Provided is a wind turbine brake control device including: an electromagnetic brake for braking at least one of relative rotation between a pinion gear installed in a first structure and a ring gear installed in a second structure or rotation of a motor having the pinion gear mounted thereto, the first structure and the second structure constituting a movable section of a wind turbine; and a contactless relay disposed on a power supply line between a power supply for operation of the electromagnetic brake and the electromagnetic brake and configured to open and close the power supply line.

A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine to protect the wind turbine from anomalous operations. Accordingly, in response to receiving data indicative of an anomalous operational event of the wind turbine, the controller initiates an enhanced braking mode for the wind turbine. The enhanced braking mode is characterized by operating the generator at a torque setpoint that generates maximum available torque for a given set of operating conditions. Additionally, the torque setpoint is in excess of a nominal torque limit for the generator.

A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine in response to a blade liberation event. Accordingly, estimated response signatures for the wind turbine are determined. Sensor data indicative of at least two actual response signatures of components of the wind turbine to a rotor loading are collected. The actual response signatures are compared to the estimated response signatures. The two or more actual response signatures meeting or exceeding the estimated response signatures is indicative of a blade liberation event. In response to detecting the blade liberation event, a rapid shutdown control logic is initiated to decelerate the rotor at a rate which exceeds a nominal deceleration rate of the rotor.

A wind power generation apparatus includes a rotating shaft, a wind power generation device assembled to the rotating shaft, and an acceleration restriction mechanism. The wind power generation device includes a drag blade fixed on the rotating shaft, an inner housing connected to an outer edge of the drag blade, and an outer housing sleeved around the inner housing. The acceleration restriction mechanism includes a plurality of swing arms pivotally connected to the inner housing and a metal ring fixed on the outer housing. A magnetic portion of each swing arm is movable relative to the inner housing from an initial position to an acceleration restriction position. When the magnetic portion of each swing arm is at the acceleration restriction position, the magnetic portion at least partially covers the metal ring, so that the metal ring generates an eddy current limiting a rotating acceleration of the drag blade.

A method for locking the rotor of a wind turbine includes providing the rotor with at least one rotor blade which can be displaced about its longitudinal axis by an adjusting device from an operating position into a vane position, in which substantially no torque acts upon the rotor. The rotor drives a generator and can be prevented from rotation in a locking position by inserting a locking bolt into a rotor-side receiving opening. A wind turbine for performing the method includes a rotor which is induced into a creeping rotational movement at such a low rotational speed by short-circuiting at least one stator winding of the generator that a locking bolt can be inserted into a rotor-side receiving opening while the rotor is rotating.

A wind power generation apparatus includes a rotating shaft, a wind power generation device assembled to the rotating shaft, and an acceleration restriction mechanism. The wind power generation device includes a drag blade fixed on the rotating shaft, an inner housing connected to an outer edge of the drag blade, and an outer housing sleeved around the inner housing. The acceleration restriction mechanism includes a plurality of swing arms pivotally connected to the inner housing and a metal ring fixed on the outer housing. A magnetic portion of each swing arm is movable relative to the inner housing from an initial position to an acceleration restriction position. When the magnetic portion of each swing arm is at the acceleration restriction position, the magnetic portion at least partially covers the metal ring, so that the metal ring generates an eddy current limiting a rotating acceleration of the drag blade.

A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine to protect the wind turbine from anomalous operations. Accordingly, in response to receiving data indicative of an anomalous operational event of the wind turbine, the controller initiates an enhanced braking mode for the wind turbine. The enhanced braking mode is characterized by operating the generator at a torque setpoint that generates maximum available torque for a given set of operating conditions. Additionally, the torque setpoint is in excess of a nominal torque limit for the generator.

A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine in response to a blade liberation event. Accordingly, estimated response signatures for the wind turbine are determined. Sensor data indicative of at least two actual response signatures of components of the wind turbine to a rotor loading are collected. The actual response signatures are compared to the estimated response signatures. The two or more actual response signatures meeting or exceeding the estimated response signatures is indicative of a blade liberation event. In response to detecting the blade liberation event, a rapid shutdown control logic is initiated to decelerate the rotor at a rate which exceeds a nominal deceleration rate of the rotor.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a wind turbine system, more particular for a controlled sliding strategy to lower loads on the yaw system by controlling mechanical brakes and motor brakes in the yaw drive actuators. When the yaw system being in the non-yawing operational state, and the mechanical brake(s) being in an engaged state, and the yaw controller determines or receives a signal indicative of a yaw moment, and if the signal indicative of a yaw moment is above a signal threshold, then the yaw controller sends a braking signal to the yaw drive actuators to enter the motors into the brake state to apply a braking torque.

A method is provided for braking a rotor of a wind turbine. The rotor comprises rotor blades. The wind turbine comprises a pitch adjustment system for adjusting a pitch of the rotor blades. The method comprises detecting a system failure of the pitch adjustment system, estimating a current wind speed, estimating an available brake torque and estimating a required brake torque, based on the estimated current wind speed. The method further comprises determining a suitable point in time for activating a rotor brake, based on the estimated available brake torque and the estimated required brake torque. The rotor brake is then activated at the determined suitable point in time.