Wind Turbine Redundant Device Asymmetric Duty Cycle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines with redundant devices often experience inefficient operation due to predefined rated power limits, leading to underutilization of power generation capacity, and the failure of one redundant device can lead to premature failure of others, requiring costly emergency maintenance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an asymmetric duty cycle that subjects one redundant device to a greater lifetime reduction than others, allowing it to fail first, ensuring the remaining devices can continue operating until a regularly scheduled maintenance visit, thereby reducing operational costs and extending the lifespan of other devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant devices are operated with equal duty cycles, then reliability is improved through redundancy, but the likelihood of simultaneous failures increases and maintenance costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by implementing unequal duty cycles for redundant devices. Specifically, one redundant device is assigned a higher duty cycle (e.g., 60-80% operation time) while another is assigned a lower duty cycle (e.g., 20-40% operation time). This asymmetric operation ensures that devices wear at different rates, preventing simultaneous failures and enabling staggered maintenance scheduling, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability through redundancy and avoiding simultaneous failures that increase maintenance time and costs.
2Strength
If wind turbines operate at predefined rated power limits, then component operating limitations are respected, but power generation capacity is underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static, fixed duty cycle assignments to dynamic duty cycle adjustment. The control system continuously monitors the operational status, wear indicators, and performance metrics of redundant devices, then dynamically adjusts their duty cycles in real-time. This allows the system to optimize the balance between component durability and power generation capacity, enabling higher overall productivity while respecting component limitations through adaptive rather than rigid operational constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying operational parameters (duty cycles, load distribution, switching timing) of redundant devices based on their actual condition and system requirements. Rather than operating all redundant devices at fixed rated limits, the system varies parameters such as the proportion of time each device operates, the magnitude of load each handles, and the timing of switching between devices. This enables the system to extract more power generation capacity while still maintaining component durability through optimized parameter selection.
3Ease of manufacture
If one redundant device is subjected to greater lifetime reduction, then it fails first allowing scheduled maintenance, but the device's operational lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by deliberately extracting or removing the equal treatment aspect from redundant device operation. Instead of treating all redundant devices identically, the system selectively applies different duty cycles to different devices, effectively 'taking out' the symmetry that would otherwise cause simultaneous failures. This allows the system to plan maintenance by extracting or removing devices from service at different, predetermined times, making maintenance scheduling easier while accepting that individual device lifespans will be intentionally reduced through unequal usage patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for control of redundant devices in a wind turbine is provided, comprising operating a first redundant device and at least one other redundant device such that the first redundant device is expected to fail before any of the at least one other redundant devices.