METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING WIND TURBINES

摘要

Methods and systems for controlling a wind turbine in a manner that takes into account the degree of loading of and damage to one or more components of the turbine are provided. An operational load on a wind turbine part is determined, and is used to compute a damage signal. The damage signal is indicative of the potential damage to the component or to the turbine as a whole that will result if action is not taken to reduce or mitigate the determined load. When the damage signal exceeds a pre-determined threshold, load-reducing wind turbine control means are activated to obviate the estimated damage.

主权项

1. A method for controlling a wind turbine, the method comprising determining an operational load on a wind turbine component, determining a damage signal based on the operational load and, when the damage signal exceeds a pre-determined threshold level, applying a control strategy to the wind turbine to mitigate potential damage to the component.