Wireless Lighting Control for Wind Turbines

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing lighting control systems for wind turbines require extensive electrical cabling due to multiple light switches located at distant access points, leading to increased material and labor costs during installation and maintenance, particularly in offshore wind parks.

Innovation Solution

A wireless lighting control system that allows for switching on/off multiple light sources within a wind turbine using locally controllable switches at access points, with remotely controllable switches receiving wireless signals to power corresponding light sources, reducing the need for extensive cabling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple light switches are installed at distant access points (tower bottom and nacelle), then lighting control accessibility is improved, but electrical cabling requirements and installation costs increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting control accessibilityVSAvoidelectrical cabling quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical cabling system with a wireless communication system. Remote switches communicate with the control unit via wireless signals (radio frequency, infrared, or visible light), eliminating the need for extensive electrical cabling between distant access points and the tower bottom. This substitution maintains lighting control functionality while dramatically reducing cable installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (radio frequency transmitter/receiver, infrared transmitter, or visible light communication) to transfer control signals between remote switches and the lighting control unit. This intermediary enables distant switches to control lighting without requiring direct electrical cabling connections, thus reducing cabling quantity while preserving control accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If multiple light switches are installed at distant access points, then technician safety and operational convenience are improved, but material and labor costs for installation and maintenance increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetechnician operational convenienceVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system replaces extensive electrical cabling infrastructure, significantly reducing material costs (cables, conduits, connection terminals) and labor costs (cable routing, installation, testing, and maintenance). The system maintains full lighting control functionality at multiple access points while eliminating the costly cabling infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication module serves multiple functions: transmitting switch commands, receiving status information, and enabling control from multiple locations. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate cabling systems for each control point, reducing overall installation complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If a single light switch is installed at the tower bottom, then electrical cabling requirements are reduced, but lighting control accessibility at remote access points (nacelle) is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical cabling quantityVSAvoidlighting control accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for physical cabling extensions to remote locations with wireless communication. The remote switch in the nacelle communicates with the control unit via wireless signals, providing lighting control accessibility at the remote access point without requiring extensive electrical cabling to be routed to the nacelle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional cabling solution (wires running through physical space) to a three-dimensional wireless signal propagation solution. Wireless signals can propagate through air and penetrate structures, enabling control from multiple spatial dimensions without requiring physical cabling pathways to each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2859232B1Wireless lighting control system for a wind turbine

Publication Date: 2018.08.15 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

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AI summary

Provided is a wind turbine that includes a tower, a nacelle, a plurality of light sources mounted within the tower and the nacelle, and a wireless lighting control system. The wireless lighting control system includes a first locally controllable switch for controlling power to the plurality of light sources and a second locally controllable switch for controlling power to the plurality of light sources. The first and second locally controllable light switches are located remotely from each other. The wireless lighting control system further includes a remotely controllable light switch located at each of one or more of the light sources. The remotely controllable switch is configured to wirelessly receive a switch-on signal generated in response to manipulation of at least one of the first and second locally controllable switches, and switch on power to the corresponding light source in response to receiving the switch-on signal.