The invention relates to a safety system for a wind turbine, comprising a pitch system (23), which comprises a plurality of drive systems (15, 16, 17) and at least one safety switching device (24), by means of which each of the drive systems (15, 16, 17) can be controlled to carry out a travel to a safe position in accordance with at least one control signal, a safety circuit, which is provided in a machine part adjacent to the pitch system (23) and which comprises a transmission device (32) and a controller (29), by means of which the at least one control signal can be generated, which can be transmitted from the controller (29) to the safety switching device (24) by means of the transmission device (32), wherein the control signal can be generated and/or output by the controller (29) in the form of at least two control signals (EFC 1, EFC 2), the control signals (EFC 1, EFC 2) can be transmitted from the controller (29) to the safety switching device (24) by means of the transmission device (32), a safety-relevant error can be detected in the safety circuit by means of the safety switching device (29) by evaluating the control signals (EFC 1, EFC 2), and each of the drive systems (15, 16, 17) can be controlled to travel to a safe position if such an error is present.

Systems and methods for controlling a wind pitch adjustment system associated with a wind turbine system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the wind pitch adjustment system can include a power supply configured to convert an alternating current input signal into a direct current voltage, a controller configured to receive a signal from the power supply, and to provide one or more control commands to a pitch adjustment motor, and a surge stopping device comprising a switching element coupled between the power supply and the controller. The surge stopping device is configured to monitor an input voltage from a grid and to drive the switching element based at least in part on the monitored input voltage, such that the switching element is configured to block current flow through the switching element to the controller when the monitored input voltage is above a voltage threshold.

The present disclosure generally relates to validation processes in wind turbines, as well as controllers and wind turbines implementing the same. In one aspect, a method of validating smoke detection in a smoke detection system includes receiving an indication of smoke detection, determining a first temperature of a temperature sensor, and beginning a heat validation operation. The heat validation operation includes initiating a timer after determining the first temperature, and determining if a current temperature of the temperature sensor has increased a predefined amount relative to the first temperature. If the current temperature of the temperature sensor has increased a predefined amount relative to the first temperature, performing at least one of tripping a switchgear and activating an alarm.

A method for protecting a wind turbine from overloading during operation caused by a fault includes receiving, via a controller, a plurality of pitch signals from a plurality of pitch control mechanisms of a pitch system of the wind turbine, the pitch system configured to rotate a plurality of rotor blades mounted to a rotatable hub of a rotor of the wind turbine about respective pitch axes. Further, the method includes determining a collective pitch rate of the pitch system as a function of the plurality of pitch signals. The method also includes defining a minimum pitch rate threshold that varies with a speed parameter of the wind turbine. Moreover, the method includes receiving a first speed parameter of the wind turbine. In addition, the method includes comparing the collective pitch rate to the minimum pitch rate threshold for the first speed parameter. Thus, the method includes controlling the wind turbine based on the comparison.

Embodiments herein describe validating an emergency stop signal before activating a brake within a wind turbine. The emergency stop signal is received from a control node of a plurality of control nodes distributed throughout the wind turbine, and the emergency stop signal indicates that the wind turbine should be shut down. The wind turbine is shut down by transmitting a shutdown signal to the plurality of control nodes. Upon determining there is no indication a person is present within the wind turbine, the emergency stop signal is validated. Additionally, upon determining the emergency stop signal is valid, a brake within the wind turbine is activated to bring the rotor to a stop.

A multirotor wind turbine (1) comprising a vertical tower and at least two energy generating units (5), a load carrying structure (9, 10) extending transverse to the vertical direction and carrying the at least two energy generating units (5); and at least one escape route extending between a start and an exit. To provide a safe escape route, the load carrying structure forms at least a first section of the escape route from the start to an intermediate location, and the wind turbine comprises an escape opening in the nacelle, the escape opening leading from an interior space of a nacelle of the energy generating unit to a passage structure and the passage structure extending from the escape opening to the start of the escape route.

A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine. Accordingly, a controller of the wind turbine detects an oscillation in the power output of the wind turbine during a recovery from a transient event. In response to detecting the oscillation, a portion of the power output during a peak phase of the oscillation is stored in an energy storage device. A portion of the stored power is then discharged during a valley phase of the oscillation in order to reduce an amplitude of the oscillation of the power output that is delivered to the power grid.

A method for protecting a wind turbine from overloading during operation caused by a fault includes receiving, via a controller, a plurality of pitch signals from a plurality of pitch control mechanisms of a pitch system of the wind turbine, the pitch system configured to rotate a plurality of rotor blades mounted to a rotatable hub of a rotor of the wind turbine about respective pitch axes. Further, the method includes determining a collective pitch rate of the pitch system as a function of the plurality of pitch signals. The method also includes defining a minimum pitch rate threshold that varies with a speed parameter of the wind turbine. Moreover, the method includes receiving a first speed parameter of the wind turbine. In addition, the method includes comparing the collective pitch rate to the minimum pitch rate threshold for the first speed parameter. Thus, the method includes controlling the wind turbine based on the comparison.

A multirotor wind turbine (1) comprising a vertical tower and at least two energy generating units (5), a load carrying structure (9, 10) extending transverse to the vertical direction and carrying the at least two energy generating units (5); and at least one escape route extending between a start and an exit. To provide a safe escape route, the load carrying structure forms at least a first section of the escape route from the start to an intermediate location, and the wind turbine comprises an escape opening in the nacelle, the escape opening leading from an interior space of a nacelle of the energy generating unit to a passage structure and the passage structure extending from the escape opening to the start of the escape route.

A wind turbine generator controller is described. The controller comprises switching circuitry, for selectively activating and deactivating one or more transducer circuits, and overcurrent detection circuitry, for detecting an overcurrent state in relation to one or more of the transducer circuits. The switching circuitry is responsive to the detection on an overcurrent state to selectively deactivate one or more of the transducer circuits.