Wind Turbine Pitch Control Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The arrangement of the pitch system in the rotating part of wind turbines is costly due to high component fatigue, complex maintenance access, and increased production costs, as well as difficulties in communication with external control systems.
Innovation Solution
The blade angle control device is divided into two control units, one secured to the rotor and one to the nacelle, reducing the number of components that need to rotate with the rotor, allowing for simpler, non-rotation-resistant electrical components and reducing heat production and cabling requirements, with energy storage devices providing temporary power in case of network failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pitch system is arranged completely in the rotor, then the blade angle can be adjusted during rotation, but the components are subjected to high fatigue processes and require special design, increasing production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The pitch system is divided into two parts: the blade angle control device remains in the stationary nacelle, while only the minimal necessary components (switching equipment and connections) are placed in the rotating rotor. This segmentation allows blade angle adjustment capability while avoiding subjecting complex control components to rotational fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The main control components of the pitch system are extracted from the rotating rotor and placed in the stationary nacelle. Only the essential switching equipment needed for immediate blade response is retained in the rotor, significantly reducing the complexity and fatigue exposure of rotating components.
2Ease of operation
If the blade angle control device is arranged in the rotor, then direct control is possible, but communication with external control systems becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface and control logic are extracted from the rotating rotor and placed in the stationary nacelle, where they can easily communicate with external control systems. The rotor retains only simple switching equipment that receives commands via slip rings, simplifying the communication architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary control device in the nacelle acts as an intermediary between external control systems and the rotating rotor components. It receives control signals, processes them, and sends appropriate commands to the rotor switching equipment, simplifying the overall communication system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pitch system components are placed in the rotor, then blade angle control is integrated, but maintenance access becomes very complicated and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pitch system is segmented so that the complex control components are located in the stationary nacile, which is easily accessible for maintenance. The rotating rotor contains only simple switching equipment that can be accessed by removing the rotor from the blades, significantly improving maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control components requiring frequent maintenance and calibration are extracted from the rotor and placed in the nacelle, which provides easy access for service personnel. The rotor retains only the simple switching equipment that can be maintained by straightforward rotor removal.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a wind turbine having a machine support (5), a rotor (6) which can be driven by wind (13) to rotate about the rotor axis (7) and is mounted so that it can rotate on the machine support (5) about a rotor axis (7). The rotor includes a rotor hub (8) and several rotor blades (9, 10) which extend respectively in the direction of a blade axis (11, 12) running transverse or essentially transverse to the rotor axis (7). The rotor blades (9,10) are mounted so that they can rotate on the rotor hub (8) about the respective blade axis (11, 12). Blade angle adjustable drives (17, 18) are arranged on the rotor (6) and enable the rotor blades (9, 10) to rotate about the blade axes thereof (11, 12). A blade angle control device (24) is coupled to the blade angle adjusting drives (17, 18) and can control the blade angle adjusting drives (17, 18). An electric generator (15) is mechanically coupled to the rotor (6) and can be driven by the rotor to generate electric energy. The blade angle control device (24) includes several control units (22, 23) which are respectively coupled to the blade angle adjusting drives (17, 18) enabling a first control unit (22) to be fixed to the rotor (6) and a second control unit (23) to be fixed to the machine support.