Wind Turbine Control and Monitoring over Wavelength-Multiplexed Fiber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine communication networks face challenges in preventing unauthorized access and ensuring cyber-security compliance between control and monitoring networks, particularly due to the need for separate optical fibers and rotating joints, which are costly and complex.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a shared optical fiber between the nacelle and rotor with wavelength division multiplexers/demultiplexers in the rotor and nacelle to segregate control and monitoring networks using distinct wavelengths, allowing for secure communication without dedicated separate fibers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate optical fibers are used for control and monitoring networks, then cyber-security compliance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecyber-security complianceVSAvoiddual optical fibers and rotating joints

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the optical communication into different wavelength channels, with control network signals transmitted at a first wavelength and monitoring network signals at a second wavelength. This wavelength-based segmentation allows logical separation of control and monitoring networks while physically sharing the same optical fiber, thereby maintaining cyber-security compliance without requiring separate fibers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shared optical fiber serves multiple functions by carrying both control network traffic and monitoring network traffic simultaneously through wavelength division multiplexing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated fibers for each network type, reducing device complexity while maintaining security boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate optical fibers are used for control and monitoring networks, then network security is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidcost of dual optical fibers and rotating joints

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control network and monitoring network into a single physical optical fiber infrastructure by using wavelength division multiplexing. Control signals and monitoring signals are combined onto the same fiber through different wavelength channels, eliminating the need for duplicate fiber installations and associated rotating joints, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while preserving network security through wavelength-based isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a shared optical fiber is used for both networks, then device complexity is reduced, but cyber-security compliance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle optical fiber infrastructureVSAvoidcyber-security compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning specific wavelength characteristics to specific network functions. The control network operates at a designated first wavelength while the monitoring network operates at a designated second wavelength. This localized wavelength assignment ensures that even though the physical medium is shared, each network maintains its own communication channel with distinct properties, thereby preserving cyber-security compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer acts as an intermediary device that separates and combines different wavelength channels. This intermediary ensures that control and monitoring signals remain isolated on the shared optical fiber, preventing unauthorized access between networks while allowing both networks to use the same physical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach ensures secure separation of control and monitoring networks, preventing cyber-attacks while reducing the complexity and cost associated with dual optical fibers and rotating joints.

Implementation Method 1

a first wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer in the rotor; and a second wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer in the nacelle, wherein: the first wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer is configured to receive nacelle-bound light and multiplex the nacelle-bound light onto the optical fibre; the first wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer is configured to demultiplex rotor-bound light from the optical fibre and route it to either the control network or the monitoring network based on a wavelength of the rotor-bound light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength division multiplexing: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS20250207559A1Wind turbine with control network and monitoring network

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

AI summary

A wind turbine comprising a control network is provided. The control network comprising control-network nodes with one or more control-network nodes in the rotor and one or more control-network nodes in the nacelle. A monitoring network is also provided, comprising monitoring-network nodes with one or more monitoring-network nodes in the rotor and one or more monitoring-network nodes in the nacelle. An optical fibre is shared by the two networks and extends between the nacelle and the rotor. First and second wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexers are provided in the rotor and in the nacelle.