Title: Detecting faults in wind turbines

Abstract

A wind turbine generator fault detection method is described. The method includes obtaining a first signal from a generator of a wind turbine and a second signal from a vibration sensor coupled to the wind turbine, the first signal representing an output current of the generator, and the second signal being a time-sampled signal representing vibrations of a bearing in the wind turbine. Determining a shaft rotation frequency signal from the first signal, the shaft rotation frequency signal representing a time-varying rotational speed of a shaft of the wind turbine. Resampling an envelope of the second signal based on the shaft rotation frequency signal to provide a third signal, the third signal being an angular sampled signal. Detecting, by the at least one processor, a fault in the bearing of the wind turbine by identifying a characteristic signature of a bearing fault in the third signal.

Inventors:

Qiao, Wei; Wang, Jun; Qu, Liyan

Issue Date:

2020-12-01

Research Org.:

NUtech Ventures, Lincoln, NE (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1771687

Patent Number(s):

10852214

Application Number:

15/985,226

Assignee:

NUtech Ventures (Lincoln, NE)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F03 - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS F03D - WIND MOTORS

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F05 - INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04 F05B - INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO MACHINES OR ENGINES OTHER THAN NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, TO WIND MOTORS, TO NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS, AND TO GENERATING COMBUSTION PRODUCTS OF HIGH PRESSURE OR HIGH VELOCITY

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F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F03 - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS F03D - WIND MOTORS

F03D17/00 - Monitoring or testing of wind motors, e.g. diagnostics

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F05 - INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04 F05B - INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO MACHINES OR ENGINES OTHER THAN NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, TO WIND MOTORS, TO NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS, AND TO GENERATING COMBUSTION PRODUCTS OF HIGH PRESSURE OR HIGH VELOCITY

F05B2240/50 - Bearings
F05B2260/80 - Diagnostics
F05B2270/327 - Rotor or generator speeds
F05B2270/334 - Vibration measurements
F05B2270/335 - Output power or torque

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01M - TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES

G01M13/045 - Acoustic or vibration analysis

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES 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

Y02E10/72 - Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

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DOE Contract Number:  

EE0006802

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 05/21/2018

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English