Wind Turbine Encoder Compensation for Stable Shaft Position Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the angular position and speed of a wind turbine generator shaft using encoder sensors are prone to inaccuracies due to signal distortions caused by encoder imperfections, leading to instabilities and unsuitable performance across various speed ranges.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves receiving a position signal from an encoder sensor, determining a compensation signal to address disturbances caused by encoder imperfections, and modifying the position signal by applying the compensation signal to improve accuracy. This approach decouples encoder filter tuning from imperfection compensation, allowing for more precise generator position and speed determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If previous approaches for removing signal distortions are applied, then encoder imperfections are compensated, but phase shifts occur leading to instabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoder position measurement accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary compensation signal that acts as a mediator between the raw encoder position signal and the control system. This compensation signal is calculated based on the relationship between position and speed components, and when applied to correct the encoder signal, it eliminates distortions without causing phase shifts that would destabilize the control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If encoder filter tuning is coupled with imperfection compensation, then signal processing is simplified, but accuracy across different speed ranges deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing complexityVSAvoidgenerator position and speed determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signal processing into distinct functional blocks: one for encoder filter tuning and another for imperfection compensation. The compensation block specifically calculates a compensation signal based on the relationship between position and speed components, allowing accurate position and speed determination across different speed ranges without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If encoder imperfections are not compensated, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy and control performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing complexityVSAvoidgenerator angular position and speed accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic compensation approach where the compensation signal is continuously calculated based on the relationship between position and speed components. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high measurement precision across varying operating conditions and speed ranges, while the compensation mechanism itself remains computationally efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4180657B1Determination of wind turbine generator position
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS
  • EP4180657B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4180657B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4180657B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a method for determining angular position of a generator shaft of a wind turbine. The method includes receiving a position signal, from an encoder position sensor of the wind turbine, indicative of an angular position of the generator shaft. The method includes determining a compensation signal to compensate for a disturbance signal in the received position signal indicative of an imperfection associated with the encoder position sensor. The method includes modifying the position signal by applying the determined compensation signal to the received position signal to determine angular position.