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WO2012089214A2 - Sensor alignment using directional compass - Google Patents

Sensor alignment using directional compass Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012089214A2
WO2012089214A2 PCT/DK2011/050513 DK2011050513W WO2012089214A2 WO 2012089214 A2 WO2012089214 A2 WO 2012089214A2 DK 2011050513 W DK2011050513 W DK 2011050513W WO 2012089214 A2 WO2012089214 A2 WO 2012089214A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
nacelle
wind sensor
wind
orientation
sensor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2011/050513
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2012089214A3 (en
Inventor
Amalan Paul SAMUEL
Original Assignee
Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vestas Wind Systems A/S filed Critical Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Publication of WO2012089214A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012089214A2/en
Publication of WO2012089214A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012089214A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • F03D17/00—Monitoring or testing of wind motors, e.g. diagnostics
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01P—MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT
    • G01P13/00—Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement
    • G01P13/02—Indicating direction only, e.g. by weather vane
    • 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
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to wind energy devices, specifically to alignment of wind sensors on wind turbines.
  • a wind turbine for generating electricity may comprise a tower, rotor having a plurality of rotor blades, rotor shaft and generator.
  • the rotor may be mounted on a nacelle, which in turn is mounted on the tower.
  • the nacelle In horizontal axis wind turbines, the nacelle is rotatable about a vertical axis of the tower. Rotation of the nacelle moves the rotor blades into or relative to the direction of wind flow.
  • Rotating the nacelle to reduce the angle between the rotor axis and the wind direction in a horizontal plane (yaw angle), preferably to substantially 0°, increases power output and efficiency of the wind turbine.
  • the wind turbine may include one or more wind sensors on the nacelle.
  • Wind sensors measure wind direction and provide a wind direction signal to a control unit located within the nacelle.
  • the control unit determines the yaw angle based on the wind direction signal received from the wind sensor.
  • Actuators including yaw motors and yaw brakes thereafter rotate the nacelle to reduce the yaw angle and align the rotor axis relative the wind direction.
  • wind sensors For wind direction signaling, wind sensors require to be correctly aligned. Where a wind sensor is mounted on an immobile object (such as a building), a horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor is typically aligned with a particular compass bearing (e.g. 0° or north). After alignment with the compass bearing, the wind sensor will report absolute wind direction.
  • a particular compass bearing e.g. 0° or north
  • the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor is aligned with a horizontal reference axis of the moveable object, whereafter the sensor will indicate wind direction relative to the reference axis of the moveable object.
  • the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor may be aligned with a horizontal reference axis of the nacelle.
  • This horizontal reference axis of the nacelle may be a longitudinal axis.
  • the rotor axis of the wind turbine is a longitudinal axis that frequently serves as the horizontal reference axis.
  • the wind direction determined by the control unit based on the wind direction signal is therefore relative to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, and may be used to determine the yaw angle.
  • the wind direction relative to the rotor axis is the yaw angle.
  • Alignment of a wind sensor relative to a longitudinal axis of the nacelle is initially performed during installation of the wind sensor on the nacelle. From time to time however the wind sensor moves out of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the nacelle - as a result of errors during installation, maintenance activity, or operational stresses. Misalignment of a wind sensor relative to a predetermined longitudinal axis of the nacelle gives rise to inaccurate readings of the wind direction relative to the nacelle, leading to misalignment of the rotor relative to the wind direction.
  • the present invention is directed towards a method for aligning a wind sensor relative to a rotatable nacelle of a wind turbine, wherein the wind sensor is operationally engaged to the nacelle.
  • the method comprises determining orientation of a horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in a horizontal plane, determining orientation of a longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane, determining deviation between the orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane, and altering the deviation by changing the orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in the horizontal plane.
  • the longitudinal axis of the nacelle is the rotor axis.
  • Deviation between orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane may be altered by reducing the deviation to substantially 0°.
  • the orientation of at least one of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, in a horizontal plane may be determined by taking a directional compass bearing of such axis.
  • the orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor may be changed by adjusting operational engagement between the wind sensor and the nacelle.
  • operational engagement between the wind sensor and the nacelle may be adjusted by adjusting orientation of the wind sensor support in the horizontal plane.
  • the invention is additionally directed towards an assembly for aligning a wind sensor relative to a rotatable nacelle of a wind turbine.
  • the assembly comprises a wind sensor support mounted on the nacelle for having the wind sensor mounted thereon, a first position sensor operationally engaged to the wind sensor support for determining orientation of a horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in the horizontal plane, and a second position sensor provided on the nacelle, for determining orientation of a longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane.
  • the wind sensor is aligned relative to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle by reducing deviation between orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane.
  • the longitudinal axis of the nacelle is the rotor axis.
  • the wind sensor support may be adjustable to alter the orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor mounted thereon.
  • the wind sensor support may be configured to interchangeably mount the wind sensor and the first position sensor.
  • the second position sensor may be mounted on a rotor drive train within the nacelle.
  • the second position sensor may in a particular embodiment be mounted on a main shaft bearing of the rotor drive train.
  • At least one of the first position sensor and second position sensor is a directional compass.
  • Figure 1 is a wind turbine having wind sensors mounted on the nacelle.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a wind sensor used in wind turbines.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the wind sensor of Figure 2 mounted on a wind sensor support.
  • Figure 4 is a flowchart describing a method of aligning a wind sensor relative to the nacelle.
  • Figure 5 is a cross-section of the turbine nacelle having an assembly for aligning a wind sensor relative to the nacelle.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a position sensor mounted on a wind sensor support.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a position sensor mounted on a main shaft bearing of the nacelle.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective of a wind turbine 100, having tower 108, rotatable nacelle 104, rotor 112, rotor blades 114 and rotor axis 120.
  • Nacelle 104 is rotatable about a vertical axis 110 and has wind sensors 102 and 102' mounted thereon. Any one of a variety of wind sensor technologies may be selected for installation on a wind turbine.
  • FIG 2 illustrates an embodiment of wind sensor 102 for use in a wind turbine.
  • Wind sensor 102 has a sensing element 202, shaft 204 and at least one recess 206 for accommodating connectors to fixedly mount wind sensor 102.
  • recess 206 is an annular bore through shaft 204.
  • the wind sensor has a horizontal reference axis for aligning said wind sensor with a longitudinal axis of nacelle 104.
  • the horizontal reference axis 208 of the wind sensor is the longitudinal axis of annular bore 206.
  • a wind sensor may be directly mounted on the nacelle.
  • the wind sensor may be operationally engaged to the nacelle. Operational engagement may be achieved by mounting the wind sensor on a wind sensor support, which is in turn mounted on the nacelle.
  • FIG 3 illustrates wind sensor 102 of Figure 2 mounted on wind sensor support 116.
  • Wind sensor support 116 is a mounting bracket having a first end 304 and a second end 306.
  • Shaft 204 is affixed to first end 304 by a connector 302 passing through bore 206 (shown in Figure 2) and through first end 304.
  • Second end 306 is in turn mounted on the nacelle body.
  • Embodiments of sensor support 116 may include multi-component supports.
  • the present invention provides a method and assembly for aligning the horizontal reference axis of a wind sensor with a longitudinal axis of the rotatable nacelle, to ensure accurate readings of wind direction relative to the nacelle, and correspondingly accurate determination of yaw angle.
  • Figure 4 is a flowchart describing the method of aligning a wind sensor relative to the nacelle.
  • the invention achieves alignment of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor with a longitudinal axis of the nacelle by determining deviation between the two axes in a horizontal plane and altering the deviation to ensure alignment of said two axes.
  • the deviation between the two axes may be reduced to the extent required to improve alignment of the wind sensor with respect to the nacelle.
  • step 402 orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in a horizontal plane is determined.
  • Step 404 determines orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane.
  • step 406 the angle or deviation between orientations of the two axes in the horizontal plane is determined. If, at step 408, the deviation is 0° or substantially 0°, the two axes are in alignment, and the wind sensor is correctly aligned with the nacelle. If however the angle is not 0°, at step 410, the orientation of the wind sensor relative to the nacelle is adjusted until the angle between the two axes in the horizontal plane is 0° or substantially 0°.
  • the longitudinal axis of the nacelle at step 404 may be any longitudinal axis of the nacelle.
  • the longitudinal axis of the nacelle is rotor axis 120.
  • the determination of orientation at steps 402 and 404 may be achieved using a position sensor capable of determining position or orientation in a horizontal plane.
  • the position sensor is a compass
  • the orientation so determined is a directional bearing in the horizontal plane.
  • Position sensors for determining orientations may include without limitation magnetic compasses, gyrocompasses, astrocompasses, direction finders or global positioning systems.
  • Directional bearings capable of being determined by the position sensor may inter alia include azimuth bearings or quadrant bearings.
  • adjusting orientation of the wind sensor relative to the nacelle may be achieved by adjusting engagement of the wind sensor to the nacelle.
  • the step of adjusting orientation of the wind sensor relative to the nacelle comprises adjustment of orientation of the wind sensor support relative to the nacelle.
  • Figure 5 is a cross-section of nacelle 104, having provided thereon an assembly for aligning a wind sensor 102 relative to the nacelle.
  • the assembly comprises a wind sensor support 116 mounted on nacelle 104, said wind sensor support 116 having a first position sensor 506 thereon, and a second position sensor 502 provided on nacelle 104.
  • First position sensor 506 determines orientation of a horizontal reference axis 208 of the wind sensor in the horizontal plane.
  • Second position sensor 502 determines orientation of a longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane.
  • deviation between the two orientations may be altered or reduced by adjusting alignment of at least one of wind sensor 102 and wind sensor support 116 in a horizontal plane relative to the nacelle.
  • the longitudinal axis of the nacelle whose orientation is determined by second position sensor 502 is rotor axis 120.
  • Figure 6 illustrates first position sensor 506 mounted on wind sensor support 116 at first end 304.
  • first position sensor 506 is mounted on support frame 602 using connectors 604.
  • Support frame 602 is in turn mounted on wind sensor support 116 by means of connectors 606.
  • Connectors 604 and 606 may include nuts, bolts, screws, clamps, or other mechanical connectors.
  • first position sensor 506 may be permanently affixed to support frame 602, which support frame 602 may thereafter be engaged or disengaged to wind sensor support 116.
  • Support frame 602 may alternatively be permanently affixed to wind sensor support 116.
  • First position sensor 506 may alternatively be mounted on wind sensor 102. It would be understood that first position sensor 506 may be mounted at any location on the nacelle that enables for a determination of orientation of horizontal reference axis 208 of wind sensor 102.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates second position sensor 502 mounted on main shaft bearing 504.
  • Second position sensor 502 may be mounted on support frame 702 using connectors 704.
  • Support frame 702 is in turn mounted on main shaft bearing 504 by means of connectors 706.
  • Connectors 704 and 706 may include nuts, bolts, screws, clamps, or other mechanical connectors.
  • Second position sensor 502 may be permanently affixed to support frame 702, which support frame may thereafter be engaged or disengaged from nacelle 104 or main shaft bearing 504.
  • Support frame 702 may alternatively be permanently affixed to nacelle 104 or main shaft bearing 504.
  • second position sensor 502 may be mounted at any location on or within nacelle 104 that would enable determination of an orientation of the predetermined longitudinal axis of nacelle 104 in the horizontal plane.
  • the method and assembly of the present invention ensure alignment of wind sensors relative to the nacelle, and accurate determination of yaw angle. Accuracy in determination of yaw angle optimizes alignment of rotor blades relative to wind flow, and improved power efficiency.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and assembly for aligning a wind sensor relative to a rotatable nacelle of a wind turbine. The method comprises determining orientation of a horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in a horizontal plane, determining orientation of a longitudinal axis of the nacelle in said plane, determining deviation between the two orientations, and altering the deviation by changing orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in said plane. The assembly comprises a wind sensor support mounted on the nacelle, a first position sensor operationally engaged to the wind sensor support, and a second position sensor provided on the nacelle. The wind sensor is aligned relative to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle by reducing deviation between orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane.

Description

Sensor Alignment Using Directional Compass
Field of invention
[0001] The present invention relates to wind energy devices, specifically to alignment of wind sensors on wind turbines.
Background of the invention
[0002] A wind turbine for generating electricity may comprise a tower, rotor having a plurality of rotor blades, rotor shaft and generator. The rotor may be mounted on a nacelle, which in turn is mounted on the tower. In horizontal axis wind turbines, the nacelle is rotatable about a vertical axis of the tower. Rotation of the nacelle moves the rotor blades into or relative to the direction of wind flow. Rotating the nacelle to reduce the angle between the rotor axis and the wind direction in a horizontal plane (yaw angle), preferably to substantially 0°, increases power output and efficiency of the wind turbine.
[0003] The wind turbine may include one or more wind sensors on the nacelle. Wind sensors measure wind direction and provide a wind direction signal to a control unit located within the nacelle. The control unit determines the yaw angle based on the wind direction signal received from the wind sensor. Actuators including yaw motors and yaw brakes thereafter rotate the nacelle to reduce the yaw angle and align the rotor axis relative the wind direction.
[0004] For wind direction signaling, wind sensors require to be correctly aligned. Where a wind sensor is mounted on an immobile object (such as a building), a horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor is typically aligned with a particular compass bearing (e.g. 0° or north). After alignment with the compass bearing, the wind sensor will report absolute wind direction.
[0005] Where a wind sensor is mounted on a movable object, the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor is aligned with a horizontal reference axis of the moveable object, whereafter the sensor will indicate wind direction relative to the reference axis of the moveable object. For wind sensors mounted on a rotatable nacelle of a wind turbine, the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor may be aligned with a horizontal reference axis of the nacelle. This horizontal reference axis of the nacelle may be a longitudinal axis. The rotor axis of the wind turbine is a longitudinal axis that frequently serves as the horizontal reference axis. The wind direction determined by the control unit based on the wind direction signal is therefore relative to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, and may be used to determine the yaw angle. In installations where the longitudinal axis of the nacelle is the rotor axis, the wind direction relative to the rotor axis is the yaw angle.
[0006] Alignment of a wind sensor relative to a longitudinal axis of the nacelle is initially performed during installation of the wind sensor on the nacelle. From time to time however the wind sensor moves out of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the nacelle - as a result of errors during installation, maintenance activity, or operational stresses. Misalignment of a wind sensor relative to a predetermined longitudinal axis of the nacelle gives rise to inaccurate readings of the wind direction relative to the nacelle, leading to misalignment of the rotor relative to the wind direction.
[0007] Alignment of wind sensors with a longitudinal axis of the nacelle presents difficulties for the reason that wind sensors are typically mounted externally on the nacelle, whereas the longitudinal axis of the nacelle may lie within the nacelle. This is particularly observed where the longitudinal axis of the nacelle is the rotor axis. There is accordingly a need for a method and apparatus for checking alignment and correcting misalignment of a wind sensor relative to a longitudinal axis of the nacelle.
Summary of the invention
[0008] The present invention is directed towards a method for aligning a wind sensor relative to a rotatable nacelle of a wind turbine, wherein the wind sensor is operationally engaged to the nacelle. [0009] The method comprises determining orientation of a horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in a horizontal plane, determining orientation of a longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane, determining deviation between the orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane, and altering the deviation by changing the orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in the horizontal plane.
[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal axis of the nacelle is the rotor axis.
[0011] Deviation between orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane may be altered by reducing the deviation to substantially 0°.
[0012] In an aspect of the invention, the orientation of at least one of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, in a horizontal plane, may be determined by taking a directional compass bearing of such axis.
[0013] The orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor may be changed by adjusting operational engagement between the wind sensor and the nacelle.
[0014] In an embodiment of the invention where the wind sensor is mounted on a wind sensor support, operational engagement between the wind sensor and the nacelle may be adjusted by adjusting orientation of the wind sensor support in the horizontal plane.
[0015] The invention is additionally directed towards an assembly for aligning a wind sensor relative to a rotatable nacelle of a wind turbine. [0016] The assembly comprises a wind sensor support mounted on the nacelle for having the wind sensor mounted thereon, a first position sensor operationally engaged to the wind sensor support for determining orientation of a horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in the horizontal plane, and a second position sensor provided on the nacelle, for determining orientation of a longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane. The wind sensor is aligned relative to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle by reducing deviation between orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane.
[0017] In an embodiment of the assembly, the longitudinal axis of the nacelle is the rotor axis.
[0018] The wind sensor support may be adjustable to alter the orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor mounted thereon.
[0019] In an aspect of the invention, the wind sensor support may be configured to interchangeably mount the wind sensor and the first position sensor.
[0020] In an embodiment of the assembly the second position sensor may be mounted on a rotor drive train within the nacelle. The second position sensor may in a particular embodiment be mounted on a main shaft bearing of the rotor drive train.
[0021] In an aspect of the invention, at least one of the first position sensor and second position sensor is a directional compass.
Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0022] The present invention is described by way of embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0023] Figure 1 is a wind turbine having wind sensors mounted on the nacelle. [0024] Figure 2 illustrates a wind sensor used in wind turbines.
[0025] Figure 3 illustrates the wind sensor of Figure 2 mounted on a wind sensor support.
[0026] Figure 4 is a flowchart describing a method of aligning a wind sensor relative to the nacelle.
[0027] Figure 5 is a cross-section of the turbine nacelle having an assembly for aligning a wind sensor relative to the nacelle.
[0028] Figure 6 illustrates a position sensor mounted on a wind sensor support.
[0029] Figure 7 illustrates a position sensor mounted on a main shaft bearing of the nacelle.
Detailed description of the invention
[0030] The detailed description of the invention may be read with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict embodiments and are not intended to limit scope of the invention. The detailed description illustrates the invention by example, and not by limitation.
[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective of a wind turbine 100, having tower 108, rotatable nacelle 104, rotor 112, rotor blades 114 and rotor axis 120. Nacelle 104 is rotatable about a vertical axis 110 and has wind sensors 102 and 102' mounted thereon. Any one of a variety of wind sensor technologies may be selected for installation on a wind turbine.
[0032] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of wind sensor 102 for use in a wind turbine. Wind sensor 102 has a sensing element 202, shaft 204 and at least one recess 206 for accommodating connectors to fixedly mount wind sensor 102. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, recess 206 is an annular bore through shaft 204. The wind sensor has a horizontal reference axis for aligning said wind sensor with a longitudinal axis of nacelle 104. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the horizontal reference axis 208 of the wind sensor is the longitudinal axis of annular bore 206.
[0033] A wind sensor may be directly mounted on the nacelle. Alternatively the wind sensor may be operationally engaged to the nacelle. Operational engagement may be achieved by mounting the wind sensor on a wind sensor support, which is in turn mounted on the nacelle.
[0034] Figure 3 illustrates wind sensor 102 of Figure 2 mounted on wind sensor support 116. Wind sensor support 116 is a mounting bracket having a first end 304 and a second end 306. Shaft 204 is affixed to first end 304 by a connector 302 passing through bore 206 (shown in Figure 2) and through first end 304. Second end 306 is in turn mounted on the nacelle body. Embodiments of sensor support 116 may include multi-component supports.
[0035] The present invention provides a method and assembly for aligning the horizontal reference axis of a wind sensor with a longitudinal axis of the rotatable nacelle, to ensure accurate readings of wind direction relative to the nacelle, and correspondingly accurate determination of yaw angle.
[0036] Figure 4 is a flowchart describing the method of aligning a wind sensor relative to the nacelle. The invention achieves alignment of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor with a longitudinal axis of the nacelle by determining deviation between the two axes in a horizontal plane and altering the deviation to ensure alignment of said two axes. The deviation between the two axes may be reduced to the extent required to improve alignment of the wind sensor with respect to the nacelle.
[0037] In an embodiment of the invention, at step 402, orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in a horizontal plane is determined. Step 404 determines orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane. Thereafter, at step 406, the angle or deviation between orientations of the two axes in the horizontal plane is determined. If, at step 408, the deviation is 0° or substantially 0°, the two axes are in alignment, and the wind sensor is correctly aligned with the nacelle. If however the angle is not 0°, at step 410, the orientation of the wind sensor relative to the nacelle is adjusted until the angle between the two axes in the horizontal plane is 0° or substantially 0°.
[0038] The longitudinal axis of the nacelle at step 404 may be any longitudinal axis of the nacelle. In an embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal axis of the nacelle is rotor axis 120.
[0039] The determination of orientation at steps 402 and 404 may be achieved using a position sensor capable of determining position or orientation in a horizontal plane. In an embodiment, the position sensor is a compass, and the orientation so determined is a directional bearing in the horizontal plane.
[0040] Position sensors for determining orientations may include without limitation magnetic compasses, gyrocompasses, astrocompasses, direction finders or global positioning systems. Directional bearings capable of being determined by the position sensor may inter alia include azimuth bearings or quadrant bearings.
[0041] At step 410, adjusting orientation of the wind sensor relative to the nacelle may be achieved by adjusting engagement of the wind sensor to the nacelle. In an alternative embodiment, where the wind sensor is mounted on a wind sensor support 116, the step of adjusting orientation of the wind sensor relative to the nacelle comprises adjustment of orientation of the wind sensor support relative to the nacelle.
[0042] Figure 5 is a cross-section of nacelle 104, having provided thereon an assembly for aligning a wind sensor 102 relative to the nacelle. The assembly comprises a wind sensor support 116 mounted on nacelle 104, said wind sensor support 116 having a first position sensor 506 thereon, and a second position sensor 502 provided on nacelle 104. First position sensor 506 determines orientation of a horizontal reference axis 208 of the wind sensor in the horizontal plane. Second position sensor 502 determines orientation of a longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane. Upon respective determination of orientations by the first and second position sensors, deviation between the two orientations may be altered or reduced by adjusting alignment of at least one of wind sensor 102 and wind sensor support 116 in a horizontal plane relative to the nacelle.
[0043] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the longitudinal axis of the nacelle whose orientation is determined by second position sensor 502, is rotor axis 120.
[0044] Figure 6 illustrates first position sensor 506 mounted on wind sensor support 116 at first end 304. In the illustrated embodiment, first position sensor 506 is mounted on support frame 602 using connectors 604. Support frame 602 is in turn mounted on wind sensor support 116 by means of connectors 606. Connectors 604 and 606 may include nuts, bolts, screws, clamps, or other mechanical connectors.
[0045] Use of support frames to mount position sensors on the wind turbine enables convenient and stable mounting of such position sensors, and improves accuracy by avoiding instrument error.
[0046] In an embodiment, first position sensor 506 may be permanently affixed to support frame 602, which support frame 602 may thereafter be engaged or disengaged to wind sensor support 116. Support frame 602 may alternatively be permanently affixed to wind sensor support 116.
[0047] First position sensor 506 may alternatively be mounted on wind sensor 102. It would be understood that first position sensor 506 may be mounted at any location on the nacelle that enables for a determination of orientation of horizontal reference axis 208 of wind sensor 102.
[0048] Figure 7 illustrates second position sensor 502 mounted on main shaft bearing 504. Second position sensor 502 may be mounted on support frame 702 using connectors 704. Support frame 702 is in turn mounted on main shaft bearing 504 by means of connectors 706. Connectors 704 and 706 may include nuts, bolts, screws, clamps, or other mechanical connectors. [0049] Second position sensor 502 may be permanently affixed to support frame 702, which support frame may thereafter be engaged or disengaged from nacelle 104 or main shaft bearing 504. Support frame 702 may alternatively be permanently affixed to nacelle 104 or main shaft bearing 504.
[0050] It would be understood that second position sensor 502 may be mounted at any location on or within nacelle 104 that would enable determination of an orientation of the predetermined longitudinal axis of nacelle 104 in the horizontal plane.
[0051] The method and assembly of the present invention ensure alignment of wind sensors relative to the nacelle, and accurate determination of yaw angle. Accuracy in determination of yaw angle optimizes alignment of rotor blades relative to wind flow, and improved power efficiency.

Claims

Claims:
1. A method for aligning a wind sensor relative to a rotatable nacelle of a wind turbine, the wind sensor being operationally engaged to the nacelle, the method comprising: a. determining orientation of a horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in a horizontal plane; b. determining orientation of a longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane; c. determining deviation between the orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane; and d. altering the deviation by changing the orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in the horizontal plane.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of the nacelle is the rotor axis.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein altering the deviation comprises reducing the deviation to substantially 0°.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining at least one of orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, in a horizontal plane, comprises taking a directional compass bearing of such axis.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein changing the orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor comprises adjusting operational engagement between the wind sensor and the nacelle.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wind sensor is mounted on a wind sensor support, the step of adjusting operational engagement between the wind sensor and the nacelle comprises adjusting orientation of the wind sensor support in the horizontal plane.
7. An assembly for aligning a wind sensor relative to a rotatable nacelle of a wind turbine, comprising: a wind sensor support mounted on the nacelle for having the wind sensor mounted thereon; a first position sensor operationally engaged to the wind sensor support for determining orientation of a horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor in the horizontal plane; and a second position sensor provided on the nacelle, for determining orientation of a longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane; wherein the wind sensor is aligned relative to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle by reducing deviation between orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor and orientation of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle in the horizontal plane.
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the longitudinal axis of the nacelle is the rotor axis.
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wind sensor support is adjustable to alter the orientation of the horizontal reference axis of the wind sensor mounted thereon.
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wind sensor support is configured to interchangeably mount the wind sensor and the first position sensor.
11. The assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second position sensor is mounted on a rotor drive train within the nacelle.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second position sensor is mounted on a main shaft bearing of the rotor drive train.
13. The assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of the first position sensor and second position sensor is a directional compass.
PCT/DK2011/050513 2010-12-29 2011-12-22 Sensor alignment using directional compass WO2012089214A2 (en)

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US201061427943P 2010-12-29 2010-12-29
US61/427,943 2010-12-29
DKPA201070590 2010-12-30
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CN107208607A (en) * 2015-01-28 2017-09-26 Kk风能解决方案公司 Calibrate the wind vane of wind energy conversion system
CN106645773A (en) * 2016-10-28 2017-05-10 山东省科学院海洋仪器仪表研究所 Installation positioning device for wind sensor of ocean data buoy
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US10927820B2 (en) 2018-02-19 2021-02-23 Senvion Gmbh Method and system for calibrating a wind vane
US11162474B2 (en) 2018-02-19 2021-11-02 Senvion Gmbh Method and system for determining an alignment correction function
US20220252051A1 (en) * 2019-07-05 2022-08-11 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Determination of wind parameter values for use in wind turbine control systems
US12055126B2 (en) * 2019-07-05 2024-08-06 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Determination of wind parameter values for use in wind turbine control systems
WO2022116468A1 (en) * 2020-12-02 2022-06-09 董树波 Rug direction determination method and system employing smart phone connection

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