Method and apparatus for monitoring a wind power installation

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention is a technique of, and a system for monitoring and/or controlling the operation of a wind power installation. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a control apparatus for operational management of the wind power installation using data which is representative of the oscillation of a support tower (for example, a pylon). The present invention also includes a device to detect oscillations of the support tower (using, for example, the acceleration measuring devices coupled to the support tower or resistance strain gauges disposed on the support tower). In this regard, the device to detect oscillations of the support tower may determine, for example, the oscillation travel and/or the absolute deflection of the support tower (for example, pylon that supports, among other things, the pod and rotor blades) in the upper part of the tower out of its rest position. In one embodiment, the operational management of the wind power installation or parts thereof is altered if the oscillation and/or the absolute deflection of the pylon exceeds a predeterminable first limit value.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.