Wind Turbine Rotor Imbalance Control Using Measured Load Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind turbine control systems, specifically Rotor Imbalance Control (RIC), are ineffective in activating during high rotor imbalance loads at low power outputs due to reliance on power output as a surrogate for imbalance loads, leading to potential energy losses and increased pitch control duty cycles during conditions like high wind shear and turbulence.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that activates RIC based on measured loads from proximity sensors, rather than power output, to ensure accurate activation during imbalance conditions, thereby reducing energy production losses and design driving loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RIC activation threshold on power output is lowered to activate during low power outputs, then rotor imbalance loads are mitigated during extreme conditions, but unnecessary blade pitching occurs and pitch control duty cycle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation parameter from power output to measured rotor imbalance loads. By using proximity sensors to directly measure actual rotor imbalance loads, the system activates RIC based on real load conditions rather than surrogate power output signals, eliminating unnecessary activation during low power outputs while ensuring activation during extreme conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/power-based activation signal with direct load measurement using proximity sensors. This substitution allows direct detection of rotor imbalance conditions without relying on power output as an indirect indicator, enabling precise activation control
2Reliability
If RIC activation threshold on power output is lowered to activate during low power outputs, then rotor imbalance loads are mitigated during extreme conditions, but pitch control duty cycle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation parameter from power output to measured rotor imbalance loads. By using proximity sensors to directly measure actual rotor imbalance loads, the system activates RIC based on real load conditions rather than surrogate power output signals, eliminating unnecessary activation during low power outputs while ensuring activation during extreme conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through proximity sensors that continuously measure rotor imbalance loads and feed this information back to the control system. This closed-loop feedback enables activation decisions based on actual load conditions, preventing unnecessary RIC activation and reducing pitch control duty cycle
3Ease of operation
If power output is used as surrogate for imbalance loads, then RIC activation is simplified, but activation accuracy deteriorates during conditions like high wind shear and turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/power-based activation signal with direct load measurement using proximity sensors. This substitution allows direct detection of rotor imbalance conditions without relying on power output as an indirect indicator, enabling precise activation control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces proximity sensors as intermediaries between the rotor imbalance condition and the control system. These sensors directly measure the physical displacement caused by rotor imbalance, providing accurate load information without requiring complex power output correlations
Data Source
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AI summary
A method 500 and a system 10 for managing loads on a wind turbine 20 are provided. The computer-implemented method is implemented using a processor 404 coupled to a memory device 402. The method 500 includes determining 502 a first moment of a wind load acting about a first axis of a rotor of the wind turbine, determining 504 a second moment of a wind load acting about a second axis of a rotor of the wind turbine, and determining 506 a resultant moment of the first moment and the second moment. The method 500 also includes generating 508 an error signal indicating a difference between the resultant moment and a predetermined moment level threshold signal and generating 510, by the processor 404, a first activation signal over a range of the generated error signal between a first zero activation signal level and a first full activation signal level.