Wind Turbine Yaw Brake Force Measurement via Pinion Load
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the braking force of wind turbine brake devices are unsafe and require heavy machinery, risking damage to the blade or hub.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a brake step, measurement step, determination step, and conversion step to measure braking force by applying input torque to the pinion until the friction body slips, determining the maximum load, and converting it to braking force without directly pulling the blades or hub with heavy machinery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wire is tied to the blade or hub and heavy machinery is used to pull the nacelle, then the braking force can be measured, but the risk of failure or damage to the blade or hub increases and the operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pinion as an intermediary component to transmit the braking force measurement. Instead of directly applying force to the blade or hub, the pinion engages with the ring gear and transmits the braking force through its rotating shaft, where the load can be safely measured without risking damage to critical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the heavy machinery pulling system with a torque application system. Instead of using external heavy machinery to pull the nacelle, a torque is applied to the pinion's rotating shaft, which then transmits the force through the gear mechanism, eliminating the need for heavy external equipment and reducing operational complexity.
2Measurement precision
If heavy machinery is used to pull the nacelle for braking force measurement, then the braking force can be measured, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pinion serves as a mechanical intermediary that simplifies the measurement system. By engaging the pinion with the ring gear and applying torque to the pinion's shaft, the system avoids the complexity of heavy machinery while still enabling accurate braking force measurement through the load on the rotating shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The pinion's rotating shaft serves multiple functions: it transmits the braking force from the ring gear, provides a measurement point for the load, and allows for controlled torque application. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement devices and heavy machinery, simplifying the overall system.
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
The braking force is measured safely and easily without risking damage to the wind turbine components.
Implementation Method 1
the brake device pressing a friction body against the ring gear
Implementation Method 2
a yaw drive device driving a pinion that meshes with the ring gear to turn the wind turbine in a yaw direction
Data Source
AI summary
A braking force measuring method for a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a ring gear, a yaw drive device driving a pinion meshing with the ring gear to make the wind turbine turn, and a brake device that prevents the nacelle from turning in the yaw direction by pressing a friction body against the ring gear. The method includes: braking the ring gear by the brake device; measuring a load on a rotating shaft of the pinion that mesh with the braked ring gear; determining a maximum value of the load during a time period when input torque is applied to the pinion, the input torque being applied with the nacelle held still and until the friction body begins to slip and the nacelle begins to turn in the yaw direction; and converting the determined load to the braking force.