Wind Turbine Verification System Digital Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine verification systems rely on cumbersome paper copies, leading to space constraints, transcription errors, and inefficiencies during commissioning tests, requiring lengthy training and being costly and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A wind turbine verification system comprising a controller with stored operating parameters and a verification device that communicates via a data link to execute predefined tests, reducing the need for physical documentation and automating the verification process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If paper copies of commissioning verification procedures are used, then commissioners can follow verification procedures, but space constraints occur and transcription errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification procedure followingVSAvoidspace in nacelle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical paper copies of verification procedures with a digital verification device that stores and displays the same information electronically. This eliminates the need for voluminous paper documentation while maintaining full functionality of following verification procedures, thereby resolving the space constraint issue without sacrificing ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If paper copies of commissioning verification procedures are used, then verification can be performed, but transcription errors occur and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification process efficiencyVSAvoidtranscription time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual transcription from paper to database with an automated electronic system. The verification device directly communicates with the centralized database, eliminating the intermediate manual transcription step that causes errors and time loss, thereby significantly improving productivity while reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If lengthy training processes are implemented, then commissioners learn proper verification procedures, but time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidtraining time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The verification device is designed with user-friendly interfaces and automated guidance that enable commissioners to perform verification tasks independently without extensive prior training. The system provides built-in instructions and real-time guidance, allowing commissioners to conduct verifications accurately while minimizing the time and cost associated with lengthy training programs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Loss of information

If manual recording of test results is used, then results can be captured, but errors occur and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest result accuracyVSAvoiddata entry efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The verification device automatically captures test results and provides immediate feedback by directly entering data into the centralized database. This automated feedback loop eliminates manual transcription errors and reduces the risk of information loss, while simultaneously improving data entry efficiency by eliminating the separate manual recording and transcription steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2299111B1System for verifying wind turbine operation
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2299111B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2299111B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2299111B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wind turbine verification system is provided. The system includes a wind turbine controller (60) having a plurality of wind turbine operating parameters (122) stored therein, and a verification device (100) including a processor (102), a memory device (106), and a user input mechanism, the verification device being configured to communicatively couple to the wind turbine controller via a data link (114). The verification device is further configured to receive at least one wind turbine operating parameter from the wind turbine controller, execute a verification program (110) on the wind turbine controller, wherein the verification program iterates through a plurality of predefined tasks (228), and verify at least one operating condition of a wind turbine (10) based on the executed verification program.