FR3067068A1 - WIND MACHINE HAVING A CONTROL UNIT PROVIDING REGULATION OF THE ROTATION SPEED OF THE ROTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

A wind turbine (10) is described having a rotor (14) with a vertical axis equipped with blades (12) for the wind and a generator (16) able to create electricity from the rotation of the rotor (14) . The wind turbine (10) comprises a control unit (23) configured so as to be able to occupy a first mode of operation in which, during a phase of electricity generation by the generator (16), the control unit (23) ) performs a modulation of the impedance across the generator (16), as a function of a parameter representative of the rotation speed (26) of the rotor (14) received by the control unit (23), a manner ensuring a predetermined regulation of the rotational speed (26) of the rotor (14) recorded in the control unit (23), in particular to compensate for the variations in time of the force of the wind (11) applied to the blades (12).

Description

Wind turbine having a control unit ensuring regulation of the rotational speed of the rotor

The present invention relates to a wind turbine having a rotor with a vertical axis equipped with blades for taking in the wind and a generator capable of creating electricity from the rotation of the rotor.

It is known to design a wind turbine comprising a plurality of blades mounted on a rotating support in an orientable manner. Via an actuator dedicated to this action and also mounted on the rotary support, each blade is movable between an operating position and a rest position. The rotor therefore comprises the mobile support, the adjustable blades and the blade actuator. The rest position generally corresponds to the position in which the wind resistance of the wind turbine is minimal.

This design is used for example for wind turbines with a vertical axis and each blade is pivotally mounted on the rotary support along a vertical axis parallel to the general axis of rotation of the rotor.

This is the reason why there are rotary structures in which the blades vary between a deployed position and a folded position. The structure occupies the normally deployed configuration, while the folded configuration is put in place in case of strong winds or in case of non-use of the wind turbine.

It is also known to provide means for regulating the speed of rotation of the rotor, like the solution described in document WO2011 / 039717A2.

However, the existing solutions do not yet give complete satisfaction because they do not answer the problems below linked to wind turbines fitted with a rotor with vertical axis.

Systems for producing electrical energy from mechanical energy, i.e. the generator and the inverter, need to reach a certain threshold before starting up. In current solutions, variations in the speed of rotation of the rotor induce oscillations around this threshold.

On the other hand, conventional wind turbines must be stopped when they turn too fast so as not to risk being damaged, and therefore they do not allow electricity to be produced in strong winds.

Another disadvantage is that conventional wind turbines do not include means allowing them to protect themselves in the event of abnormal vibrations.

In addition, conventional wind turbines do not have a system to prevent the projection of elements from the blades, such as pieces of ice in winter.

Finally, conventional wind turbines do not take into account their inertia, linked to their weight, in optimizing their production.

The present invention aims to propose a wind turbine comprising a rotor with a vertical axis and equipped with orientable blades, configured so as to be able to respond to all or part of the drawbacks listed above.

This object is achieved by the wind turbine which is the subject of the appended claims, in particular by means of a wind turbine having a rotor with vertical axis equipped with blades for taking in the wind and a generator capable of creating electricity from rotation. of the rotor, wind turbine comprising a control unit configured so as to be able to occupy a first mode of operation in which, during a phase of production of electricity by the generator, the control unit realizes a modulation of the impedance at the terminals of the generator, as a function of a parameter representative of the speed of rotation of the rotor received by the control unit, in a manner ensuring a predetermined regulation of the speed of rotation of the rotor recorded in the control unit, in particular for compensate for variations over time in the force of the wind applied to the blades.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given by way of nonlimiting examples and represented in the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a flow diagram schematically illustrating the organization of an example wind turbine according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the wind turbine of Figure 1.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 annexed as briefly presented above, the invention essentially relates to a wind turbine 10 having a rotor 14 with a vertical axis equipped with blades 12 for catching in the wind and a generator 16 capable of creating electricity from the rotation of the rotor 14. Each blade 12 is subjected to the action of the wind 11 to apply to the rotor 14 a driving torque 13. During the generation of electricity, the generator 16 applies a resisting torque 15 to rotor 14.

In the variant illustrated but not limiting, the blades 12 can be oriented around respective vertical axes. This means that other variants can be envisaged where the blades 12 are fixed, that is to say non-orientable, relative to the rest of the rotor 14.

Thus with reference to Figure 1, the wind turbine 10 comprises a plurality of such blades 12 mounted on a rotatable support in an orientable manner. Each blade 12 is pivotally mounted on the rotary support along a vertical axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor 14.

It also includes an actuator 17 integral with the rotor 14. This actuator 17 may be intended to operate by a power supply via an electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic source. In the example illustrated, the actuator 17 is for example an electric motor. The actuator 17 is dedicated to implementing a movement of the blades 12 according to a total stroke delimited between a maximum open position and a minimum open position. Each blade 12 can be placed in intermediate positions between the two maximum and minimum positions, continuously or according to a given pitch. The actuator 17 is also mounted on the rotary support. The rotor therefore comprises the mobile support, the adjustable blades 12 and the actuator 17 of the blades. The minimum opening position is adopted at rest (in the event of extreme cold, in the event of abnormal vibrations, in the event of risks of projection of pieces of ice from the blades 12) or in the event of strong winds 11, while the increasing the opening of the blades 12 makes it possible to gradually increase the wind resistance of the blades 12 under the action of the wind 11.

The output of the generator 16 is connected to the input of an inverter 21, the electrical power transmitted at the output of the generator 16 being identified 27. The wind turbine 10 comprises all the sensors necessary for monitoring the electrical quantities at the output of the generator 16, in particular a voltage sensor and a current sensor, the measurement results of which are transmitted to a control unit 23.

The control unit 23 generates and transmits control signals 31 ensuring the appropriate piloting of the actuator 17, as a function of the desired setpoint for the expected position of the blades 12.

The output of the inverter 21 is connected to the electrical network 22. The power transmitted at the output of the inverter 21 is identified 28. The inverter 21 makes it possible to send a suitable alternating signal over the electrical network 22. The wind turbine 10 includes all the sensors necessary for monitoring the electrical quantities at the output of the inverter 21, in particular a voltage sensor and a current sensor, the measurement results of which are transmitted to the control unit 23, for example for a use which will be described later.

The control unit 23 also generates and transmits control signals 34 ensuring the control of the inverter 21.

The electrical network 22 provides a direct electrical supply 32 of the actuator 17. This is the supply used in normal operation.

The electrical network 22 also supplies a battery 25 for storing electrical energy. The battery 25 provides an emergency power supply 33 of the actuator 17 in the event of a power cut 22. This makes it possible to guarantee that the blades 12 can be placed in the minimum open position even in the event of a power cut electric 22, in particular in order to comply with the administrative regulations in the field concerned by the invention.

The wind turbine 10 includes a sensor 24 for monitoring the electrical voltage across the battery 25. The measurement result is transmitted to the input of the control unit 23. The control unit 23 automatically places the wind turbine 10 in a safety mode as soon as the electrical voltage measured at the terminals of the battery 25 becomes less than or equal to a predetermined threshold known to the control unit 23.

An advantage is to allow the wind turbine 10 to protect itself and not only vis-à-vis the outside, for example in the event of a short circuit.

Figure 1 also shows that the control unit 23 (and all of the electronics and the software and hardware means as well as the sensors that the wind turbine comprises 10) is supplied either by the electrical network 22, or by the battery 25 in emergency case.

As detailed immediately thereafter, the wind turbine 10 comprises three elements for determining 18, 19, 20 of the instantaneous value taken by three distinct physical parameters constituted by meteorological data such as the outside temperature 29, a vibration 30 of at least one element of the wind turbine 10 and the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14. Each determination element 18, 19, 20 is capable of transmitting the instantaneous value which it determines to the control unit 23 and carries out determinations successive of the instantaneous value taken by the corresponding physical parameter.

The wind turbine 10 therefore comprises a first determination element 18 capable of determining the value taken by the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14. The rotation speed 26 thus determined is transmitted to the input of the control unit 23. The first element determination 18 may be of any kind adapted to the desired function, implementing a direct measurement or an indirect determination, such as for example a tachometer.

The wind turbine 10 comprises a second determining element 19 capable of determining meteorological data such as the outside temperature 29 of the wind turbine 10. The outside temperature 29 thus determined is transmitted to the input of the control unit 23. The second element determination 19 may be of any kind adapted to the desired function, implementing a direct measurement or an indirect determination.

The wind turbine 10 finally comprises a third determination element 20 capable of determining a vibration 30 of at least one element of the wind turbine 10. The vibration 30 thus determined is transmitted to the input of the control unit 23. The third element determination 20 can be of any kind suited to the desired function, implementing a direct measurement or an indirect determination. By way of example, the third determination element 20, composed of one or more individual sensors, is configured so as to monitor the vibrations of several elements such as the blades 12, the blade support, the mast or even the upper part of the stator.

The control unit 23 generates and transmits control signals 35 ensuring the control of the generator 16 which will be described below.

The control unit 23 includes all the software and hardware means enabling it to operate in the manner described below, according to the first operating mode and possibly according to the second operating mode, both of which are described below. In particular, it includes processing elements implementing a regulation loop for electrical production (in particular as a function of the speed of rotation 26) and compliance with safety constraints (detection of ice formation to avoid the projection of ice or a blockage of the wind turbine 10, to avoid runaway, to allow the detection of abnormal vibrations corresponding to runaway).

The control unit 23 is in particular configured so as to be able to occupy a first operating mode in which, during a phase of production of electricity by the generator 16, the control unit 23 modulates the impedance at the terminals of the generator 16, as a function of a parameter representative of the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 received by the control unit 23, in a manner ensuring a predetermined regulation of the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 recorded in the control unit 23, in particular to compensate for variations over time in the force of the wind 11 applied to the blades

12.

According to a particular nonlimiting embodiment, in the event that the blades 12 are orientable and with reference to FIG. 2, the control unit 23 is configured to be able to occupy a second operating mode in which, during a phase of generation of electricity by the generator 16, the control unit 23 controls the actuator 17 to adjust the angular position of the blades 12 in a way which contributes to, or even ensures, the above-mentioned speed regulation, the second mode of operation being automatically activated when the control unit 23 determines that the implementation of the first operating mode is not sufficient to comply with this speed regulation.

The first and second operating modes can be sequential or executed at least partially at the same time. The first mode of operation can be implemented alone. The second operating mode can be implemented alone, that is to say without the first operating mode being activated. Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the control unit 23 can simultaneously occupy the first operating mode and the second operating mode. In this last variant, the control unit 23 then simultaneously performs both the modulation of the impedance across the terminals of the generator 16 and the adjustment of the angular position of the blades 12 via the control of the actuator 17 , these two operations being controlled so as to regulate the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 which is predetermined and recorded in the control unit 23.

The setpoint for regulating the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 may consist in aiming as far as possible for a constant target value of the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 or may be to maintain the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 within a target range. of values. This target value or this target range of values are known to the control unit 23, in the form of input instructions in the regulation loop produced by the servo means that the control unit 23 comprises to ensure the speed regulation. These input setpoints can be constant or modifiable, entered directly or indirectly by the user, or determined indirectly by the control unit 23, typically when the input setpoint entered by the user is a production quantity setpoint of electrical energy.

In other words, in the first operating mode, the impedance is adjusted over time by the control unit 23 in order to adjust the resisting torque 15 at all times in a way which makes it possible to compensate for the variations in the motor torque 13 imposed on the rotor. 14 by the wind 11 at the blades 12 to ensure smoothing of the variations in the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 which would otherwise result in the absence of adjustment of the impedance, thereby controlling the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14.

In the first operating mode, the control unit 23 increases the impedance across the terminals of the generator 16 when the parameter representative of the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 received by the control unit 23 indicates that the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 tends to decrease. In practice, an increase in the impedance across the terminals of the generator 16 implies a reduction in the resistive torque 15 imposed by the generator 16 on the rotor 14 during the production of electricity by the generator 16, the decrease in the resistive torque 15 being such that 'it makes it possible to compensate for a reduction in the engine torque 13 imposed on the rotor 14 by the wind 11 and therefore makes it possible to compensate for the reduction in speed which would otherwise occur.

Conversely, in the first operating mode the control unit 23 decreases the impedance across the terminals of the generator 16 when the parameter representative of the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 received by the control unit 23 indicates that the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 tends to increase. A decrease in the impedance at the terminals of the generator 16 implies an increase in the resistive torque 15 imposed by the generator 16 on the rotor 14 during the production of electricity by the generator 16, the increase in the resistive torque 15 being such that it compensates for an increase in the engine torque 13 imposed on the rotor 14 by the wind 11 and therefore makes it possible to compensate for the increase in speed which would otherwise occur.

During this phase when the first mode of operation is implemented, and as long as the only implementation of the first mode of operation makes it possible to regulate the speed of rotation of the rotor 14 in the manner sought by the unit of control 23, it may be advantageous to control the actuator 17 so as to place the blades 12 in their maximum opening position in order to maximize as much as possible the action of the wind 11 on the blades 12 and thus to maximize the efficiency of the wind turbine 10.

According to a particular embodiment, the control unit 23 is programmed so that it is only when the adjustment (reduction) of the impedance across the terminals of the generator 16 is no longer able to itself only to maintain the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 according to the speed regulation recorded in the control unit 23 that the second operating mode is activated and that the blades 12 are moved by the actuator 17 in their closing direction, according to an angular position exactly determined by the control unit 23 so as to ensure speed regulation.

Preferably, the modulation of the impedance in the first operating mode is carried out by the control unit 23 so as to maintain the rotational speed 26 of the rotor 14 above a predetermined low speed threshold recorded in the control unit 23.

An advantage is to prevent the wind turbine 10 from going down, in operation (except in the event of a wind 11 too weak to be able to regulate the speed of rotation of the rotor 14), below a voltage threshold of the generator 16 from which it is able to create electrical energy.

Alternatively or in combination, the modulation of the impedance in the first operating mode is carried out by the control unit 23 so as to maintain the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 below a predetermined high speed threshold recorded in the control unit 23. The high speed threshold is strictly greater than the low speed threshold.

An advantage of the high threshold is that it allows the wind turbine 10 to be stopped in the event of a wind 11 having too high a speed, which could damage the wind turbine

10.

Thus, in the case where the control unit 23 performs speed regulation as a function of the predetermined high threshold and low threshold, the control unit 23 adjusts the impedance across the terminals of the generator 16 so as to maintain the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 included in a range between the predetermined low threshold and the predetermined high threshold.

According to a particular embodiment, for the implementation of the second operating mode, the control unit 23 is configured so as not to modify the position of the blades 12 as long as, for each of the three physical parameters successively determined by the three determination elements 18, 19, 20, the time elapsed since the previous determination of the value taken by the physical parameter is less than a corresponding predetermined time threshold recorded in the control unit 23.

Thus, the control unit 23 is configured so as not to modify the position of the blades 12 as long as, for the physical parameter constituted by the vibration 30 of an element of the wind turbine determined successively by the element of determination 20, the time elapsed since the previous determination of the value taken by this physical parameter is less than a corresponding predetermined SI time threshold recorded in the control unit 23. Typically, the first time threshold SI is included in a range between 1 and 5s, for example equal to 2s. The value of the first time threshold SI can vary depending on the location of the wind turbine 10.

Also, the control unit 23 is configured so as not to modify the position of the blades 12 as long as, for the physical parameter constituted by the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 determined successively by the determination element 18, the time elapsed since the previous determination of the value taken by this physical parameter is less than a corresponding second predetermined time threshold S2 recorded in the control unit 23. Typically, the second time threshold S2 is included in a range between 5 and 15s, for example equal to 10s. The value of the second time threshold S2 can vary depending on the location of the wind turbine 10.

Finally, the control unit 23 is configured so as not to modify the position of the blades 12 as long as, for the physical parameter constituted by the meteorological data such as the outside temperature 29 successively determined by the determining element 19 , the time elapsed since the previous determination of the value taken by this physical parameter is less than a corresponding third predetermined time threshold S3 recorded in the control unit 23. Typically, the third time threshold S3 is included in a range comprised between 10min and 1h, for example equal to 30min. The value of the third time threshold SI can vary depending on the location of the wind turbine 10.

The control unit 23 is configured so that when, for at least one of the three physical parameters, the time elapsed since the previous determination of the value taken by the physical parameter is greater than the corresponding predetermined time threshold S1, S2, S3 , the determining element 18, 19, 20 concerned by this exceeding of the time threshold realizes (steps E3 for the vibration 30, step E8 for the speed of rotation 26, step EU for the meteorological data) a new determination of the value instant taken by the physical parameter it monitors. The position of the blades 12 is then modified:

ίο as a function of a comparison between the newly determined value taken by this physical parameter and a predetermined condition associated with this physical parameter recorded in the control unit 23, and as a function of a comparison between the value previously determined for each of the two other physical parameters, for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold S1, S2, S3, and a predetermined condition associated with each of said two other physical parameters and recorded in the control unit 23.

According to a particular embodiment of these general principles set out above, and in a nonlimiting manner, the control unit 23 is configured so that following a new determination of the value taken by the physical parameter constituted by the vibration 30 of one of the elements of the wind turbine 10 when the time threshold SI associated with this physical parameter was exceeded, the control unit 23 then controls the actuator 17 so as to:

open the blades 12 according to a predetermined stroke if the following 3 conditions are simultaneously satisfied:

o the new determined value of vibration 30 is less than a first predetermined vibration threshold recorded in the control unit 23, o the previously determined value of outside temperature 29, for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is even lower at the corresponding time threshold S3, is included in a first predetermined temperature range recorded in the control unit 23, o the previously determined value of the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14, for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold S2, is less than a first predetermined speed threshold recorded in the control unit 23, close the blades 12 according to a predetermined stroke if at least one of the following three conditions is satisfied:

o the new determined value of the vibration 30 is greater than the first predetermined vibration threshold, o the previously determined value of the outside temperature 29 is outside the first predetermined temperature range, o the previously determined value of the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 is greater than the first predetermined threshold of speed of rotation.

In addition, the control unit 23 is preferably configured so that following a new determination of the value taken by the physical parameter constituted by the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 when the associated time threshold S2 at this physical parameter was exceeded, the control unit 23 then controls the actuator 17 so as to:

open the blades 12 according to a predetermined stroke if the following 3 conditions are simultaneously satisfied:

o the new determined value of the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 is less than a second predetermined threshold of speed of rotation recorded in the control unit 23, o the previously determined value of the outside temperature 29, for which the elapsed time since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold S3, is included in a second predetermined range of temperature recorded in the control unit 23, o the previously determined value of the vibration 30, for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold SI, is less than a second predetermined vibration threshold recorded in the control unit 23, close the blades 12 according to a predetermined stroke if at least one of the following three conditions is satisfied:

o the new determined value of the speed of rotation 26 is greater than the second predetermined threshold of speed of rotation, o the previously determined value of the outside temperature 29 is outside the second predetermined range of temperature, o the previously determined value of the vibration 30 is greater than the second predetermined vibration threshold.

In addition, the control unit 23 is preferably configured so that following a new determination of the value taken by the physical parameter constituted by the outside temperature 29 when the time threshold S3 associated with this physical parameter was exceeded, the control unit 23 then controls the actuator 17 so as to:

open the blades 12 according to a predetermined stroke if the following 3 conditions are simultaneously satisfied:

o the new determined value of the outside temperature 29 is included in a third predetermined temperature range recorded in the control unit, o the previously determined value of the vibration 30, for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold SI, is less than a third predetermined vibration threshold recorded in the control unit 23, o the previously determined value of the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14, for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold S2, is less than a third predetermined speed threshold recorded in the control unit 23, close the blades 12 according to a predetermined stroke if at least one of the following three conditions is satisfied:

o the new determined value of the outside temperature 29 is outside the third predetermined temperature range, o the previously determined value of the vibration 30 is greater than the third predetermined vibration threshold, o the previously determined value of the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14 is greater than the third predetermined threshold of speed of rotation.

The first predetermined vibration threshold, the second predetermined vibration threshold and the third predetermined vibration threshold may be identical to each other, or may be different.

The first predetermined speed threshold, the second predetermined speed threshold and the third predetermined speed threshold may be identical to each other, or may be different.

The first predetermined range of outdoor temperature, the second predetermined range of outdoor temperature and the third predetermined range of outdoor temperature may be identical to each other, or may be different.

A possible way of implementing the second operating mode will be described below, with reference to FIG. 2. In this example, the first predetermined speed threshold is identical to the second predetermined speed threshold and at third predetermined threshold speed of rotation, this threshold being called "speed threshold" in the following. The first predetermined vibration threshold is identical to the second predetermined vibration threshold and to the third predetermined vibration threshold, this threshold being called “vibration threshold” in the following. The first predetermined range of outside temperature is identical to the second predetermined range of outside temperature and to the third predetermined range of outside temperature, this range of values being called “temperature range” in the following. For example, this temperature range is between -40 ° C and + 60 ° C. The values of these temperature range limits may vary depending on the location of the wind turbine 10.

In a step E1, the control unit 23 determines the time elapsed since the previous determination of the vibration 30 by the determination element 20.

In a step E2, the control unit 23 compares this time thus determined with the first time threshold SI.

If the elapsed time is greater than the first time threshold SI (condition denoted Cl), the determination element 20 performs (in a step E3) a new determination of the instantaneous value of the vibration 30.

In a step E4, the control unit 23 compares the new determined value of the vibration 30 with the vibration threshold.

If the new determined value of the vibration 30 is less than the vibration threshold (condition denoted C3), the control unit 23 goes to a step E15 which will be described later.

Conversely, if the new determined value of the vibration 30 is greater than the vibration threshold (condition denoted C4), the control unit 23 goes to a step E5 in which it controls the actuator 17 so as to close the blades 12 according to the predetermined stroke.

If, during step E2, the elapsed time is less than the first time threshold SI (condition denoted C2), the control unit 23 performs a step E6 in which it determines the time elapsed since the previous determination of the speed of rotation 26 by the determining element 18.

In a step E7, the control unit 23 compares this time determined in step E6 with the second time threshold S2.

If the elapsed time is greater than the second time threshold S2 (condition denoted C5), the determination element 18 performs (step E8) a new determination of the instantaneous value of the speed of rotation 26.

In a step E13, the control unit 23 compares the new value thus determined of the speed of rotation 26 with the speed threshold.

If the new determined value of the speed of rotation 26 is less than the speed threshold (condition denoted C8), the control unit 23 goes to step E15.

Conversely, if the new determined value of the speed of rotation 26 is greater than the speed threshold (condition denoted C7), the control unit 23 goes to step E5 in which it controls the actuator 17 so as to close the blades 12 according to the predetermined stroke.

If, during step E7, the elapsed time is less than the second time threshold S2 (condition denoted C6), the control unit 23 performs a step E9 in which it determines the time elapsed since the previous determination of the outside temperature 29 by the element of determination 19.

In a step E10, the control unit 23 compares this time determined in step E9 with the third time threshold S3.

If, during step E10, the elapsed time is less than the third time threshold S3 (condition denoted C10), the control unit 23 proceeds to a step E12 in which it does not modify the angular position of the blades 12 through the actuator 17.

If, however, the elapsed time is greater than the third time threshold S3 (condition denoted C9), the determination element 19 performs (in a step EU) a new determination of the instantaneous value of the outside temperature 29.

In a step E14, the control unit 23 compares the new determined value of the outside temperature 29 with the temperature range.

If the new determined value of the outside temperature 29 is included in the temperature range (condition denoted C11), the control unit 23 goes to step E15.

Conversely, if the new determined value of the outside temperature 29 is located outside the temperature range (condition denoted C12), the control unit 23 goes to step E5 in which it controls the actuator 17 of so as to close the blades 12 according to the predetermined stroke.

In step E15, the control unit 23 checks whether the three conditions C3, C8 and C11 are simultaneously checked. If the three conditions C3, C8 and C11 are all satisfied, the control unit 23 goes to a step E16 in which it controls the actuator 17 so as to open the blades 12 according to the predetermined stroke.

The operating principle described above with reference to steps E1 to E16 is repeated periodically according to a repetition frequency given by a microprocessor of the control unit 23.

The control unit 23 also performs monitoring at the output of the generator 16. It performs a periodic or continuous measurement of the electrical voltage at the output of the generator 16. The control unit 23 automatically places the wind turbine 10 in a mode as soon as the electrical voltage measured at the output of the generator 16 becomes less than or equal to a predetermined threshold known to the control unit 23. On the other hand, if the voltage is greater than this threshold, the control unit 23 realizes a measurement of the current at the output of the generator 16, making it possible to calculate the power 27. This value of the power 27 is then compared with the power 28 determined at the output of the inverter 21 via voltage and current measurements. The control unit 23 automatically places the wind turbine 10 in a safety mode as soon as the difference between the power 27 and the power 28 is greater than a predetermined value known to the control unit 23. Otherwise, the control unit command 23 continues to operate by applying the first operating mode and / or the second operating mode which have been described previously.

An advantage is to allow the wind turbine 10 to protect itself and not only vis-à-vis the outside, for example in the event of a short circuit.

An advantage of using the different time thresholds S1, S2 and S3 is that this allows the wind turbine 10 time to stabilize when the actuator 17 opens or closes the blades according to a predetermined stroke. The same goes for the outside temperature.

Thanks to the software means integrated in the control unit 23 in order to be able to implement the operation described above, thanks to the electronic cards which it carries and to the various sensors (for determining the speed of rotation, the outside temperature, vibrations, electrical voltage across the battery 25 and at the output of the generator 16 and the inverter 21) to which it is connected, the wind turbine 10 is capable of using its inertia and the possibility of varying the opening of its blades 12, to smooth its speed of rotation, and therefore its production of electricity.

Thanks to the link between these sensors and the control unit 23, the wind turbine takes into account its own inertia (due to its mass) to optimize its production.

Physically, the operating modes described make it possible to make calculations taking into account hysteresis in the calculations, as well as delays on the frequency of measurement of certain values. Wind turbine 10 protects itself and completely independently from dangerous climatic conditions: too violent winds or storms, cold or ice in the rotating parts, etc. It secures itself and continues to produce l electricity, unlike the wind turbines of the prior art known to date which would stop under identical conditions.

The wind turbine 10 also protects people in the vicinity from projections of pieces of ice which may have accumulated in the blades 12: it will close again if the cold is too strong and there is a risk of significant ice formation.

Always thanks to the link between these sensors and the control unit 23, the wind turbine 10 identifies itself and instantly the various problems it may have (broken parts, severed wire ...) and allows immediate intervention of a technician who can know where to intervene. Indeed, electronic cards can be connected directly to the Internet to allow precise and rapid intervention in the event of a breakdown (remote maintenance and predictive maintenance).

In a particular embodiment, the wind turbine can advantageously integrate artificial intelligence means capable of monitoring, from a given date or over a given period, the evolution over time of the value of the degree of openness blades and values determined by the determination element 19 of meteorological data, by the determination element 20 of a vibration 30 of at least one element of the wind turbine 10 and by the determination element 18 of the speed of rotation 26 of the rotor 14, or even by an element for determining the electric voltage across the terminals of the battery 25 and at the output of the generator 16 and the inverter 21. These artificial intelligence means develop learning data , from the values thus monitored, representative of normal and predictable values of the values to be determined in the future to ensure preventive maintenance of the wind turbine and optimization of electrical production by the wind turbine, the predetermined conditions associated with each of the physical parameters which may depend on said training data. These artificial intelligence means allow you to learn from the operating experience of the wind turbine. Indeed, they are able to understand what are the usual values of the different sensors, for example since the first day of operation of the wind turbine in question, and thus deduce more precisely the moment when a malfunction appears. For example, a wind turbine on a mast fixed on the ground will present vibrations different from a wind turbine fixed on a roof of a building, and thus, the means of intelligence intelligence will know how to determine with great precision the moment when the wind turbine placed on a roof vibrates too much compared to its habit evaluated from the learning data. This feature is a big step forward, because it allows very precise monitoring, and preventive maintenance is simplified.

Claims (13)

1. Wind turbine (10) having a rotor (14) with a vertical axis equipped with blades (12) for taking in the wind and a generator (16) capable of creating electricity from the rotation of the rotor (14), wind turbine (10) comprising a control unit (23) configured so as to be able to occupy a first operating mode in which, during a phase of production of electricity by the generator (16), the control unit (23) realizes a modulation of the impedance at the terminals of the generator (16), as a function of a parameter representative of the speed of rotation (26) of the rotor (14) received by the control unit (23), in a manner ensuring a predetermined regulation of the speed of rotation (26) of the rotor (14) recorded in the control unit (23), in particular to compensate for the variations over time of the wind force (11) applied to the blades (12 ). 2. Wind turbine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the modulation of the impedance in the first operating mode is carried out by the control unit (23) so as to maintain the rotation speed (26) of the rotor (14) above a predetermined low speed threshold recorded in the control unit (23). 3. Wind turbine (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the modulation of the impedance in the first operating mode is carried out by the control unit (23) so as to maintain the speed of rotation (26) of the rotor (14) below a predetermined high speed threshold recorded in the control unit (23). 4. Wind turbine (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the first operating mode, the control unit (23) increases the impedance at the terminals of the generator (16) when the parameter representative of the speed of rotation (26) of the rotor (14) received by the control unit (23) indicates that the speed of rotation (26) of the rotor (14) tends to decrease. 5. Wind turbine (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the first operating mode, the control unit (23) reduces the impedance at the terminals of the generator (16) when the parameter representative of the speed of rotation (26) of the rotor (14) received by the control unit (23) indicates that the speed of rotation (26) of the rotor (14) tends to increase. 6. Wind turbine (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the blades (12) are orientable around respective vertical axes and in that the control unit (23) is configured to be able to occupy a second operating mode in which, during a phase of electricity production by the generator (16), the control unit (23) controls an actuator (17) integral with the rotor (14) to adjust the angular position of the blades (12) in a manner ensuring said speed regulation, the second operating mode being automatically activated when the control unit (23) determines that the implementation of the first operating mode is not sufficient to comply with said speed regulation . 7. Wind turbine (10) according to claim 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises three elements for determining (18, 19, 20) of the instantaneous value taken by three distinct physical parameters constituted by meteorological data such as the temperature external (29), a vibration (30) of at least one element of the wind turbine (10) and the speed of rotation (26) of the rotor (14), each being capable of transmitting the instantaneous value which it determines to the control unit (23) and in that each determination element (18, 19, 20) makes successive determinations of the instantaneous value taken by the corresponding physical parameter. 8. Wind turbine (10) according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the control unit (23) is configured so as not to modify the position of the blades (12) as long as, for each of the three physical parameters, the time elapsed since the previous determination of the value taken by the physical parameter is less than a corresponding predetermined time threshold (SI, S2, S3) recorded in the control unit (23). 9. Wind turbine (10) according to claims 6 and 7 or according to claim 8, characterized in that the control unit (23) is configured so that when for at least one of the three physical parameters the time elapsed since the previous determination of the value taken by the physical parameter is greater than the corresponding predetermined time threshold (SI, S2, S3), the determination element (18, 19, 19) concerned makes a new determination of the instantaneous value taken by the physical parameter and in that the position of the blades (12) is then modified as a function of a comparison between the newly determined value taken by said physical parameter and a predetermined condition associated with said physical parameter recorded in the control unit (23 ) and as a function of a comparison between the value previously determined for each of the other physical parameters, for which the time elapsed since the p recent determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold (S1, S2, S3), and a predetermined condition associated with each of said other physical parameters and recorded in the control unit (23). 10. Wind turbine (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the control unit (23) is configured so that following a new determination of the value taken by the physical parameter constituted by the vibration ( 30) of one of the elements of the wind turbine (10) when the time threshold (SI) associated with this physical parameter was exceeded, the control unit (23) then controls the actuator (17) so as to : open the blades (12) according to a predetermined stroke if the following 3 conditions are simultaneously satisfied: o the new determined value of the vibration (30) is less than a first predetermined vibration threshold recorded in the control unit (23), o the previously determined value of the outside temperature (29), for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold (S3), is included in a first predetermined temperature range recorded in the control unit, o the previously determined value of the speed of rotation (26) of the rotor (14) , for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold (S2), is less than a first predetermined speed threshold recorded in the control unit (23), close the blades (12) according to a predetermined course if at least one of the following three conditions is satisfied: o the new determined value of the vibration (30) is greater than the first predetermined vibration threshold, o the previously determined value of the outside temperature (29) is outside the first predetermined temperature range, o the previously determined value of the rotational speed (26) of the rotor (14) is greater than the first predetermined threshold of rotational speed. 11. Wind turbine (10) according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the control unit (23) is configured so that following a new determination of the value taken by the physical parameter constituted by the speed of rotation (26) of the rotor (14) when the time threshold (S2) associated with this physical parameter was exceeded, the control unit (23) then controls the actuator (17) so as to: open the blades (12) according to a predetermined stroke if the following 3 conditions are simultaneously satisfied: o the new determined value of the speed of rotation (26) of the rotor (14) is less than a second predetermined threshold of speed of rotation recorded in the control unit (23), o the previously determined value of the outside temperature ( 29), for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold (S3), is included in a second predetermined temperature range recorded in the control unit (23), where the previously determined value of the vibration (30), for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold (SI), is less than a second predetermined vibration threshold recorded in the control unit (23), close the blades (12) according to a predetermined course if at least one of the following three conditions is satisfied: o the new determined value of the speed of rotation (26) is greater than the second predetermined threshold of speed of rotation, o the previously determined value of the outside temperature (29) is outside the second predetermined range of temperature, o the value previously determined vibration (30) is greater than the second predetermined vibration threshold. 12. Wind turbine (10) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the control unit is configured so that following a new determination of the value taken by the physical parameter constituted by the outside temperature (29) when the time threshold (S3) associated with this physical parameter was exceeded, the control unit (23) then controls the actuator (17) so as to: open the blades (12) according to a predetermined stroke if the following 3 conditions are simultaneously satisfied: o the new determined value of the outside temperature (29) is included in a third predetermined temperature range recorded in the control unit (23), o the previously determined value of the vibration (30), for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold (SI), is less than a third predetermined vibration threshold recorded in the control unit (23), o the previously determined value of the rotation speed (26) of the rotor (14), for which the time elapsed since the previous determination is still less than the corresponding time threshold (S2), is less than a third predetermined speed threshold recorded in the control unit (23), close the blades (12) according to a predetermined course if at least one of the following three conditions is satisfied: o the new determined value of the outside temperature (29) is outside the third predetermined temperature range, o the previously determined value of the vibration (30) is greater than the third predetermined vibration threshold, o the previously determined value of the rotational speed (26) of the rotor (14) is greater than the third predetermined threshold of rotational speed. 13. Wind turbine (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that it comprises artificial intelligence means capable of monitoring, from a given date or over a given period, the evolution in time of the value of the degree of opening of the blades and of the values determined by the element for determining (19) meteorological data, by the element for determining (20) a vibration (30) of at least one wind turbine element (10) and by the element (18) for determining the rotational speed (26) of the rotor (14), and for developing learning data, from the values thus monitored, representative of normal and predictable values of the values to be determined in the future to ensure preventive maintenance of the wind turbine and optimization of electrical production by the wind turbine.