Ge Vernova Infrastructure Technology LLC

General Electric Renovables Espana, S.l.

Vestas Wind Systems A/s

Ian Couchman

Fabio Caponetti

Till Hoffmann

Thomas Krüger

Ali Zaib

A method for damping drivetrain vibrations of a wind turbine. The drivetrain has, at least, a rotor and a generator. The method includes receiving a first rotational speed signal at a first location along the drivetrain, the first rotational speed signal being a proxy for rotor speed of the rotor. The method also includes receiving a second rotational speed signal at a second location along the drivetrain, the second location being downwind from the first location, the second rotational speed signal being a proxy for generator speed of the generator. Further, the method includes determining a speed error based on a comparison of the first and second rotational speed signals. Moreover, the method includes determining a torque deviation signal for the wind turbine configured to dampen the drivetrain vibrations when the speed error exceeds a first speed threshold. In addition, the method includes applying the torque deviation signal to the generator to dampen the drivetrain vibrations.

System and method for monitoring vibrations in a drivetrain of a wind turbine

A method for controlling a wind turbine includes receiving, via a control system, at least one speed measurement from at least one sensor on a drivetrain of the wind turbine. The method also includes receiving, via the control system, at least one rate gyroscope speed measurement from at least one rate gyroscope on the drivetrain of the wind turbine. The method also includes calculating, via the control system, an offset for the at least one rate gyroscope speed measurement as a function of the at least one speed measurement. The method also includes adjusting, via the control system, the at least one rate gyroscope speed measurement by the offset. The method also includes implementing, via the control system, a control action for the wind turbine based on the adjusted at least one rate gyroscope speed measurement.

System and method for controlling a speed of a wind turbine

A method for detecting and responding to a failure in a drivetrain of a wind turbine includes estimating a first rotational speed signal at a first location along the drivetrain via one or more rate gyroscopes mounted in a hub, the first rotational speed signal being a proxy for rotor speed of a rotor. The method also includes processing the first rotational speed signal to account for a bias in the first rotational speed signal due to use of the rate gyroscope(s). Further, the method includes receiving a second rotational speed signal at a second location along the drivetrain, the second location being downwind from the first location, the first and second locations being on opposing sides of a potential slip location of the drivetrain. Moreover, the method includes determining a speed error based on a comparison of the first and second rotational speed signals. In addition, the method includes comparing the speed error to a threshold and implementing a control action when the speed error exceeds the threshold.

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Horley, United Kingdom

Ian Couchman