Wind Turbine Tower Torque Load Estimation Using Rotor Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbines face challenges in accurately determining tower base torque loads due to the complexity of monitoring bending forces and torque loads, which can lead to overloading and unsafe operation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize monitored wind turbine operating characteristics such as wind speed, horizontal acceleration, and turbine rotor speed to estimate tower base torque loads using simplified equations, allowing for the calculation of torque loads through parameters like wind force, effective height, mass/height coefficient, and static torque offset, and generating control signals to adjust operations if limits are reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If numerous strain gauges and monitoring devices are used to accurately determine tower base torque loads, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential parameters needed for torque load determination (wind speed, horizontal acceleration, rotor speed) from the complex set of all possible monitoring parameters. By selecting and monitoring only these key parameters, the system achieves adequate measurement precision while significantly reducing device complexity and the number of sensors required.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is designed to use existing multi-functional parameters that serve multiple purposes. For example, wind speed data is used both for torque calculation and for general operational control, while rotor speed serves both performance monitoring and torque determination functions. This reduces the need for dedicated specialized sensors.
2Measurement precision
If complex monitoring systems with numerous sensors are implemented, then tower base torque load determination accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and monitors only the critical operational parameters (wind speed, horizontal acceleration, rotor speed) that directly influence torque load. This reduction in monitored parameters significantly simplifies system operation and data processing while maintaining sufficient accuracy for safe torque load determination.
3Reliability
If real-time torque load monitoring and adjustment systems are implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where monitored parameters (wind speed, horizontal acceleration, rotor speed) are continuously used to calculate torque load, which then feeds back to control system adjustments. This closed-loop feedback ensures reliable safe operation by automatically responding to changing conditions while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses existing multi-functional parameters for both monitoring and control decisions. Wind speed, rotor speed, and horizontal acceleration serve dual purposes as both performance indicators and torque calculation inputs, reducing the need for separate dedicated control sensors and simplifying the overall control architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (300) for determining wind turbine tower base torque loads including a controller (302) configured to determine a torque load of a base (102) of a tower (104) of a wind turbine (100) according to a computation of an effective height of the wind turbine (100) multiplied by a wind force upon a rotor (108) of the wind turbine (100), and generate a control signal representing the torque load. A method for determining wind turbine tower base torque loads including determining a torque load of a base (102) of a tower (104) of a wind turbine (100) according to the foregoing computation, and generating a control signal representing the torque load.