Wind Turbine Yaw Brake Control for Balanced Drive Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
The yaw system of wind turbines experiences uneven load distribution among individual yaw drives during parked states, leading to potential overloading and damage due to residual loads and imbalances despite symmetric motor distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a waiting period after stopping the nacelle rotation, followed by temporarily reducing braking friction through an open-close action of motor brakes or increasing hydraulic brake pressure before stopping, to balance loads among yaw drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If motor brakes are closed to stop nacelle rotation, then the nacelle is held in position, but uneven load distribution occurs among yaw drives leading to potential overloading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic open-close action of motor brakes after stopping nacelle rotation. The brakes are opened for a predetermined period to allow load redistribution, then closed again to maintain position stability. This periodic action balances residual loads among yaw drives while ensuring the nacelle remains held in position during normal operation.
2Force
If hydraulic brake pressure is increased before stopping, then braking force is enhanced, but load imbalance among yaw drives may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by increasing hydraulic brake pressure before the main stopping operation. The hydraulic brake pressure is increased to a higher level prior to closing motor brakes, which helps pre-balance loads among yaw drives. This preliminary pressure increase ensures more uniform load distribution during the subsequent stopping phase while maintaining effective braking force.
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
This approach reduces the risk of component overloading by evenly distributing residual loads, ensuring a more balanced load distribution and preventing damage to yaw system components.
Implementation Method 1
temporarily reducing braking friction through an open-close action of motor brakes
Implementation Method 2
increasing hydraulic brake pressure before stopping
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method (100) for operating a yaw system of a wind turbine (10), the yaw system comprising a yaw bearing (98), an annular gear (31) and a plurality of yaw drives (35) including a motor (33) with a motor brake (91), a gearbox (37) and a pinion (39) operatively connected with the motor (33). The method (100) comprises operating the plurality of yaw drives (35) to rotate a nacelle (16) with respect to a tower (15) of the wind turbine (10). The method further comprises stopping rotation of the nacelle (16) with respect to the tower (15), including closing the motor brakes (91) of the yaw drives (35). Furthermore, the method (100) comprises, after a waiting time, balancing loads experienced by the plurality of yaw drives (35) of the yaw system. The present disclosure also relates to a control system (92) for a wind turbine (10) that is configured to carry out such method (100).