Wind turbine blade vibration detection and radar calibration
US9856860B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 25, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A wind turbine is provided, having a wind turbine tower and at least one rotatable blade, and further comprising a system for measuring rotor blade vibration of said wind turbine. The system comprises at least one Doppler radar unit operatively configured to emit and receive radar signals, the radar unit being mounted on the wind turbine tower at a position above the lowest position of the at least one blade, the radar unit being positioned so as to measure reflections of an emitted radar signal from the turbine blade. A processing unit is configured to receive measurement data from the radar unit and to determine, by analysis of Doppler shift in received radar signals relative to transmitted signals due to movement of the blade towards or away from the turbine tower, the velocity of the blade in the direction towards or away from the turbine tower. Using a radar unit to measure blade velocity allows a determination to be made of the vibrations occurring in the blade without needing an internal sensor in the blade. This reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs of the blades since sensors in the blades will not need to be replaced, and sensors positioned on the tower are easier t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.