Wind Turbine Pitch Reference Assembly for Off-Site Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining a pitch homing reference in wind turbines require significant time and pose safety risks during installation, especially in offshore environments, and can lead to imprecise pitch references causing reduced energy production and increased maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A pitch assembly and method that utilize a sensor and target attached to the hub and blade bearing rings to determine the pitch reference before installation, using a light emitting and collecting device to align the target and sensor, allowing for precise determination of the pitch reference off-site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pitch homing reference is determined using blade projection and laser-sensor alignment at installation site, then pitch reference can be established, but installation time is significantly extended and operator safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the pitch homing reference during the blade assembly process at the manufacturing site, before the blade is transported to the installation location. The laser and sensor are mounted on the hub, and the blade is positioned and aligned to establish the pitch reference in advance. This eliminates the need for time-consuming alignment operations at the installation site, reducing installation time while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If pitch homing reference determination requires operators to work at high altitudes during prolonged periods, then pitch reference can be established, but operator safety risk increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing a system where the pitch reference determination is automatically performed through mechanical alignment features during blade assembly. The blade includes a projection that automatically aligns with a reference feature on the hub, and the laser-sensor system automatically detects when alignment is achieved. This reduces the need for operator intervention at high altitudes, minimizing safety risks while ensuring accurate pitch reference establishment.
3Manufacturing precision
If pitch reference determination is performed on-site after blade installation, then alignment can be verified, but installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pitch reference determination process with the blade assembly process itself. The laser and sensor are mounted on the hub, and the blade is positioned and aligned to establish the pitch reference in advance. By combining these functions into a single integrated process during manufacturing, the system eliminates the need for separate verification steps at the installation site, reducing overall process complexity while maintaining alignment precision.
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
Reduces installation time and operator risk while ensuring precise pitch references, minimizing energy loss and maintenance needs by allowing off-site alignment of wind turbine blades.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting and collecting device to align the target and sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to pitch assemblies and methods for determining one or more pitch references for a pitch control system of a wind turbine. The assembly comprises a wind turbine hub; a pitch bearing including a hub bearing ring configured to be attached to a hub flange and a blade bearing ring configured to be attached to a wind turbine blade; a target configured to be attached to one of the blade bearing ring and the hub; and a sensor configured to be connected to the other of the wind turbine hub and the blade bearing ring, and configured to sense the target such that a position of the target with respect to the sensor can be determined.