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US 7,351,033 B2Granted
Wind turbine load control method
OwnerGerald McNerneyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for limiting loads in a wind turbine by using measured loads or wind speed to increase the minimum pitch angle for extended periods. The minimum pitch angle will be allowed to relax down to the default when load excursions diminish. The method will allow turbines to capture more energy by operating in higher wind speeds and/or utilizing larger rotors without additional loss of fatigue life.
Claims26
A method for limiting loads in a variable pitch wind turbine comprising:
- providing a sensor to measure a load on said wind turbine;
- defining a load threshold;
- defining a minimum pitch angle parameter below which a pitch controller in said variable pitch wind turbine is prevented from operating;
- comparing said measured loads to said load threshold;
- and
- increasing said minimum pitch angle parameter for an extended period of time when said measured load exceeds said load threshold, thereby limiting loads.
3 more elements
A wind turbine comprising:
- a plurality of blades attached to a main shaft for rotation therewith wherein said blades are capable of being pitched about a longitudinal axis to control power output of said wind turbine;
- a pitch control system that adjusts blade pitch with changes in wind speed wherein said pitch control system has a minimum pitch angle parameter that maintains the pitch angle of said blades greater than said minimum pitch angle parameter;
- a sensor that measures a load on said wind turbine;
- and
- a load control system that compares the measured load to a pre-determined load threshold and temporarily increases said minimum pitch angle parameter when said measured load exceeds said load threshold.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.