Wind Turbine Blade Control for Extreme Wind Direction Shifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protection control schemes for wind turbines during extreme wind direction changes lead to frequent shutdowns and excessive loading, reducing power availability and turbine component stress.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize sensors and a controller to monitor wind conditions, determine the angle of attack and margin to stall, and implement corrective actions such as pitching rotor blades or modifying rotor speed to prevent stall and negative lift, thereby reducing the need for shutdowns and extreme loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional protection control schemes shut down the wind turbine when wind direction change exceeds threshold limits, then the wind turbine components are protected from extreme loading, but the power availability and productivity of the wind turbine are reduced due to frequent shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The controller proactively adjusts rotor blade pitch angles and rotor speed before the wind direction change causes stall conditions or extreme loading. By predicting the margin to stall based on current operating conditions and wind direction changes, the system takes preventive action to maintain safe operation without shutdown
Solution Approach 2:
The protection scheme dynamically adjusts control parameters (pitch angle, rotor speed) in real-time based on the rate of wind direction change and the calculated margin to stall. This dynamic response allows the turbine to adapt to changing wind conditions while maintaining productivity, replacing static threshold-based shutdown logic
2Strength
If conventional protection control schemes shut down the wind turbine during extreme wind direction changes, then component stress is reduced, but the number of trips increases and shutdown time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors wind direction, rotor performance, and calculated margin to stall, using this feedback to adjust pitch and speed commands in real-time. This closed-loop control enables the system to respond to wind direction changes progressively, avoiding abrupt shutdowns and reducing trip frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (pitch angle, rotor speed) continuously based on the measured wind direction change rate and predicted margin to stall. By adjusting these parameters smoothly rather than triggering binary shutdown states, the system reduces both component stress and shutdown time
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 system effectively mitigates the impact of extreme wind direction changes by minimizing shutdowns and reducing component stress, enhancing power production continuity and turbine durability.
Implementation Method 1
The rotor blades capture kinetic energy of wind using known airfoil principles
Implementation Method 2
A pitch bearing is typically configured operably between the hub and the rotor blade to allow for rotation about a pitch axis
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (100) for protecting a wind turbine (10) from an extreme change in wind direction includes receiving a wind direction and/or a wind speed at the wind turbine (10). When a change in the wind direction or the wind speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, the method (100) includes determining a margin to stall and/or zero lift of the at least one rotor blade (22) of the wind turbine (10) as a function of an angle of attack or change in the angle of attack at a blade span location of at least one rotor blade (22) of the wind turbine (10). The method (100) also includes implementing a corrective action for the wind turbine (10) (without shutting down the wind turbine (10)) when the margin to stall and/or zero lift exceeds a predetermined value so as to avoid stall and/or negative lift on the at least one rotor blade during operation of the wind turbine (10).