Paramblade system: high parameter GUI tool for designing wind turbine blades in 3D

Abstract

The ParamBlade system provides a highly customizable and user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) for the 3D design of wind turbine blades. It enables users to generate blade models by using a wide range of aerodynamic profiles (including unconventional profiles) and adjustable parameters. This tool offers a unique flexibility for research and development, both in academic and industrial fields, by allowing rapid design iterations depending on aerodynamic performance needs. The ParamBlade GUI allows users with little programming experience to create sophisticated blade designs (open source code), supporting a range of commercial and aerodynamic research applications.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: ParamBlade System: High-Parameter GUI Tool for 3D Wind Turbine Blade Design

[0003] Technological field:

[0004] A new system of existing technologies in aerodynamics and Computer-Aided Design (CAD), for the design of wind turbine blades, using highly parameterized inputs for various aerodynamic profile configurations.

[0005] Operating mode

[0006] This invention addresses the need for accessible and highly parameterized tools in the field of wind energy research and development. Existing tools either lack the flexibility to model various aerodynamic profiles or are difficult to use without specialized knowledge. By integrating robust 3D design capabilities into an intuitive user interface, ParamBlade allows engineers, researchers, and educators to prototype, optimize, and teach wind turbine blade aerodynamics with unparalleled ease.

[0007] The wind turbine blade design system's graphical user interface (GUI) offers an intuitive layout, allowing users to enter design parameters and view results. The main interface includes the following key elements:

[0008] • Alpha-CL and Aerodynamic Profile Navigation Fields: These fields allow you to download data files containing information on the lift coefficient (CL) and the respective aerodynamic profiles.

[0009] • Input parameter fields: The interface offers several fields for entering essential aerodynamic and operational parameters, such as: o Density (rho): Input of air density for aerodynamic calculations.

[0010] Generator Efficiency (eta g) and Drive Efficiency (eta d): Efficiency inputs for the generator and transmission. Power Coefficient (Cp): Power coefficient, representing the aerodynamic efficiency of the blade. Rated Wind Speed ​​(Vrated) and Power Output (Pout): Parameters for the target wind speed and desired power output. Design Tip Speed ​​Ratio (lambda d): Blade tip speed ratio, indicating the blade tip speed relative to the wind speed, crucial for optimizing blade design. Lift Coefficient (CL) and Angle of Attack (alpha): Aerodynamic properties of the blade. Number of Blades (b): Allows the user to specify the number of blades for the design.

[0011] • Calculate and Export Button: After entering the parameters, users can press this button to run the blade design calculation and export the generated 3D model.

[0012] This organized interface simplifies the data entry process, making it accessible to users with limited technical skills.

[0013] Method of embodying the invention

[0014] The wind turbine blade design system is implemented with a highly parameterized structure, allowing flexible customization for a variety of aerodynamic profiles. The main aspects of its implementation are described below:

[0015] Code structure and operation:

[0016] The system is structured in a modular fashion, facilitating the integration of new features and future updates. It reads user-uploaded data files containing the aerodynamic characteristics of selected airfoils as well as performance-related parameters, allowing for precise customization of blade design.

Claims

Setting and customizing aerodynamic profiles: The system allows users to select any aerodynamic profile and then adjust it based on input parameters such as lift coefficient, angle of attack, and other aerodynamic parameters. This high level of parameterization enables the design of custom blades optimized for specific operating conditions, making it suitable for research and development in wind energy applications. 3D model generation: Using the aerodynamic data and parameters provided, the system generates a 3D model of the wind turbine blade. This model is tailored to the user-defined parameters, including the blade shape, length, and twist angle. The 3D model can be exported for further analysis in a CAD or simulation system, making it a valuable tool for both academic and industrial applications. Algorithmic optimization: The system incorporates an optimization algorithm that allows users to balance parameters such as blade tip speed ratio, power output, and efficiency. This optimization process helps users refine their blade designs for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. User-friendly interface: The graphical interface simplifies the complex blade design process, making it accessible to users from diverse fields, including academia, research, and industry. This ease of use, combined with advanced customization options, fills a gap in current wind turbine design tools, which are often command-line based or lack flexibility. This level of accessibility and flexibility makes this system a powerful solution for advanced wind turbine blade design. Demands: 1 - Computer-aided design (CAD) system for modeling wind turbine blades, comprising: • A graphical user interface (GUI) allowing the input, interactive modification, and real-time visualization of the aerodynamic and structural parameters of the blades, including: o Lift coefficient (CL) o Angle of attack (alpha) o Air density (rho) o Blade tip speed ratio (lambda d) o Nominal wind speed (Vrated) o Power output (Pout) o Number of blades (b) o Geometric parameters such as the thickness factor • A 3D model generation module, using Matplotlib and Trimesh libraries for modeling and exporting blades in STL format, and compatible with STEP and IGES formats via third-party libraries; • An aerodynamic calculation engine, based on Blade Element Momentum Theory, allowing the calculation of lift, drag and bending moment of the blades; • An integrated optimization algorithm, configured to dynamically adjust design parameters, including blade length, twist and thickness, to maximize the power coefficient (Cp); • An export module, allowing the export of generated models to CFD simulation software (OpenFOAM, ANSYS) and additive manufacturing; A database of aerodynamic profiles, supporting the import of standard profiles (NACA), bio-inspired profiles and custom profiles in Excel (.xlsx) format. 2 - A computer-aided design method for a wind turbine blade, implemented by the system according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: • Selection and input of the aerodynamic and structural parameters mentioned in claim 1; • Automatic generation of a 3D model of the blade via the Matplotlib and Trimesh libraries; • Application of an optimization algorithm adjusting the length, twist and thickness of the blades in order to maximize the power coefficient (Cp); • Simulation of the aerodynamic performance of blades designed using blade element theory; • Export of the optimized model in a format compatible with CFD simulation or 3D printing. 3 - System according to claim 1, characterized in that the graphical user interface (GUI) integrates a real-time visualization of changes made to design parameters using the Matplotlib library. 4 - System according to claim 1, characterized in that it supports the import of blade profiles in the form of Excel files (.xlsx) containing “x / c” and “y / c” columns. 5 - System according to claim 1, characterized in that it supports the use of bio-inspired and experimental aerodynamic profiles in addition to standard NACA profiles. 6 - System according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a performance simulation engine enabling estimation of the power generated by a wind turbine equipped with the designed blades, according to the environmental conditions defined by the user. 7 - System according to claim 1, characterized in that it allows the export of models in different formats, including STL, and compatible with STEP and IGES formats for integration into CAD software. 8 - Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the optimization algorithm automatically adjusts the length, twist and thickness of the blades in order to maximize the power coefficient (Cp). 9 - Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the performance simulation includes an estimation of structural loads on the blade to optimize its mechanical resistance. 10- System according to claim 1, characterized in that it allows an estimation of the energy efficiency of a wind turbine as a function of simulated environmental conditions.

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