Wind Turbine Controller Arrangement for Power Transfer Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind turbine power transfer systems lack efficient redundancy and reliability in controlling electrical power transfer between generators and grids, particularly in emergency conditions where controller failures can disrupt power flow.
Innovation Solution
A power transfer system with at least two electrical elements and controllers, allowing for independent and shared control modes, where one controller can take over the operation of another in case of failure, ensuring continuous power delivery and system reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each electrical element is controlled by a dedicated controller, then control precision and reliability for each element is improved, but system complexity increases and redundancy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a controller arrangement where at least one controller is configured to control only one electrical element as well as at least two electrical elements. This multi-functionality allows a single controller to take over multiple elements, reducing the total number of controllers needed while maintaining control precision through selective activation based on operational modes
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between operational modes (first operational mode and second operational mode) to determine which controller manages which electrical elements. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt controller assignments based on real-time requirements, optimizing both reliability and complexity management
2Reliability
If multiple controllers are used to control electrical elements, then control precision is improved, but system failure risk increases due to more potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares backup controller arrangements in advance by configuring controllers to be capable of controlling multiple electrical elements. When a controller failure is detected, the system can immediately switch to an alternative controller that is pre-configured to take over the failed controller's electrical elements, cushioning against the harmful effects of failure
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operational status of controllers and electrical elements, detecting failures in real-time. Based on this feedback, the controller arrangement automatically reconfigures to maintain power transfer reliability, switching between operational modes to ensure continuous operation despite individual component failures
3Device complexity
If a single controller controls multiple electrical elements, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision for each element may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically assigns electrical elements to controllers based on operational modes. When precision is critical, the system can activate dedicated one-to-one controller-element assignments. When redundancy is prioritized, the system allows one controller to manage multiple elements, thus dynamically balancing precision and complexity based on real-time operational requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller arrangement of an electrical power transfer system (1) of a wind turbine is described. The wind turbine has an electrical generator and is connected to an electrical power grid, wherein the power transfer system (1) is arranged to transfer electrical power from the generator to the grid. The power transfer system (1) has at least two electrical elements (2-6), e.g. converters, and at least two controllers (15-17) each arranged to control at least one element (2-6). At least one controller is arranged to control only one of the elements as well as at least two of the elements; wherein the controller arrangement enables a first element to be controlled by a first controller and a second element to be controlled by a second controller, as well as the first and the second element to be controlled by the first controller while the first or the second element is not controlled by the second controller. Switching may be triggered by a fault condition.