System and method for controlling a turbine blade

A control system for a turbine blade, comprising:

• an operational control element for generating and outputting an operational control signal, the operational control signal for non-emergency operation of a motor for controlling pitch of the turbine blade;
• a feedback element for sensing a position of the blade, for generating a feedback signal according to the sensed position, and for transmitting the feedback signal;
• an emergency control element, separate from and different from the operational control element, for:
• receiving the motor feedback signal;
• generating an emergency control signal, responsive to the feedback signal, for emergency operation of the motor;
• and,
• generating and outputting an emergency control signal;
• an output stage control element for receiving the operational and emergency control signals, for selecting one of the operational or emergency control signals, and for outputting the selected operational or emergency control signal;
• and,
• an output stage element for receiving the selected operational or emergency control signal and including a means for receiving power for operation of the motor and a means for providing the received power to the motor according to the selected operational or emergency control signal.

A method for controlling a turbine blade, comprising:

• generating and outputting, using an operational control element, an operational control signal for non-emergency operation of a motor for controlling pitch of the turbine blade;
• generating and outputting, using an emergency control element, separate from and different from the operational control element, an emergency control signal for emergency operation of the motor;
• and,
• in an output stage element:
• receiving the operational and emergency control signals;
• selecting one of the operational or emergency control signals;
• receiving power for operation of the motor;
• and,
• providing the received power to the motor according to the selected operational or emergency control signal.

A control system for a turbine blade, comprising:

• an operational control element for generating and outputting an operational control signal, the operational control signal for non-emergency operation of a motor for controlling pitch of the turbine blade;
• an operational output stage element for receiving the operational control signal and with a means for receiving power for non-emergency operation of the motor and with a means for providing the received power to the motor according to the operational control signal;
• an emergency control element, separate from and different from the operational control element, for generating and outputting an emergency control signal for emergency operation of the motor;
• and,
• an emergency output stage element for receiving the emergency control signal and with a means for receiving power for emergency operation of the motor and with a means for providing the received power to the motor according to the emergency control signal.

A method for controlling a turbine blade, comprising:

• generating and outputting, in response to an emergency status signal and using an operational control element, an operational control signal for non-emergency operation of a motor for controlling pitch of the turbine blade;
• in an operational output stage element:
• receiving the operational control signal;
• receiving power for non-emergency operation of the motor;
• and,
• providing the received power for non-emergency operation of the motor to the motor according to the operational control signal;
• generating and outputting, in response to the emergency status signal and using an emergency control element, separate from and different from the operational control element, an emergency control signal for emergency operation of the motor;
• and,
• in an emergency output stage element:
• receiving the emergency control signal;
• receiving power for emergency operation of the motor;
• and,
• providing the received power for emergency operation of the motor to the motor according to the emergency control signal.