Development of a Contactless Pitch Angle Measurement System

Abstract

In this article a pitch angle sensor is described that can be installed in a wind turbine as add-on sensor, e.g., for research purposes. One of the most important features of this sensor is that it does neither interfere with the sensory system nor with the control system of the wind turbine. Since it does not contain any electric or electronic components in the rotating hub, it does not use the rotary feedthrough of the wind turbine. The proposed system is based on distance measurement using a laser sensor. Hence, the pitch angle is measured remotely without contact taking place. The components of the system are described, and guidelines for dimensioning these components are given. Such a sensor is installed at a wind turbine; hence the performance is illustrated with measured time series. The conclusion is that the proposed sensor is simple in its design and that it works reliably.