Validation of a non-contact technique for torque measurements in wind turbines using an enhanced transient FSV approach. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, G.; Zappalá, D.; Crabtree, C.; Donaghy-Spargo, C.; Hogg, S.; Duffy, A.
• Is Part Of: Measurement. Volume 151(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Torque measurement -- Wind turbine -- Transient analysis -- Feature selective validation; Weights and measures -- Periodicals; Measurement -- Periodicals; Measurement; Weights and measures; Periodicals; 530.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2019.107261
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-2241

Abstract

Highlights: Contactless measurement system for direct, low-cost real-time torque measurement. Reduced reliance on visual interpretation allowing on-line condition monitoring. Generalized FSV approach for improved step-function transient data comparison. Non-segmented weighting approach in FSV adding greater flexibility to the method. Abstract: In-service turbine monitoring is essential for maximizing the wind energy contribution to the global energy budget. Measurement of turbine shaft torque under transient wind conditions is fundamental to develop reliable condition monitoring techniques. Contact based measurements bring their own disadvantages and non-contactless measurements have many potential advantages. However, their performance needs to be validated against standard methods. This paper focuses on the development of an enhanced transient Feature Selective Validation (FSV) techniques to undertake this analysis with an emphasis on transient data processing. The nature of FSV makes it a natural technique to consider for this problem space. Open questions have existed as to how transients should be dealt with in FSV. This paper overcomes the limitations of previous approaches for step-function transient comparison and presents analytical methods to ensure the transient feature itself is considered, irrespective of how much pre- and post- transient data happens to be included.