Wind Turbine Seismic Load Reduction via Adaptive Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines in seismic regions face significant economic and technical challenges due to high seismic loads, which can lead to structural failures and increased costs, as conventional methods either require costly redesign or idling the turbine during earthquakes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for a wind turbine that measures seismic excitation and enters an alternate control mode to reduce seismic loads through improved damping, frequency modification, and aerodynamic adjustments, allowing the turbine to operate stably during seismic events without substantial design changes or idling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the design of the wind turbine support structure is altered to avoid seismic frequencies, then seismic load resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the support structure adjustable and adaptable through control systems. The structure transitions from a static design to a dynamic one that can modify its characteristics in response to seismic events, using actuators and control algorithms to adjust stiffness and damping properties without requiring over-engineered static structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the support structure dynamically, such as stiffness, damping, and natural frequency, through controlled actuation. By modifying these parameters in real-time during seismic events, the structure optimizes its seismic resistance without requiring permanent costly redesigns.
2Strength
If the wind turbine is idled during seismic events, then structural damage is reduced, but productivity and power production are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring seismic activity and turbine response through sensors. The control system processes this information and adjusts the support structure in real-time to maintain optimal performance during seismic events, allowing the turbine to remain operational without risking structural damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters and structural characteristics during seismic events, transitioning from a static idle state to an active adaptive state that maintains both safety and productivity through real-time control modifications.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional support structure design is used in high seismic activity regions, then manufacturing cost is controlled, but reliability and structural safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the support structure from a static conventional design to a dynamic adaptive system that enhances reliability during seismic events through real-time control, rather than relying on over-designed static structures that compromise manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
By dynamically changing structural parameters such as stiffness and damping in response to seismic activity, the system achieves enhanced structural safety without requiring the excessive manufacturing costs associated with conventional over-engineered designs.
4Strength
If RNA redesign is performed for site-specific load calculations, then seismic load resistance is improved, but device complexity and development time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics to the RNA support structure by implementing adjustable and adaptive characteristics through control systems, allowing the structure to optimize its seismic resistance without requiring complete redesigns for each site-specific load calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides universal applicability through a standardized adaptive control framework that can be applied across different sites and load conditions, eliminating the need for separate redesigns for each site-specific seismic load calculation while maintaining optimal performance.
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
The solution effectively reduces seismic loads on wind turbines by actively controlling vibrations and damping, preventing structural failures and maintaining operation during earthquakes, thus reducing costs and enhancing feasibility in seismic regions.
Implementation Method 1
measuring an excitation of one of the foundation, the tower base and/or a proxy thereof
Implementation Method 2
entering an alternate mode of control of the wind turbine for reducing the seismic load on the wind turbine
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A method of reducing seismic load acting on a wind turbine (100) during a seismic load causing event, wherein the wind turbine (100) comprises a foundation (110), a tower base (112), a tower (120) and a wind rotor (130), which is arranged at a top portion of the tower (120) and which comprises at least one blade (131), the method comprising: measuring an excitation of the foundation (110), the tower base (112) and/or a proxy thereof; determining if the measured excitation exceeds an earthquake threshold value (201); and if the measured excitation exceeds the earthquake threshold value (201), entering an alternate mode of control of the wind turbine (100) for seismic events for reducing the seismic load on the wind turbine (100).