Wind Turbine Hub Electrical Switch for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
As wind turbines increase in size, traditional slip rings used to transfer electrical power from the nacelle to the rotor experience heavy wear and may not provide sufficient contact for high power current transfer, requiring regular maintenance and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine with an electrical supply structure featuring a switch that can change between connected and disconnected modes based on the rotor's rotation, using a detection system to establish electrical connection only when needed, reducing wear and improving contact efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a slip ring is used to transfer electrical power from the nacelle to the rotor, then electrical power can be transferred continuously, but the slip ring experiences heavy wear and requires regular maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a switch that periodically establishes and breaks electrical contact between the nacelle and rotor. The switch is adapted to change from disconnected mode to connected mode when the rotor does not rotate, and vice versa when the rotor rotates. This periodic connection and disconnection eliminates continuous sliding contact, thereby preventing wear while still enabling power transfer when needed.
2Power
If a slip ring is used for electrical power transfer, then continuous power supply is maintained, but contact quality deteriorates under high power current
Solution Approach 1:
The switch establishes electrical connection only when the rotor is stationary, where contact quality is optimal. When the rotor rotates, the switch disconnects, avoiding the degradation of contact quality that occurs under continuous sliding conditions at high power currents. This periodic action maintains high contact quality during power transfer operations.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the switch is adapted to change from disconnected mode to connected mode when the rotor does not rotate, then wear on the electrical supply structure is decreased, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is adapted to respond to the rotational state of the rotor, using feedback from the rotor's motion to control the switching action. When the rotor does not rotate, the switch changes from disconnected mode to connected mode, and vice versa. This feedback-based control automates the switching process, reducing manual intervention while extending service life through reduced wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching mechanism operates autonomously based on the rotor's rotational state. The system self-regulates the electrical connection without requiring external control, as the switch automatically responds to whether the rotor is rotating or stationary. This self-service capability simplifies overall system operation despite the added switching component.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a wind turbine including a nacelle, a rotor having at least one blade attached to a hub, and an electrical supply structure for supplying electrical power from the nacelle to the rotor. The rotor is rotatably connected to the nacelle about an axis of rotation. The supply structure comprises a switch which has a connected mode in which the nacelle and the rotor are electrically connected, and a disconnected mode in which the nacelle and the rotor are electrically disconnected. Furthermore, the switch is adapted to change from the disconnected mode to the connected mode when the rotor does not rotate.