Fault location method of wind turbine transmission chain system based on lumped parameter thermal network model

• Lumped parameter thermal network model can effectively reveal the thermal distribution of wind turbine drive chain system. • Fault area of wind turbine transmission chain system can be located based on lumped parameter thermal network model. • The method considering the correction of operating conditions can improve the location effect of fault areas. Locking the location of the fault area accurately can effectively reduce the downtime. Therefore, a fault location method of wind turbine transmission chain system based on lumped parameter thermal network (LPTN) is proposed. Firstly, we analyzed the main heat generation forms and heat transfer paths based on the structure of transmission chain system. Secondly, the LPTN of transmission chain system is established. The heat generation power and thermal resistance of transmission chain system are calculated, and the solution formula of transient thermodynamic equation of node temperature is deduced. Thirdly, two fault location methods of wind turbine transmission chain system based on LPTN are proposed: (1) the method based on LPTN only, (2) the method considering the modification of operating conditions based on LPTN. Finally, 2 MW wind turbine data are used for experimental verification, and the results show that the maximum temperature residual of LPTN is less than 5℃. The fault location is verified by five kinds of transmission chain fault cases. The results show that the two methods can accurately locate the fault area. The research results can guide the fault maintenance of wind turbine, which is of great significance in reducing the downtime of wind turbine.