Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01P—MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT
  • G01P5/00—Measuring speed of fluids, e.g. of air stream; Measuring speed of bodies relative to fluids, e.g. of ship, of aircraft
  • G01P5/14—Measuring speed of fluids, e.g. of air stream; Measuring speed of bodies relative to fluids, e.g. of ship, of aircraft by measuring differences of pressure in the fluid
  • G01P5/16—Measuring speed of fluids, e.g. of air stream; Measuring speed of bodies relative to fluids, e.g. of ship, of aircraft by measuring differences of pressure in the fluid using Pitot tubes, e.g. Machmeter
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03D—WIND MOTORS
  • F03D7/00—Controlling wind motors 
  • F03D7/02—Controlling wind motors  the wind motors having rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor
  • F03D7/0204—Controlling wind motors  the wind motors having rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor for orientation in relation to wind direction
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2270/00—Control
  • F05B2270/30—Control parameters, e.g. input parameters
  • F05B2270/301—Pressure
  • F05B2270/3015—Pressure differential
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2270/00—Control
  • F05B2270/30—Control parameters, e.g. input parameters
  • F05B2270/321—Wind directions

Definitions

• a wind direction sensor like a wind vane is installed atop the nacelle to measure the wind direction, and the turbine rotor is then continually adjusted to face the wind. Even a slight deviation in the wind direction measurement, i.e., by a few degrees, can lead to misalignment of the turbine rotor. As a result, the turbine blades may experience different and increased loads than what was initially estimated, leading to higher wear and tear on the blades, blade root connections, bearings and overall decreased turbine efficiency.
• these measuring systems are installed at the end of the nacelle of the wind turbine such that the wind speed is determined when the wind has already passed the rotor of the wind turbine.
• This position of the measuring systems causes that the measuring results to be influenced by the turbulence introduced by the blades which limits the accuracy of the alignment of the rotor, respectively nacelle.
• the wind turbine rotor spins it can produce turbulence, vortices and fluid flow shedding.
• These phenomena can produce a systematic error in a nacelle mounted wind measurement system, such that the turbine is not optimally aligned with the oncoming wind. This can result in decreased energy production efficiency, less optimal startup or storm shutdown operation and/or increase in mechanical stresses of components of the turbine.
• the disturbed wind signal can cause errors in the assessment of wind turbine performance.
• a wind measuring system for a wind turbine equipped with a rotor which can be adjusted to the wind direction comprising a wind sensor on the side of the rotor facing the wind.
• the wind sensor is mounted on an instrument carrier that is uncoupled from a rotational movement of a rotor head by a pivot bearing.
• the instrument carrier is held substantially in a predetermined position by a weight mounted eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the at least one rotor.
• the accuracy of determining the wind vector in relation to a yaw-angle or pitch of the blades of a wind turbine directly relates to the precision of which a ratio of current power output to a maximum achievable power output can be determined.
• Power output of a wind turbine generator can be proportional to the wind speed, in particular until a rated power output is reached. The output is usually kept constant after reaching the rated power output even with an increase in wind speed. This can be achieved by controlling the pitching action of the blades in response to an increase in wind speed.
• the wind turbine could also be turned away from the wind, in particular by changing the yaw direction.
• the wind direction can also be used to correct the yaw direction of the wind turbine.
• the wind turbine should be facing into the wind, the rotor face perpendicular to the direction of wind for maximum power output.
• the yaw direction refers to the horizontal direction in which the wind turbine is facing.
• the turbine may be subjected to a substantial wind speed increase in a small time interval. Maintaining the power output of the wind turbine generator at a desired level may require rapid changes of the pitch angle of the blades or yaw angle of the rotor.
• common wind measurement systems may be subject to an increased delay due to the type of measurement, measuring frequency and/or the mounting position on the nacelle. As a result, generator speed, and hence power, may increase considerably during gusts, and may exceed a maximum power output level which may trigger a shutdown of the wind turbine.
• a gust may also significantly increase fore-aft and side-to- side bending moments of the tower due to increased wind shear.
• a pressure distribution can comprise a pressure along a trajectory, a pressure gradient field, pressure measurements over time and/or space, pressure values captured at spaced apart, in particular spatially fixed in relation to one another, measurement locations.
• a pressure distribution can refer to the way that pressure is distributed across a surface or within a fluid. It can be a measure of the amount of force per unit area that is exerted on a particular surface, specifically the sensor.
• the captured pressure distribution can vary based on the shape of the surface, the velocity and viscosity of the fluid, and the presence of any external forces.
• the pressure distribution can also be used to analyse the behaviour of objects that are immersed in fluids, such as submarines, ships or aircrafts. Based on a pressure distribution, in particular around these objects, the form, position and/or orientation of can be controlled to modify the effective forces acting on the device.
• the sensor assembly can generally comprise all components necessary to capture the pressure data and provide the pressure data, in particular to the control module. Additionally the sensor assembly can be self-sufficient with regard to power requirements. Alternatively, the sensor assembly can be powered externally, in particular by the control module. Preferably, the measuring system can comprise a power source to enable processing of the pressure data and transmission of processed data and/or pressure data to a receiver. Additionally or alternatively, the measurement system can be powered by an external device, in particular a device the measurement system is mounted to.
• the spatial characteristic can comprise location information, i.e., coordinates.
• the coordinates can be local coordinates such that a relative pressure distribution and/or relative wind vector can be determined.
• the control module can be configured to transform the relative pressure distribution and/or the relative wind vector into an absolute pressure distribution, respectively an absolute wind vector based on further position data indicating a relation of the relative coordinates to absolute coordinates of a reference system, in particular geographic coordinates with earth's surface as a reference.
• the absolute wind vector and/or absolute pressure distribution can relate to a coordinate system of a reference object.
• the control module can determine the wind vector in reference to a local coordinate system based on an orientation of a rotor or turbine head.
• the measurement system can determine a difference vector between the orientation of the rotor and the wind vector.
• the difference vector is two-dimensional, corresponding to an angle in a yaw-plane of a rotor, more preferably the difference vector is three-dimensional including an angle in a pitch-plane of the rotor in addition to the yaw-angle.
• the measurement system, the sensor assembly or at least the sensor can be mounted on a blade of a wind turbine.
• the difference vector may also comprise a component relating to the pitch angle of a blade or a plurality of blades.
• the control module can be configured to determine the wind vector based on the position data and the pressure data independent of a position and/or orientation of the sensor assembly, in particular the sensor in relation to a reference object, in particular the rotor or rotor head.
• the present system achieves the distinct advantage that a single measuring device can be used to simultaneously measure the deviation of the orientation of the wind vector determination device from the prevailing wind direction as well as the wind speed.
• the respective optimum yaw angle and/or attack angle of the rotor blades against the wind can be determined.
• the output power yield extracted from the wind can be maximized.
• the alignment of the nacelle of the wind turbine in the wind direction can be carried out quickly and accurately.
• the measurement system according to the invention is preferably used in front of the rotor of a wind turbine, so that adverse conditions, i.e., a stalling rotor, can be prevented, e.g., by applying appropriate yawing. This can also result in a reduction of blade and system loads and stresses.
• the measurement system according to the invention may not require any rotating parts for determining the pressure distribution.
• the control module can be configured to account for a contribution of the pressure buffer tube to the pressure value when processing the pressure data.
• the pressure buffer tube can achieve the advantage that the sensor can be positioned away from the inlet opening such that the sensor can be shielded from environmental effects, i.e., temperature fluctuations, debris, precipitation, etc.
• the inlet section form part of the main tube body or can be formed as one piece with the main tube.
• the pressure buffer tube can be a hole, in particular a bore, in a solid main body.
• the output of the sensor can indicate a surface pressure at a point of a reference object, in particular a rotor hub, spinner or turbine body.
• the surface pressure may relate to the speed of the air flowing over the surface and serve as a basis to determine a wind speed and direction.
• the inlet section can be aligned with a position axis.
• the inlet section can determine a reference point, in particular a reference orientation, for determining the pressure distribution.
• the position axis can be a symmetry axis of the inlet section, in particular, when the inlet section forms a straight tube. Additionally or alternatively, the position axis can form a normal vector of an entrance plant of the inlet section, wherein the exit plane is disposed at an end of the inlet section in contact with the medium of which the pressure is to be determined.
• the inlet section in can intersect with a surface, in particular a curved surface, of a reference object in which the inlet section is disposed.
• the ridge line of the inlet section i.e., the inlet opening
• the ridge line can be comprised in a flat intersection plane.
• the ridge line can follow the curved surface such that the ridge line is comprised in a curved plane, in particular spanned by the reference object.
• the position axis can be a normal vector of a flat median plane of the curved plane.
• the sensor may be disposed in a sensor plane and a normal vector of the sensor plane may be aligned with the position axis. This achieves the advantage that the sensor plane can form a reference plane no which determining the wind vector can be based.
• the control module can be configured to determine a wind vector based on the position and/or orientation of the sensor in combination with position data indicating a position of a reference object on which the sensor can be disposed to determine the wind vector.
• the sensor may be aligned with the inlet section.
• the position data may indicate the spatial characteristic of the inlet section as the spatial characteristic of the sensor assembly. This achieves the advantage that the inlet section can form a reference characteristic, in particular a reference point on which the control module can base the calculation of the pressure distribution and/or wind vector.
• the position data may indicate the spatial characteristic of the sensor as the spatial characteristic of the sensor assembly. This achieves the advantage that the sensor can form a reference characteristic, in particular a reference point on which the control module can base the calculation of the pressure distribution and/or wind vector.
• the inlet section and/or the pressure buffer tube may comprise an inlet opening.
• the inlet section and/or the pressure buffer tube may be configured to fill with a medium, in particular through the inlet opening. This achieves the advantage that the pressure at the inlet opening can be transferred through the inlet section, respectively the pressure buffer tube to the sensor.
• the orientation or form of the inlet section, respectively pressure buffer tube can be independent from the sensor orientation.
• the pressure buffer tube may be configured to transport a pressure signal to the second end, in particular from the inlet opening, preferably via the medium.
• the medium inside the pressure buffer tube can be the same as the medium in contact with the inlet opening.
• the medium inside the pressure buffer tube and/or the inlet section can differ in aggregate state and/or density from the medium outside of the pressure buffer tube, respectively inlet section.
• the medium comprised within the inlet section and/or pressure buffer tube can be a liquid or a gel. This can increase the shielding of the sensor from ambient disturbances (debris, rain, ice, dust, etc.)
• the control module may be configured to determine a first vector component, a second vector component, a third vector component and/or an absolute value of a wind vector based on the position data and the pressure data.
• the position data may comprise data on a rotation of the sensor assembly, specifically the sensor such that the sensor scans the wind as it rotates. Based on the relationship between the pressure data and the angular position at which the pressure data was captured the control module can be configured to calculate the wind speed and direction.
• the wind vector may comprise two vector components spanning a two-dimensional wind plane. This can reduce the computational load, decreasing latency and/or increasing operational efficiency due to decreased power requirements. Limiting to two dimensions can further be beneficial when only a yaw-correction and not a tilt-correction is available.
• the wind vector may comprise three vector components spanning a three-dimensional wind space. This allows for a three-dimensional adjustment of the turbine, in particular the rotor based on the wind direction. Alternatively, if the adjustment is limited to yaw control, the additional load on the turbine due to a wind vector component in a third dimension is available such that a complete mechanical load on the turbine can be determined.
• the position data may comprise spatial data configured to numerically represent a physical object in a coordinate system.
• the control module may determine a wind vector based in the coordinate system of the physical object, i.e., the control module may be configured to transform a relative wind vector in a local coordinate system to a wind vector in relation to a part of the turbine, in particular the rotor.
• the physical object may be one of or a combination of the following: the measuring device, the sensor assembly; the sensor; the pressure buffer tube; the inlet section; the inlet opening; and/or reference point or reference object in fixed spatial relation to one of the above.
• the control module can achieve the advantage of processing position data independent of the source object the position data corresponds to and convert the position data to correlate with the inlet section, inlet opening or sensor such that the pressure data can be related to a specific position and/or orientation at the time of capturing the pressure data.
• the position data can comprise a plurality of overlaying movements, i.e. a yawing turbine, pitching blades and/or spinning rotor.
• the control module can be configured to determine the wind vector based on a subset of superimposed movements, i.e. remove effects based on yawing.
• the coordinate system may be a geographic coordinate system; local coordinate system, in particular a spherical coordinate system; or a plurality of interlinked local coordinate systems.
• a wind vector can be determined for each turbine of a plurality of turbines in a respective local coordinate system, wherein the local coordinate systems are linked by vectors indicating their relative location to one another in a reference coordinate system.
• the position data comprises temporal data representing a point in time corresponding to the spatial data.
• the control module can correlate a timed capture of the pressure data with the spatial data to determine an orientation and/or position of the sensor assembly, inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor when the pressure measurement is recorded.
• each spatial data entry is correlated with a temporal data in the position data.
• Each local coordinate system of the plurality of local coordinate systems may be referenced by a reference coordinate to at least one other local coordinate system of the plurality of local coordinate systems such that the position of the physical object within the plurality of local coordinate systems is determined by its local coordinate system and the reference coordinate of its local coordinate system to another local coordinate system.
• each turbine of a set of wind turbines can have a local coordinate system where the reference coordinates determine the relative positions of the wind turbines with respect to one another.
• a relative position of a first local coordinate system, in particular its origin, may be referenced to a second local coordinate system, in particular its origin.
• the pressure data may comprise at least two pressure measurements, in particular a first pressure measurement captured when the inlet section is at a first position and a second pressure measurement captured when the inlet section is at a second position.
• the at least two measurements can correspond to two angular positions of a rotation of the rotor.
• the measurements are spaced apart by at least 1°, preferably at least 5°, more preferably the pressure measurements are spaced apart 45°, 90° or 180°.
• the control module can be configured to determine a divergence of the capture angle based on previous position data and pressure data. This achieves the advantage that each pressure measurement may not be recorded at a precise angle.
• the control module can be configured to determine an expected pressure value and adjust the correlated angular position based on the expected pressure value. This can be achieved for rotor rotation and other overlaying motions, such as vibration of the rotor, tilting of the rotor, swinging motion of the rotor and/or a precession of the rotor.
• the control module can be configured to determine a relation between the position during the rotation of the rotor, in particular during multiple rotations of the rotor.
• the relation can be based an angular function, specifically sinusoidal.
• the sensor may be configured to periodically determine a pressure and to periodically provide corresponding pressure data.
• the control module may be configured to link the pressure measurements to the position data to create a pressure profile indicating the pressure at specific time instances.
• the time instances may form a single period of the movement of the position axis, preferably the inlet section.
• the pressure profile in particular a periodicity of the pressure profile, may correspond to an angular motion of the rotor.
• the pressure profile can be matched a predetermined section of the angular motion or a complete period of the angular motion.
• the pressure profile can correspond to a combined motion of a base rotation superimposed with fluctuations, in particular periodic fluctuations.
• the control module may be configured to relate the pressure profile to the position data.
• the control module may be configured to link an angular position of the position axis to a corresponding pressure measurement.
• a correlation of the angular position and the pressure determined at that angular position can form the basis to determine a wind speed and wind vector.
• the control module can determine a wind vector based on a plurality of pressure measurements at different positions.
• the measurements can be achieved by a single sensor that moves along a trajectory or by a plurality of sensors that are spaced apart and preferably perform synchronous pressure measurements.
• the control module may be configured to periodically determine the pressure distribution and/or the wind vector based on the pressure profile and/or the position data.
• a high update frequency of the wind vector can increase the precision of a yaw alignment of the turbine.
• the measurement system may continuously determine a wind vector such that a yawing motion can be based on real time wind vector information.
• the wind vector can also be evaluated during the yawing motion to confirm the yaw alignment.
• the position data may comprise data relating to a full rotation of the physical object in a predetermined plane, preferably along a predetermined trajectory, in particular a predetermined closed-loop trajectory in the coordinate system.
• the control module can be configured to determine a periodicity of the pressure measurements and to determine deviations of the pressure measurements between subsequent periods.
• the periodic movement can be proportional to a movement of a rotor and/or blade of a turbine.
• the control module may be configured to determine a pressure profile for at least part of a rotation, preferably a full rotation.
• the control module may be configured to adjust a sampling frequency of the sensor and/or to select a specific pressure measurement based on the position data, in particular based on an angular position of the physical object.
• the sampling frequency can be proportional to a speed of the sensor assembly and/or a correlating angular speed.
• a pressure profile resolution can be kept constant.
• a spatial pressure resolution can be increased, in particular when high deviations between periods are detected, i.e., due to actual wind speed fluctuations, gusts, storms, turbine movement etc.
• the control module may be configured to control capturing pressure measurements and/or configured to select a set of pressure measurements from a plurality of pressure measurements to match pressure measurements with corresponding angular positions of the physical object. This can achieve the advantage that a mismatch of the sampling frequency and the movement of the sensor assembly, respectively sensor or inlet section, can be compensated. Thereby, pressure measurements at fixed positions can be achieved. Additionally and/or alternatively, the control module may be configured to initiate capturing a pressure measurement at specific instances, in particular matching predetermined positions.
• the control module may be configured to determine an orientation of the position axis, in particular with reference to the physical object, based on the pressure data and position data. This can achieve the advantage that the sensor assembly, inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor can be mounted at an arbitrary position and/ or at an arbitrary orientation with respect to the reference object.
• the control module may be configured to determine a wind vector relative to a plane of rotation of the measurements system, specifically, the sensor assembly, the inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor.
• the measurement system may be disposed on any rotating component of a turbine and due to the rotational periodicity of the pressure profile the control module may determine the orientation of the rotation plane towards a wind vector. Thereby, the control module can determine a yaw angle offset of the turbine.
• the trajectory of the position axis may comprise an additional movement, in particular a periodic movement, i.e., a precession, in particular in addition to a trajectory of a reference object according to the position data.
• the position data may represent a rotation of the turbine, specifically a rotation of the rotor or rotor cap and the inlet section may perform an additional precession. This can be due to additional forces causing an imperfect rotation.
• the position data may comprise the additional precession.
• the control module may be configured to determine an orientation of the position axis based on the additional movement.
• the sensor assembly specifically the inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor can be aligned with a rotation axis of the turbine, preferably a rotation axis of the rotor hub.
• the alignment can be defined by a symmetry axis matching the rotation axis.
• An ideal rotation of the sensor assembly, specifically a single inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor can lead to non-varying pressure measurements as the orientation of the inlet opening, inlet section and/or the sensor may not change with the rotation.
• a typical turbine rotation may comprise an additional movement component overlaying the base rotation, i.e., the rotor may perform a precession around its base rotation axis.
• the control module may be configured to determine the contribution of the additional movement to the pressure measurement, in particular the pressure profile. This achieves the advantage that the additional movement can be used to determine the wind vector. Additionally and/or alternatively, the wind vector can be corrected to remove a contribution of the additional movement. Furthermore, the control module can be configured to determine the additional movement, i.e., an angular velocity and/or angular acceleration of the reference object, specifically the rotor based on the pressure data. Preferably, the control module is configured to determine a wind vector in a static configuration, i.e. the sensor assembly does not move relative to the wind vector.
• the control module may be configured to determine the pressure distribution and/or the wind vector based on the additional movement. This achieves the advantage that the wind vector can be determined independent from a base rotation. In particular, a correlation of the base rotation and an alignment of the sensor assembly and/or a predetermined position and/or orientation in reference to a base rotation is not required.
• the control module may be configured to adjust the pressure distribution and/or the wind vector based on the additional movement, in particular to remove a perturbation based on the additional movement from the pressure distribution and/or the wind vector. This achieves the advantage of increased precision of the wind vector.
• the control module may be configured to compare at least two instances of a pressure profile to determine a drift of the pressure sensor. This achieves the advantage that the pressure sensor can be calibrated during use. In particular, the pressure sensor can be adjusted for the drift to provide accurate absolute pressure values. This may achieve the advantage that the pressure sensor may not need to be calibrated prior to use. Alternatively, an additional calibration can be maintained by continuous adjustment of the calibration based on the pressure measurements. In particular, when a plurality of sensors is used, the sensors can be calibrated with reference to one another.
• the control module can calibrate the sensor assembly, adjust to varying ambient parameters and/or account for sensor shifts in particular induced by wear and/or aging.
• the control module is configured to adjust each subsequent pressure measurement based on a captured pressure drift or pressure abnormality.
• the control module may be configured to adjust a pressure profile and/or a pressure distribution based on the drift, in particular to remove a drift-based contribution to the pressure distribution and/or the pressure profile. This can achieve the advantage that an initial calibration of the sensor can be maintained and accurate absolute pressure measurements can be captured. Additionally, the accuracy of the determined wind vector can be maintained respectively increased by removing drift based components.
• the control module is configured to determine an angle between the position axis and the wind vector. This achieves the advantage that when an orientation and/or position of the sensor assembly, respectively the inlet opening, inlet section or sensor is known, the control module may determine an absolute direction of the wind vector, i.e. in reference to a ground based coordinate system. Herein the control module may receive a yaw position of the wind turbine to determine an absolute wind angle.
• the control module may be configured to determine the position axis based on the position data and the pressure data, in particular when the position axis moves, along a periodic trajectory, preferably an elliptical trajectory, more preferably a circular trajectory, in particular based on a precession in reference to periodic angular motion of the reference object.
• the inlet section may be disposed on a reference object.
• the sensor may be disposed on a reference object.
• the position axis may be aligned with a predetermined axis of the reference object and/or wherein the inlet section and/or the sensor is in a fixed spatial relation to the reference object. This achieves the advantage that any movement of the reference object can be transferred to the measurement system, specifically, the inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor.
• the control module can determine a trajectory of the inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor based on the motion of the reference object.
• the position axis may be oriented relative to an orientation vector, in particular an orientation vector of the reference object, wherein an angle between the orientation vector and the position axis is less or equal to 160°, preferably less than 90°.
• the inlet section and/or a normal vector of the inlet opening may point forward in reference to the rotor and/or the blades.
• An orientation vector can coincide with a rotation axis of the rotor.
• An angle between the orientation vector and a wind vector is preferably larger than 90°, i.e., the rotor is at least partially facing the oncoming wind.
• the position axis can be oriented relative to the orientation vector such that the inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor are oriented at an angle with respect to the orientation vector.
• the sensor assembly, inlet opening and/or inlet section may be at least partially oriented along the orientation vector.
• a rotor hub may comprise a hub surface having a rounded surface, wherein the sensor assembly is disposed on the hub surface.
• the inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor may be disposed on the hub surface at an incline or directly perpendicular. When mounted at an incline, the orientation of the inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor may partly coincide with the rotation axis of the rotor, preferably in a forward facing manner or at an angle of up to 70° facing backwards.
• the control module can be configured to determine the wind vector, at least the wind direction, independent of an orientation, specifically an incline of the sensor assembly, inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor, relative to rotor hub. Specifically, the control module can be configured to determine a contribution of the orientation of the sensor assembly, inlet opening, inlet section and/or sensor to the pressure measurement, specifically the pressure profile.
• the measuring system, the sensor assembly or the inlet section may perform a periodic movement with respect to a reference object.
• the reference object can in particular be the nacelle of the wind turbine.
• the periodic movement enables the measurement system to determine a wind vector, in particular when the sensor assembly comprises only one sensor.
• pressure measurements over time can be performed and evaluated at identical positions using only one sensor.
• a plurality of sensors can be used.
• measurements of the sensors for part of the periodic movement can be combined to determine a pressure profile for a complete period. For example, once a second sensor of the plurality of sensors reaches the position of a first sensor the pressure is determined for a complete period, i.e., a complete rotation.
• the periodic movement can by segmented by the number of sensors. Additionally and/or alternatively, a plurality of sensors can be used to calibrate and/or average the pressure data. For example, the pressure can be determined by a plurality of sensors at the same position for a single period of the periodic movement.
• the control module can be configured to determine outliers in the pressure data, i.e. a deviating sensor, and/or increase precision of the pressure measurement by averaging over a plurality of captured pressure values.
• the periodic movement can be congruent to a movement of an object the sensor assembly is mounted to, i.e. the rotor of a wind turbine. Alternatively, the periodic movement represents an additional movement in relation to the object the sensor assembly is mounted to. For example, the sensor assembly rotates around an axis independent of the rotation of the rotor. The sensor assembly may rotate counter to or following the rotation of the rotor. The angular velocity of the sensor assembly can differ from the angular velocity of the rotor.
• the measuring system may be attached to a reference object.
• the control module may be configured to be electrically powered by the reference object.
• the reference object is one of the following: a blade, in particular of a turbine or rotor; a hub, in particular of a turbine or rotor; a spinner, in particular of a turbine; a part of a turbine affected by, in particular moving based on, a yaw control of a turbine, preferably a nacelle of a turbine; or a spatially fixed part of a turbine, in particular a tower of a turbine.
• the control module may be configured to receive positional or orientational reference data pertaining to the reference object.
• the positional reference data can indicate a relative position of the sensor assembly to the sensor assembly and/or a relative position of a reference point of the trajectory of the sensor assembly to the reference object.
• the orientational reference data can indicate an angle of a movement plane of the sensor assembly, inlet section, inlet opening and/or sensor in relation to the reference object.
• the orientation of each part of the measuring system may be defined by a normal vector of a corresponding orientation plane of the respective part.
• the space spanned by all inlet sections of the plurality of inlet sections is equal to or less than a hemisphere.
• all inlet sections may be disposed on the same hemisphere.
• the inlet sections and/or inlet openings are oriented parallel to one another.
• at least one inlet opening is located at the center of the hemisphere.
• the hemisphere can also be a part-ellipsoid, where one inlet opening is disposed at the maximum curvature point, i.e., the tip, of the ellipsoid.
• the control module may be configured to determine a speed vector based on the pressure data of the plurality of sensors, in particular a wind speed vector.
• the sensor assembly comprises a pressure buffer tube which comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the sensor is disposed at the second end or within the pressure buffer tube; and/or wherein the pressure buffer tube comprises an inlet section wherein the inlet section is disposed at the first end.
• the pressure buffer tube comprises a main tube body configured to fluidly connect the sensor and the inlet section.
• the inlet section is aligned with a position axis.
• Measuring system wherein the sensor is disposed in a sensor plane wherein a normal vector of the sensor plane is aligned with the position axis.
• the spatial characteristic is a position and/or an orientation of the sensor assembly, preferably a component of the sensor assembly, in particular the sensor.
• the position data indicates the spatial characteristic of the inlet section as the spatial characteristic of the sensor assembly.
• the position data indicates the spatial characteristic of the sensor as the spatial characteristic of the sensor assembly.
• the inlet section and/or the pressure buffer tube comprises an inlet opening and is configured to fill with a medium, in particular through the inlet opening.
• control module is configured to determine a vector component, preferably a first vector component, a second vector component, a third vector component and/or an absolute value of a wind vector based on the position data and the pressure data.
• the position data comprises spatial data configured to numerically represent a physical object in a coordinate system.
• Measuring system according to any of the preceding embodiments with features of S15 wherein the coordinate system is a geographic coordinate system; a local coordinate system, in particular a spherical coordinate system; or a plurality of interlinked local coordinate systems.
• the position data comprises temporal data representing a point in time corresponding to the spatial data.
• each local coordinate system of the plurality of local coordinate systems is referenced by a reference coordinate to at least one other local coordinate system of the plurality of local coordinate systems such that the position of the physical object within the plurality of local coordinate systems is determined by its local coordinate system and the reference coordinate of its local coordinate system to another local coordinate system.
• a relative position of a first local coordinate system, in particular its origin is referenced to a second local coordinate system, in particular its origin.
• control module is configured to control capturing pressure measurements and/or select a set of pressure measurements from a plurality of pressure measurements to match pressure measurements with corresponding angular positions of the physical object.
• control module is configured to determine an orientation of the position axis based on the additional movement.
• control module is configured to determine an angle between the position axis and the wind vector.
• control module is configured to determine a difference between the orientation data and the wind vector based on the pressure distribution, in particular to determine a deviation angle of the wind vector projected onto the yaw plane of the reference object and/or to determine a deviation angle of the wind vector projected onto the pitch plane of the reference object.
• Measuring system comprising a communication interface configured to provide pressure data, a pressure distribution, a wind vector and/or yaw adjustment data to a data interface corresponding to the reference object.
• Measuring system according to any of the preceding embodiments wherein the sensor is configured to determine the pressure of a medium, in particular a dynamic pressure of a flow of a medium.
• Measuring system according to any of the preceding embodiments with features of S41 and S61, wherein the sensor assembly, the inlet sections or the pressure buffer tubes protrude less than 20 cm, preferably less than 10 cm, more preferably less than 5 cm from an outer surface of the reference object.
• Measuring system according to any of the preceding embodiments with features of S41 and S61, wherein each inlet section of the plurality of inlet sections is aligned with an orientation vector of the reference object within a tolerance of 20°, preferably 10°, more preferably 5°.
• Measuring system according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising a measurement head section and a stem section.
• Measuring system according to any of the preceding embodiments with features of S72, wherein the head section forms the reference object.
• the sensor assembly is disposed on the head section and/or wherein the stem section is configured to attach the head section to the reference object.
• the stem section has a tubular form and/or wherein the head section forms one of the following shapes: a part ellipsoid, preferably a partial sphere; a cone; a pyramid, preferably a polygonal pyramid, preferably pentagonal pyramid; a poly-sided cone, preferably a five-sided cone; a pyramid stump, in particular having a polygonal base; a polygonal sphere-shape.
• the stem section is oriented at a predetermined, preferably nonzero angle with respect to a rotation axis of the reference object. 577.
• a diameter of the head section is less or equal to a diameter of the stem section.
• the sensor assembly comprises at least two spatially separated sensors and wherein the control module is configured to determine a degree of turbulence, density of the medium and/or temperature of the medium based on the pressure data from the at least two sensors and/or the position data.
• Measuring system comprising a plurality of sensor assemblies, wherein each sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies is disposed in a fixed position and/or orientation with respect to a corresponding individual reference object, wherein the individual reference objects (i.e., different turbines) are spaced apart from one another, wherein each sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies is configured to provide pressure data.
• each sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies is configured to provide pressure data.
• control module is configured to receive position data indicating a spatial characteristic of the sensor assembly for each sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies and/or indicating a spatial characteristic of the respective individual reference object; receive pressure data from the plurality of sensor assemblies; and/or to determine a pressure distribution based on the position data and the pressure data.
• control module is configured to provide a plurality of yaw adjustment data, in particular according to embodiment S54, wherein each yaw adjustment data corresponds to a specific reference object.
• Measuring system comprising a plurality of control modules, wherein each control module of the plurality of control modules is assigned to a predetermined reference object and/or a predetermined sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies.
• control modules are configured to communicate pressure data, pressure distributions, wind vectors and/or yaw adjustment data between each other.
• Measuring system comprising an off-phase removal device, wherein the off-phase removal device is configured to remove an off-phase medium from the pressure buffer tube, preferably the inlet section, wherein an off-phase medium is in a state of matter differing from the expected state matter for the medium inside the pressure buffer tube.
• the off-phase removal device comprises a heater, in particular a heating element, configured to heat at least part of the pressure buffer tube or to heat the medium inside the pressure buffer tube to alter the state of matter of the off-phase medium, in particular from solid to liquid and/or from liquid to gaseous.
• the pressure buffer tube comprises a drainage opening to remove off-phase medium from the pressure buffer tube, wherein preferably the drainage opening is closed when performing a pressure measurement.
• control module comprises a temperature control configured to control a temperature of the pressure buffer tube, the inlet section, the inlet opening and/or the sensor.
• Method according to the preceding embodiment comprising the step of transporting a pressure signal to the second end of a pressure buffer tube, in particular from the inlet opening, preferably via a medium comprised within the pressure buffer tube, preferably wherein the medium inside the pressure buffer tube is the same as the medium in contact with the inlet opening.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of determining a first vector component, a second vector component, a third vector component and/or an absolute value of a wind vector based on the position data and the pressure data.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of periodically determining a pressure and periodically providing corresponding pressure data, and linking the pressure measurements to the position data.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments with features of M4 comprising the step of creating a pressure profile indicating the pressure at specific time instances, preferably, wherein the time instances form a single period of movement of the position axis.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of relating the pressure profile to the position data, preferably comprising linking an angular position of the position axis to a corresponding pressure measurement.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of determining a pressure profile for at least part of a rotation, preferably a full rotation.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments with features of M12 comprising the step of determining the contribution of the additional movement to the pressure measurement, in particular the pressure profile.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments with features of M12 comprising the step of adjusting the pressure distribution and/or the wind vector based on the additional movement, in particular to remove a perturbation based on the additional movement from the pressure distribution and/or the wind vector.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of comparing at least two instances of a pressure profile to determine a drift of the pressure sensor.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments with features of M17 comprising the step of adjusting a pressure profile and/or a pressure distribution based on the drift, in particular to remove a drift-based contribution to the pressure distribution and/or the pressure profile.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of determining an angle between the position axis and the wind vector.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of receiving orientation data indicating an orientation of the reference object and/or the measuring system, in particular indicating a pitch angle and/or a yaw angle in absolute or relative spatial coordinates and/or indicating a rotation angle, in particular a rotation angle in a plane perpendicular to a yaw plane.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of determining a difference between the orientation data and the wind vector based on the pressure distribution, in particular to determine a deviation angle of the wind vector projected onto the yaw plane of the reference object and/or to determine a deviation angle of the wind vector projected onto the pitch plane of the reference object.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of providing pressure data, a pressure distribution, a wind vector and/or yaw adjustment data to a data interface corresponding to the reference object.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of measuring a magnitude and/or a direction of a flow velocity vector with respect to the sensor assembly and/or a static and/or a total pressure.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of receiving position data indicating a spatial characteristic of the sensor assembly for each sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies and/or indicating a spatial characteristic of the respective individual reference object; and receiving pressure data from the plurality of sensor assemblies; and/or determining a pressure distribution based on the position data and the pressure data.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of determining a pressure distribution and or a pressure gradient field based on the pressure data received from the plurality of sensor assemblies.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of communicating pressure data, pressure distributions, wind vectors and/or yaw adjustment data between control modules.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of removing an off-phase medium from the pressure buffer tube, preferably the inlet section, wherein an off-phase medium is in a state of matter differing from the expected state matter for the medium inside the pressure buffer tube.
• Method according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising the step of applying heat to the inlet section, preferably the inlet opening.
• Fig. 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of the measurement system disposed on a hub of a turbine according to the present invention
• Fig. 2 schematically depicts an embodiment of the measurement system disposed on a reference object according to the present invention
• Fig. 3 schematically depicts an embodiment of the measurement system disposed on a reference object according to the present invention
• Fig. 4 schematically depicts an embodiment of a measurement system according to the present invention.
• FIG. 5 schematically depicts an orientation of a wind turbine with a measurement system according to the present invention. It is noted that not all the drawings carry all the reference signs. Instead, in some of the drawings, some of the reference signs have been omitted for sake of brevity and simplicity of illustration. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the measurement system according to the invention.
• the measuring system 100 can determine a pressure distribution and comprises a sensor assembly 101 that includes a sensor 102 for providing pressure data.
• a control module 103 receives position data, which indicates a spatial characteristic of the sensor assembly, and uses this information along with the pressure data to determine the pressure distribution.
• the sensor assembly can comprise a pressure buffer tube 104-1 with a first end 105 and a second end 106.
• the sensor is either located at the second end or within the pressure buffer tube.
• the pressure buffer tube has an inlet section at its first end, which is aligned with a position axis x.
• the main tube body of the pressure buffer tube connects the sensor to the inlet section 107 allowing for the transmission of a pressure present at the inlet section to the sensor.
• the sensor assembly can comprise a plurality of pressure buffer tubes 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4.
• each pressure buffer tube can comprise the features according to the embodiment of the first pressure buffer tube 104-1.
• the control module can be configured to process pressure data captured by the plurality of sensors 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4.
• all inlet sections, respectively inlet openings are aligned along the orientation axis x.
• the inlet openings can be disposed on the dome shaped section such that normal vectors of the inlet opening cross-sections are angled with respect to the orientation axis x.
• each of the normal vectors encloses the same angle with the orientation axis x.
• a normal vector of a center inlet opening can coincide with or be parallel to the orientation axis x.
• the sensor assembly can represent a one-dimensional pressure sensor wherein the measurement system is configured to use the rotation and/or orientation of a reference object, e.g., a wind turbine to determine the wind direction, in particular in reference to an orientation axis of the measurement system and thereby an orientation of the wind turbine in reference to the wind direction.
• the control module may compensate an effect of a rotation of the reference object on the pressure measurement to provide an accurate measure of the pressure profile and based on the pressure profile the wind speed or wind vector.
• the plurality of pressure buffer tubes can be disposed as a bundle at a tip of a rod which preferably can be a unibody.
• the inlet openings 108-1 to 108-4 can be evenly distributed, specifically symmetrically distributed on a front surface of the rod.
• the inlet openings are disposed in a circular pattern.
• One inlet opening may be disposed at a center location of the rod.
• the probe can be calibrated.
• a calibration curve can be embedded in the control module, representing the measured pressure difference as a function of the measured angle.
• the inlet opening establishes a relationship between the flow angle and the angle of attack at the measurement system, and by reference at the reference object, e.g., the wind turbine.
• the flow angle can be related to a yaw angle of the wind turbine.
• the measurement system in particular comprising 5 sensors, can provide yaw and/or pitch information simultaneously. In other words, a flow angularity in two perpendicular planes can be determined. This can also be achieved when a single sensor is rotated and the pressure is recorded for a full rotation.
• the spatial characteristic of the sensor assembly is determined by the position data which represents the position and/or orientation of the sensor assembly in a coordinate system.
• the measuring system can also determine a wind vector based on the position data and pressure data.
• the wind vector can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional, depending on the application.
• the measuring system is designed to capture pressure measurements at different positions of the inlet section. These pressure measurements can be linked to the position data, creating a pressure profile that indicates the pressure at specific time instances.
• the control module can adjust the sampling frequency of the sensor and select specific pressure measurements based on the angular position of the sensor assembly.
• control module compares pressure profiles to detect any drift in the pressure sensor and adjusts the pressure distribution accordingly. It can also determine the offset of the position axis and adjust the pressure distribution to remove the offset-based contribution.
• a wind turbine 200 i.e., a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) with a measurement system 100 according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 2.
• HAWT horizontal axis wind turbine
• the blades are connected to the hub, and the hub may comprise a pitch control mechanism to control the pitch angle of each blade.
• Three blades can be employed, however, one, two or four or more blades could be employed as well.
• the blades convert the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy by rotating a shaft connected to the generator.
• the shaft may rotate at a variable speed depending upon the wind speed, from zero up to a maximum steady-state speed whereby the turbine is generating a rated power.
• the hub may rotate with the orientation axis x as a rotation axis.
• a relative rotation angle beta can indicate the rotation period of the hub and thereby of the measurement system.
• the angle beta can indicate when an inlet opening of the sensor assembly coincides with a previous position of another inlet opening. Due to the mounting the actual position may not coincide. However the angular position can be the same such that the position in the flow can be matched.
• An orientation difference of the two inlet sections can be taken into account. Such a difference can occur when the sensor assembly is oriented along an axis not parallel to the orientation axis x of the hub.
• the hub has an ellipsoidal front surface.
• the measurement assembly comprises 5 sensors and correspondingly 5 inlet openings and 5 inlet sections and 5 pressure buffer tubes 104-1 to 104-5.
• the tubes can be mounted on the ellipsoidal surface of the hub oriented with the axis of rotation of the hub.
• Four pressure buffer tubes 104-1 to 104-4 can be mounted parallel to the rotation axis but offset from the center of the hub and the fifth pressure buffer tube 104-5 can be mounted with the rotation axis as a symmetry axis.
• Each of the pressure buffer tubes 104-1 to 104-4 can be disposed at a predetermined distance from the central pressure buffer tube 104-5. Specifically, the corresponding inlet openings can be disposed accordingly.
• FIG. 4 depicts a schematic representation of an embodiment of the measurement system 100 according to the present invention.
• the system can comprise a plurality of sensor assemblies 401-1 to 401-5.
• Each sensor assembly can comprise a stem section and a head section, wherein the respective pressure buffer tube 104-1 to 104-5 is disposed at least partly within the respective head section.
• the sensor assemblies can comprise a plurality of sensors and corresponding pressure buffer tubes, inlet section and inlet openings.
• the stem sections can be disposed on the surface of the reference object, in particular a hub 202 of a turbine.
• the stem section can be angled, in particular angled such that a symmetry axis of the stem section is parallel to a normal vector of the hub 202 at the mounting position of the stem section at the hub.
• at least one inlet section, specifically a normal vector of the inlet opening, of the respective sensor assembly can be oriented parallel to the normal vector of the hub at the mounting position of the stem section.
• Figure 5 schematically depicts an orientation of a wind turbine with a measurement system according to the present invention.
• the wind turbine specifically the rotor can have an orientation, i.e., a turbine position, determined by a yaw angle of the rotor. This angle can be determined in reference to true north.
• the absolute wind direction can also be determined in reference to true north.
• the control module can determine an angle between an absolute wind direction and the orientation of the turbine, i.e., a relative wind direction.
• the relative wind direction can indicate an offset between the orientation of the wind turbine and the wind direction. Any offset between wind direction and turbine position may impact the power output of the rotor.

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