Wind Turbine Rotor Oscillation Detection via Multi-Directional Load Phase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling wind turbine rotor oscillations suffer from high false positive and false negative rates, leading to unnecessary energy yield losses and potential damage due to inadequate detection of significant oscillations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize amplitude and phase information from multiple signals representing loads in different directions to identify dominant oscillation modes, allowing for improved control and reduced false positives and negatives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing methods are used to control wind turbine rotor oscillations, then the system can operate with simple monitoring, but the detection accuracy is low leading to high false positive and false negative rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from analyzing a single vibration signal to analyzing multiple signals representing loads in different directions (at least two signals). By adding dimensional information from multiple signal sources, the system achieves better oscillation mode identification and reduces false positives/negatives without requiring overly complex additional hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the analysis parameters from simple amplitude monitoring to combined amplitude and phase analysis of multiple signals. By extracting and analyzing phase information in addition to amplitude, the system can distinguish between different oscillation modes (forward vs backward whirl) and significantly improve detection accuracy
2Reliability
If the wind turbine is shut down to avoid potential damage from oscillations, then safety is improved, but energy yield losses increase due to unnecessary shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based control system that continuously monitors multiple load signals, analyzes their amplitudes and phases, and provides real-time feedback on oscillation mode identification. This enables dynamic adjustment of turbine operation, allowing continued operation when oscillations are benign while shutting down only when dangerous oscillation modes are detected, thus reducing unnecessary energy losses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conservative mechanical protection strategies (automatic shutdown at any vibration threshold) with an intelligent control system that uses signal processing and pattern recognition. By substituting mechanical/conservative approaches with electronic sensing and computational analysis, the system achieves safer operation while maintaining productivity through reduced false alarms
3Measurement precision
If multiple signals representing loads in different directions are analyzed, then oscillation mode identification improves, but the complexity of signal processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex oscillation analysis problem into distinct components by analyzing at least two separate load signals representing different directions. By dividing the analysis into multiple signal channels and processing them semi-independently, the system achieves comprehensive oscillation mode identification while keeping each processing channel manageable in complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method (100) of controlling operation of a wind turbine (10). The method (100) comprises receiving operational (215) data indicative of oscillations in a wind turbine rotor (18). The method (100) comprises deriving a first signal (224) representative of loads in a first direction in a reference plane and a second signal (226) representative of loads in a second direction in the reference plane. The second direction is different from the first direction. The method (100) further comprises determining an amplitude (A1, A2) of the first (224) and second (226) signals, as well as a phase offset (ϕ1 - ϕ2) between the first (224) and second (226) signals. Finally, the method (100) comprises controlling the wind turbine (10) based on the amplitudes (A1, A2) and the phase offset (ϕ1 - ϕ2). The disclosure also relates to a control unit (36) for controlling operation of a wind turbine (10) and to a wind turbine (10).