Abstract: A method for detecting and responding to damage in a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes monitoring at least one signal of a pitch actuator of a pitch system of the rotor blade of the wind turbine. The signal(s) is a proxy for a pitch driving torque of the pitch actuator of the pitch system. Thus, the method includes defining a metric that captures certain behavior of the proxy for the pitch driving torque of the pitch actuator of the pitch system. The method further includes comparing the metric to a corresponding metric associated with a reference rotor blade representing a healthy rotor blade. Moreover, the method includes implementing a control action when the metric is outside of a predetermined range defined by the healthy rotor blade.

Abstract: A method for detecting and responding to damage in a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes monitoring at least one signal of a pitch actuator of a pitch system of the rotor blade of the wind turbine. The signal(s) is a proxy for a pitch driving torque of the pitch actuator of the pitch system. Thus, the method includes defining a metric that captures certain behavior of the proxy for the pitch driving torque of the pitch actuator of the pitch system. The method further includes comparing the metric to a corresponding metric associated with a reference rotor blade representing a healthy rotor blade. Moreover, the method includes implementing a control action when the metric is outside of a predetermined range defined by the healthy rotor blade.

Abstract: A method for detecting and reducing edgewise vibrations in a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes, for a given wind speed, determining a frequency or frequency band at which edgewise vibrations are producible in the rotor blade. The method determines an electrical characteristic of the pitch actuator that correlates to an increased torque required to hold a pitch angle of the rotor blade constant at the frequency or frequency band. During an operational power-production mode of the wind turbine, the electrical characteristic of the pitch actuator is monitored. Upon the electrical characteristic reaching a predefined limit value indicative of edgewise vibrations in the rotor blade, corrective action is initiated by the wind turbine controller to reduce or prevent the edgewise vibrations.