Provided is a method for controlling a wind power installation having a rotor operated with variable speed and having rotor blades that are adjustable in their blade angle. The installation is controlled in a partial-load range by an open-loop operating-characteristic control, which uses an operating characteristic. The operating characteristic presets a relationship between the rotational speed and a generator state variable to be set that is a generator power or torque. A value of the generator state variable preset by the operating characteristic is set in dependence on a detected speed. The installation is controlled in a full-load range by a closed-loop pitch control, in which the rotational speed is controlled to a speed setpoint value by adjusting the blade angles. In a presettable range of the partial-load range and/or in a transitional range from the partial-load range to the full-load range, the installation is controlled by a speed-power control.

A method for preventing catastrophic damage in a drivetrain of a wind turbine includes receiving, via a controller, a speed measurement of the generator of the drivetrain. The method also includes determining an electrical torque of a generator of the drivetrain of the wind turbine. The method further includes estimating, via the controller, a mechanical torque of the rotor as a function of at least one of the electrical torque and the speed measurement of the generator. Further, the method includes comparing, via the controller, the estimated mechanical torque to an implausible torque threshold, wherein torque values above the implausible torque threshold speed values greater that the implausible speed threshold. Moreover, the method includes implementing, via the controller, a control action for the wind turbine when the estimated mechanical torque exceeds the implausible torque threshold.

A method for monitoring and controlling a wind turbine to minimize rotor blade damage includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors indicative of at least one blade parameter of the rotor blade over a predetermined time period. The method also includes trending the sensor data for the predetermined time period with respect to at least one wind parameter. Further, the method includes determining at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data. Moreover, the method includes comparing the at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data to an operating threshold. In addition, the method includes implementing a control action if the comparison of the at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data and the operating threshold indicates blade damage is occurring or is likely to occur.

A method for preventing catastrophic damage in a drivetrain of a wind turbine includes receiving, via a controller, a speed measurement of the generator of the drivetrain. The method also includes determining an electrical torque of a generator of the drivetrain of the wind turbine. The method further includes estimating, via the controller, a mechanical torque of the rotor as a function of at least one of the electrical torque and the speed measurement of the generator. Further, the method includes comparing, via the controller, the estimated mechanical torque to an implausible torque threshold, wherein torque values above the implausible torque threshold speed values greater that the implausible speed threshold. Moreover, the method includes implementing, via the controller, a control action for the wind turbine when the estimated mechanical torque exceeds the implausible torque threshold.

A method for monitoring and controlling a wind turbine to minimize rotor blade damage includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors indicative of at least one blade parameter of the rotor blade over a predetermined time period. The method also includes trending the sensor data for the predetermined time period with respect to at least one wind parameter. Further, the method includes determining at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data. Moreover, the method includes comparing the at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data to an operating threshold. In addition, the method includes implementing a control action if the comparison of the at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data and the operating threshold indicates blade damage is occurring or is likely to occur.

A method for controlling a wind power installation having a rotor operated with variable speed and having rotor blades that are adjustable in their blade angle. The installation is controlled in a partial-load range by an open-loop operating-characteristic control, which uses an operating characteristic. The operating characteristic presets a relationship between the rotational speed and a generator state variable to be set that is a generator power or torque. A value of the generator state variable preset by the operating characteristic is set in dependence on a detected speed. The installation is controlled in a full-load range by a closed-loop pitch control, in which the rotational speed is controlled to a speed setpoint value by adjusting the blade angles. In a presettable range of the partial-load range and/or in a transitional range from the partial-load range to the full-load range, the installation is controlled by a speed-power control.

In accordance with one aspect of the present technique a method includes receiving at least one of a speed and an acceleration of a rotating component in a rotating machine. The method includes determining whether at least one of the speed and the acceleration of the rotating component exceeds a non-trip operating (NTO) space in a speed-acceleration plane, wherein the NTO space is based on a trip overshoot model. The method further includes sending a notification for tripping the rotating machine in response to determining that at least one of the speed and the acceleration of the rotating component exceeds the NTO space.

Method and apparatus for determining the deflection or curvature of a rotating blade, such as a wind turbine blade or a helicopter blade. Also, methods and apparatus for establishing an inertial reference system on a rotating blade.