the detected Eigen frequency and compares it against threshold values. When the amplitude exceeds the threshold, the controller initiates mitigation actions. This feedback mechanism ensures component safety by detecting and responding to instability conditions while maintaining relatively simple control logic.
2Reliability
If the controller continuously monitors parameters at Eigen frequency, then damage can be prevented, but computational resources and processing time are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The controller periodically enters an Eigen frequency detection mode rather than continuously operating in this mode. During normal operation, the controller only monitors parameters at or near the previously determined Eigen frequency and initiates mitigation actions only when threshold values are exceeded. This periodic approach maintains detection accuracy while significantly reducing computational resource consumption and processing time compared to continuous monitoring.
3Reliability
If the controller initiates shutdown or safe mode actions when amplitude exceeds threshold, then component damage is mitigated, but operational productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller determines the closed loop Eigen frequency in advance and establishes threshold values for controlled parameters at this frequency. By having these safety parameters pre-determined, the controller can quickly initiate mitigation actions when thresholds are exceeded without requiring complex real-time analysis, thereby protecting components while minimizing the duration of operational interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts its operation by entering detection mode periodically to update Eigen frequency information and by initiating mitigation actions only when amplitude thresholds are exceeded. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high operational availability during normal conditions while providing robust damage mitigation when instability is detected, optimizing the balance between productivity and reliability.
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
Prevents damage to wind turbine components by dynamically managing controller gain and identifying specific Eigen frequencies, allowing for customized mitigation strategies tailored to individual turbines, thereby enhancing operational safety and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
monitor an amplitude of a parameter controlled by the controller at or near the closed loop Eigen frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine including a controller configured to periodically enter an Eigen frequency detection mode in which the controller gain is incremented in a controlled manner to detect the Eigen frequencies. During normal operations, the controller output may be monitored to detect the Eigen frequency which, if detected, may allow damage control operations to be undertaken.