Claims:We Claim:

1. A method for condition monitoring a component of a wind turbine (1) comprising the steps:
- Periodically triggering (22) a converter fast log (17) by a wind turbine controller (16),
- Collecting data for creating the converter fast log (17),
- Creating the converter fast log (17) by a converter controller (15),
- Providing the converter fast log (17) to a monitoring center (21),
- Analyzing at least one parameter of the converter fast log (17) by a fast Fourier transform analysis, amplitude modulation techniques or symmetrical components for determining trends and
- Determining trends for identifying failure in a component of the wind turbine (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the converter fast log (17) shall to be triggered after stabilization period of the wind turbine (1) and used as reference.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the converter fast log (17) shall to be triggered at full load of the wind turbine (1) once per month or maximum power registered in that month or the converter fast log (17) shall be triggered during normal operation or during synchronization of the wind turbine (1).

4. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the step determining trends for identifying failure in a component of the wind turbine (1) comprises
- Choose one parameter of fast log file,
- Determining abnormalities in the processed quantities,
- Compare abnormalities with known failure characteristics of defective component.

5. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the converter fast log (17) is transferred to the wind turbine controller (16) and collected periodically by a SCADA center (18) and monthly monitored by the monitoring center (21).

6. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fast Fourier transform analysis, amplitude modulation techniques or symmetrical components for determining trends shall be applied on the stator current, rotor current and/or stator voltages.

7. A condition monitoring system for condition monitoring of a component of a wind turbine (1), wherein the condition monitoring system (12, 12a, 12b) comprising
- A generator (13) connected to a converter (14, 14a, 14b),
- A converter controller (15, 15a, 15b) for creating converter fast log (17) connected to the converter (14, 14a, 14b) and to a wind turbine controller (16) for triggering the converter fast log (17),
- A SCADA center (18) for collecting at least one converter fast log (17) connected to at least one wind turbine controller (16),
- Monitoring center (21) for analyzing at least one converter fast log (17) connected to the SCADA center (18).

8. The condition monitoring system according to claim 7, characterized in that the converter is a DFIG-converter (14a) or a full size converter (14b).

9. The condition monitoring system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the component is part of the drive train or the rotor of the generator, stator of the generator, slow rotor shaft and/or fast rotor shaft.

10. Use of the condition monitoring system according to one of the claims 7 to 9 for monitoring a component of a wind turbine (1).

11. A wind park comprising at least one wind turbine configured to use a condition monitoring system according to one of the claims 7 to 9.

Dated this 23rd day of June, 2021
For Shopify Inc.

Akriti Kapoor
(IN/PA/2531)
AZB & Partners
Authorized Agent of the applicant

To,
The Controller of Patents
The Patent Office
Mumbai

, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:

Method and System of a Component Monitoring System of a Wind Tur-bine

2. APPLICANT :
(a) Name : Suzlon Energy Ltd.
(b) Nationality : Indian
(c) Address : Shrimali Society, Near Shri Krishna
Complex, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India

3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TITLE OF INVENTION

Method and System of a Component Monitoring System of a Wind Turbine

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a condition monitoring system for generator with power electronic fast log and a method for operating the same.

BACKGROUND

Several condition monitoring systems are known from US 8,994,359 B2, US 10,473,708 B2, US 2019/0178942 A1, US 10,184,985 B2 and US 7,888,915 B2.

The prior art has the following disadvantages respectively leads to the following disadvantages:
• Condition monitoring system is not triggered by the turbine controller
• Majority of the condition monitoring systems are realized with additional monitoring system
• Periodic park evaluation is never mentioned
• Only one or two failure modes are listed in the patents
• No strategy is shown when the monitoring is triggered
• All solutions are continuous monitoring solutions

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a condition monitoring system and a method which overcomes said disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is solved by a method for condition monitoring of a component of a wind turbine (1) comprising the steps:
- Periodically triggering (22) a converter fast log (17) by a wind turbine controller (15),
- Collecting data for creating the converter fast log (17),
- Creating the converter fast log (17) by a converter controller (14)
- Providing the converter fast log (17) to a monitoring center (21)
- Analyzing at least one parameter of the converter fast log (17) by a fast Fourier transform analysis, amplitude modulation techniques or sym-metrical components for determining trends and
- Determining trends for identifying failure in a component of the wind turbine (1) and

Advantageously, triggering using the communication protocol available with both when full power is available or for max power available that month to be analyzed. Therefore providing converter fast log, this will be transferred from converter controller to turbine controller.

Advantageously, converter fast log shall be analyzed for stator currents in terms of fast Fourier transform analysis, amplitude modulation techniques and symmetrical components. Failures can be bearing failures, cracks in the rotor, loose wedge, insulation defects in rotor and stator. Component could be a bearing like main bearing, rotor of generator stator of generator or a combination thereof.

Advantageously, said method can be applied to DFIG converters or full size con-verter.

In a preferred embodiment of said method, converter fast log shall to be triggered after stabilization period of the wind turbine and used as reference. Therefore choose one parameter of the converter fast log and determining characteristic of harmonics in normal condition by fast Fourier transform analysis, amplitude modulation techniques and symmetrical components

Advantageously, this shall mark the start of the trend.

In a preferred embodiment of said method, the converter fast log shall be triggered at full load of the wind turbine (1) once per month or maximum power registered in that month or the converter fast log shall be triggered during normal operation or during synchronization of the wind turbine.

Advantageously, the triggering period depends on the condition status of the monitored component, wherein the degraded the component, the more often the triggering is carried out. Or a trend is detected; this causes also a shorter triggering period. Thus, the triggering period can be shorter as a month, namely preferably 3 week, more preferably 2 weeks and more preferably 1 week.

In a preferred embodiment of said method, the step determining trends for identi-fying failure in a component of the wind turbine (1) comprises:
- Choose one parameter of fast log (17),
- Determining abnormalities in the processed quantities,
- Compare abnormalities with known failure characteristics of defective component.

Advantageously, the trend increases with increasing abnormalities in the quantities observed and failures increases too. With increasing of failures an outage of the component becomes more likely.

In a preferred embodiment of said method, the converter fast log is transferred to the wind turbine controller and collected periodically by a SCADA center and regularly monitored by the monitoring center.

Advantageously, it is normal procedure of the SCADA system collecting the con-verter fast log and storing them in the SCADA servers.

Advantageously, the monitoring center shall evaluate the trends each month for the entire park. In case issues are identified, increased periodic triggering shall be enabled to further investigate. The triggering period can be shorter as a month, namely preferably 3 week, more preferably 2 weeks and more preferably 1 week.

In a preferred embodiment of said method, the fast Fourier transform analysis, amplitude modulation techniques or symmetrical components for determining trends shall be applied on the stator current, rotor current stator voltages or a combination thereof.

Further the above-mentioned object is solved by a condition monitoring system for condition monitoring of a component of a wind turbine.

The condition monitoring system comprising a generator connected to a converter, a converter controller for creating converter fast log connected to the converter and to a wind turbine controller for triggering the converter fast log, a SCADA center for collecting at least one converter fast log connected to at least one wind turbine controller, monitoring center for analyzing at least one converter fast log connected to the SCADA center. Advantageously the generator, converter and wind turbine controller are parts of a wind turbine.

Advantageously the SCADA center comprises a SCADA server having data stor-age for storing at least one converter fast log.

In a preferred embodiment of said condition monitoring system, the converter is a DFIG-converter or a full size converter.

In a preferred embodiment of said condition monitoring system, the component is a main bearing, gearbox bearing, rotor of the generator, stator of the generator, slow rotor shaft or fast rotor shaft or a combination thereof.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned object is solved by use of said condition moni-toring system for monitoring one or more components of a wind turbine.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned object is solved by a wind park comprising at least one wind turbine configured to use said condition monitoring system.

The invention has the following advantages:
• Avoid extra cost for the additional CMS for the generator,
• Based on trend analysis, schedule maintenance can be optimized at park level and fleet level and
• Reduced downtime of WTG

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in more detail with respect to exemplary embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 Shows a wind turbine (PRIOR ART);

Figure 2 Shows a condition monitoring system according to a first embodi-ment;

Figure 3 Shows a condition monitoring system according to a second em-bodiment;

Figure 4 Shows a condition monitoring system according to a third embod-iment and

Figure 5 Shows a flowchart of a method for condition monitoring

The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompany-ing drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 depicts a schematic view of a wind turbine 1 with a tower 2 and a nacelle 3. Depending on given requirements the wind turbine 1 can be used for offshore or onshore applications. The nacelle 3 is rotatable mounted on the tower 2. The nacelle 3 incorporates a number of components of a drive train chain 4 comprising a rotor shaft (not shown) for example. The nacelle 3 also incorporates a generator (see Fig. 2 to 4) connected with a plurality of electrical components for example a converter (see Fig. 2 to 4), which are described in detail later. Further the nacelle 3 comprises a yaw system (not shown) for rotating the nacelle 3. Said rotor shaft is connected to a rotor 5. The rotor 5 comprises three rotor blades 6 which are mounted to a hub body (not shown). Latter is connected to the rotor shaft of the drive train chain 4. The rotor blades 6 are adjustably mounted on the hub body. This is realized by means of pitch drives 8 said pitch drives 8 being part of a pitch system (not shown). The pitch system controls the rotor speed to given set points. By means of pitch-drives 8, the rotor blades 6 may be moved about a rotor blade 6 axes into different pitch positions, said rotor blade 6 axis extending in an axial direction of the rotor blades 6. Each rotor blade 6 is connected to the hub body via its pitch-drive 8. The nacelle 3 is covered by a nacelle cover 9, which has a nacelle cover interface 10. The hub body is covered by a spinner 11 to form a hub 7.

Fig. 2 depicts a condition monitoring system 12 for condition monitoring of a component of a wind turbine 1. This condition monitoring system 12 comprising a wind turbine 1 having a generator 13 connected to a converter 14, a converter con-troller 15 for creating converter fast log 17 connected to the converter 14 and to a wind turbine controller 16 for triggering the converter fast log 17 and a SCADA center 18 for collecting at least one converter fast log 17 connected to at least one wind turbine controller 16 as well as a fleet monitoring center 21 for analyzing at least one converter fast log 17 connected to the SCADA center 18.

The component is a main bearing, yaw bearing, pitch bearing, rotor of the genera-tor, stator of the generator, slow rotor shaft or fast rotor shaft of the wind turbine 1 or a combination thereof.

In a not shown embodiment the SCADA center 18 is connected with more than one wind turbine controller 16, in particular with all wind turbines 1 of a wind park. This allows the SCADA center 18 to collect the converter fast log 17 from every wind turbine 1 in the wind park. However for comparing the determined trends it is important that the converter fast logs 17 came from the same converter type, namely DFIG converter or full size converter.

In any case the wind turbine controller 16 triggers a converter fast log 17 at the converter controller 15. This triggering is indicated by arrow 22. After creating the converter fast log 17 the converter controller 15 sends the converter fast log 17 to the wind turbine controller 16 which is indicated by arrow 23. The wind turbine controller 16 provides the converter fast log 17 to the monitoring center 21 over the SCADA center 18. The SCADA center 18 collects all converter fast logs 17 from the at least one wind turbine controller 16. Therefore the SCADA center 18 comprises at least one SCADA server 19 having at least one data storage 20, wherein the converter fast log 17 is stored at one data storage 20. The monitoring center 21 analyzes the received converter fast log 17 and determines trends. This analyze will be explained in more detail later.

Fig. 3 depicts a condition monitoring system 12a according to a second embodi-ment. Components described before which have the same functions, but differs under constructions, are numbered with an “a”.

In this embodiment the generator 13 is a double fed induction generator 13a (here-inafter DFIG) connected with a DFIG converter 14a and which is connected to a DFIG converter controller 15a for creating converter fast log 17. The rest of the condition monitoring system 12a is the same as described before.

Stator windings of the DFIG 13a are connected with a stator contactor 25 via a stator transmission line 26. The stator contactor 25 is connected with an utility grid 24 over a transformer 35 via a grid transmission line 27. With the stator con-tactor 25 the stator windings can be connected respective disconnected from the utility grid 24. At the stator transmission line 26 the DFIG converter controller 15a collects stator current Istator and/or stator voltage Vstator output of the DFIG 13a at a stator collection point 27. Further at the grid transmission line 27 the DFIG converter controller 15a collects grid current Igrid and/or grid voltage Vgrid of the utility grid 24 at a grid collection point 29. Further from the stator windings of the DFIG 13a the DFIG converter controller 15a receives a rotational speed ?gen of the DFIG 13a indicated by arrow 34.

Via a rotor transmission line 30 rotor windings of the DFIG 13a are connected with the DFIG converter 14a. Latter are connected with the utility grid 24 via converter transmission line 31 and the grid transmission line 27. At the converter transmission line 31 the DFIG converter controller 15a collects converter current Iconverter and/or converter voltages Vconverter output from the DFIG converter 14a at a converter collection point 32. At the rotor transmission line 30 the DIFG converter controller 15a collects rotor current Irotor and/or rotor voltage Vrotor output from the DFIG 13a at a rotor collection point 33.

For collecting the above-mentioned currents Istator, Irotor, Igrid, Iconverter and voltages Vstator, Vrotor, Vgrid, Vconverter at each collection point 28, 29, 32, 33 are arranged suitable sensors (not shown) within the converter 14a for measuring current Istator, Irotor, Igrid, Iconverter respectively voltage Vstator, Vrotor, Vgrid, Vconverter. Furthermore at the stator windings of the DFIG 13a is arranged a sensor (not shown) for measur-ing rotational speed ?gen of the DFIG 13a. The sensors providing the needed val-ues for the above mentioned currents Istator, Irotor, Igrid, Iconverter, voltages Vstator, Vrotor, Vgrid, Vconverter and rotational speed ?gen to the DFIG converter controller 15a for creating the converter fast log 17. These sensors are not additional parts instead are usual available sensors arranged at the wind turbine 1. This avoids extra costs.

After finishing the converter fast log 17 at the DFIG converter controller 15a, the converter fast log 17 is sending to the wind turbine controller 16. Latter sends the converter fast log 17 to the SCADA center 18 where it will be stored in the data storage 20. For analyzing and determining trends the converter fast log 17 will be send to the fleet monitoring center 21.

Fig. 4 depicts a condition monitoring system 12b according to a third embodi-ment. Components described before which have the same functions, but differs under constructions, are numbered with a “b”.

In this embodiment the generator 13 is a synchronous generator 13b. Stator wind-ings of the synchronous generator 13b are connected with a full size converter 14b via a stator transmission line 26b. The full size converter is connected with the grid 24 over the transformer 35 via the grid transmission line 27b and the converter transmission line 31b.

The full size converter controller 15b collects stator current Istator and/or stator voltage Vstator output from the synchronous generator 13b at a stator collection point 28b which is arranged at the stator transmission line 26b. Further the full size converter controller 15b collects the rotational speed ?gen of the synchronous generator 13b from said stator windings indicated by arrow 34b.

Furthermore the full size converter controller 15b collects converter current Iconverter and/or converter voltage Vconverter output from the full size converter 14b at the coverter collection point 32b which is arranged at the converter transmission line 31b. And at the grid transmission line 27b the full size converter controller 15b collects grid current Igrid and/or grid voltage Vgrid of the utility grid 24 at a grid collection point 29b.

For this embodiment same applies as for the foresaid embodiment that for collect-ing the above-mentioned currents Istator, Igrid, Iconverter and voltages Vstator, Vgrid, Vconverter at each collection point 28b, 29b, 32b are arranged suitable sensors (not shown) for measuring current Istator, Igrid, Iconverter respectively voltage Vstator, Vgrid, Vconverter. Furthermore at the stator windings of the synchronous generator 13b is arranged a sensor (not shown) for measuring rotational speed ?gen of the synchro-nous generator 13b. The sensors providing the needed values for the above men-tioned currents Istator, Igrid, Iconverter, voltages Vstator, Vgrid, Vconverter and rotational speed ?gen to the full size converter controller 15b for creating the converter fast log 17. These sensors are not additional parts instead are usual available sensors arranged at the wind turbine 1. This avoids extra costs.

After finishing the converter fast log 17 at the full size converter controller 15b, the converter fast log 17 is sending to the wind turbine controller 16. Latter sends the converter fast log 17 to the SCADA center 18 where it will be stored in the data storage 20. For analyzing and determining trends the converter fast log 17 will be send to the fleet monitoring center 21.

Fig. 5 depicts a method for condition monitoring of a component of a wind tur-bine 1, wherein:

Step S1: Periodically triggering 22 a converter fast log 17 by a wind turbine con-troller 16. The converter fast log 17 shall be triggered during normal operation or during synchronization of the wind turbine 1. Or the converter fast log 17 shall to be triggered at full load of the wind turbine 1 once per month or maximum power registered in that month. The converter controller 15 receives the triggering com-mand from the wind turbine controller 16.

Step S2: Collecting data for creating the converter fast log 17. Therefore, the con-verter controller collects data like stator current, rotor current, stator voltages or rotational speed of the generator or a combination thereof. This data will be meas-ured by respective sensors at several data collections points for example stator collection point 28, 28b; grid collection point 29, 29b; converter collection point 32, 32b.

Step S3: Creating the converter fast log 17 by a converter controller 15 with col-lected data. Therefore, the measured values of stator current, rotor current or stator voltages or rotational speed of the generator 13 or a combination thereof over the time will be logged.

Step S4: Providing the converter fast log 17 to a monitoring center 21. Therefore, the converter fast log 17 is transferred to the wind turbine controller 15 and col-lected periodically by the SCADA center 18 and monthly monitored by the moni-toring center 21. At the SCADA center 18 the converter fast log 17 shall be stored in the data storage 20 of the SCADA server 19.

Step S5: Analyzing at least one parameter of the converter fast log 17 by a fast Fourier transform analysis, amplitude modulation techniques or symmetrical components for determining trends. The fast Fourier transform analysis, amplitude modulation techniques or symmetrical components for determining trends shall be applied on the stator current, rotor current, stator voltages or rotational speed of the generator or a combination thereof. This analysis takes place at the fleet monitoring center 21.

Step S6: Determining trends for identifying failure in a component of the wind turbine 1. Therefore, determine abnormalities in harmonic in difference to the reference harmonic. It is also possible to compare abnormalities with known failure characteristics of defective component which can be stored in the data storage 20 of the SCADA server 19. Therefore, the abnormalities in harmonics shall be combined with the type of fault like bearing failures, cracks in the rotor, loose wedge, insulation defects in rotor and stator etc. Also this step takes place at the fleet monitoring center 21.

Step S7: Sending a report to an operator of detected defective component. At the value of abnormalities in harmonic it can be identified how big the failure of the component is and the maintenance of the component like repair or exchange can be planned by the operator. In best case, the maintenance work can be planned in non-working times of the wind turbine for example when the wind speed is low.

Before starting the periodically triggering the converter fast log 17, the converter fast log 17 shall to be triggered after stabilization period of the wind turbine 1 if it is newly installed of after a targeted component exchange and used as reference one time. Therefore, determine characteristics of harmonics in normal condition by fast Fourier transform analysis, amplitude modulation techniques or symmetrical components to get a reference characteristic of harmonics. At this stage the component is working in normal condition without fault.

Said method can be applied to DFIG converter (14a) or full size converter (14b).

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1 wind turbine
2 tower
3 nacelle
4 drive train chain
5 rotor
6 rotor blades
7 hub
8 pitch drive
9 nacelle cover
10 interface
11 spinner
12 condition monitoring system
12a condition monitoring system with DFIG converter
12b condition monitoring system with full size converter
13 generator
13a double fed induction genera-tor
13b synchronous generator
14 converter
14a DFIG converter
14b full size converter
15 converter controller
15a DFIG converter controller
15b full size converter controller
16 wind turbine controller
17 converter fast log
18 SCADA center
19 SACADA server
20 data storage
21 fleet monitoring center
22 fast log trigger
23 fast log acquisition
24 utility grid
25 stator contractor
26 stator transmission line
26b stator transmission line
27 grid transmission line
27b grid transmission line
28 stator collection point
28b stator collection point
29 grid collection point
29b grid collection point
30 rotor transmission line
31 converter transmission line
31b converter transmission line
32 converter collection point
32b converter collection point
33 rotor collection point
34 receiving rotational speed
34b receiving rotational speed
35 transformer