IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,304,926
Granted Patent B2
US 8,304,926 · App. 13/235,348 · Granted Nov 6, 2012

Wind turbine sound management

Assignee: General Electric Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,304,926
App. No.
13/235,348
Granted
Nov 6, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for operating a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine generates a sound level. The method includes selecting a desired sound level; calculating at least one operating parameter by inputting the desired sound level to a model; and operating the wind turbine according to the at least one operating parameter. The method further includes measuring the sound level and based on the measured sound level, calculating at least one of a redefined desired sound level and a revised model. Furthermore, the method includes calculating at least one redefined operating parameter by at least one of inputting the redefined desired sound level to the model and inputting the desired sound level to the revised model.

Claims (37)

1. A method for operating a wind turbine, wherein the wind turbine generates a sound level, the method comprising:

calculating at least one operating parameter by inputting a desired sound level to a model;

operating the wind turbine according to the at least one operating parameter;

measuring the sound level;

based on the measured sound level, calculating at least one of a redefined desired sound level and a revised model; and

calculating at least one redefined operating parameter by at least one of inputting the redefined desired sound level to the model and inputting the desired sound level to the revised model.

2. The method for operating the wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein

calculating at least one of the redefined desired sound level and the revised model comprises only calculating the redefined desired sound level; and

calculating at least one redefined operating parameter is done by inputting the redefined desired sound level to the model.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the redefined desired sound level is allowed to be above the desired sound level.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the desired sound level corresponds to the sound level prescribed by wind turbine operation regulations.

5. The method for operating a wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the redefined sound level is calculated as the desired sound level minus a sound level redefinition factor.

6. The method for operating a wind turbine according to claim 5 , wherein the sound level redefinition factor is calculated as the measured sound level minus a modeled sound level.

7. The method for operating a wind turbine according to claim 1 , further comprising operating the wind turbine according to the redefined operating parameter.

8. The method for operating a wind turbine according to claim 7 , wherein the method is performed as a loop.

9. The method for operating a wind turbine according to claim 8 , wherein the loop is performed continuously.

10. The method for operating a wind turbine according to claim 8 , wherein the loop is repeated in selected time intervals.

11. The method for operating a wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the desired sound power level is selected in dependence of at least one of the daytime, the wind direction, and the wind speed.

12. The method for operating a wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the operating parameter for operating the wind turbine and the redefined operating parameter for operating the wind turbine are selected from a pitch angle, a blade tip speed, a torque, and a power.

13. The method for operating a wind turbine according to claim 1 , the method further comprising comparing the desired sound level with the measured sound level.

14. The method for operating a wind turbine according to claim 13 , wherein calculating at least one of a redefined desired sound level and a revised model is not undertaken if the desired sound level is identical to the measured sound level.

15. A wind turbine comprising:

a rotor including at least one rotor blade;

a generator for converting kinetic energy supplied by the rotor into electric energy; and

a control system for operating the wind turbine, the control system being configured to:

calculate at least one operating parameter by inputting a desired sound level to a model;

operate the wind turbine according to the at least one operating parameter;

obtain a measured sound level;

based on the measured sound level, calculate at least one of a redefined desired sound level and a revised model; and

calculate at least one redefined operating parameter for operating the wind turbine by one of inputting the redefined desired sound level to the model and inputting the desired sound level to the revised model.

16. The wind turbine according to claim 15 , wherein the control system is configured to adapt at least one of a torque of the generator and a pitch angle of the at least one rotor blade.

17. The wind turbine according to claim 15 , further comprising a mast for providing at least one of a wind direction and a wind speed to the control system.

18. The wind turbine according to claim 15 , wherein

calculating at least one of a redefined desired sound level and a revised model comprises only calculating the redefined desired sound level; and

calculating at least one redefined operating parameter is done by inputting the redefined desired sound level to the model.

19. The wind turbine according to claim 15 , further comprising a sound measurement device.

20. The wind turbine according to claim 19 , further comprising a tower wherein the sound measurement device is positioned at a distance of at least 100 m from the tower.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2023
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 065727/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ABSENCE OF THE INVENTOR'S SIGNATURE FROM THE ASSIGNMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 026937 FRAME 0937. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE INVENTOR'S SIGNATURE IS NOW PRESENT ON THE ASSIGNMENT.. Recorded Jul 17, 2012
From: ATTIA, SID AHMED
To: GE WIND ENERGY GMBH
Reel/Frame 028571/0803 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ABSENCE OF INVENTOR'S SIGNATURE ON ASSIGNMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL: 026937, FRAME 0937, AND THEN FROM GEWE TO GE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 026937 FRAME 0940. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE INVENTOR'S SIGNATURE IS NOW PRESENT ON THE ASSIGNMENT, THEREFORE WE ARE RECORDING A NEW ASSIGNMENT FROM GEWE TO GE (ATTACHED).. Recorded Jul 17, 2012
From: GE WIND ENERGY GMBH
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 028571/0814 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2011
From: ATTIA, SID AHMED
To: GE WIND ENERGY GMBH
Reel/Frame 026937/0937 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2011
From: GE WIND ENERGY GMBH
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 026937/0940 →
Continuity (1)
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