Wind energy converter comprising a superposition gear

• US 8,154,143 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2009
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AMSC Austria GmbH
• Original Assignee: AMSC Austria GmbH
• Inventors: Weichbold, Peter, Tratnig, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US12/528,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20100102558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 290/44, 290/55
• US Class Current: 290/44
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 15/00 Transmission of mechanical power
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 15/10 using gearing not limited to rotary motion, e.g. with oscillating or reciprocating members
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/255 connected to electrical distribution networks; Arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/40311 of the epicyclic, planetary or differential type
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/1011 to prevent overspeed
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/304 Spool rotational speed
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/309 Rate of change of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/0866 Power split variators with distributing differentials, with the output of the CVT connected or connectable to the output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 47/04 the mechanical gearing being of the type with members having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

A wind energy converter configured for transmitting power to an electric grid includes a variable ratio gear system mechanically coupled between a rotor and a generator. A control system is configured to mechanically control a rotational speed of the generator so that, during a low voltage event, the wind energy converter can continue to operate and supply power to the grid.

Claims

1. A method for operating a wind energy converter configured for transmitting power to an electric grid, the wind energy converter comprising a variable ratio gear system mechanically coupled between a rotor and a generator of the wind energy converter, the variable ratio gear system including at least one shaft coupled to the generator and a hydraulic circuit having

a hydraulic unit mechanically coupled to the shaft, the hydraulic circuit providing a hydraulic pressure, and

the method comprising:

detecting a hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic circuit using a pressure sensor; and

using the output signal from the pressure sensor to electronically control a rotational speed of the generator, including

providing a desired hydraulic pressure signal indicative of a desired hydraulic pressure associated with a prescribed generator speed;

receiving the actual hydraulic pressure signal indicative of an actual hydraulic pressure; and

computing a pressure error signal between the desired and actual hydraulic pressure signals.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

computing, on the basis of the pressure error signal, a first parameter of the desired configuration of the hydraulic unit.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving an offset signal; and

computing a second parameter of the desired configuration of the hydraulic unit on the basis of the offset signal and the first parameter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the desired configuration of the hydraulic unit is determined on the basis of the first and second parameters.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first and second parameters are responsive to a change in the rotational speed of the generator.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the second parameter conforms with a predetermined limitation.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the predetermined limitation includes a limitation on a rate of change in the second parameter.