Vestas

About: Vestas is a company organization based out in Aarhus, Denmark. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Turbine & Wind power. The organization has 1075 authors who have published 1519 publications receiving 23285 citations. The organization is also known as: Vestas Wind Systems & Vestas Wind Systems A/S.

System and method for controlling power output from a wind turbine or wind power plant

Abstract: A LIDAR or other remote sensing apparatus is mounted on a wind turbine to sense one or more wind parameters. An extreme event detector processing signals from the LIDAR to determine whether a given sensed parameter will, when it arrives at the turbine, exceed a predetermined value and represent an extreme event. On detection of an extreme event, the detector outputs an extreme event signal to a controller. The controller controls overrating of the turbine in response to a variety of sensed parameters and selectively operates the turbine at above rated wind speed. On receipt of the extreme event signal the overrating is overridden to prevent damage to turbine components. The controller may be a power plant controller and the override signal may override only overrating at the turbine which has detected the extreme event, or a plurality of turbines.

Wind turbine system for detection of blade icing

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting icing and other loadings on blades of wind turbines. Advantageously, the method utilizes existing wind turbine actuators, for example pitch actuators, far excitation of blade vibrations. Vibration sensors on the blade such as strain sensors or accelerometers measure the blade vibrations excited in response to the actively excised vibrations. By comparing the measured response with previously obtained reference responses, it is possible to determine if blade icing is present.

Control system in wind turbine blades

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine blade with devices for modifying the aerodynamic surface or shape of the blade. The position and movement of these devices are controlled by a pneumatic actuator powered by pressure from a pressure chamber connected to the actuator via a valve system controlling the powering. The valve system in return is operated by a control unit conveying control signals to the valve system via a signal communication pathway. The communication pathway may comprise a power link or pressure tubes with a liquid or a gas. In one embodiment the gas used is of a lower molecular weight than 28.9 kg/kmol and thereby lower than air, whereby the speed of the pressure signals being sent from the control unit is increased and thereby the operational speed of the aerodynamic devices. The invention further relates to a wind turbine comprising a tower, a nacelle mounted to one end of the tower, and a rotor with at least one wind turbine blade according to the above.

Wind turbine blade with device for changing the aerodynamic surface or shape

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine blade (100) comprising a device (101) for modifying the aerodynamic surface or shape of the blade in an area of the trailing edge (104), and activation mechanisms for controlling the position and/or movement of the device. The device is at least partly divided into a number of sections (303) by interstices or connecting portions (304) having a higher elasticity. Hereby the overall longitudinal bending flexibility of the device is increased which in turn increases the operability of the aerodynamic device and reduces the wear of the system. The interstices (304) may be open, comprise a filler material, or optionally be covered by an elastic film.

Wind turbine blade vibration detection and radar calibration

Abstract: A wind turbine (1) is provided, having a wind turbine tower (2) and at least one rotatable blade (5), and further comprising a system for measuring rotor blade vibration of said wind turbine. The system comprises at least one Doppler radar unit (7) 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 to replace in the field.