Wind Turbine Pitch and Torque Control for Oscillation Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbine components such as the tower and rotor blades oscillate during operation, leading to damage and reduced lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses motion variables of the tower and rotor blade oscillations to determine operating setpoints for the pitch setting system and generator controller, adjusting pitch angles and generator torque to dampen these oscillations through aerodynamic influence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the wind turbine operates continuously to generate electrical energy, then energy production is improved, but oscillations of the tower and rotor blades cause damage and reduce lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors motion variables (position, velocity, acceleration) of the tower and rotor blades through sensors, and adjusts the pitch angle in real-time based on this feedback to dampen oscillations. This closed-loop control allows the wind turbine to operate continuously while preventing damage from oscillations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pitch angle parameter dynamically based on the operating conditions and detected oscillations. By adjusting the pitch angle within a specific range (e.g., ±5 degrees from the optimal value), the system modifies the aerodynamic forces acting on the rotor blades to counteract oscillations while maintaining energy production.
2Reliability
If the pitch angle is adjusted to dampen oscillations, then the lifetime of the wind turbine is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs multiple functions using a unified approach: it monitors oscillations, determines appropriate pitch angle adjustments, and executes the control commands. The same control algorithm handles both tower and rotor blade oscillations, and the system can operate in different modes (oscillation damping mode, power production mode, or combined mode) without requiring separate control mechanisms for each function.
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
Effectively reduces oscillations in the tower and rotor blades, enhancing the wind turbine's lifetime and operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
the aerodynamics of the rotor blades of the wind turbine can be influenced by the pitch angle. Thus, depending on the pitch angle, forces acting on the rotor blade and, accordingly, on the tower, can be influenced
Implementation Method 2
the rotational speed of the rotor, which can be influenced by the generator torque, influences the aerodynamics of the rotor and, with this, it influences the forces acting on the rotor and the tower
Implementation Method 3
providing first information which is representative of at least two motion variables. The motion variables are motion variables of an oscillation of the tower and/or of an oscillation of the rotor blade
Data Source
AI summary
A method is for operating a wind turbine having a tower, a rotor with a rotor blade and a generator coupled to the rotor. The wind turbine further includes a pitch setting system for changing the pitch angle of the rotor blade and a generator controller for controlling the generator torque. The method includes providing first information representative of at least two motion variables. The motion variables are motion variables of an oscillation of the tower and/or of an oscillation of the rotor blade. Then, an operating setpoint is determined for the pitch setting system and the generator controller depending on the first information. The operating setpoint is determined such that, when the pitch setting system and/or the generator controller is operated according to the respective operating setpoint, it sets the pitch angle of the rotor blade or the generator torque, respectively, in order to damp the oscillation.