Single-Point-Mooring Wind Turbine Yaw Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Single-point-mooring wind turbines with two energy conversion units experience misalignment due to uneven wind speed distribution, leading to torque-induced oscillations and energy losses, as the turbines tend to rotate out of the wind direction, resulting in significant energy losses of 25-30%.
Innovation Solution
A master controller is introduced to coordinate the operation of each turbine controller, adapting rotational speed, torque, and pitch angle to optimize alignment with the wind direction by compensating for differential thrust forces and wind speed variations, ensuring stable orientation and minimizing yaw angle deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If a single-point-mooring wind turbine with two energy conversion units is used, then the head weight is significantly reduced and automatic tracking in wind direction is simplified, but the turbine tilts to one side due to torque compensation, causing misalignment with wind direction and energy losses of 25-30%
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the yaw angle deviation and wind direction, comparing the actual orientation with the optimal wind-aligned position. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the rotational speed of individual energy conversion units to counteract torque-induced misalignment and maintain optimal energy capture, thereby resolving the contradiction between reduced head weight and energy losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters (rotational speed, torque) of the energy conversion units dynamically. By adjusting the rotational speed of individual units based on real-time wind conditions and torque measurements, the system compensates for the tilting effect and maintains alignment with wind direction, converting the harmful torque compensation into a controllable parameter adjustment that prevents energy losses.
2Ease of operation
If the entire floater rotates about an anchor referred to as a single point mooring, then the tracking in the wind direction automatically adjusts optimally, but the turbine tilts to one side causing torque-induced oscillation and rotation out of wind direction
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static torque compensation to dynamic control. The control system continuously adjusts the rotational speed of energy conversion units in real-time based on changing wind conditions and torque measurements. This dynamic adjustment prevents the floater from rotating out of wind direction while maintaining the simplicity of single-point mooring, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and alignment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors yaw angle deviation and wind direction continuously, using this feedback to adjust the operational parameters of energy conversion units. This closed-loop control ensures that the turbine remains aligned with wind direction despite torque-induced tilting, maintaining both automatic tracking capability and alignment stability.
3Productivity
If torques occur around the single-point-mooring system due to uneven wind speed distribution, then the turbine rotates out of wind direction, but introducing a master controller increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The control system merges the functions of individual energy conversion unit control with a centralized master controller that coordinates overall turbine alignment. By combining the torque compensation function with the yaw control function in a unified control strategy, the system achieves optimal energy yield without proportionally increasing complexity, as the master controller leverages existing sensors and actuators across the turbine system.
Solution Approach 2:
The master controller performs multiple functions: it monitors wind direction, measures yaw angle deviation, calculates optimal rotational speed adjustments, and coordinates the operation of all energy conversion units. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby improving energy yield capture while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
The solution effectively reduces energy losses by maintaining optimal alignment with the wind direction, balancing thrust forces, and dynamically adjusting operational parameters to counteract torque-induced misalignment, thereby enhancing energy yield and reducing structural loads.
Implementation Method 1
torques also occur around the single-point-mooring system so that single-point-mooring wind turbines with two energy conversion units have the tendency to rotate out of the wind direction
Implementation Method 2
a master controller acting on the turbine controllers and configured to adapt operating parameters for both energy conversion units, in particular rotational speed and torque, in order to minimize the yaw angle deviation
Implementation Method 3
due to the uneven distribution of the wind speeds over the rotor area swept by the rotors, in particular due to the wind speed differences in the particular rotor area between the rotors, torques also occur around the single-point-mooring system
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a single-point-mooring wind turbine, comprising: two wind energy conversion units, which each have a rotor; turbine controllers, each of which is assigned to one of the energy conversion units and is designed to control the energy conversion unit in question independently of the other energy conversion unit in accordance with the operating parameters relating to the energy conversion unit in question. The wind turbine has a master controller, which acts on the turbine controllers and is designed to specify operating parameters adapted to both energy conversion units.