Speed sensing circuit for a wind turbine generator
US7816801B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2006 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/72
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A protection circuit for a wind turbine generator that includes a PWM Brake that works in conjunction with known Brake Relays is disclosed. The Brake Relay is used to short the generator output terminals at a first threshold voltage. The PWM Brake includes one or more switching devices, coupled across the generator output. The PWM Brake is under the control of a PWM Brake Control Circuit which actuates the PWM Brake at a second threshold voltage that is relatively lower than the first threshold voltage. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the PWM Brake Control Circuit includes a novel speed sensing circuit for providing a signal representative of the speed of the turbine generator The novel speed sensing circuit eliminates the need to mount a speed sensor on the pole top mounted turbine generator. As such, the need for adding cabling from the pole top mounted wind turbine generator is eliminated. The novel speed sensing circuit provides a signal representative of the rotational speed of the turbine generator based upon the duty cycle of a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal that is derived from the drive signal developed by the PWM Control Circuit. This signal i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.