System for detecting proximity between a wind turbine blade and a tower wall
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorUlrich Neumann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor system monitors deflection of turbine blades of a wind turbine. The system includes a first component configured on the turbine blades. A second component is configured on the tower at a height so as to detect the presence of the first component as the blades rotate past the tower. The second component generates a corresponding measurable parameter or value that is indicative of distance between the blades and tower. The second component is disposed substantially completely around the circumference of the tower so as to detect the first components at any rotational position of the turbine nacelle relative to the tower.
Claims15
A sensor system for monitoring deflection of a turbine blade of a wind turbine, said system comprising:
- a first component configured on the turbine blade;
- and,
- a second component configured on a tower at a height so as to detect the presence of said first component as the blade rotates past the tower and generates a corresponding measurable parameter, said second component disposed substantially completely around the circumference of the tower so as to detect said first component at any rotational position of a nacelle relative to the tower.
A wind turbine, comprising:
- a tower;
- a nacelle atop said tower, said nacelle rotatable relative to said tower;
- at least one turbine blade mounted to a rotor hub;
- and,
- a blade deflection sensor system, comprising:
- a first component configured on said turbine blade;
- and,
- a second component configured on said tower at a height so as to detect the presence of said first component as said blade rotates past said tower and generates a corresponding measurable parameter, said second component disposed substantially completely around the circumference of said tower so as to detect said first component at any rotational position of said nacelle relative to said tower.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.