DOE Patents title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Method and apparatus for controlling pitch and flap angles of a wind turbine

Abstract

A wind turbine with improved response to wind conditions is provided. Blade flap angle motion is accompanied by a change in pitch angle by an amount defining a pitch/flap coupling ratio. The coupling ratio is non-constant as a function of a flap angle and is preferably a substantially continuous, non-linear function of flap angle. The non-constant coupling ratio can be provided by mechanical systems such as a series of linkages or by configuring electronic or other control systems and/or angle sensors. A link with a movable proximal end advantageously is part of the mechanical system. The system can provide relatively large coupling ratios and relatively large rates of coupling ratio changes especially for near-feather pitches and low flap angles.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Seattle, WA
  2. Issaquah, WA
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
The Wind Turbine Company (Bellevue, WA)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
988390
Patent Number(s):
7530785
Application Number:
11/106,133
Assignee:
The Wind Turbine Company (Bellevue, WA)
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
DOE Contract Number:  
ZAM-7-13220-29
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
17 WIND ENERGY

Citation Formats

Deering, Kenneth J, and Wohlwend, Keith P. Method and apparatus for controlling pitch and flap angles of a wind turbine. United States: N. p., 2009. Web.
Deering, Kenneth J, & Wohlwend, Keith P. Method and apparatus for controlling pitch and flap angles of a wind turbine. United States.
Deering, Kenneth J, and Wohlwend, Keith P. Tue . "Method and apparatus for controlling pitch and flap angles of a wind turbine". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/988390.
@article{osti_988390,
title = {Method and apparatus for controlling pitch and flap angles of a wind turbine},
author = {Deering, Kenneth J and Wohlwend, Keith P},
abstractNote = {A wind turbine with improved response to wind conditions is provided. Blade flap angle motion is accompanied by a change in pitch angle by an amount defining a pitch/flap coupling ratio. The coupling ratio is non-constant as a function of a flap angle and is preferably a substantially continuous, non-linear function of flap angle. The non-constant coupling ratio can be provided by mechanical systems such as a series of linkages or by configuring electronic or other control systems and/or angle sensors. A link with a movable proximal end advantageously is part of the mechanical system. The system can provide relatively large coupling ratios and relatively large rates of coupling ratio changes especially for near-feather pitches and low flap angles.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2009},
month = {5}
}