Wind Turbine Yaw Control Using Dual-Sensor Wind Direction Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine control methods face inaccuracies in wind direction measurements due to the rotor disturbing the free flow wind, leading to misalignment and increased wear on components, as well as reduced power production and increased yawing wear.
Innovation Solution
A control method that calibrates wind direction measurements using both an offset parameter and a wind direction compensation parameter, which adjusts for the inaccuracies caused by the rotor's interaction with the wind flow, ensuring more accurate alignment and reduced wear by improving yawing precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wind direction measurements are used to control the wind turbine rotor alignment, then power production is optimized, but measurement inaccuracies cause misalignment leading to increased wear and reduced power production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing correction parameters (offset parameter and wind direction compensation parameter) to adjust the wind direction measurements. These parameters modify the measured values to compensate for the rotor's disturbance effect on wind flow, thereby improving measurement accuracy without changing the physical measurement system.
2Measurement precision
If basic offset calibration is applied to wind vane measurements, then zero-degree alignment is improved, but inaccuracies persist at non-zero wind directions depending on rotor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the wind direction compensation parameter dependent on the calibrated relative wind direction and rotor operation conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the measurement system to adapt to varying wind directions and rotor states, maintaining accuracy across different operating conditions rather than relying on a static offset calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wind direction compensation parameter that varies based on the calibrated relative wind direction and rotor operation. This parameter dynamically adjusts the measurements to account for changes in wind flow patterns caused by rotor operation at different angles, thereby improving adaptability across all wind directions.
3Ease of operation
If wind direction sensor measurements are used directly for yaw control, then control simplicity is maintained, but rotor misalignment causes increased wear on yawing components and blade connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces correction parameters as intermediaries between the raw wind direction sensor measurements and the yaw control system. These parameters mediate the information flow by adjusting the measurements to account for rotor-induced wind flow disturbances, thereby protecting components from wear caused by misalignment while maintaining the simplicity of the control architecture.
4Productivity
If larger rotor size is used to increase power capacity, then energy production capacity increases, but wind direction measurement errors become more pronounced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the measurement accuracy issue in larger rotors by introducing a wind direction compensation parameter that specifically accounts for the increased disturbance effect. This parameter is determined based on the relationship between calibrated wind direction measurements and actual wind direction, allowing compensation for the more pronounced errors that occur with larger rotor sizes.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for yawing a wind turbine rotor relative to the wind and for changing the pitch of rotor blades. A wind direction parameter is measured by a wind direction sensor. The wind direction is calibrated as a function of a predetermined offset parameter, and then adjusted as a function of a wind direction compensation parameter. The adjusted relative wind direction is then used in the determining of a control parameter of the wind turbine. The parameters for the calibration and adjustment of the relative wind direction are obtained from a set of data comprising the wind direction relative to the wind turbine over time and as measured by the wind direction sensor on the wind turbine and as measured by a second wind direction sensor.