Wind Turbine Nacelle Yaw Sensor Verification via Farm Signal Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inaccurate nacelle yaw position sensors in wind turbines can lead to reduced power generation efficiency and incorrect determination of absolute wind direction, affecting control strategies and wake reduction techniques, as errors in yaw measurement systems can accumulate and go undetected.
Innovation Solution
A method to verify the accuracy of nacelle yaw position sensors by comparing absolute wind direction signals from individual turbines to an average signal from other turbines in the wind farm, issuing a fault signal if beyond a predetermined error range, and using estimated nacelle yaw position data from neighboring turbines to maintain accurate wind direction reporting and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a nacelle yaw position sensor is used to determine absolute wind direction, then power generation efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to error accumulation in the yaw measurement system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control system continuously monitors the relationship between nacelle yaw position and power generation output. By detecting when power output deviates from expected values given current wind conditions, the system identifies yaw measurement errors and triggers automatic recalibration of the yaw position sensor, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on purely mechanical/optical yaw sensors with a computational approach using a wake model and power output analysis. Instead of trusting the physical sensor readings alone, the system uses mathematical models to calculate expected power generation and compares it with actual measurements, substituting mechanical measurement with computational verification to eliminate error accumulation
2Measurement precision
If direct measurement or inspection of yaw sensor accuracy is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the wind turbine system to self-verify yaw sensor accuracy using its own operational data. The control system utilizes existing sensors (power output measurements, wind speed sensors) and internal models to automatically detect yaw measurement errors without requiring external verification equipment or manual inspection, thereby maintaining precision while avoiding increased complexity and time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wake model as an intermediary computational layer between the yaw sensor and the control decisions. This model acts as a mediator that translates raw sensor data into expected power generation patterns, allowing indirect verification of sensor accuracy through power output analysis rather than requiring direct sensor measurement or complex verification apparatus
3Device complexity
If yaw sensor errors are allowed to accumulate, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases due to incorrect absolute wind direction determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback loops that continuously monitor power generation performance against wake model predictions. When discrepancies indicate yaw measurement errors, the system automatically detects and corrects the accumulated errors by recalibrating the yaw position sensor, preventing information loss about absolute wind direction while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary correction actions by continuously updating the wake model with current operational data and proactively adjusting yaw position readings before significant errors accumulate. The system performs preliminary recalibration based on detected anomalies in power-output relationships, preventing information degradation before it occurs
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to techniques for verifying a nacelle yaw position sensor installed on a wind turbine and for taking restorative action to control the nacelle yaw position. The invention relates to a method performing the comprising determining a first absolute wind direction signal associated with the first wind turbine; determining a second absolute wind signal direction signal associated with the plurality of other wind turbines; comparing the two wind direction signals; and issuing a nacelle yaw position sensor fault signal if the first signal is beyond a predetermined error range of the second signal. A benefit of the invention is that it enables the detection of an inaccurate nacelle yaw sensor without direct measurement or inspection.