Wind Turbine Generator Icing Control via No-Load Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbine generators experience significant downtime due to icing on blades, leading to decreased operational efficiency, as conventional systems stop operations immediately upon icing detection, resulting in prolonged restart times and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine generator system with an ice detecting mechanism that switches to a no-load operation mode when icing exceeds a predetermined value, allowing continuous warm-up and reducing restart time, and switches back to normal operation when icing decreases below a set threshold, utilizing a hysteresis-based mode control to stabilize operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wind turbine generator stops operation immediately upon detecting icing, then the safety and reliability are improved, but the stop time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static stop/go decision to a dynamic multi-mode operation system. The control unit dynamically switches between normal operation mode, no-load operation mode, and stop mode based on real-time icing conditions. This allows the system to maintain flexible response to changing icing conditions, enabling continuous operation in no-load mode during moderate icing events, thereby reducing stop time while maintaining safety through monitored operation and immediate stop capability when icing becomes severe.
2Reliability
If the wind turbine generator stops operation immediately upon detecting icing, then the reliability is improved, but the restart time increases due to cooling of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining the devices in a warmed state through continuous operation in no-load mode during icing events. Instead of allowing the devices to cool down during stop periods, the system keeps the generator and associated equipment running at no load, which maintains sufficient temperature to prevent complete cooling. This preliminary maintenance of operational temperature significantly reduces restart time when icing conditions improve, as no lengthy warm-up period is required.
3Productivity
If the wind turbine generator continues operation during icing, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential damage from excessive icing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a multi-mode operation system that dynamically adjusts operational status based on icing severity. The control unit continuously monitors icing conditions and transitions between normal operation mode (when icing is minimal), no-load operation mode (when icing is moderate but manageable), and stop mode (when icing becomes excessive and dangerous). This dynamic response allows the system to maintain productivity during moderate icing events while ensuring reliability by stopping operation when icing reaches dangerous levels, thus resolving the contradiction between continued operation and potential damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces no-load operation mode as an intermediary state between full operation and complete stop. This intermediate mode allows the generator to continue running without producing power, maintaining device temperature and readiness while reducing stress on the system during moderate icing conditions. The no-load mode serves as a buffer that protects the system from the harsh conditions of full operation during icing while avoiding the complete shutdown required for safety, thus balancing productivity and reliability concerns.
4Loss of time
If the wind turbine generator operates in no-load mode during icing, then the restart time is reduced, but energy is consumed without power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining devices in a warmed state during no-load operation to prevent complete cooling, thereby avoiding the energy-intensive warm-up process required after full shutdown. By keeping equipment at operational temperature through low-power operation rather than complete shutdown, the system eliminates the need for high-energy warm-up cycles during restart, thus reducing overall energy consumption over time despite the immediate energy use during no-load operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing intelligent switching between no-load operation mode and stop mode based on real-time icing conditions. The control unit monitors icing severity and transitions to no-load mode only when icing is moderate and manageable, stopping operation when icing becomes excessive. This dynamic decision-making ensures that no-load operation is used strategically to reduce restart time only when beneficial, rather than continuously, thereby minimizing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining the ability to reduce restart time when appropriate.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the invention is to reduce stop time of a wind turbine generator 1 caused by icing on a wind turbine blade 10 in the wind turbine generator 1. The invention provides the wind turbine generator 1 including an ice detecting unit 7 for detecting an amount of icing on a wind turbine blade 10, wherein an operation mode is switched to a no-load operation mode with no power being generated in a case where the icing amount detected by the ice detecting unit 7 exceeds a first predetermined value, and an icing amount is detected by the ice detecting unit 7 in a state where the apparatus is operated in the no-load operation mode.