IP Library Granted Patent US 12,516,655
Granted Patent B2
US 12,516,655 · App. 18/491,467 · Granted Jan 6, 2026

Robust multi-input multi-output control of floating offshore wind turbines

Inventors: Lucy Pao (Boulder, CO); David Stockhouse (Broomfield, CO)
Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
F03D7/0202F03D7/0224F03D7/0272F03D7/028F03D13/256F03D17/029B63B22/20B63B2035/446B63B39/00F03D13/25F03D17/034F05B2220/706F05B2240/93F05B2240/95F05B2270/32F05B2270/705Y02E10/727
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,516,655
App. No.
18/491,467
Granted
Jan 6, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control system for a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT). The FOWT includes a floating base, a tower, a nacelle, and rotor with blades that harvest energy from wind passing the FOWT. Without a rigid support, however, the FOWT is able to move. The controller uses generator speed and platform pitch position of the FOWT as inputs and manipulates blade pitch and torque resistance to achieve stability.

Claims (28)

1 . A controller for a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) comprising:

a blade pitch actuator configured to adjust a blade pitch of blades of the FOWT;

a torque resistance actuator configured to adjust torque resistance of the FOWT;

a processor; and

a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving a generator speed and a platform pitch angle as an input to the controller; and

based, at least in part, upon the input to the controller, adjusting at least one of the blade pitch angle using the blade pitch actuator and the torque resistance using the torque resistance actuator to improve stability of the FOWT,

wherein a gain scheduler is derived using a multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) system for robustness; and

wherein the controller executes a combined gain-scheduled proportional-integral (PI) control and platform feedback (PF) control.

2 . A controller for a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) comprising:

a blade pitch actuator configured to adjust a blade pitch of blades of the FOWT;

a torque resistance actuator configured to adjust torque resistance of the FOWT;

a processor; and

a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving a generator speed and a platform pitch angle as an input to the controller; and

based, at least in part, upon the input to the controller, adjusting at least one of the blade pitch angle using the blade pitch actuator and the torque resistance using the torque resistance actuator to improve stability of the FOWT,

wherein a gain scheduler is derived using a multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) system for robustness; and

wherein the controller executes a single-input, single output (SISO) proportional-integral control loop and a set of multi-input, multi-output control loops.

3 . A controller for a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) comprising:

a blade pitch actuator configured to adjust a blade pitch of blades of the FOWT;

a torque resistance actuator configured to adjust torque resistance of the FOWT;

a processor; and

a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving a generator speed and a platform pitch angle as an input to the controller; and

based, at least in part, upon the input to the controller, adjusting at least one of the blade pitch angle using the blade pitch actuator and the torque resistance using the torque resistance actuator to improve stability of the FOWT,

wherein a gain scheduler is derived using a multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) system for robustness; and

wherein the controller executes a combined gain-scheduled proportional-integral (PI) control and platform feedback (PF) control; and

wherein the controller executes a single-input, single output (SISO) proportional-integral control loop and a set of multi-input, multi-output control loops.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 66292 FRAME: 383. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 22, 2025
From: PAO, LUCY; STOCKHOUSE, DAVID
To: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, A BODY CORPORATE
Reel/Frame 072928/0791 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded May 29, 2024
From: UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
To: US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 067565/0676 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2024
From: PAO, LUCY; STOCKHOUSE, DAVID
To: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
Reel/Frame 066292/0383 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63417900 · Oct 20, 2022
Related Publication 20240183334A1 · Jun 6, 2024
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