Patent Description:
A connecting device adapted for connecting a hub and a main shaft of wind turbine is known from <CIT>. This connecting device comprises at least one sensor bolt connecting the hub and the main shaft. A stress detection element mounted inside the sensor bolt is adapted to detect a length variation of the sensor bolt and to output a sensor signal as a function of the length variation of the sensor bolt. Bending moments acting on the main shaft are determined on the basis of this sensor signal.

In a wind turbine disclosed in <CIT>, a plurality of smart fasteners, such as instrumented load-sensor bolts, are used to measure moments a blade is applying to a blade root. In particular, at least three smart fasteners can be used to solve for the following three forces on the blade: blade centrifugal load, flapping moment, and edgewise moment.

<CIT>, which is comprised in the post-published state of the art pursuant to Article <NUM>(<NUM>) EPC, discloses a wind turbine control device, in which strain sensors output strain amounts of fastening bolts to a control unit as information on the load on each of a plurality of yaw drive devices for rotating a nacelle relative to a tower in a yaw direction. The control unit then controls the plurality of yaw drive devices in such a manner that variations of the load among the plurality of yaw drive devices are suppressed.

In accordance with the above, a nacelle provided in a wind turbine is driven by one or more yaw actuators. The nacelle is thus rotated in the yaw direction (YAW) relative to a tower of the wind turbine.

It is demanded to avoid overload of the yaw actuators (see, for example, <CIT>).

To avoid overload of the yaw actuators, it is necessary that a torque estimation device estimates the torque of the shafts of the yaw actuators. However, in some cases, the torque of the shafts of the yaw actuators cannot be estimated.

To address the above problem, one object of the present invention is to provide a torque estimation system, and a torque estimation method.

According to the present invention, a torque estimation system comprises: a yaw actuator configured to be included in a wind turbine; a plurality of bolts configured to fix the yaw actuator to a fixation portion; a load portion configured to apply to a drive shaft of a drive unit of the yaw actuator a torque simulating a load caused by wind force, before operation of the wind turbine; a plurality of torque meters configured to be installed on the bolts, and to measure the torque applied to the drive shaft by the load portion; and a torque estimation device, wherein the torque estimation device includes: a strain amount obtaining unit configured to obtaining an amount of strain in the bolts, before and during operation of the wind turbine; a generation unit configured to generate pre-operation information representing correspondence between the torque applied to the drive shaft by the load portion and measured by the torque meters, and the measurement results of the amount of strain of the bolts caused by the torque of the load portion and obtained by the strain amount obtaining unit, before operation of the wind turbine; a storage unit configured to store pre-operation information and characteristic information of the drive unit; and an estimation unit configured to estimate a torque occurring in the drive shaft during operation of the wind turbine, wherein the generation unit further generates correspondence information based on a torque occurring in the drive shaft during operation of the wind turbine, the amount of strain obtained by the strain amount obtaining unit during operation of the wind turbine, the pre-operation information, and the characteristic information, the storage unit further stores the correspondence information, and the estimation unit estimates the torque occurring in the drive shaft based on the amount of strain obtained by the strain amount obtaining unit and the correspondence information, during operation of the wind turbine.

According to the present invention, a torque estimation method comprises: a step of applying to a drive shaft of a drive unit of a yaw actuator configured to be included in a wind turbine a torque simulating a load caused by wind force, before operation of the wind turbine; a step of measuring the torque applied to the drive shaft, before operation of the wind turbine; a step of obtaining an amount of strain in bolts that fix the yaw actuator to a fixation portion; a step of generating pre-operation information representing correspondence between the measured torque of the drive shaft and the obtained measurement results of the amount of strain of the bolts, before operation of the wind turbine; a step of storing the pre-operation information and characteristic information of the drive unit in a storage unit; a step of obtaining an amount of strain of the bolts during operation of the wind turbine; a step of generating correspondence information based on a torque occurring in the drive shaft during operation of the wind turbine, the obtained amount of strain of the bolts during operation of the wind turbine, the pre-operation information, and the characteristic information; a step of storing the correspondence information in a storage unit; and a step of accessing the storage unit, to estimate the torque occurring in the drive shaft based on the obtained amount of strain and the correspondence information, during operation of the wind turbine.

The present invention described above makes it possible to estimate the torque of the shafts of the yaw actuators.

An example of a torque measuring system not being part of the present invention and an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings.

Example not being part of the present invention:
<FIG> is a perspective view showing an example of configuration of a wind turbine <NUM>. The wind turbine <NUM> includes a tower <NUM>, a nacelle <NUM>, a rotor (main shaft portion) <NUM>, and a plurality of blades <NUM>. The tower is situated vertically upward from the land or the sea.

The nacelle <NUM> is situated on a top portion of the tower <NUM> so as to be rotatable. The nacelle <NUM> is driven by yaw actuators installed in the nacelle <NUM>. The nacelle <NUM>, driven by the yaw actuators, rotates about the longitudinal direction of the tower <NUM>. In other words, the nacelle <NUM> rotates in the yaw direction (YAW) relative to the tower <NUM>.

The rotor <NUM> rotates in the roll direction (ROLL) on the nacelle <NUM>. The plurality (e.g., three) of blades <NUM> are provided on the rotor <NUM> at an equal angle relative to each other, so as to extend radially from the rotation axis of the roll direction.

<FIG> shows an example of configuration of a torque estimation system 1a during operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. The torque estimation system 1a includes a control unit <NUM>, one or more yaw actuators <NUM>, a ring gear <NUM>, N (N is an integer not less than two) bolts <NUM>, N strain sensors <NUM>, a current sensor <NUM>, and a torque estimation device <NUM>. The torque estimation system 1a may include an actuator other than the yaw actuators. The torque estimation system 1a may estimate the torque of the actuator other than the yaw actuators. An example of the actuator other than the yaw actuators is a pitch actuator.

The yaw actuators <NUM> are fixed to the nacelle <NUM> of the wind turbine with the N bolts <NUM>. Each of the yaw actuator <NUM> includes a drive unit <NUM>, a brake unit <NUM>, a speed reducer <NUM>, a shaft <NUM> (drive shaft), and a pinion <NUM>. The speed reducer <NUM> includes gears serving as a speed reducing mechanism. The pinion <NUM> is positioned at the end of the shaft <NUM> so as to mesh with the ring gear <NUM>. The ring gear <NUM> is positioned on the top portion of the tower <NUM>. The N bolts <NUM> are arranged circumferentially on the yaw actuator <NUM>. A strain sensor <NUM>-n (n is an integer from <NUM> to N) (strain amount obtaining unit) is positioned in a bolt <NUM>-n.

The torque estimation device <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, a generation unit <NUM>, an estimation unit <NUM>, and a display unit <NUM>. A part or all of the components of the torque estimation device <NUM> are positioned in, for example, an administration center (not shown). A part or all of the components of the torque estimation device <NUM> may be positioned in the wind turbine <NUM>. The components of the torque estimation device <NUM> can communicate with each other via a bus. A part or all of the communication unit <NUM>, the generation unit <NUM>, and the estimation unit <NUM> are implemented by a processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) executing a program stored on the storage unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> is preferably formed of a non-volatile storage medium (non-transitory storage medium) such as a flash memory or a HDD. The storage unit <NUM> may include a volatile storage medium such as a RAM (random access memory). A part or all of the communication unit <NUM>, the generation unit <NUM>, and the estimation unit <NUM> may be implemented by using a microcomputer such as an LSI (large scale integration) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

The torque estimation system 1a estimates the torque of the shaft <NUM> of the yaw actuator <NUM>. The torque estimation system 1a may operate as a state monitoring system for avoiding overload of the yaw actuator <NUM> based on the estimated torque.

The control unit <NUM> controls operation of the yaw actuator <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> obtains the torque value of the shaft <NUM> of each yaw actuator <NUM> from the communication unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may weaken the electromagnetic brake of the brake unit <NUM> in the yaw actuator <NUM> when the shaft <NUM> of the yaw actuator <NUM> has a torque value equal to or larger than a predetermined value. The control unit <NUM> can thus reduce the load on the yaw actuator <NUM> when its shaft <NUM> has a torque value equal to or larger than a predetermined value. The control unit <NUM> can uniform the load on each yaw actuator <NUM> by adjusting the driving timing of the drive unit <NUM> and intermittently releasing the electromagnetic brake in the brake unit <NUM>.

The yaw actuator <NUM> causes the nacelle <NUM> to rotate or stop in the yaw direction relative to the tower <NUM>. The ring gear <NUM> is either a member having multiple internal teeth on its inner periphery or a member having multiple external teeth on its outer periphery. The bolts <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N are members for fixing the yaw actuator <NUM> to the nacelle <NUM>. The bolts <NUM> undergo strain in accordance with the moment caused by external loads such as wind. Each of the strain sensors <NUM> is a device for measuring the amount of strain in the corresponding bolt <NUM> in the longitudinal direction thereof. The current sensor <NUM> (current value obtaining unit) is a device for measuring the current value of the electric current supplied to the drive unit <NUM>.

The torque estimation device <NUM> (calibration device) estimates the torque of the shaft <NUM> of the yaw actuator <NUM>. The torque estimation device <NUM> is formed of, for example, a workstation, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone terminal, or a programmable logic controller (PLC). The function part of the torque estimation device <NUM> may be distributed by cloud computing.

A description is now given of the yaw actuator <NUM>. The drive unit <NUM> is a motor. The drive unit <NUM> rotates the shaft <NUM> about the longitudinal direction of the shaft <NUM> in accordance with the electric current supplied to the drive unit <NUM>. The brake unit <NUM> reduces the rotational speed of the shaft <NUM> by an electromagnetic brake. The brake unit <NUM> may maintain the stopped state of the rotation of the shaft <NUM> by the electromagnetic brake. The speed reducer <NUM> sets the rotational speed of the shaft <NUM> by the gears included in the speed reducer <NUM>.

The shaft <NUM> is driven by the drive unit <NUM> to rotate at a rotational speed reduced by the speed reducer <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> is driven by the drive unit <NUM> to rotate with a predetermined torque (shaft torque). The pinion <NUM> rotates in mesh with the internal teeth of the ring gear <NUM> in accordance with the amount of rotation of the shaft <NUM>. The nacelle <NUM> is thus rotated in the yaw direction relative to the tower <NUM>.

A description is now given of the torque estimation device <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> communicates with respective function parts of the control unit <NUM>, the strain sensors <NUM>, and the current sensor <NUM> through wired or wireless communication. The communication unit <NUM> obtains the current value of the drive unit <NUM> from the current sensor <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> obtains the amount of strain in bolts <NUM> from the strain sensors <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> may obtain an instruction signal to the torque estimation device <NUM> from an external device (not shown). The communication unit <NUM> may obtain from an external device (not shown) an instruction signal indicating whether or not to end an estimation process, for example.

The storage unit <NUM> stores data tables such as a conversion table and characteristic information. The conversion table (correspondence information) represents correspondence between the current value of the drive unit <NUM>, the amount of strain in the bolts <NUM>, and the torque of the shaft <NUM>. The characteristic information is, for example, specification information or prior measurement results of the drive unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> may store a program or a parameter.

The generation unit <NUM> generates the conversion table based on the current value of the drive unit <NUM>, the amount of strain in the bolts <NUM>, and the characteristic information. The estimation unit <NUM> can access the storage unit <NUM>. The estimation unit <NUM> estimates the torque of the shaft <NUM> based on the current value or the amount of strain measured during operation of the wind turbine <NUM> and the conversion table. When the shaft <NUM> is stopped (not under drive), no drive current is supplied to the drive unit <NUM>, and thus the current sensor <NUM> cannot measure an effective current value of the drive unit <NUM>. Therefore, when the shaft <NUM> is stopped, the estimation unit <NUM> estimates the torque of the shaft <NUM> based on the measured amount of strain and the conversion table.

Use of the conversion table may be replaced with another way to represent the correspondence between the current value of the drive unit <NUM>, the amount of strain in the bolts <NUM>, and the characteristic information. For example, the generation unit <NUM> may generate a function (correspondence information) based on the current value of the drive unit <NUM>, the amount of strain in the bolts <NUM>, and the characteristic information. The estimation unit <NUM> may estimate the torque of the shaft <NUM> based on the current value or the amount of strain measured during operation of the wind turbine <NUM> and the function (correspondence information). The storage unit <NUM> may store data of such a function.

When the shaft <NUM> is being driven (the shaft <NUM> is under drive), a drive current is supplied to the drive unit <NUM>, and thus the current sensor <NUM> can measure an effective current value of the drive unit <NUM>. Therefore, when the shaft <NUM> is being driven, the estimation unit <NUM> estimates the torque of the shaft <NUM> based on the measured current value and the conversion table.

In addition, when the shaft <NUM> is being driven, each of the strain sensors <NUM> can measure the amount of strain in the corresponding bolt <NUM>. Therefore, when the shaft <NUM> is being driven, the estimation unit <NUM> may estimate the torque of the shaft <NUM> based on the amount of strain measured while the shaft <NUM> is stopped or being driven and the conversion table.

The display unit <NUM> is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. The display unit <NUM> may include an operation device such as a touch panel. The display unit <NUM> displays an image representing the result of the estimation performed by the estimation unit <NUM>.

The data tables shown in <FIG> and the data tables shown in <FIG> contain values as examples.

<FIG> shows a first example of measurement results of the current value and the amount of strain taken during operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value measured by the current sensor <NUM> and the amount of strain measured by each of the strain sensors <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> stores the measurement results of the current value and the amount of strain.

<FIG> shows an example of the characteristic information. The characteristic information is specification information or prior measurement results of the drive unit <NUM>. The characteristic information represents the correspondence between the current value and the torque. The characteristic information is prepared in advance by a manufacturer of the drive unit <NUM>. For example, the manufacturer of the drive unit <NUM> may prepare the characteristic information of the drive unit <NUM> when determining the specification of the drive unit <NUM>. For example, the manufacturer of the drive unit <NUM> may prepare the characteristic information of the drive unit <NUM> by measuring the current value and the torque (shaft torque) of the drive unit <NUM> in the test process when the drive unit <NUM> is manufactured. The storage unit <NUM> stores the characteristic information.

<FIG> shows an example of the conversion table before update during operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. The generation unit <NUM> generates the conversion table shown in <FIG> based on the current value and the amount of strain shown in <FIG> and the characteristic information shown in <FIG>. Specifically, the generation unit <NUM> generates the conversion table shown in <FIG> using the current value in <FIG> and the current value in <FIG> as a common item.

For example, the generation unit <NUM> establishes in the conversion table the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A," the amount of strain "<NUM>µST," and the torque "<NUM> kN·m" using the current value "<NUM> A" in <FIG> and the current value "<NUM> A" in <FIG> as a common item.

<FIG> shows a second example of measurement results of the current value and the amount of strain taken during operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. The updated amounts of strain shown in <FIG> are shifted upward from the amounts of strain shown in <FIG>. In other words, the amounts of strain have drifted. The reason that the updated amounts of strain are larger is, for example, that the output of each of the strain sensors <NUM> changes with temperature and also changes over time.

<FIG> shows an example of the conversion table after update during operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. The generation unit <NUM> generates the conversion table after update shown in <FIG> based on the updated current value and the updated amount of strain shown in <FIG> and the characteristic information shown in <FIG>. For example, <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST," whereas <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST. " For example, <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST," whereas <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST.

A description is now given of an example of operation of the torque estimation system 1a. <FIG> is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the torque estimation system 1a performed during operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> obtains the characteristic information (such as shown in <FIG>) from the communication unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> stores the characteristic information (step S101). The current sensor <NUM> measures the current value (such as shown in the upper row in <FIG>) of the drive unit <NUM> (step S102). Each of the strain sensors <NUM> measures the amount of strain (such as shown in the lower row in <FIG>) in the corresponding bolt <NUM> (step S103). The generation unit <NUM> generates the conversion table (such as shown in <FIG>) based on the current value, the amount of strain, and the characteristic information (step S104).

The estimation unit <NUM> estimates the torque of the shaft <NUM> based on the current value or the amount of strain measured during operation and the conversion table. For example, when the drive unit <NUM> is stopped, the estimation unit <NUM> estimates the torque of the shaft <NUM> based on the amount of strain in the bolts <NUM> and the conversion table (step S105).

The estimation unit <NUM> determines whether or not to end the estimation process of the torque based on an instruction signal, for example (step S106). When the estimation unit <NUM> determines to continue the estimation process (continue the compensation of the torque) (NO in step S106), the estimation unit <NUM> returns to step S102. When the estimation unit <NUM> determines to end the estimation process (YES in step S106), the components of the torque estimation system 1a end the process shown in <FIG>.

As described above, the current sensor <NUM> (current value obtaining unit) obtains the current value when a current is applied to the drive unit <NUM> of an actuator (for example, the yaw actuator <NUM> or the pitch actuator) included in the wind turbine <NUM>. The strain sensors <NUM> (strain amount obtaining unit) obtain the amount of strain in the bolts that fix the actuator including the drive unit <NUM> to a fixation portion in the wind turbine <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> stores correspondence information representing the correspondence between the torque occurring in the shaft <NUM> (drive shaft) of the drive unit <NUM>, the current value of the drive unit <NUM>, and the amount of strain in the bolts when a current is applied to the drive unit <NUM>. The estimation unit <NUM> estimates the torque of the shaft <NUM> (output shaft, drive shaft) based on the current value obtained by the current sensor <NUM> (current value obtaining unit) or the amount of strain obtained by each of the strain sensors <NUM> (strain amount obtaining unit). The generation unit <NUM> generates or updates the correspondence information (such as the conversion table shown in <FIG> or a function) representing the correspondence between the current value, the amount of strain, and the torque based on the current value and the amount of strain (such as shown in <FIG>) and the characteristic information (such as shown in <FIG>).

The correspondence between the current value and the torque is less subject to the change of the drive unit <NUM> with temperature or over time. Therefore, the generation unit <NUM> generates the correspondence information (conversion table, function) based on the characteristic information representing the correspondence between the current value and the torque, and based on the measured current value and amount of strain. This makes it possible to estimate the torque of the shaft <NUM> of the yaw actuator <NUM> within the range of the current value indicated by the characteristic information.

The torque estimation device <NUM> can be installed in an existing yaw actuator <NUM>. The torque estimation device <NUM> can predict a failure of the yaw actuator <NUM> based on the estimated torques in time series. The torque estimation device <NUM> can reduce the possibility that the wind turbine <NUM> loses its time for power generation.

Embodiment The embodiment differs from the example not being part of the invention described above. in that the torque of the shaft <NUM> and the amount of strain in the bolts <NUM> are measured with a simulated load applied to the shaft <NUM> before operation of the wind turbine <NUM> (when the yaw actuator <NUM> is installed). The following description of the second embodiment will be focused on the difference from the first embodiment.

<FIG> shows an example of configuration of a torque estimation system 1b before operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. The torque estimation system 1b includes a control unit <NUM>, one or more yaw actuators <NUM>, a ring gear <NUM>, N bolts <NUM>, N strain sensors <NUM>, a torque estimation device <NUM>, one or more torque meters <NUM>, and a load portion <NUM>.

The load portion <NUM> (load generation device) applies to the shaft <NUM> a torque of a value according to an instruction from the communication unit <NUM> before operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. In this state, the torque meters <NUM> installed on the bolts <NUM> measure the torque applied to the shaft <NUM>. In accordance with the torque applied to the shaft <NUM>, a moment occurs in the yaw actuator <NUM>, and thus a strain occurs in the bolts <NUM>. Each of the strain sensors <NUM> measures the amount of strain in the corresponding bolt <NUM> before operation of the wind turbine <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example of measurement results of the torque and the amount of strain taken before operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. <FIG> shows the correspondence between the amount of strain in the bolts <NUM> measured by the strain sensors <NUM> and the torque of the shaft <NUM> measured by the torque meters <NUM> installed on the bolts <NUM>, for example. The storage unit <NUM> stores the measurement results of the torque and the amount of strain as pre-operation information.

The load portion <NUM> and the torque meters <NUM> are removed by an operator before the wind turbine <NUM> is put into operation. Prior to the operation of the wind turbine <NUM>, the torque estimation system 1b is changed into the same configuration as the torque estimation system 1a of the example not being part of the invention described above. Accordingly, during the operation of the wind turbine <NUM>, the torque estimation system 1b has the same configuration as the torque estimation system 1a.

<FIG> shows an example of the conversion table before update during operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. The generation unit <NUM> generates a part of the conversion table shown in <FIG> based on the current value and the amount of strain shown in <FIG> and the characteristic information shown in <FIG>. Specifically, the generation unit <NUM> generates a part of the conversion table shown in <FIG> using the current value in <FIG> and the current value in <FIG> as a common item.

For example, the generation unit <NUM> establishes in the conversion table the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A," the amount of strain "<NUM>µST," and the torque "<NUM> kN·m" using the current value "<NUM> A" in <FIG> and the current value "<NUM> A" in <FIG> as a common item. For example, the generation unit <NUM> establishes in the conversion table the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A," the amount of strain "<NUM>µST," and the torque "<NUM> kN·m" using the current value "<NUM> A" in <FIG> and the current value "<NUM> A" in <FIG> as a common item.

Further, the generation unit <NUM> completes the conversion table shown in <FIG> based on the current value and the amount of strain shown in <FIG> and the pre-operation information shown in <FIG>. Specifically, the generation unit <NUM> completes the conversion table shown in <FIG> using the amount of strain in <FIG> and the amount of strain in <FIG> as a common item.

For example, the generation unit <NUM> establishes in the conversion table the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A," the amount of strain "<NUM>µST," and the torque "<NUM> kN·m" using the amount of strain "<NUM>µST" in <FIG> and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST" in <FIG> as a common item. For example, the generation unit <NUM> establishes in the conversion table the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A," the amount of strain "<NUM>µST," and the torque "<NUM> kN·m" using the amount of strain "<NUM>µST" in <FIG> and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST" in <FIG> as a common item.

The following description is based on an example case in which the amounts of strain have drifted from those in <FIG>, as shown in <FIG>. The reason that the amounts of strain have drifted is, for example, that each of the outputs of the strain sensors <NUM> changes with temperature and also changes over time.

<FIG> shows an example of the conversion table after update during operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. The generation unit <NUM> generates the conversion table after update shown in <FIG> based on the updated current value and the updated amount of strain shown in <FIG>, the characteristic information shown in <FIG>, and the pre-operation information shown in <FIG>.

For example, <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST," whereas <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST. " <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST," whereas <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST.

Likewise, for example, <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST," whereas <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST. " <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST," whereas <FIG> shows the correspondence between the current value "<NUM> A" and the amount of strain "<NUM>µST.

A description is now given of an example of operation of the torque estimation system 1b. <FIG> is a flowchart showing an example of operation (calibration) of the torque estimation system 1b performed before operation of the wind turbine <NUM> (when the yaw actuator <NUM> is installed) and operation of the torque estimation system 1b performed during operation of the wind turbine <NUM>.

The load portion <NUM> applies to the shaft <NUM> a torque of a value according to an instruction from the communication unit <NUM> before operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. Specifically, the load portion <NUM> applies to the shaft <NUM> a load simulating a load caused by wind force. In this state, the torque meters <NUM> installed on the bolts <NUM> measure the torque applied to the shaft <NUM>. Each of the strain sensors <NUM> measures the amount of strain in the corresponding bolt <NUM> before operation of the wind turbine <NUM> (step S201).

The generation unit <NUM> generates the pre-operation information (such as shown in <FIG>) representing the correspondence between the torque applied to the shaft <NUM> and the amount of strain in the bolts <NUM> (step S202).

During the operation of the wind turbine <NUM>, the torque estimation system 1b has the same configuration as the torque estimation system 1a of the example not being part of the invention described above.

The storage unit <NUM> obtains the characteristic information (such as shown in <FIG>) from the communication unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> stores the characteristic information (step S203). The current sensor <NUM> measures the current value of the drive unit <NUM> (step S204). Each of the strain sensors <NUM> measures the amount of strain (such as shown in the lower row in <FIG>) in the corresponding bolt <NUM> (step S205). The generation unit <NUM> generates the conversion table based on the current value, the amount of strain, the characteristic information, and the pre-operation information (step S206).

The estimation unit <NUM> estimates the torque of the shaft <NUM> based on the current value or the amount of strain measured during operation and the conversion table. For example, when the drive unit <NUM> is stopped (no current is applied to the drive unit <NUM>), the estimation unit <NUM> estimates the torque of the shaft <NUM> based on the amount of strain in the bolts <NUM> and the conversion table (step S207).

The estimation unit <NUM> determines whether or not to end the estimation process of the torque based on an instruction signal, for example (step S208). When the estimation unit <NUM> determines to continue the estimation process (continue the compensation of the torque) (NO in step S208), the estimation unit <NUM> returns to step S204. When the estimation unit <NUM> determines to end the estimation process (YES in step S208), the components of the torque estimation system 1a end the process shown in <FIG>.

As described above, the bolt <NUM>-n has the torque meter <NUM>-n installed thereon. The torque meters <NUM> measure the torque before operation of the wind turbine <NUM> for calibration. The generation unit <NUM> generates the pre-operation information (such as shown in <FIG>) representing the correspondence between the torque of the shaft <NUM> measured before operation of the wind turbine <NUM> and the amount of strain in the bolts <NUM> measured before operation of the wind turbine <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> stores the pre-operation information. The generation unit <NUM> generates the conversion table (such as shown in <FIG>) representing the correspondence between the current value, the amount of strain, and the torque based on the current value, the amount of strain, the characteristic information, and the pre-operation information.

The correspondence between the current value and the torque is less subject to the change of the drive unit <NUM> with temperature or over time. Therefore, the generation unit <NUM> generates a part of the conversion table (such as the columns of the current value "<NUM> A" and "<NUM> A" in <FIG>) based on the characteristic information representing the correspondence between the current value and the torque, and based on the measured current value and amount of strain. This makes it possible to estimate the torque of the shaft <NUM> of the yaw actuator <NUM> within the range of the current value indicated by the characteristic information.

Claim 1:
A torque estimation system (1b) comprising:
a yaw actuator (<NUM>) configured to be included in a wind turbine (<NUM>);
a plurality of bolts (<NUM>) configured to fix the yaw actuator (<NUM>) to a fixation portion;
a load portion (<NUM>) configured to apply to a drive shaft (<NUM>) of a drive unit (<NUM>) of the yaw actuator (<NUM>) a torque simulating a load caused by wind force, before operation of the wind turbine (<NUM>);
a plurality of torque meters (<NUM>) configured to be installed on the bolts (<NUM>), and to measure the torque applied to the drive shaft (<NUM>) by the load portion (<NUM>); and
a torque estimation device (<NUM>),
wherein the torque estimation device (<NUM>) includes:
a strain amount obtaining unit (<NUM>) configured to obtain an amount of strain in the bolts (<NUM>), before and during operation of the wind turbine (<NUM>);
a generation unit (<NUM>) configured to generate pre-operation information representing correspondence between the torque applied to the drive shaft (<NUM>) by the load portion (<NUM>) and measured by the torque meters (<NUM>), and the measurement results of the amount of strain of the bolts (<NUM>) caused by the torque of the load portion (<NUM>) and obtained by the strain amount obtaining unit (<NUM>), before operation of the wind turbine (<NUM>);
a storage unit (<NUM>) configured to store pre-operation information and characteristic information of the drive unit (<NUM>); and
an estimation unit (<NUM>) configured to estimate a torque occurring in the drive shaft (<NUM>) during operation of the wind turbine (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the generation unit (<NUM>) further generates correspondence information based on a torque occurring in the drive shaft (<NUM>) during operation of the wind turbine (<NUM>), the amount of strain obtained by the strain amount obtaining unit (<NUM>) during operation of the wind turbine (<NUM>), the pre-operation information, and the characteristic information,
the storage unit (<NUM>) further stores the correspondence information, and
the estimation unit (<NUM>) estimates the torque occurring in the drive shaft (<NUM>) based on the amount of strain obtained by the strain amount obtaining unit (<NUM>) and the correspondence information, during operation of the wind turbine (<NUM>).