Independent blade pitch control

Abstract

A system and method are provided to increase efficiency of turbines in wind farms. A sensor is configured to detect direction and speed of an inflow of wind. A controller is configured to generate a control signal based the detected direction and speed of the inflow of wind. A pitch adjustment device configured to adjust pitch of a blade of the turbine based on the control signal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 032,431, entitled “Independent Blade Pitch Control,” filed on Feb. 22, 2011, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 378,740, filed Aug. 31, 2010, each of which is incorporated by reference in this application in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention generally relates to pitch control of a blade that is part of a wind turbine system.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Increasing predictability, efficiency and lifetime of wind turbines is essential to continued advancement of wind-based clean energy. One way to increase power generation predictability and efficiency, and turbine life, is through active, dynamic pitch control of blades of the turbine, such that the blades are configured or positioned to most efficiently and effectively travel through incoming wind. However, current...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Therefore, what is needed is a system and method that can proactively and dynamically adjust a pitch of a blade of a turbine to more efficiently and effectively configure and orient the blade to travel through an inflow of wind.

[0014]Embodiments of the invention make it possible to increase the generation of electrical power from wind. Embodiments of the invention also make it possible to generate electrical power from wind in a more cost effective manner. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention materially contribute to the development of energy resources, as well as to the more efficient utilization of energy resources.

Problems solved by technology

However, current turbines use either no pitch control, or at most use reactive pitch control.

Both negatively affect efficiency and life of the turbines as the blades are not optimally positioned to travel through the incoming wind causing increased stress and strain on the blades.

Reactive compensation results in damage already being done to turbines before adjustments are made.

Also, reactive compensation usually results in shutting down and starting up a turbine many times when an undesirable inflow interacts with the turbine.

Further, reactive compensation usually results in wind turbines that are larger than necessary, and thus more costly in terms of price and space within a wind farm.

Further, by not being able to optimally interact with continually changing wind inflow, e.g., spatial and temporal changes of speed and direction of wind, a wind farm operator cannot achieve a maximum level of power generation output for which the turbines are rated.

Each of these factors increases expenses and negatively impacts the development and utilization of an important energy resource, i.e., wind.

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