Wind Turbine Control System Dynamic Cut-out Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines are often shut down unnecessarily due to static monitor set point limits that do not account for changing atmospheric conditions, leading to costly maintenance and lost energy production.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine control system that determines dynamic monitor set point limits based on real-time atmospheric conditions, such as air density and turbulence intensity, to adjust operational parameters and prevent damage while minimizing shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static monitor set point limits are used for wind turbine operation, then turbine component safety is ensured, but unnecessary shutdowns occur leading to lost energy production and increased maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static monitor set point limits to dynamic limits that automatically adjust based on real-time atmospheric conditions. The control system continuously modifies the monitor set point limit according to measured air density and turbulence intensity, allowing the turbine to operate safely under varying conditions while minimizing unnecessary shutdowns. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining safety through condition-based adjustments rather than fixed thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the monitor set point limit parameter based on atmospheric condition parameters (air density and turbulence intensity). When air density is low and/or turbulence intensity is high, the system increases the monitor set point limit, allowing higher operating speeds that would otherwise trigger shutdowns. This parameter adjustment maintains component safety while enabling continued operation during conditions that would normally cause unnecessary shutdowns, thus preserving energy production.
2Reliability
If static monitor set point limits are used for wind turbine operation, then turbine component safety is ensured, but maintenance costs increase due to frequent shutdowns and restarts
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic adjustment of monitor set point limits based on real-time atmospheric conditions prevents unnecessary shutdowns that would otherwise trigger maintenance protocols. By adapting the limit to current conditions, the system avoids false alarms that lead to maintenance interventions, thereby reducing maintenance time and costs while maintaining component safety through condition-appropriate thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback from atmospheric condition sensors (air density and turbulence intensity measurements) to continuously adjust the monitor set point limit. This feedback loop ensures that the limit reflects current operating conditions, preventing unnecessary shutdowns that would require maintenance intervention. The feedback mechanism maintains safety by monitoring conditions while avoiding false positives that lead to maintenance time loss.
3Productivity
If higher monitor set point limits are applied during favorable atmospheric conditions, then operational efficiency increases, but turbine component fatigue may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies parameter changes by adjusting the monitor set point limit based on atmospheric conditions that directly affect component loading. When air density is low (reducing aerodynamic loads) and/or turbulence intensity is high (indicating variable but not necessarily damaging conditions), the system increases the limit. This allows higher operational speeds and improved efficiency while the low air density ensures that component fatigue remains acceptable despite increased speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system copies the favorable atmospheric conditions (low air density, high turbulence intensity) that naturally reduce component stress to justify higher operational limits. By identifying conditions where the atmosphere itself provides protection against fatigue, the system can safely operate at higher speeds without increasing component fatigue, thus improving operational efficiency while maintaining strength integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wind turbine control system is provided. The wind turbine control system includes an atmospheric condition sensor (58) positioned on or in close proximity to a body of the wind turbine (10), the atmospheric condition sensor configured to measure at least one atmospheric condition, and a processor (64) coupled to the atmospheric condition sensor, the processor is configured to receive at least one atmospheric condition measurement from the atmospheric condition sensor, and determine at least one monitor set point limit based at least partially on the at least one atmospheric condition measurement.