Lightning protection system for a wind turbine

By installing a high-insulation-voltage down-conductor cable and electrical connector on the inner side of the wind turbine blade, the lightning strike current is distributed, solving the problem of unreliable current path in the prior art, reducing the risk of damage to conductive components, and optimizing current distribution.

CN116195154BActive Publication Date: 2026-05-26VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS
Filing Date
2021-07-26
Publication Date
2026-05-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In existing wind turbine lightning protection systems, lightning current may damage components when it passes through the conductive parts of the blades, and the current path is difficult to predict and simulate, resulting in unreliable current distribution.

Method used

Downward conductor cables are installed on the inner part of the wind turbine blade. The first part of the cable is close to the root end and has a higher insulation breakdown voltage than the second part of the cable. The current is distributed to multiple inner downward conductor cables through diverging and converging electrical connectors and is spaced apart from conductive parts.

Benefits of technology

It reduces the potential difference between the lightning protection system and the conductive parts of the blade, reduces the possibility of current passing through unpredictable paths, reduces the risk of component damage, and allows the use of smaller diameter cables.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN116195154B_ABST
    Figure CN116195154B_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A wind turbine blade includes a lightning protection system at least partially disposed in an inner portion of the blade. The lightning protection system includes a down conductor cable having a root and a tip, the root and tip being insulators with different electrical breakdown voltages. The lightning protection system may include: a down conductor cable portion and support members to hold the cable portion in free space near or on the ridge of the airfoil section of the blade, such that the cable portion is spaced apart from at least one conductive structural member; and / or multiple inner down conductor cables and radiating electrical connectors.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art