Wind Turbine Rotor Braking Threshold Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind power plant operations face challenges in reducing loads and avoiding unnecessary triggering of the safety system, particularly due to the limitations in defining optimal threshold values for rotor speed control.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a wind energy plant with a speed-controlled rotor, where the operational management initiates braking at a first threshold value, and the safety system triggers braking at a second threshold value only if the operational management has not initiated braking, ensuring that the rotor is always braked at the second threshold value, which can be set lower than conventional values, thereby reducing loads and allowing for cost-effective design without increased risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the safety system threshold value is set lower to reduce loads, then the wind energy installation can be designed more cost-effectively, but the safety system may be triggered unnecessarily during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The safety system is segmented into two independent threshold evaluation paths: one for conditional triggering (ns1) that checks operational management status, and one for unconditional triggering (ns2) that ensures absolute safety. This segmentation allows the system to use lower threshold values without risking unnecessary triggering, as the conditional logic prevents false positives while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary checking of operational management braking status before triggering the safety system at threshold ns1. By evaluating whether operational management has already initiated braking before activating the safety system, unnecessary triggering is prevented while allowing lower threshold values that reduce design loads.
2Productivity
If the safety system threshold value is set higher to avoid unnecessary triggering, then operational disruptions are reduced, but the loads on the wind energy installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-threshold segmentation enables the system to use lower threshold values (ns1, ns2) that reduce mechanical loads on the installation, while the conditional triggering logic ensures operational continuity by preventing unnecessary safety system activation during normal operational variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of threshold sensitivity by implementing conditional evaluation at ns1 that considers operational management state. This allows the effective triggering threshold to adapt dynamically - lower when operational management is functional (reducing loads) and effectively higher when operational management fails (ensuring safety).
3Reliability
If the safety system triggers immediately when threshold values are exceeded, then safety is ensured, but unnecessary triggering occurs during functional operation with extreme gusts
Solution Approach 1:
Before triggering the safety system at threshold ns1, the system performs a preliminary check to determine if operational management has already initiated braking. This preliminary action distinguishes between genuine safety threats requiring immediate intervention and normal operational responses, preventing unnecessary safety system triggering during functional operation with extreme gusts while maintaining safety assurance.
Solution Approach 2:
The operational management braking status serves as an intermediary condition that mediates between the safety system threshold exceeded signal and the actual safety system triggering. This intermediary evaluation prevents direct, unnecessary triggering during normal operation while ensuring safety when truly needed.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~5d
Figure 6a~7d
AI summary
The method involves triggering a braking operation for a rotor of a wind turbine by an operating guide (14) when speed of the rotor exceeds a threshold value. A safety system (16) is triggered for braking the rotor when the speed of the rotor exceeds another threshold value and the operating guide does not introduce the braking operation, where the latter threshold value is larger than the former threshold value. The safety system is triggered for braking the rotor when the speed of the rotor exceeds a third threshold value. An independent claim is also included for a wind turbine comprising a rotor.