Wind Turbine Yaw Angle Deviation Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wind turbines face challenges in accurately determining and correcting the wind alignment angle due to initial installation errors and long-term operational failures, leading to reduced power generation and load imbalances.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine deviations in the wind alignment angle by analyzing historical operation data, dividing wind speed and angle ranges into sections, and calculating average power to correct detected wind alignment angles, thereby improving yaw control and wind direction tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a yaw system is used to detect wind alignment angle, then the wind turbine can track wind direction, but installation errors and operational failures cause deviation from the real wind alignment angle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind alignment angle detection accuracyVSAvoidyaw system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback from power generation data to correct the wind alignment angle detection. By comparing the actual power generated with the expected power based on detected angle, the system calculates a deviation and updates the yaw angle, creating a closed-loop correction mechanism that continuously improves measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces pure mechanical detection with a hybrid approach that incorporates electrical/power-based verification. Instead of relying solely on the mechanical yaw system and wind vane, the system uses power generation data as an additional verification mechanism to detect and correct alignment deviations.

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

2Productivity

If the wind alignment angle is not corrected, then the yaw system operates continuously, but power generation is reduced and load imbalance is exaggerated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss due to misalignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors power generation as feedback to detect misalignment. When deviation is detected through comparison of actual versus expected power, the yaw angle is corrected, ensuring the turbine operates at optimal alignment and maximizes power generation while minimizing energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the yaw angle parameter based on detected deviations. By changing the operational parameter (yaw angle) in response to power-based feedback, the system optimizes the balance between productivity and energy loss, correcting misalignment to maintain peak efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the detected wind alignment angle is used directly for yaw control, then the control system is simple, but the wind turbine cannot be kept windward due to detection errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyaw control simplicityVSAvoidwindward positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a feedback-based correction mechanism that maintains simplicity while improving precision. The system uses power generation data as feedback to calculate deviation and adjust the yaw angle, ensuring accurate windward positioning without complicating the overall control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the wind turbine's own power generation data to correct its positioning errors. The turbine self-diagnoses misalignment by comparing actual versus expected power output and automatically adjusts its yaw angle, eliminating the need for external calibration systems while maintaining high positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3696404B1Method, device and system for determining angle-to-wind deviation and correcting angle-to-wind
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 BEIJING GOLDWIND SCI & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3696404B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3696404B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3696404B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method, device and system for determining angle-to-wind deviation and correcting angle-to-wind; the method for determining angle-to-wind deviation comprises: obtaining historical operation data of a wind turbine group during a specific time period (S101); determining an angle-to-wind deviation value for each wind speed segment on the basis of the acquired historical operation data (SI02); for any wind speed segment, determining the angle-to-wind deviation value on the basis of the actual angle-to-wind measurement value and the output power value of an environmental wind speed value at a time point within the specific time period.