Wind Turbine Thrust Limit Adaptation for Dynamic Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine control systems fail to effectively manage dynamically fluctuating loads due to environmental conditions, leading to potential damage from excessive loading on components.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine current and future wind turbine parameters using operating conditions, calculate a standard deviation, and adjust a parameter setpoint to prevent excessive loading by implementing control actions such as altering pitch angles, modifying generator torque, or activating airflow modifying elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a constant thrust limit is used in control systems, then the control strategy is simple to implement, but it cannot effectively manage dynamically fluctuating loads due to environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a constant thrust limit to a time-varying thrust limit that adapts to changing environmental conditions. The control system continuously updates the thrust limit based on real-time wind conditions and turbine operating state, making the limit dynamic rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simplicity in the control structure while improving reliability through adaptive behavior that responds to environmental fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the thrust limit from a constant value to a time-varying parameter that evolves with environmental conditions. By modifying the thrust limit parameter dynamically based on wind speed, turbulence, and turbine state, the system maintains ease of operation while significantly improving its ability to manage fluctuating loads. The parameter change enables the control system to adapt without increasing operational complexity.
2Reliability
If the thrust limit is varied to account for environmental conditions, then load management effectiveness is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring wind conditions and turbine operating state, then using this information to adjust the thrust limit. The control system receives feedback from sensors measuring wind speed, turbulence, and turbine performance, processes this information, and updates the thrust limit accordingly. This feedback mechanism improves load management effectiveness while keeping the control system relatively simple by using straightforward feedback loops rather than complex control algorithms.
3Productivity
If excessive loading is not prevented, then the wind turbine can operate at maximum power output, but component damage and fatigue increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively adjusting the thrust limit to prevent excessive loads before they occur. Rather than reacting to damage or fatigue after they happen, the control system anticipates potentially damaging conditions by monitoring environmental factors and turbine state, then preemptively adjusts the thrust limit to keep loads within safe boundaries. This preliminary protective action maintains productivity by allowing operation near maximum power output while preventing component damage through advance load management.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods (900) for preventing excessive loading on a wind turbine are disclosed. The method (900) includes determining (902) a current wind turbine parameter using at least one operating condition via a processor, the operating condition indicative of wind turbine operation; storing (904) the current wind turbine parameter in a memory store over a predetermined time period; calculating (906) a standard deviation of a plurality of the stored current wind turbine parameters; determining (908) a future wind turbine parameter; calculating (910) a maximum wind turbine parameter as a function of the standard deviation of the plurality of stored wind turbine parameters and the future wind turbine parameter; and, controlling (912) the wind turbine based on a difference between the maximum wind turbine parameter and a parameter setpoint to prevent excessive loading from acting on the wind turbine.