Method and apparatus for protecting wind turbines from extreme events
AssigneeVestas Wind Systems A/S
InventorsJustin Creaby, Robert Bowyer, Christopher Spruce
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wind turbine has a Lidar device to sense wind conditions upstream of the wind turbine. Signals from the wind turbine are processed to detect an extreme change in wind direction. The detection is performed by differentiating the rate of change of wind direction and filtering for a period of time. On detection of extreme change the system controller takes the necessary evasive action which may include shutting down the turbine, commencing an immediate yawing action, and de-rating the turbine until the yawing action is complete.
Claims18
A control system for a wind turbine, the control system comprising:
- a sensing device mounted on the wind turbine, the sensing device configured to sense a wind speed at a position upwind of the wind turbine;
- and
- a controller comprising a differentiator and a filter, the controller configured to:
- detect, using signals received from the sensing device, a predefined extreme change event in wind direction upwind of the wind turbine, wherein detecting the predefined extreme change event in the wind direction comprises:
- determining, using the differentiator, an instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction, and
- determining, using the filter, whether the instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction exceeds a predetermined value for a
- predetermined period of time, wherein the predetermined value depends on a magnitude of the sensed wind speed;
- and
- generate, in response to detecting the extreme change event, one or more control signals to vary an operating parameter of the wind turbine.
A method of controlling a wind turbine, the method comprising:
- sensing, using a remote sensing device mounted on the wind turbine, a wind speed at a position upwind of the wind turbine;
- detecting, using signals received from the sensing device at a controller of the wind turbine, a predefined extreme change event in wind direction upwind of the wind turbine, wherein detecting the predefined extreme change event in the wind direction comprises:
- determining, using a differentiator of the controller, an instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction, and
- determining, using a filter of the controller, whether the instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time, wherein the predetermined value depends on a magnitude of the sensed wind speed;
- and
- generating, in response to detecting the extreme change event, one or more control signals to vary an operating parameter of the wind turbine.
A system, comprising:
- a wind turbine;
- a sensing device mounted on the wind turbine, the sensing device configured to sense a wind speed at a position upwind of the wind turbine;
- and
- a controller comprising a differentiator and a filter, the controller configured to:
- detect, using signals received from the sensing device, a predefined extreme change event in wind direction upwind of the wind turbine, wherein detecting the predefined extreme change event in the wind direction comprises:
- determining, using the differentiator, an instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction, and
- determining, using the filter, whether the instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time, wherein the predetermined value depends on a magnitude of the sensed wind speed;
- and
- generate, in response to detecting the extreme change event, one or more control signals to vary an operating parameter of the wind turbine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.