Wind Turbine Generator Switch Gear Cold Weather Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbine generators face damage due to voltage application at temperatures outside the warranty range when installed in cold weather, leading to decreased operational rates, as heaters may not maintain device temperatures within the manufacturer's guarantee limits.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine generator system with a switch gear that disconnects the power supply unit from the utility grid when ambient temperatures drop below a predetermined threshold, using temperature and voltage measuring units to prevent voltage application during power outages and ensure operation within the device's temperature guarantee range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heater is used to maintain electric devices at a predetermined temperature in cold weather, then the operation temperature can be maintained, but the devices may still drop below the warranty temperature threshold and suffer damage when power outage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the ambient temperature and preemptively opens the switch gear when the temperature drops below a predetermined threshold, preventing voltage application to the power supply unit before damage can occur. This preliminary protective action avoids the need for heaters and ensures device reliability in cold weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the temperature measuring unit and the switch gear, receiving temperature data and automatically controlling the switch gear opening/closing based on predetermined thresholds. This automated control system ensures timely protective actions without manual intervention.
2Productivity
If the switch gear remains closed to allow power supply connection, then operational efficiency is maintained, but voltage application during power outage recovery can cause device damage
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the ambient temperature and uses this feedback to automatically control the switch gear state. When temperature drops below the threshold, the switch gear opens to prevent voltage application; when temperature rises above the threshold, the switch gear closes to restore power supply connection, thus balancing device protection with operational efficiency.
3Reliability
If heaters are operated continuously to maintain temperature, then device temperature is maintained within warranty range, but energy consumption increases and may not prevent damage during power outage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heater component from the system entirely and replaces it with a temperature-based switch gear control mechanism. The control unit monitors ambient temperature and opens the switch gear when temperature drops below the threshold, preventing voltage application without requiring any heating elements, thus eliminating the energy consumption issue while maintaining device reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is an object to prevent damage on electric devices in a case where a generator is installed in a cold weather. The invention provides a wind turbine generator 2 including: a power supply unit 23 connected to a utility grid 10 via a switch gear 3; a utility grid voltage measuring unit 26 provided between the power supply unit 23 and the utility grid 10, for measuring a voltage of the utility grid 10; and a temperature measuring unit 21 for obtaining an ambient temperature of the power supply unit 23. In a case where a measurement value of the temperature measuring unit 21 or an ambient temperature of the power supply unit 23 estimated based on the measurement value is smaller than a first temperature threshold determined based on a function guarantee temperature of the power supply unit 23 and the voltage measured by the utility grid voltage measuring unit 26 is smaller than a preset voltage threshold, the switch gear 3 operates to interrupt the connection between the power supply unit 23 and the utility grid 10.