IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,945,351
Granted Patent B2
US 7,945,351 · App. 12/636,091 · Granted May 17, 2011

Method for controlling the operation of a wind turbine based on deviation between operating and predetermined frequency response functions

Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,945,351
App. No.
12/636,091
Granted
May 17, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for controlling the operation of a wind turbine includes determining a first measure of a mechanical input of a component of the wind turbine, and concurrently, determining a second measure of a mechanical output of the component, determining an operating frequency response function of the component from an analysis of the relation between the first measure and the second measure, comparing the operating frequency response function with a predetermined operating frequency response function and determining a possible deviation between the two, and controlling the operation of the wind turbine so as to alter the mechanical input to the component in response to the deviation. A wind turbine that implements such a method is also disclosed.

Claims (20)

1. A method for controlling the operation of a wind turbine, comprising:

determining a first measure of a mechanical input of a component of the wind turbine, and concurrently,

determining a second measure of a mechanical output of the component,

determining an operating frequency response function of the component from an analysis of the relation between the first measure and the second measure,

comparing the operating frequency response function with a predetermined operating frequency response function and determining a possible deviation between the two, and

controlling the operation of the wind turbine so as to alter the mechanical input to the component in response to the deviation.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein altering the mechanical input to the component is done by altering a pitch of one or more wind turbine rotor blades.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein altering the mechanical input to the component is done by altering a rotational speed of a wind turbine rotor.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein altering the mechanical input to the component is carried out such that a maximum torque at the input of the component is decreased.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein altering the mechanical input to the component is carried out such that a power in one or more predefined frequency ranges is reduced.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining an operating frequency response function is executed at predefined intervals.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein controlling the operation of the wind turbine so as to alter the mechanical input to the component in response to the deviation is done in case the determined deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein a value of the threshold can be dynamically changed during operation.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the operating and predetermined frequency response functions comprise at least an amplitude function.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the operating and predetermined frequency response functions comprise at least a phase function.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the component of the wind turbine is a gearbox.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the component of the wind turbine is a bearing of the wind turbine.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined operating frequency function is determined substantially at the time of installation of the wind turbine.

14. A wind turbine prepared for performing a method according to claim 1 .

15. The wind turbine according to claim 14 , wherein the component of the wind turbine is a gearbox.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2010
From: LIM, KHOON PENG; ZHANG, TIE LING; SIEW, PEY YEN; NARASIMALU, SRIKANTH
To: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
Reel/Frame 024634/0906 →
Priority Claims (1)
DK 2008 01774 · Dec 12, 2008 · national
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61122062 · Dec 12, 2008
Related Publication 20100148507A1 · Jun 17, 2010