Wind Turbine Yaw Control via Torque Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbines face misalignment issues due to sensors positioned downwind of the rotor, leading to increased asymmetric loads and fatigue cycles, as they rely on sensed wind direction that differs from the actual wind direction striking the rotor, resulting in reduced efficiency over time.
Innovation Solution
A yaw system that adjusts the nacelle's orientation based on sensed torque loading of the yaw drive assembly, using a control system to calculate the yaw angle relative to the wind direction, ensuring alignment with the actual wind direction by adjusting the yaw drive assembly to maintain optimal torque loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned downwind of the rotor to sense wind direction, then the wind turbine can detect wind direction, but the sensed wind direction differs from the actual wind direction striking the rotor, causing yaw misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational model that translates sensor measurements (taken at the hub location) into accurate wind direction estimates at the rotor plane. This intermediary processing layer reconciles the spatial discrepancy between sensor position and rotor position, eliminating the need to relocate sensors while maintaining alignment accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically positioning sensors at the rotor with a computational approach using aerodynamic models and signal processing. Instead of moving the sensor mechanically to the optimal location, the system uses mathematical transformations to compensate for the spatial offset, substituting physical repositioning with intelligent algorithms
2Productivity
If the nacelle is misaligned with the actual wind direction, then the wind turbine operates with reduced efficiency, but increasing sensor positioning complexity to improve alignment would increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing sensor infrastructure at the hub to serve dual purposes: both monitoring general operational conditions and providing data for precise wind direction estimation. The computational model processes readily available sensor data to self-correct the alignment issue without requiring additional specialized sensors or complex hardware modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing hub-mounted sensors multi-functional by using them not only for general wind monitoring but also for precise yaw control through computational transformation. This universal usage of existing components avoids the need for separate dedicated sensors, maintaining system simplicity while improving alignment accuracy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A yaw system (34) for use with a wind turbine (10), the wind turbine including a nacelle rotatably coupled to a tower. The yaw assembly includes a yaw drive assembly (38) coupled to the nacelle, the yaw drive assembly configured to rotate the nacelle about a yaw axis (36), a first sensor (52) coupled to the wind turbine, the first sensor configured to sense an operating condition of the wind turbine and to generate at least a first monitoring signal indicative of the operating condition, and a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor for receiving the generated first monitoring signal from the first sensor, the control system configured to calculate a yaw angle of the nacelle with respect to a direction of wind (30) based on the received first monitoring signal.