Adaptive Wind Turbine Noise Control via RF Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines in noise-regulated areas face a trade-off between minimizing noise disturbance and maximizing electric energy production, as operating in low noise modes reduces energy output.
Innovation Solution
A control system using radio frequency receivers to detect and localize individuals near wind turbines, dynamically adjusting noise modes to balance energy production and noise levels by distinguishing between areas with and without people, utilizing Software Defined Radio receivers for adaptive noise mode control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If wind turbines operate in low noise mode to comply with noise regulations, then noise disturbance to nearby residents is minimized, but electric energy production is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic noise mode adjustment by continuously monitoring RF signals from mobile devices to detect human presence. The wind turbine controller dynamically switches between different noise modes (e.g., low noise mode, medium noise mode, high noise mode) based on real-time detection of RF signals. This dynamic adaptation allows the turbine to operate at maximum power when no humans are nearby while automatically reducing noise when humans are detected, thereby resolving the contradiction between noise control and energy production
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by using RF signal detection as a trigger for noise mode adjustment. The controller continuously monitors for RF signals from mobile devices in the vicinity of the wind turbine. When RF signals are detected indicating human presence, the system provides feedback to switch to a lower noise mode. When RF signals are absent for a predetermined period, the system feedbacks to switch back to higher power modes. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically balance noise control and energy production based on real-time conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If static noise mode configuration is used to simplify control, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying human presence is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine control system performs self-service by autonomously detecting human presence through RF signal monitoring and automatically adjusting its own noise mode without requiring external intervention. The controller uses built-in RF detection capabilities to identify mobile devices in the vicinity and independently decides when to switch between noise modes. This self-service approach enhances adaptability to varying human presence while avoiding the need for complex external control infrastructure, thereby achieving high adaptability with relatively simple added complexity
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
This approach allows for optimized energy production while minimizing noise disturbance, offering a more accurate and flexible solution than static noise regulations, and improving public perception of wind turbines.
Implementation Method 1
A control system for controlling a noise mode of operation of a wind turbine in a wind turbine park... receiving inputs from a plurality of radio frequency receivers... calculating a measure indicative of a location of a radio frequency source
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for one or more wind turbines comprising an RF receiver used as a method for adaptively controlling the noise mode of operation of a wind turbine. Preferably, this involves multilateration to determine location of RF sources near wind turbindes of a wind turbine park. The RF receivers would detect nearby RF signals in multiple spectrums, in particular mobile telecommunication signals (GSM/UMTS), to identify and localize RF sources near to the wind turbine(s). This information is then be processed to identify which RF sources are likely to be linked to a real person near the wind turbine, and this can be used to adjust the noise mode of the wind turbine accordingly. Thereby maximizing energy production from the wind turbine in absence of nearby people, while keeping noise low when people are nearby.