Methods and apparatus for reduction of asymmetric rotor loads in wind turbines
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsEmilian Mieczyslaw Moroz, Kirk Gee Pierce
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for reducing load and providing yaw alignment in a wind turbine includes measuring displacements or moments resulting from asymmetric loads on the wind turbine. These measured displacements or moments are used to determine a pitch for each rotor blade to reduce or counter asymmetric rotor loading and a favorable yaw orientation to reduce pitch activity. Yaw alignment of the wind turbine is adjusted in accordance with the favorable yaw orientation and the pitch of each rotor blade is adjusted in accordance with the determined pitch to reduce or counter asymmetric rotor loading.
Claims28
A method for reducing load in a wind turbine having a rated wind speed, said method comprising operating the wind turbine above a selected wind speed and introducing a yaw error effective to reduce asymmetric loading without adjusting pitch.
A wind turbine having a rated wind speed and configured to introduce a yaw error effective to reduce asymmetric loading without adjusting pitch when operating above a selected wind speed.
A method for reducing load in a wind turbine, said method comprising:
- measuring displacements or moments resulting from asymmetric loads on the wind turbine;
- using said measured displacements or moments to determine a pitch for each rotor blade to reduce or counter asymmetric rotor loading and a favorable yaw orientation to reduce pitch activity;
- adjusting yaw alignment of the wind turbine in accordance with the favorable yaw orientation;
- and
- adjusting the pitch of each rotor blade in accordance with the determined pitch to reduce or counter asymmetric rotor loading.
A method for reducing load in a wind turbine, said method comprising:
- utilizing at least three sensors to measure displacements of main shaft flange of the wind turbine resulting from asymmetric loads on the wind turbine;
- utilizing the measured displacements to determine a pitch for each rotor blade to reduce or counter asymmetric rotor loading and a favorable yaw orientation to reduce pitch activity;
- adjusting yaw alignment of the wind turbine in accordance with the favorable yaw orientation;
- and
- adjusting the pitch of each rotor blade in accordance with the determined pitch to reduce or counter asymmetric rotor loading.
A wind turbine comprising a rotor having a plurality of rotor blades and a hub, said wind turbine also comprising a control system and a plurality of sensors configured to measure displacements or moments resulting from asymmetric loads on the wind turbine, said control system configured to:
- use said measured displacements or moments to determine a pitch for each rotor blade to reduce or counter asymmetric rotor loading and a favorable yaw orientation to reduce pitch activity;
- adjust yaw alignment of the wind turbine in accordance with the favorable yaw orientation;
- and
- adjust the pitch of each said rotor blade in accordance with the determined pitch to reduce or counter asymmetric rotor loading.
A wind turbine comprising a rotor having a plurality of rotor blades and a hub, said wind turbine also comprising a main shaft, a main shaft flange, a control system and at least three sensors configured to measure displacements of said main shaft flange resulting from asymmetric loads on the wind turbine, said control system configured to:
- use said measured displacements to determine a pitch for each rotor blade to reduce or counter asymmetric rotor loading and a favorable yaw orientation to reduce pitch activity;
- adjust yaw alignment of the wind turbine in accordance with the favorable yaw orientation;
- and
- adjust the pitch of each said rotor blade in accordance with the determined pitch to reduce or counter asymmetric rotor loading.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.