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Title: Yaw dynamics of horizontal axis wind turbines

Abstract

Designers of a horizontal axis wind turbine yaw mechanism are faced with a difficult decision. They know that if they elect to use a yaw- controlled rotor then the system will suffer increased initial cost and increased inherent maintenance and reliability problems. On the other hand, if they elect to allow the rotor to freely yaw they known they will have to account for unknown and random, though bounded, yaw rates. They will have a higher-risk design to trade-off against the potential for cost savings and reliability improvement. The risk of a yaw-free system could be minimized if methods were available for analyzing and understanding yaw behavior. The complexity of yaw behavior has, until recently, discouraged engineers from developing a complete yaw analysis method. The objectives of this work are to (1) provide a fundamental understanding of free-yaw mechanics and the design concepts most effective at eliminating yaw problems, and (2) provide tested design tools and guidelines for use by free-yaw wind systems manufacturers. The emphasis is on developing practical and sufficiently accurate design methods.

Authors:
 [1]
  1. Utah Univ., Salt Lake City, UT (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Utah Univ., Salt Lake City, UT (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
5406093
Report Number(s):
NREL/TP-442-4822
ON: DE92001245
DOE Contract Number:  
AC02-83CH10093
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
17 WIND ENERGY; HORIZONTAL AXIS TURBINES; DYNAMICS; WIND LOADS; Y CODES; AERODYNAMICS; COMPUTER PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION; MECHANICAL STRUCTURES; PROGRESS REPORT; ROTORS; TURBINE BLADES; COMPUTER CODES; DOCUMENT TYPES; DYNAMIC LOADS; EQUIPMENT; FLUID MECHANICS; MACHINERY; MECHANICS; TURBINES; TURBOMACHINERY; WIND TURBINES; 170602* - Wind Energy Engineering- Turbine Design & Operation

Citation Formats

Hansen, A C. Yaw dynamics of horizontal axis wind turbines. United States: N. p., 1992. Web. doi:10.2172/5406093.
Hansen, A C. Yaw dynamics of horizontal axis wind turbines. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5406093
Hansen, A C. 1992. "Yaw dynamics of horizontal axis wind turbines". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5406093. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5406093.
@article{osti_5406093,
title = {Yaw dynamics of horizontal axis wind turbines},
author = {Hansen, A C},
abstractNote = {Designers of a horizontal axis wind turbine yaw mechanism are faced with a difficult decision. They know that if they elect to use a yaw- controlled rotor then the system will suffer increased initial cost and increased inherent maintenance and reliability problems. On the other hand, if they elect to allow the rotor to freely yaw they known they will have to account for unknown and random, though bounded, yaw rates. They will have a higher-risk design to trade-off against the potential for cost savings and reliability improvement. The risk of a yaw-free system could be minimized if methods were available for analyzing and understanding yaw behavior. The complexity of yaw behavior has, until recently, discouraged engineers from developing a complete yaw analysis method. The objectives of this work are to (1) provide a fundamental understanding of free-yaw mechanics and the design concepts most effective at eliminating yaw problems, and (2) provide tested design tools and guidelines for use by free-yaw wind systems manufacturers. The emphasis is on developing practical and sufficiently accurate design methods.},
doi = {10.2172/5406093},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5406093}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992},
month = {Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992}
}