Wind Turbine Longitudinal Vibration Control via Speed Desynchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind energy systems experience unpredictable longitudinal vibrations due to wind conditions and interactions with neighboring turbines, which can lead to energy deficits and increased maintenance challenges, as existing solutions often require complex controller adjustments and are not universally applicable.

Innovation Solution

Implementing measures such as speed desynchronization between adjacent wind turbines, freezing the pitch angle, adjusting the pitch control algorithm, and altering the azimuth position to reduce longitudinal vibrations without overloading the system, allowing for operation without significant changes to existing control structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If complex controller adjustments are made to reduce longitudinal vibrations, then vibration reduction is achieved, but controller complexity and unforeseeable consequences increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelongitudinal vibrationsVSAvoidcontroller complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes operational parameters of the wind turbine, specifically adjusting rotor speed and pitch angle parameters, to shift the system away from resonant conditions that cause longitudinal vibrations. This approach reduces vibrations by modifying how the system operates rather than adding complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic adjustments to the rotor speed and pitch angle to counteract the periodic nature of longitudinal vibrations. By applying periodic counter-actions that are synchronized with the vibration frequency, the system能够有效ly reduces vibrations without requiring complex continuous control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Force

If pitch control adjustments are made to reduce wind pressure, then wind pressure is reduced, but swing behavior and longitudinal vibrations are triggered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind pressureVSAvoidswing behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary pitch control adjustments before the wind turbine enters conditions that would cause excessive wind pressure and subsequent swing behavior. By proactively adjusting the pitch angle to prevent rather than react to high wind pressure conditions, the system avoids triggering longitudinal vibrations and swing behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If speed desynchronization is implemented between adjacent wind turbines, then longitudinal vibrations are reduced, but coordination complexity between turbines increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelongitudinal vibrationsVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameter of rotor speed for wind turbines in adjacent positions. By desynchronizing the rotor speeds slightly, the system prevents resonant interactions between turbines that can amplify longitudinal vibrations. This simple parameter change approach avoids complex coordination mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively reduces longitudinal vibrations by interrupting swing rhythms and maintaining system stability with minimal intervention, as these measures are typically short-term and non-recurring, ensuring the wind energy system operates within predetermined limits.

Implementation Method 1

a rotor that rotates around an essentially horizontally arranged axle, mechanical energy from wind into electrical energy, with an electrical generator still being used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a so -called pitch control in which the angle angle of the rotor blades is changed by a corresponding adjustment. Here, for example, an increased wind pressure can be reduced by a corresponding adjustment of the rotor blades

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic lift and drag: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentEP2906824B1Method for operating a wind turbine
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
  • EP2906824B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2906824B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2906824B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating at least one first wind turbine (31), having the following steps: - detecting a tower vibration and - introducing a procedure for reducing the vibration if the detected tower vibration is or contains a longitudinal vibration (40) and if the amplitude of the longitudinal vibration (40) exceeds a specified threshold, wherein the procedure for reducing the vibration includes the following steps: - holding the current pitch angle at the current value for a specified holding time period, - changing the pitch control algorithm being used, in particular such that the control speed is reduced, - adjusting the azimuth position by a specified azimuth angle, - switching the operation of the first wind turbine (31) from a first operating mode based on a first power characteristic to a second operating mode based on a second power characteristic, and/or - if the first wind turbine (31) is arranged behind a second wind turbine (32) in a wind park (34) with respect to the current wind direction, matching the rotational speed of the first wind turbine (31) to the rotational speed of the second wind turbine (32) such that the rotational speed of the first wind turbine (31) deviates from the rotational speed of the second wind turbine (32) at least by a specified differential rotational speed.