U.S. patent application number 15/637213 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-03 for method and arrangement for detecting a shadow condition of a wind turbine.
The applicant listed for this patent is Siemens Aktiengesellschaft. Invention is credited to Pamela S. Caraballo, Nakiesa Faraji-Tajrishi, Albert Leyte-Vidal, Kurt Straub.
Application Number | 20190003455 15/637213 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62685206 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190003455 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leyte-Vidal; Albert ; et
al. |
January 3, 2019 |
METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR DETECTING A SHADOW CONDITION OF A WIND
TURBINE
Abstract
A method for detecting a shadow condition from a wind turbine
and a system for detecting a shadow condition are provided. An
atmospheric condition detected from an atmospheric condition
detector is compared to a threshold. From the comparison a
determination is made that the atmospheric condition is shadow
producing. The shadow condition is detected using said
determination.
Inventors: |
Leyte-Vidal; Albert;
(Orlando, FL) ; Straub; Kurt; (Oviedo, FL)
; Faraji-Tajrishi; Nakiesa; (Orlando, FL) ;
Caraballo; Pamela S.; (Orlando, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft |
Munchen |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
62685206 |
Appl. No.: |
15/637213 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F05B 2270/30 20130101;
Y02E 10/72 20130101; F05B 2260/821 20130101; G01S 3/7861 20130101;
G01S 15/885 20130101; F03D 7/04 20130101; F03D 80/20 20160501; F03D
7/0264 20130101; F05B 2270/805 20130101; G01S 17/95 20130101; F05B
2270/806 20130101; F05B 2270/8042 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F03D 7/02 20060101
F03D007/02; F03D 7/04 20060101 F03D007/04; G01S 17/95 20060101
G01S017/95; G01S 15/88 20060101 G01S015/88; G01S 3/786 20060101
G01S003/786 |
Claims
1. A method of detecting a shadow condition from a wind turbine,
the method comprising: determining a geometry condition is present
which is effective to produce a shadow at a location of concern;
comparing an atmospheric condition, detected by an atmospheric
condition detector, to a threshold; determining the atmospheric
condition is shadow producing from the comparison; and detecting a
shadow condition in response to the geometry condition determined
to produce a shadow at the location of concern and to the
atmospheric condition determined to be shadow producing.
2. The method of detecting a shadow condition according to claim 1,
wherein the atmospheric condition is a cloud amount, the
atmospheric condition is determined to be shadow producing in
response to the comparison of the cloud amount being below the
threshold.
3. The method of detecting a shadow condition according to claim 2,
wherein the threshold is overcast.
4. The method of detecting a shadow condition according to claim 2,
wherein the threshold is broken.
5. The method of detecting a shadow condition according to claim 1,
initiating a shutdown of the wind turbine in response to detecting
a shadow condition.
6. The method of detecting a shadow condition according to claim 4,
the initiating comprises sending a control message to the wind
turbine.
7. The method of detecting a shadow condition according to claim 1,
comprising determining the geometry condition comprises
establishing the location of the sun and determining the
established location is within a threshold position.
8. The method of detecting a shadow condition according to claim 1,
wherein the atmospheric condition detector includes LIDAR.
9. The method of detecting a shadow condition according to claim 1,
wherein the atmospheric condition detector includes RADAR.
10. The method of detecting a shadow condition according to claim
1, wherein the atmospheric condition detector includes SONAR.
11. The method of detecting a shadow condition according to claim
1, wherein the atmospheric condition detector is a ceilometer.
12. The method of detecting a shadow condition according to claim
1, wherein the atmospheric condition comprises a height of the
clouds or aerosol.
13. A shadow detection system comprising: a atmospheric condition
detector separated from a wind turbine by a distance; and a
controller communicatively coupled to the wind turbine by a network
and configured for: determining a geometry condition is present
which is effective to produce a shadow at a location of concern;
comparing an atmospheric condition, detected by an atmospheric
condition detector, to a threshold; determining the atmospheric
condition is shadow producing from the comparison; and detecting a
shadow condition in response to the geometry condition determined
to produce a shadow at the location of concern and to the
atmospheric condition determined to be shadow producing.
14. The shadow detection system according to claim 13, wherein the
atmospheric condition is a cloud amount, the atmospheric condition
is determined to be shadow producing in response to the comparison
of the cloud amount being below the threshold.
15. The shadow detection system according to claim 14, wherein the
threshold is overcast;
16. The shadow detection system according to claim 14, wherein the
threshold is broken;
17. The shadow detection system according to claim 13, wherein the
atmospheric condition detector is located remotely at a distance
from the wind turbine.
18. The shadow detection system according to claim 13, wherein the
atmospheric condition detector is a ceilometer.
19. A wind turbine farm, comprising: a plurality of wind turbines;
and a shadow detection system according to according to claim 13
for detecting shadows for each of the plurality of wind
turbines.
20. The wind turbine farm according to claim 19, wherein the
atmospheric condition detector is located remotely at a distance
from at least one of the plurality of wind turbines.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a method and
arrangement for detecting a shadow of a wind turbine.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] A shadow is a dark area which is cast onto a surface when a
light source is blocked by an object. Shadow flicker is the
pulsating light produced from intermittent shadows. A "shadow
flicker" is caused when a rotating devices, such as a wind turbine
blade, periodically casts shadows onto a surface. This pulsating
light is caused by the passage of the wind turbine blade between
the sun and the surface the shadow is cast on. This pulsating light
can be a source of discomfort when the shadow flicker enters into
the building via an opening, such as a window.
[0003] Detecting a shadow condition from the intensity of a direct
light measurement being over a threshold is known. The measurement
is obtained via a light sensor which is arranged at or proximate to
the wind turbine or arranged at the location where the shadow
occurs. The wind turbine is shut down after the shadow condition
persists over a period of time such as 5 minutes.
[0004] Arranging sensors at locations around the wind turbine, such
as at 120% intervals, provides that a first sensor may detect
direct light and a second sensor will be in a shadowed region. If
the difference between the light intensity between the first and
second sensors is greater than a predetermined value the shadow
condition is met.
[0005] Presently shadow detection methods, devices, and systems may
benefit from improvements.
SUMMARY
[0006] Various embodiments for a method and arrangements for shadow
detection are disclosed.
[0007] For example, a method of detecting a shadow condition from a
wind turbine is provided. The method comprising determining a
geometry condition is present which is effective to produce a
shadow at a location of concern; comparing an atmospheric
condition, detected by an atmospheric condition detector, to a
threshold; determining the atmospheric condition is shadow
producing from the comparison; and detecting a shadow condition in
response to the geometry condition determined to produce a shadow
at the location of concern and to the atmospheric condition
determined to be shadow producing.
[0008] A further example, a shadow detection system comprising an
atmospheric condition detector separated from a wind turbine by a
distance; and a controller communicatively coupled to the wind
turbine by a network and configured for: determining a geometry
condition is present which is effective to produce a shadow at a
location of concern; comparing an atmospheric condition, detected
by an atmospheric condition detector, to a threshold; determining
the atmospheric condition is shadow producing from the comparison;
and detecting a shadow condition in response to the geometry
condition determined to produce a shadow at the location of concern
and to the atmospheric condition determined to be shadow
producing.
[0009] Another example includes a wind turbine farm. The wind farm
comprises a plurality of wind turbines; and a shadow detection
system for detecting shadows for each of the plurality of wind
turbines. The atmospheric condition detector of the shadow
detection system may be located remotely at a distance from at
least one of the plurality of wind turbines.
[0010] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the technical
features of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art
may better understand the detailed description that follows.
Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be
described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that they may readily use the
conception and the specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for
modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same
purposes of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will
also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from
the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.
[0011] Also, before undertaking the Detailed Description below, it
should be understood that various definitions for certain words and
phrases are provided throughout, and those of ordinary skill in the
art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not
most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined
words and phrases. While some terms may include a wide variety of
embodiments, the appended claims may expressly limit these terms to
specific embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a wind turbine arrangement in relation to
a building.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of a wind power system
according to an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a method of operating the wind turbine
according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] To facilitate an understanding of embodiments, principles,
and features of the present disclosure, they are explained
hereinafter with reference to implementation in illustrative
embodiments. Embodiments of the present disclosure, however, are
not limited to use in the described systems or methods.
[0016] The components and materials described hereinafter as making
up the various embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not
restrictive. Many suitable components and materials that would
perform the same or a similar function as the materials described
herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0017] It would be appreciated, by those skilled in the art, that a
shadow may occur at a specific location or range or specific
locations based on a relationship between a shadow producing
element, a light emission from a light source, and the shadow
location. To facilitate specific examples, the shadow producing
element may be referred to as a blade, a light emission may be
referred to as sun light, light source may be referred to as the
sun, and the specific location or range of locations may be
referred to as location of concern. For example, a shadow may be
produced via the sun and the blade but in order for the shadow to
occur at location of concern an alignment between sun, blade and
the location of concern must take place.
[0018] Any condition which influences a shadow to be cast at the
location of concern which is based on the alignment between the
sun, blade, and location of concern is defined herein as geometry
condition. For example, the position of the sun changes during the
day and throughout the year. As such, the alignment between the
sun, the blade and location of concern changes such that a shadow
does not occur at a location of concern at all times. The position
of the blades changes as the yaw angle of the turbine changes which
may affect a geometry condition. The geometry condition may
comprise one or more of the conditions such as positional
relationship between the sun, blade and the location of concern.
The geometry condition may be further defined by the blade size,
location of concern or portion thereof, distance between the wind
turbine and the building, turbine yaw angle, blade pitch, elevation
of wind turbine blades, and elevation of the location of
concern.
[0019] Contributing to producing a shadow is the presence of sun
light. Even when the geometry condition is such that a shadow may
occur at the location of concern, the sun light may not be
effective to produce a shadow. For example, the sunlight may be
blocked by clouds.
[0020] By way of an example, FIG. 1 illustrates a wind turbine
arrangement in relation to a building 20. The wind turbine 10 is
separated by distance d from the building 20. A shadow may be cast
by the wind turbine 10, such that the location of shadow 30 is
dependent on the position 34, 36 of the sun 32 with respect to the
wind turbine 10. When the sun 32 is in a first position 34, such as
low on the horizon, a shadow 30 may be cast from the wind turbine
10 onto a first location 37. For example, a shadow 30 cast onto the
building 20. When the sun 32 is in a second position 36, such as
higher in the sky than the first position 34, a shadow 30 may be
cast from the wind turbine 10 onto a second location 38, for
example, onto the ground. When the shadow 30 is produced from
moving object, such as a blade 12 of the wind turbine 10, versus a
stationary object, such as the tower 16, a shadow flicker can be
produced. This shadow flicker may cause discomfort when cast on a
building 20 and/or into the building 20 via an opening 22.
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of a shadow detection system
100 according to an embodiment. The shadow detection system 100
comprises the wind turbine 10, as described in FIG. 1. The system
comprises an atmospheric condition detector 130, and a controller
140.
[0022] The atmospheric condition detector 130 detects atmospheric
conditions. For example the atmospheric condition detector 130 may
detect one or more of the following atmospheric conditions: amounts
of aerosol, aerosol formation, height of the aerosol, amounts of
clouds, cloud formation, height of a cloud(s), the structure of the
atmosphere, composition of the atmosphere, precipitation, gas
presence, gas concentration, wind turbulence, wind speed, changes
in wind conditions, and wind current. The atmospheric condition
detector 130 may calculate the atmospheric condition via the
reflection. For example, a calculation of the height of a cloud may
comprise a triangulation and/or travel time.
[0023] An atmospheric condition detector 130 comprises a
transmitter 132, and a receiver 134. The transmitter 132 transmits
energy. For example a light, radio wave or sound wave may be
transmitted. The receiver receives 134 a feedback of the energy off
atmospheric particles 150, for example clouds. It would be
understood that the feedback could be off of other atmospheric
particles such as dust, pollen, fog and volcanic aerosols. From the
feedback, the atmospheric condition detector 130 is able to detect
one or more atmospheric condition.
[0024] In an embodiment, the atmospheric condition detector 130
transmits light as the energy. For example, the atmospheric
condition detector 130 may comprise a ceilometer, a type of LIDAR,
which transmits a light beam or laser. Ceilometers have been used
by meteorology and aviation industries.
[0025] In an embodiment, the atmospheric condition detector 130
transmits radio waves as the energy. For example, the atmospheric
condition detector 130 may comprise radar. Radar has been used by
meteorology and aviation industries.
[0026] In an embodiment, the atmospheric condition detector 130
transmits sound waves as the energy. For example, the atmospheric
condition detector 130 may comprise sonar.
[0027] The controller 140 is any device, system or part thereof
that controls at least one operation, whether such a device is
implemented in hardware, firmware, software or any combination
thereof. It should be noted that the functionality associated with
any particular controller may be centralized or distributed,
whether locally or remotely. A processor and memory may be included
in a controller. Further, a controller may correspond to the
described data processing system or any other hardware circuit that
is operative to control at least one operation. For example a
programmable logic controller (PLC) may be used as the
controller.
[0028] Memory may correspond to an internal or external volatile
memory (e.g., main memory, CPU cache, and/or RAM), that is included
in a controller and/or in operative connection with the controller.
Such a memory may also correspond to a nonvolatile memory (e.g.,
flash memory, SSD, hard drive, or other storage device or
non-transitory computer readable media) in operative connection
with the controller.
[0029] In an embodiment, the shadow detection system 100 comprises
network 160 to enable a communication between the controller 140
and the atmospheric condition detector 130. The controller 140 may
be collocated with the atmospheric condition detector 130 or
located remotely from atmospheric condition detector 130. The
controller 140 may comprise a supervisory control and data
acquisition (SCADA).
[0030] The shadow detection system 100 may comprises network 161 to
enable a communication between the controller 140 and the wind
turbine 10.
[0031] The term network and derivatives thereof refer to
communicatively coupled for the transfer of data. For example, any
local, wide area, remote, private, and/or public data processing
system network or combination of networks, as known to those of
skill in the art, including the Internet may be used. The data
transfer may be facilitated by any hardware, wired or wireless
medium suitable for the transmission of data. For example, the
medium may be metal, air, Ethernet, coaxial cable, optical fiber,
or Wi-Fi.
[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 are used to facilitate the description of a
method of detecting a shadow condition of a wind turbine as
illustrated in FIG. 3. The method 300 comprises determining a
geometry condition is present which is effective to produce a
shadow at a location of concern 301; comparing an atmospheric
condition detected, by an atmospheric condition detector, to a
threshold 302; determine the atmospheric condition is shadow
producing from the comparison 303; and detecting a shadow condition
in response to the geometry condition determined to produce a
shadow at the location of concern and to the atmospheric condition
determined to be shadow producing 304.
[0033] The location of concern may comprise all or any portion of a
location that a shadow is undesirable. For example, it may be
undesirable for the shadow to be cast on a window of a building. In
response to detecting a shadow condition, the wind turbine may be
shut down 305. The location of concern may include more locations
other than where the shadow is undesirable or exclude a location
where the shadow is undesirable. For example, the operation to shut
down the wind turbine may not occur instantly upon detection, the
location of concern may include more locations other than where the
shadow is undesirable such that the shutdown occurs by the time a
shadow would be cast on the undesirable location.
[0034] The positions of the sun that can produce the shadow are
referred herein as threshold positions. The blade swept area is
known by those skilled in the art as the area traversed by the
blades. The geometry condition is any alignment of the light
source, shadow producing element, and the location of concern
effective to produce a shadow at the location of concern. Using the
position of the location of concern and the position of a blade
swept area, positions of the sun to produce a shadow at the
location of concern may be calculated. The calculations may be
pre-calculated and stored in the controller 140. In contrast, the
calculations may be calculated real-time by the controller 140.
[0035] The determining the presence of a geometry condition
effective to produce a shadow at a location of concern may comprise
establishing that a present location of the sun is within the
threshold positions. Establishing the present location of the sun
may include longitudinal information, time of day, time of year.
Furthermore, the establishing the present location may include
real-time computation. The establishing the present location may
include pre-calculated look up values stored in the controller 140.
Similarly the threshold positions may include real-time computation
provided by the controller 140.
[0036] Detecting an atmospheric condition may comprise transmitting
energy via a transmitter 132 and receiving a reflection of the
energy off of particles in the atmosphere via a receiver 134.
Atmospheric conditions influence the ability of the light source to
produce a shadow. Atmospheric conditions may be used in determining
when a shadow may be produced via the light source.
clear(low)fewscatteredbrokenovercast (high)
[0037] where each range value may indicate the following cloud
amounts. The range starting with clear being the least amount of
clouds increasing to over cast being the most amount of clouds.
[0038] clear: no or virtually no clouds detected.
[0039] few: a low number of clouds detected.
[0040] scattered: clouds detected not necessarily grouped
together.
[0041] broken: a significant amount of coverage but not complete
coverage.
[0042] overcast: no break or substantial break in cloud coverage
detected.
[0043] In an embodiment, the range value is detected as an
atmospheric condition and compared to a threshold. In response to
the range value being below the threshold it is determined the
atmospheric condition is shadow producing. For example the
threshold may be overcast. Any detection of a range value of clear,
few, scattered or broken would be below a threshold of overcast and
would determine the atmospheric condition is shadow producing. It
would be understood that the threshold of overcast is merely an
example and any of the range values may be used as the threshold.
For example, the threshold may be the range value of broken.
[0044] Any other atmospheric conditions may be used in addition to
the cloud amount or exclusive of the cloud amount. For example, an
amount of backscatter may be used. Similarly to the cloud amount a
backscatter amount may have a range from low to high. At the high
backscatter amount, the light source may not be able to produce a
shadow. In response to the comparison of the determined backscatter
amount being below the threshold the shutdown is initiated.
[0045] A cloud height or aerosol height may be used. At certain
threshold heights it may be that a shadow may be produced but at
other threshold heights a shadow would not be produced.
[0046] Using an atmospheric condition to detecting the shadow
condition removes a need for a sensor for detecting light or a
shadow to be mounted on a location of concern such as a building.
This alleviates situations of when the operators of the wind
turbine do not have access or legal rights to the building.
[0047] Detecting the shadow condition using an atmospheric
condition removes a need for a sensor for detecting light or a
shadow to be mounted on to the wind turbine. Furthermore, detect an
atmospheric condition removes any requirement to position a sensor
to insure it is able to detect a light quality or to insure
multiple sensors or positioned to detect different light
quality.
[0048] Referring again to FIG. 2, the atmospheric condition
detector 130 may be arranged any place relative to the wind turbine
10. For example, the atmospheric condition detector 130 may be
arranged remotely to the wind turbine 10. Remotely and its
derivatives are defined herein as not mounted either directly or
mounted indirectly on the wind turbine. FIG. 2 illustrates a
distance d' separating the atmospheric condition detector 130 from
the wind turbine 10. In an embodiment, the distance of the
atmospheric condition detector 130 from the wind turbine is less
than 10 kilometers. In a further embodiment, the distance is less
than or equal 5 kilometers. In another embodiment, the distance is
less than or equal 3 kilometers.
[0049] The detection from a single atmospheric condition detector
130 may be used for a plurality of wind turbines 10. When the
detection from a single atmospheric condition detector 130 is used
for a plurality of wind turbines 10, the maintenance for such
detection is reduced to the single atmospheric condition detector
130 site in contrast to each sensor site.
[0050] The method may comprise initiating a shutdown of the wind
turbine in response to detecting a shadow condition 304. The
initiating may comprise sending a control message to the wind
turbine. In an embodiment the control message is sent by the
controller 140. A network 161 may be provided to for communication
between the controller 140 and the wind turbine 10.
[0051] After a shutdown initiation, an initiation of a startup of
the wind turbine may occur in response to the shadow condition not
being detected or after a designated period of time that the shadow
condition is no longer detected.
[0052] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been
disclosed in exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be
made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention and its equivalents, as set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *