Wind Turbine Drive Control With Variable Gain Under Extreme Loads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine operations face challenges in safely and efficiently managing extreme conditions, such as high wind speeds or failure situations, particularly in rotating components like the nacelle or rotor blades.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the gain factor of a controller based on operational variables, such as external load or failure conditions, to enhance control stiffness and maintain setpoints for drives, using feedback loops and variable gain factors to manage torque and position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed gain factor is used in the controller, then the control system is simple to implement, but it cannot efficiently respond to changing operational conditions and extreme loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic gain factor that changes based on operational conditions. The controller adjusts the gain factor according to the operational variable (such as rotational speed, torque, or power output), allowing the control system to adapt to varying wind conditions and load requirements. This dynamic adjustment enables efficient response to extreme conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through rule-based adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the gain factor from a fixed value to a variable value that depends on operational conditions. By modifying the gain factor parameter based on measured operational variables, the controller achieves adaptability to different operating regimes without requiring a completely complex control architecture. The gain factor can be increased for stiffer control during extreme loads and reduced for smoother operation during normal conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the gain factor is increased to make control stiffer during extreme conditions, then control precision improves, but the risk of overshooting and system instability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic gain factor adjusts control stiffness in real-time based on operational conditions. During extreme conditions, the gain factor is increased to provide stiffer control and prevent excessive deviations. During normal operation, the gain factor is reduced to maintain system stability and prevent overshooting. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to achieve high control precision when needed while maintaining reliability under normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the gain factor parameter dynamically based on operational variables. By monitoring operational conditions and adjusting the gain factor accordingly, the system achieves precise control during extreme conditions without compromising overall stability. The parameter change is controlled and adaptive, allowing the system to transition smoothly between different control stiffness levels based on actual operating requirements.
3Measurement precision
If a variable gain factor is implemented to improve control adaptability, then control precision during extreme conditions improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic gain factor that adapts to operational conditions through a relatively simple mechanism. The gain factor is adjusted based on pre-defined rules or lookup tables that map operational variables to appropriate gain values. This approach provides variable control precision without requiring complex adaptive control algorithms or additional hardware, maintaining manageable system complexity while achieving improved control during extreme conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the gain factor parameter based on operational variables using a structured approach. By establishing clear relationships between operational conditions and gain factor values (through lookup tables, mathematical functions, or rule-based systems), the patent achieves control precision adaptation without introducing excessive complexity. The parameter change mechanism remains relatively simple while effectively improving control performance.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
According to an embodiment, the method is for operating a wind turbine having (100) a rotatable component (1 to 4) and at least one drive (di) for rotating the rotatable component by exerting torque. The method comprises a step of providing first information (I1) which is representative of an operational variable (OV) of the wind turbine. The method further comprises a step of determining second information (12) depending on the first information, wherein the second information is representative of a variable gain factor (K), the value of which depends on the operational variable. Furthermore, an operating setpoint (OS_i) for the at least one drive is determined depending on the second information. The operating setpoint is determined with the help of a controller (P1 to P4) which uses the variable gain factor.