Wind Turbine Blade Deflection Control Without Direct Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbines face increased operational maintenance and replacement costs due to blade deflections that can lead to contact with the tower, reducing power generation and lifespan, and current solutions like blade deflection sensors increase capital and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
An aero load reduction control system that dynamically measures and controls blade deflections by comparing them to predetermined parameters, using existing hardware like sensors and processors to adjust operational conditions, such as pitch angles and flap positions, to prevent excessive deflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If blade deflection sensors are installed on each blade to monitor deflections, then blade deflection monitoring capability is improved, but capital costs and operational maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses accelerometers mounted on the blade to measure vibration characteristics, which are then processed to create a virtual model of blade deflection. This virtual copy replaces the need for direct physical sensors on the blade, reducing capital and maintenance costs while maintaining monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical sensing on the blade with an indirect measurement system using accelerometers and signal processing. The mechanical vibration data is transformed into deflection information through computational algorithms, eliminating the need for complex mechanical deflection sensors
2Productivity
If blade deflection is allowed to increase to maintain power generation efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the risk of blade-tower contact and structural damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where accelerometers continuously monitor blade vibration, the control system processes this data to determine deflection levels, and pitch actuators adjust blade pitch in real-time to maintain deflection within safe parameters while optimizing power generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic vibration analysis to continuously assess blade deflection during operation. By monitoring vibration characteristics and comparing them against predetermined thresholds, the system dynamically adjusts operational parameters to prevent excessive deflection while maintaining efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
An aero reduction control system (300, 350) includes at least one first wind turbine input device (176) configured to transmit a first operational signal (314, 372) representative of a first operational condition. The first operational condition includes a blade (112) deflection condition. The system also includes at least one second wind turbine input device (131, 146, 148) configured to transmit at least one second operational signal (314, 372) representative of at least one second operational condition. The system further includes at least one wind turbine regulating device (326). The system also includes at least one processor (150, 206, 208-A, 208-B, 208-N) operatively coupled with the first wind turbine input device, the second wind turbine input device, and the regulating device. The processor is programmed to transmit at least one signal (324, 362) to the wind turbine regulating device to change the second operational condition to change the blade deflection condition.