Bidirectional Yaw Calibration for Wind Turbine Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine yaw systems suffer from misalignment due to inaccurate wind direction measurements, leading to reduced power production, increased structural loads, and noise emissions, which current calibration methods fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for calibrating the yaw system by performing yaw operations in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, recording and averaging data before and after these operations, calculating performance parameter differences, and determining yaw misalignment based on absolute errors to align the nacelle with the wind direction accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional wind direction measurement and yaw control is used, then the system operates with simple control logic, but yaw misalignment occurs leading to reduced power production and increased structural loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system performs yaw operations in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, records performance parameters before and after each operation, calculates differences, and uses these feedback signals to iteratively determine and correct yaw misalignment. This closed-loop feedback approach enables the system to automatically optimize its yaw alignment based on actual performance changes, resolving the contradiction between simple control logic and accurate yaw alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing multiple test yaw operations before final alignment is established. The system conducts preliminary yaw operations in both directions, records performance data, and uses this preliminary information to calculate the optimal yaw alignment. This preliminary testing phase allows the system to gather necessary data before committing to a final alignment setting, improving power production while maintaining reliable alignment.
2Reliability
If model-based controller settings are used, then initial setup is straightforward, but model limitations and production tolerances cause suboptimal performance in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the wind turbine system to perform self-calibration by automatically executing yaw operations, recording its own performance data, and determining optimal alignment settings without requiring external intervention or complex manual calibration procedures. The system serves itself by using its own operational data to optimize its controller settings, transforming the calibration process from a complex external procedure into a simple self-performing task that improves reliability while minimizing added complexity.
3Measurement precision
If yaw calibration is performed with single-direction operations, then the calibration process is simpler, but uncertainties in the yaw control system cannot be fully eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by performing yaw operations in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions rather than relying on a single direction. This asymmetric approach allows the system to capture different system responses and uncertainties that would be invisible in single-direction testing. By analyzing performance differences from both directions, the system achieves more precise yaw misalignment determination while managing the increased calibration complexity through systematic data processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is described a method of calibrating a yaw actuator of a wind turbine (1), comprising steps of performing an active yaw operation in a clockwise yaw direction and an active yaw operation in a counter-clockwise yaw direction; recording data of a wind direction and a power caused by both yaw operations, and averaging the data and calculating an error (Ecw + ccw) between an experimental power difference and a theoretical power difference of yaw operations in the clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction; determining a minimum (idx) of the error; and determining a yaw misalignment (γ ) based on the minimum error.