Wind Turbine Tip Speed Ratio Control via Generator Speed
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines often operate suboptimally due to environmental and mechanical factors, such as misalignment, dirt, ice, or component degradation, which are not effectively addressed by existing control methods that rely on noisy wind speed measurements and theoretical calculations, leading to reduced energy production and mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A control method that calculates the mean tip speed ratio from rotor and wind speed signals, compares it to a target value, and adjusts control parameters to maintain optimal operating conditions, including filtering and comparing with adjacent turbines to identify and correct inappropriate parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wind speed measurement is used for tip speed ratio control, then the control system can maintain optimal tip speed ratio, but the measurement becomes noisy and sensitive to environmental effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the generator rotational speed as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine the tip speed ratio, avoiding direct wind speed measurement. The control system calculates the tip speed ratio using the relationship between generator speed, gear ratio, and rotor radius, thereby eliminating the need for noisy anemometer measurements while maintaining control accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical anemometer measurement system with an electrical control system that uses generator speed sensors and computational algorithms to determine tip speed ratio, substituting direct mechanical wind measurement with electrical signal processing
2Device complexity
If theoretical control parameters are used, then the control system is simple to implement, but the turbine operates suboptimally due to environmental and mechanical effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism that continuously monitors the actual tip speed ratio calculated from generator speed and compares it with the optimal value. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the generator torque to maintain optimal operation, adapting to environmental and mechanical changes without requiring complex manual calibration
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting deviations from optimal tip speed ratio and correcting them through torque modulation, eliminating the need for external intervention or complex manual tuning while maintaining high energy production efficiency
3Productivity
If the turbine operates in variable speed mode, then the energy capture is maximized, but the turbine may go to work in non-optimal conditions due to various effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the tip speed ratio by continuously adjusting the generator torque based on real-time operating conditions. The control system adapts the optimal tip speed ratio target and torque characteristics according to the current generator speed and power output, enabling the turbine to maintain optimal performance across the entire variable speed range rather than relying on fixed theoretical parameters
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a control method for a wind turbine whereby it is possible to detect situations in which the machine is not working at its maximum performance point, wherein in addition, once these situations have been detected, the control method of the present invention allows to perform an automatic correction of the control parameters and to return the turbine to its optimum operating point.