Methods for operating a wind turbine

US8738192B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Ulrich Uphues · Salzbergen, DE
• Craig L. Christenson · Tehachapi, US
• Donald Rogers · Greer, US
• Peter Alan Gregg · Campbell River, CA
• Henk-Jan Kooijman · Enschede, NL
• Ryan LeClair · Delmar, US
• Thomas Siebers · Neuenkirchen, DE
• Frank T. Ormel · Hengelo, NL

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 2012
• Grant date: May 27, 2014
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/72
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for operating a wind turbine having at least one blade includes determining an ambient air operating envelope and controlling a power output of the wind turbine at least partially based on the determined ambient air operating envelope. Determining an ambient air operating envelope includes measuring at least one of an ambient air temperature, an ambient air pressure, an ambient air humidity, and wind turbine power output. The method also includes comparing at least one of a measured ambient air temperature, a measured ambient air humidity and a measured ambient air pressure to predetermined ambient air temperature, pressure and humidity values. The method further includes referencing the predetermined ambient air temperature, pressure and humidity values to at least one operational parameter of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining if an existing wind turbine power output is within a range associated with the determined ambient air operating envelope.