Wind Turbine Shadow Detection via Atmospheric Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shadow detection methods for wind turbines are inadequate in accurately and efficiently determining shadow conditions, particularly in scenarios where access to the affected area is restricted or multiple sensors are required to measure light intensity differences.
Innovation Solution
A shadow detection system that utilizes an atmospheric condition detector to assess geometry and atmospheric conditions, determining if a shadow will be produced at a location of concern, allowing for remote detection and eliminating the need for sensors on the wind turbine or affected surfaces, and includes a controller to initiate shutdowns based on these conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light sensors are arranged at multiple locations around the wind turbine to detect shadow conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the shadow detection function from physical light sensors and implements it through atmospheric condition detection. By using a single atmospheric condition detector to measure parameters like cloud cover, humidity, and atmospheric transparency, the system determines shadow conditions without requiring multiple light sensors arranged around the wind turbine, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces atmospheric conditions as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine shadow conditions. Instead of directly measuring light intensity with sensors, the system uses atmospheric condition data (cloud cover, atmospheric transparency) as a mediator to infer whether shadow conditions are present, eliminating the need for complex sensor arrangements
2Reliability
If multiple light sensors are installed to measure light intensity differences, then detection reliability is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the light sensors from the system entirely and replaces them with atmospheric condition detection. By extracting the detection function from physical sensors and implementing it through remote atmospheric parameter measurement, the system maintains reliable shadow condition detection while eliminating the maintenance burden associated with multiple sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The atmospheric condition detector performs self-service detection by automatically measuring atmospheric parameters without requiring physical access to or maintenance of multiple sensor locations. The system maintains reliability through continuous atmospheric monitoring while eliminating the operational complexity of managing multiple sensor installations
3Speed
If shadow detection is performed using direct light measurement, then detection speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to sensor requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical sensor system with an atmospheric detection system. Instead of using light sensors to directly measure intensity changes, the system uses atmospheric condition detectors to measure parameters like cloud cover and atmospheric transparency, achieving shadow detection without the complexity of optical measurement systems
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for detecting a shadow condition from a wind turbine and a system for detecting a shadow condition are provided. An atmospheric condition detected from an atmospheric condition detector is compared to a threshold. From the comparison a determination is made that the atmospheric condition is shadow producing. The shadow condition is detected using said determination.