OPTIMAL CONTROL

OF A WIND TURBINE WITH A

VARIABLE RATIO GEARBOX
VARIABLE SPEED WIND TURBINES
Uses a gearbox for speed control.

Reduced size of generator.

Electrically efficient.

Simpler design.


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WIND TURBINE DRIVETRAIN MODELING
To increase efficiency and reliability.

To understand behaviour of wind turbine over its region of operation.

Aid in optimal operation.

Modelling enables control of wind turbines performance.


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Fig. 1 A schematic of a wind turbine drivetrain with a VRG
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SPECIFICATIONS


Blade pitch angle=2.2 deg.

Rotor size=18.5m diameter.

100 KW generator.


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1. Aerodynamic power module-Consists of rotor blades

Turbine power captured 1 :

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(1)
Where,

= Rotor diameter,

= Density of air,

= Power coefficient, fraction of wind power

captured by the rotor blades.

= Wind velocity.

Generator speed ,
=

Where ,

=Rotor speed,

=Gear ratio.




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2.Dynamics of the system: (2)


Tem is the generator electromagnetic torque

Jr is the rotor inertia

GR is the gear ratio

Br is the frictional losses in the mechanical components
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Main gear ratio,

=10

Variable gear ratios,

are 2.159, 2.103, 2.054, 1.915, 1.71, and 1.471.

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3.Electrical module :

A squirrel cage induction generator, rated power of 100 kW.

The generator is driven by gearbox through output high-speed shaft. The
generator.

Output power, Pg, and the generator electromagnetic torque Tem are
modelled as functions of the input rotational speed

.
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VARIABLE RATIO GEARBOX DESIGN
Variable ratio capability increases energy production.

Based on CVTs of vehicles (High reliability and low cost).

Copes with wind speed and improve energy harvesting.

FACTORS CONSIDERED IN DESIGN:

Primarily, must select number of gear ratios and their values.

Provide smooth transmission without exceeding rated power.

Smooth transition protects gearbox and other components.
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Size of gear to apply dynamic load without failure or fatigue.

Strength and durability important.






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Fig. 2 Power curve for a 6 gear ratios wind turbine model versus
a single gear ratio model
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During meshing, normal force has components in the tangential, radial and axial
directions.

Selecting helical gear pair with lowest tangential force on gear tooth reduce
forces on gear tooth.

Thus force to the gearbox bearings and housing reduced.

Life of VRG gears can be thus extended.

Tangential force [2],

(6)

Tp is pinion torque, dp is pinion pitch circle diameter. 13
Fig. 3 The effect of changing the gear ratio on the tangential force on the gear
tooth
Type equation here.
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OPTIMIZATION PROBLEM FORMULATION
To find gear-shifting profile to maximize energy capture and minimize loads.

Find all values of power and tangential force for all possible gear ratios are
calculated.

A cost function represents these parameters collectively.

Cost function must be minimized,

(7)
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is called weight factor and has values 0 to 1.

Higher values promote power generation.
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Equations:
1)



(8)


2)


(9)
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RESULTS
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Simulation results of class 3 and class 7 sites respectively.
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TO SUMMARIZE
Lower wind classes are more sensitive to weight factor.

Percentage drop of generated power increases with decreasing wind class(from 7
to 3).

Tangential force ratio decreases with decreasing wind class(from 7 to 3).
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CONCLUSION
Value of tangential force is lower for lower wind classes, favouring power
generation over tangential force

For higher wind classes, analysis between energy harvested and tangential force
decides the value of weight factor.


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REFERENCES
1. A. W. Manyonge, R. M. Ochieng, F. N. Onyango and J. M. Shichikha,
Mathematical Modelling of Wind Turbine in a Wind Energy Conversion System:
Power Coefficient Analysis, Applied Mathematical Sciences, Vol. 6, 2012, no. 91,
4527 4536, pg 4-7.

2. AGMA,2001, Fundamental Rating Factors and Calculation Methods for Involute,
Spur and Helical Gear Teeth, American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA),
pg 12.

3. Mohamed L. Shaltout, John F. Hall, Dongmei Chen, Optimal Control of a Wind
Turbine With a Variable Ratio Gearbox for Maximum Energy Capture and
Prolonged Gear Life, ASME, pg1-7.



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