Fan blade lightning protection system test equipment and method based on unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of fan detection, and discloses a device and method for testing a fan blade lightning protection system based on an unmanned aerial vehicle, and the device comprises a self-balancing system, a telescopic rod device, a flexible connection device, and a detection device. The self-balancing system is installed between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the telescopic rod device, and when the unmanned aerial vehicle operates in the air, the telescopic rod device can rotate left and right, and the telescopic rod device is kept at the horizontal position all the time; the detection device comprises a resistance testing device, a polishing probe and a detection probe, the detection device is arranged at the front end of the telescopic rod device and used for being adsorbed to the surface of the blade and stretching out of the polishing probe to make contact with the surface of the lightning arrester, and after polishing work is completed, the detection probe stretches out and retracts the polishing probe, and the detection probe makes contact with the surface of the lightning arrester. The resistance testing device is used for testing the resistance between the lightning arrester and the blade root; one end of the flexible connection device is connected with the telescopic rod device, and the other end is connected with the detection device. According to the invention, the test is stable, reliable and more accurate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fan detection, and in particular to a testing device and method for a lightning protection system of a fan blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Background Art

[0002] At present, for the lightning protection system testing scheme commonly adopted in the wind power industry, technicians need to manually detect the lightning arrester in the middle of the blade through a hanging basket operation platform. This operation mode has two technical limitations: firstly, the blade must maintain a positive Y-shaped vertical downward posture; secondly, the full-circle detection can only be completed by cooperating with the rotation movement of the blade.

[0003] With the iterative upgrade of detection technologies, the mainstream scheme has gradually transitioned to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-borne detection system, which conducts resistance testing on the tip lightning arrester by carrying a special net-type detection device on the top. However, the existing testing device for the lightning protection system of a fan blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is not stable enough during testing, resulting in low accuracy of the test results and being unable to meet the actual needs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a testing device and method for a lightning protection system of a fan blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can make the testing stable, reliable, and more accurate.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A testing device for a lightning protection system of a fan blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a self-balancing system, a telescopic rod device, a flexible connection device, and a detection device; the self-balancing system is installed between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the telescopic rod device. When the unmanned aerial vehicle is operating in the air, the telescopic rod device can rotate left and right and always maintains a horizontal position; the detection device includes a resistance testing device, a grinding probe, and a detection probe. The detection device is arranged at the front end of the telescopic rod device and is used to adsorb on the surface of the blade and extend the grinding probe to contact the surface of the lightning arrester. After the grinding work is completed, the detection probe extends and retracts the grinding probe, the detection probe contacts the surface of the lightning arrester, and the resistance testing device tests the resistance between the lightning arrester and the blade root; one end of the flexible connection device is connected to the telescopic rod device, and the other end is used to connect the detection device. When the detection device adsorbs on the surface of the blade, the telescopic rod device releases the flexible connection device, so as to eliminate the influence of the shaking that occurs when the aircraft hovers on the detection device.

[0006] Wherein, the left and right rotation angle of the telescopic rod device can reach 180°, and the up and down pitch angle is 15°.

[0007] Wherein, the telescopic rod device includes a telescopic mechanism, the telescopic mechanism includes three-stage telescopic rods, and two-stage screw drives are included inside to realize the telescoping of the three-section sleeves.

[0008] Among them, the telescopic rod device further includes a counterweight device located at the end, and the counterweight device is used to balance the telescopic rod so that the center of gravity of the telescopic rod is at the center of the unmanned aerial vehicle; the counterweight device includes a telescopic motor counterweight and a vacuum pump counterweight.

[0009] Among them, the detection device further includes a vacuum adsorption device, and the vacuum adsorption device is provided with 2 groups of spring telescopic vacuum suction cup assemblies, which can reach the surface of the blade under the support of the telescopic rod device of the unmanned aerial vehicle and adsorb on the surface of the blade.

[0010] Among them, the resistance testing device uses the four-wire measurement method for testing.

[0011] Among them, the testing equipment further includes a monitor device, and the monitor device includes a micro camera, which is arranged at the front end of the detection device and is used to transmit the real-time picture to the remote control end.

[0012] Among them, the detection device further includes a processing module for processing and analyzing the resistance data.

[0013] A testing method for a lightning protection system of a wind turbine blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle, using the testing equipment for a lightning protection system of a wind turbine blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle as described above. The method includes: when the unmanned aerial vehicle flies to the blade measurement area, the aircraft operator operates the aircraft to align with the position of the lightning arrester, operates the aircraft to move forward, and the up and down swing of the telescopic rod caused by the up and down swing of the aircraft during the forward movement is eliminated by the self-balancing device; during the operation, the monitor device at the front end will transmit the real-time picture to the remote control end. When reaching the surface of the blade, the vacuum adsorption device of the detection device starts to work. After contacting the surface of the blade, the detection device adsorbs on the blade. At this time, the telescopic rod device releases the soft connection device, and the rigid connection between the telescopic rod device and the detection device is eliminated, and the detection device will not be affected by the shaking of the aircraft; after adsorption, the grinding probe starts to extend out to grind the surface of the lightning arrester; after grinding is completed, the detection probe extends out and retracts the grinding probe, the detection probe contacts the surface of the lightning arrester, the data detection function is turned on, the resistance testing device uses the four-wire measurement method for testing to obtain resistance data, the resistance data is transmitted to the processing module for data processing and analysis, the resistance data is displayed on the remote control end, and the data is stored in a file for convenient later viewing; after the detection is completed, the telescopic rod device retracts the soft connection device, restores the rigid connection with the detection device, the vacuum adsorption device closes the adsorption function, and the aircraft returns.

[0014] Among them, when performing resistance testing, the resistance between multiple lightning arresters on the blade and the blade root is tested respectively; when the processing module processes and analyzes the resistance data, it judges which lightning arrester has a fault according to the resistance data between each lightning arrester and the blade root.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the wind turbine blade lightning protection system testing equipment and method based on the unmanned aerial vehicle of the present invention can always keep the telescopic rod device in a horizontal position by setting a self-balancing system, a soft connection device, and a detection device; the resistance testing device, the grinding probe, and the detection probe are adsorbed on the surface of the blade, and the grinding probe is extended to contact the surface of the lightning rod; after the grinding work is completed, the detection probe is extended and the grinding probe is retracted, and the detection probe contacts the surface of the lightning rod; the resistance testing device tests the resistance between the lightning rod and the root of the blade, and the soft connection device can enable the detection device to eliminate the shaking effect when the aircraft is hovering, so that the detection device can be kept stable during the test, and adsorbed on the surface of the blade, and the surface of the lightning rod is polished before testing, so that the test process can be stable and reliable, and the test result is more accurate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 The present invention is a schematic structural diagram of a wind turbine blade lightning protection system testing device based on a UAV and a UAV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the test equipment shown.

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the structure of the back end part of the test equipment is shown.

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of the rear end portion of the test equipment is shown.

[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the structure of the front end part of the test equipment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0022] In this embodiment, Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the wind turbine blade lightning protection system test equipment based on a drone can be installed on a drone 1 through a load interface 8, including a self-balancing system 2, a telescopic rod device 3, a soft connection device, a detection device 4, and a monitor device.

[0023] The self-balancing system 2 is installed between the drone and the telescopic rod device. When the drone is operating in the air, the telescopic rod device can rotate left and right, and the telescopic rod device always maintains a horizontal position. In this embodiment, the self-balancing system 2 includes a left and right rotation system 7 (including a left and right servo support 15 and a left and right rotation servo 16), and an up and down rotation system 9 (including an up and down servo support 17 and an up and down rotation servo 18), so that the left and right rotation angle of the telescopic rod device can reach 180°, and the up and down pitch angle is 15°. The left and right servo support 15 is connected to the up and down servo support 17 through a rotating bearing 14.

[0024] The telescopic rod device includes a telescopic mechanism. In this embodiment, the telescopic mechanism includes three-stage telescopic rods (namely a fixed sleeve 10, a first-stage sleeve 11, and a second-stage sleeve 12), and two-stage screw drives are included inside to realize the telescoping of the three sleeves. Specifically, the telescopic rod device includes a telescopic rod support 13, a first-stage hollow screw 19, a first-stage screw nut 20, a nut fixing seat 21, a second-stage screw nut 22, a second-stage solid screw 23, and a screw fixing seat 25. The second-stage solid screw is installed inside the first-stage hollow screw, and then the second-stage screw nut of the second-stage solid screw is installed on the first-stage hollow screw. The first-stage screw nut of the first-stage hollow screw is installed on the first-stage sleeve, and the second-stage screw nut of the second-stage solid screw is installed on the second-stage sleeve. When the motor drives the first-stage hollow screw, the second-stage solid screw also moves at the same time, and the first and second sleeves complete the contraction action at the same time. In this embodiment, the telescopic rod device also includes a counterweight device at the end, and the counterweight device is used to balance the telescopic rod so that the center of gravity of the telescopic rod is at the center of the drone. In this embodiment, the counterweight device includes a telescopic motor counterweight 6 and a vacuum pump counterweight 5.

[0025] The detection device includes a vacuum adsorption device, a resistance testing device, a grinding probe, a detection probe 33, and a processing module. The detection device is arranged at the front end of the telescopic rod device and is used to adsorb on the surface of the blade through the vacuum adsorption device, and extend the grinding probe 36 to contact the surface of the lightning arrester. The grinding head motor 35 (the grinding head motor 35 is connected to the grinding head motor support 32 through the grinding head motor connecting rod 30) is used for grinding. After the grinding work is completed, the detection probe 33 extends from the probe support 31 and retracts the grinding probe by using the grinding head motor connecting rod 30. The detection probe contacts the surface of the lightning arrester, and the resistance testing device tests the resistance between the lightning arrester and the blade root. The processing module processes and analyzes the resistance data. In this embodiment, the vacuum adsorption device includes a suction cup assembly bracket and two sets of spring telescopic vacuum suction cup assemblies installed on the suction cup assembly bracket, namely the left spring telescopic vacuum suction cup assembly 27 and the right spring telescopic vacuum suction cup assembly 28. Each set of spring telescopic vacuum suction cup assemblies is provided with a bellows suction cup 34 at the front end, which can reach the surface of the blade under the support of the telescopic rod device of the unmanned aerial vehicle and adsorb on the surface of the blade. The left spring telescopic vacuum suction cup assembly 27 and the right spring telescopic vacuum suction cup assembly 28 are fixed on the telescopic rod device 3 through the suction cup assembly bracket 29. The resistance testing device uses the four-wire measurement method for testing.

[0026] One end of the flexible connection device is connected to the telescopic rod device, and the other end is used to connect the detection device. After the detection device adsorbs on the surface of the blade, the telescopic rod device releases the flexible connection device, so that the detection device eliminates the influence of the shaking that occurs when the aircraft hovers. The flexible connection device can adopt elastic materials such as rubber parts.

[0027] The monitor device is used to transmit the real-time picture to the remote control end. In this embodiment, the monitor device includes a micro camera, which is arranged at the front end of the detection device and is used to transmit the real-time picture to the remote control end.

[0028] This embodiment also provides a method for testing a lightning protection system for wind turbine blades based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), using the testing equipment for the lightning protection system for wind turbine blades based on an unmanned aerial vehicle as described above. The method includes: when the UAV flies to the blade measurement area, the aircraft operator operates the aircraft to align with the position of the lightning arrester, and operates the aircraft to move forward. During the forward movement, the up and down swing of the telescopic rod caused by the up and down swing of the aircraft is eliminated by the self-balancing device; when operating, the monitor device at the front end will transmit the real-time picture to the remote control end. When reaching the blade surface, the vacuum adsorption device of the detection device starts to work. After contacting the blade surface, the detection device adsorbs on the blade. At this time, the telescopic rod device releases the flexible connection device, and the rigid connection between the telescopic rod device and the detection device is eliminated, and the detection device will not be affected by the shaking of the aircraft; after adsorption, the polishing probe starts to extend and polish the surface of the lightning arrester; after polishing is completed, the detection probe extends and retracts the polishing probe, the detection probe contacts the surface of the lightning arrester, the data detection function is turned on, the resistance test device uses the four-wire measurement method to perform the test to obtain the resistance data, transmits the resistance data to the processing module for data processing and analysis, displays the resistance data on the remote control end, and stores the data in a file for convenient later viewing; after the detection is completed, the telescopic rod device retracts the flexible connection device, restores the rigid connection with the detection device, the vacuum adsorption device closes the adsorption function, and the aircraft returns.

[0029] Among them, when performing the resistance test, the resistance between multiple lightning arresters on the blade and the blade root is respectively tested; when the processing module performs data processing and analysis on the resistance data, it judges which lightning arrester has a fault according to the resistance data between each lightning arrester and the blade root.

Claims

1. A testing device for a lightning protection system of a wind turbine blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized in that It includes a self-balancing system, a telescopic rod device, a flexible connection device, and a detection device; the self-balancing system is installed between the drone and the telescopic rod device. When the drone is operating in the air, the telescopic rod device can rotate left and right and always maintains a horizontal position; the detection device includes a resistance testing device, a grinding probe, and a detection probe. The detection device is arranged at the front end of the telescopic rod device, used to adsorb on the surface of the blade and extend the grinding probe to contact the surface of the lightning arrester. After the grinding work is completed, the detection probe extends and retracts the grinding probe, and the detection probe contacts the surface of the lightning arrester. The resistance testing device tests the resistance between the lightning arrester and the leaf root; one end of the flexible connection device is connected to the telescopic rod device, and the other end is used to connect the detection device. After the detection device adsorbs on the surface of the blade, the telescopic rod device releases the flexible connection device, so that the detection device eliminates the influence of the shaking that occurs when the aircraft hovers.

2. The test equipment for the lightning protection system of a wind turbine blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The left and right rotation angle of the telescopic rod device can reach 180°, and the up and down pitch angle is 15°.

3. The testing device for the lightning protection system of a wind turbine blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The telescopic rod device includes a telescopic mechanism, and the telescopic mechanism contains three-stage telescopic rods, and two-stage screw drive is included inside to realize the telescoping of the three-section sleeves.

4. The test equipment for the lightning protection system of wind turbine blades based on unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 3, characterized in that, The telescopic rod device also includes a counterweight device located at the end. The counterweight device is used to balance the telescopic rod and make the center of gravity of the telescopic rod at the center of the drone; the counterweight device includes a telescopic motor counterweight and a vacuum pump counterweight.

5. The test equipment for the lightning protection system of a wind turbine blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection device also includes a vacuum adsorption device. The vacuum adsorption device is provided with 2 groups of spring telescopic vacuum sucker assemblies, which can reach the surface of the blade under the support of the telescopic rod device of the drone and adsorb on the surface of the blade.

6. The test equipment for a lightning protection system of a wind turbine blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The resistance testing device uses the four-wire measurement method for testing.

7. The testing device for the lightning protection system of a fan blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The testing equipment also includes a monitor device. The monitor device contains a micro camera, which is arranged at the front end of the detection device and used to transmit the real-time picture to the remote control end.

8. The test equipment for the lightning protection system of wind turbine blades based on an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that, The detection device also includes a processing module for processing and analyzing the resistance data.

9. A method for testing a lightning protection system for a wind turbine blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized in that, Using the drone-based lightning protection system test equipment for fan blades as described in claim 8, the method includes: when the drone flies to the blade measurement area, the aircraft operator operates the aircraft to align with the position of the lightning arrester, operates the aircraft to move forward, and the up-and-down swing of the telescopic rod caused by the up-and-down swing of the aircraft during the forward movement is eliminated by the self-balancing device; during the operation, the front-end monitor device will transmit the real-time picture to the remote control end. When reaching the blade surface, the vacuum adsorption device of the detection device starts to work. After contacting the blade surface, the detection device adsorbs on the blade. At this time, the telescopic rod device releases the soft connection device, and the rigid connection between the telescopic rod device and the detection device is eliminated, and the detection device will not be affected by the aircraft shaking; after adsorption, the grinding probe starts to extend and grind the surface of the lightning arrester; after grinding is completed, the detection probe extends and retracts the grinding probe, the detection probe contacts the surface of the lightning arrester, the data detection function is turned on, the resistance test device uses the four-wire measurement method to perform the test to obtain the resistance data, transmits the resistance data to the processing module for data processing and analysis, displays the resistance data to the remote control end, and stores the data in a file for convenient later viewing; after the detection is completed, the telescopic rod device retracts the soft connection device, restores the rigid connection with the detection device, the vacuum adsorption device closes the adsorption function, and the aircraft returns.

10. The method for testing a lightning protection system for a wind turbine blade based on an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 9, wherein, When performing the resistance test, the resistance between multiple lightning arresters on the blade and the blade root is tested respectively; when the processing module performs data processing and analysis on the resistance data, it judges which lightning arrester has a fault according to the resistance data between each lightning arrester and the blade root.

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