Patent · US Active

Control method for a wind turbine

US7964979B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
13References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 1, 2010
Grant dateJun 21, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 1, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/72
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of controlling a wind turbine, where a control signal for a controllable parameter of the wind turbine is determined, and the rotor power coefficient, the torque coefficient, and/or a thrust coefficient of the wind turbine are estimated at time intervals. From this is determined a variation parameter reflecting the variation of the estimated rotor power, torque or thrust coefficient over time. The wind turbine is then controlled according to the control signal only if the variation parameter is below an alert threshold, and otherwise according to a modified control strategy. The control signal may have a power or torque reference signal for controlling the rotational speed of the turbine or a blade pitch reference signal. The modified control method may for instance entail stopping or de-rating the wind turbine. A control system configured to perform the above control method, and a wind turbine comprising such system are also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.