Wind Turbine Generator Heating for Moisture Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wind energy converters face damage from moisture and wetness during power limitations, leading to potential corrosion and operational issues when delivering minimal or no energy, and existing heating solutions require energy drawn from the grid, incurring costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power limitation mode where wind energy converters alternate between operation and heating, with one converter providing energy for generator heating of another, minimizing moisture risk without drawing grid power, and utilizing predefined thresholds and sensor data to activate this mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wind energy converters operate in power limitation mode delivering minimal or no energy to the supply grid, then compliance with setpoint values is achieved, but electronic components become moist or wet leading to corrosion damage and operational failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic alternation between operational states (delivering power to grid) and heating states (drying electronic components). Wind energy converters switch between these states in predetermined sequences, allowing components to be heated and dried during operational phases to prevent moisture accumulation during power limitation periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own generated electrical energy to power heating devices that dry the electronic components, rather than relying on external grid power. This self-service approach allows the wind energy converters to maintain their own operational reliability using internally generated resources.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heating devices are operated to protect electronic components from moisture during power limitation, then component protection is achieved, but energy must be drawn from the supply grid incurring costs
Solution Approach 1:
The heating devices are powered by electrical energy generated by the wind energy converters themselves during operational phases, eliminating the need to draw expensive energy from the supply grid. The system serves its own heating needs using internally generated power.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating process is integrated into the operational cycle of the wind energy converters, occurring continuously during power delivery phases to maintain component dryness, rather than being a separate grid-powered operation.
3Power
If wind energy converters rotate at low speed during power limitation to minimize energy delivery, then setpoint compliance is achieved, but electronic components are exposed to unfavorable climatic conditions for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic alternation between low-speed operational states (minimizing power delivery) and heating states (protecting components). This rhythmic switching allows the converters to maintain setpoint compliance while periodically protecting components from moisture exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
Heating cycles are activated in advance or concurrently with periods of low-speed operation to prevent moisture accumulation before it becomes problematic, rather than waiting for damage to occur.
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 from moisture and wetness while avoiding energy costs by using internal energy for heating, ensuring accurate compliance with setpoint values and minimizing operational disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
the generator heating of the turned-off wind energy converter is activated
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for operating wind energy converters, in particular of a wind farm. The power limitation mode in this case comprises the steps of turning off at least one of the wind energy converters and operating at least one wind energy converter different to the turned-off wind energy converter, activating a generator heating of the turned-off wind energy converter, turning off the working wind energy converter at or after occurrence of a predefined event, in particular after a predefined time period has elapsed or when a predefined instant is reached, and activating the generator heating of the wind energy converter turned off at or after the occurrence of the predefined event. Provided is a wind farm and to a wind energy converter for carrying out such a method.