Wireless Blade Sensor Data Transmission for Wind Turbine Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbine rotor blades face increased deflection forces and risks of blade stall and mechanical fatigue due to larger sizes and reduced weights, necessitating real-time monitoring of blade parameters while rotating, but existing methods for data retrieval are complex and time-consuming, especially with wired connections and slip ring methods.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where sensors on rotating blades are operatively coupled to data acquisition devices that transfer acceleration data wirelessly to a control system, allowing for real-time or near real-time control of blade loads, using RFID tags or other wireless communication methods to simplify data transmission and reduce assembly and maintenance complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections with slip ring methods are used to retrieve data from rotating blades, then data transmission is achieved, but assembly and maintenance time increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system (slip rings and cables) with a wireless communication system. Sensors on the rotating blade transmit data wirelessly to the hub or control system, eliminating the need for physical connections that require assembly and maintenance. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining data transmission reliability while significantly reducing system complexity and maintenance requirements.
2Reliability
If wired connections with slip ring methods are used to retrieve data from rotating blades, then data transmission is achieved, but assembly and maintenance time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the mechanical wired connection system with wireless communication, the patent eliminates the time-consuming assembly and disassembly of slip rings and cables. The wireless system requires no physical connection during blade installation or removal, dramatically reducing assembly and maintenance time while maintaining continuous data transmission capability.
3Power
If larger rotor blade lengths are used to increase energy output, then energy output increases, but deflection forces and risk of blade failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time monitoring of blade parameters (acceleration, strain, temperature, pressure) using sensors and wireless communication. This preliminary detection of potential issues allows the control system to take preventive actions before catastrophic failure occurs, such as adjusting blade pitch or shutting down the turbine. This resolves the contradiction by enabling safe operation of larger blades through continuous monitoring and early warning capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where sensors continuously measure blade conditions and transmit data to the control system, which then adjusts operating parameters in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the system to respond to changing loads and detect developing problems, maintaining blade safety despite increased size and exposure to higher deflection forces.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring operating parameters of a rotating blade is provided. The blade includes at least one sensor thereon, the sensor operatively coupled to a data acquisition device. The method includes transferring data from the sensor to the data acquisition device, the data relating to blade acceleration measurements, transmitting a signal representative of the transferred data from the data acquisition device to a control system, and controlling blade loads using the transmitted signal.