A foldable blade

Abstract

The application discloses a novel foldable blade, which comprises a blade body, the blade body is divided into a pressure surface and a suction surface, the blade body is a three-section structure, a folding structure is connected between every two adjacent blades, a locking structure is arranged on the end surface of every two adjacent blades, a folding area compensation structure is arranged on the suction surface, the folding structure is used for driving the blade body to fold or unfold, when the blade body is unfolded, the three-section blades form a linear shape, the end surfaces of every two adjacent blades are tightly attached to each other and are locked through the locking structure, when the blade body is folded, the two blades located at the two ends of the three-section blades are folded towards the suction surface of the blade located in the middle, forming a U-shaped structure, and the folding area compensation structure is used for preventing the suction surfaces of the two adjacent blades from colliding. The application can effectively shorten the length of the blade, reduce the load of the blade tip which is easy to be damaged, and guarantee the aerodynamic performance and structural safety of the blade.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to horizontal axis wind turbines, particularly high-power horizontal axis wind turbine blades, specifically a foldable blade. Background Technology

[0002] Wind power, as a high-quality renewable energy source, has seen vigorous development. Currently, wind power equipment is trending towards higher single-unit power, leading to a continuous increase in blade length. Traditional fiberglass composite materials have high density, resulting in increasing weight. However, fiberglass has a low modulus. When the blade length increases to a certain point, insufficient rigidity causes disturbances. These disturbances cause the blades to wobble during rotation, damaging bearings and motors, and in severe cases, even swishing against the tower, leading to serious accidents. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a folding blade that can effectively reduce blade length when shutting down due to excessive wind speed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a foldable blade that can effectively shorten the blade length, reduce the load on the easily damaged blade tip, and ensure windward aerodynamic performance and structural safety.

[0004] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution: A foldable blade, comprising a blade body, a folding structure, a locking structure, and a folding area compensation structure. The blade body is divided into a pressure surface and a suction surface. The blade body has a three-segment structure, with the folding structure connecting every two adjacent blade segments. The locking structure is provided on the corresponding end faces of every two adjacent blade segments, and the locking structure is located on the side closer to the pressure surface. The folding area compensation structure is provided on the suction surface. The folding structure is used to drive the blade body to fold or unfold. When the blade body is unfolded, the three blade segments form a straight line, and the corresponding end faces of every two adjacent blade segments are tightly pressed together and locked by the locking structure. When the blade body is folded, the two blade segments at both ends fold towards the suction surface of the blade in the middle, forming a U-shaped shape. The folding area compensation structure prevents collisions between the suction surfaces of adjacent blade segments.

[0005] Furthermore: the blade body includes a shell and support beams. The shell is a hollow structure. Three support beams are provided and fixed inside the shell. The three support beams are distributed parallel to each other at intervals. The front side of the shell is the pressure surface and the back side of the shell is the suction surface.

[0006] Furthermore, the three-section structure of the blade body includes a front blade, a middle blade, and a rear blade. After the blade body is folded, the included angle between the front blade and the middle blade is 90°, and the included angle between the rear blade and the middle blade is 90°.

[0007] Furthermore, the folding structure includes a triangular bracket, a hydraulic rod, and a hydraulic cylinder. The positions between the front blade and the middle blade, and between the middle blade and the rear blade, correspond to the triangular brackets. Each corner of each triangular bracket is movably fitted with a support shaft, which is fixed between two support beams. Two corners of the triangular bracket are respectively hinged to the hydraulic rod, which is mounted on the hydraulic cylinder. The housing of the hydraulic cylinder is hinged to a support plate, and the support plate is fixed to the support beam.

[0008] Furthermore, the triangular support has an equilateral triangle structure.

[0009] Further: The locking structure includes locking blocks, driving components, and locking pins. Locking blocks are distributed on both ends of the middle section blade and are fixed to the support beam. Locking holes are provided on the locking blocks, and these holes are compatible with the locking pins. Driving components are distributed on the end faces of the front section blade near the middle section blade and the rear section blade near the middle section blade. The driving components are fixed to the support beam and located on the side closest to the pressure surface. The driving components are connected to the locking pins. Limiting grooves are provided on the end walls of the support beam, corresponding to the locking pins and compatible with the locking blocks.

[0010] Furthermore: the drive assembly includes a locking motor and a lead screw, the output shaft of the locking motor is connected to the lead screw, the lead screw and the locking pin are connected by a threaded pair, and the outer periphery of the lead screw and the locking pin is covered with a housing.

[0011] Further: The folding area compensation structure includes a movable plate, a drive rod assembly, a distance sensor transmitter, and a distance sensor receiver. A first clearance notch is provided on the suction surface of the front blade, and the first clearance notch is located near the end of the middle blade. A second clearance notch is provided on the suction surface of the rear blade, and the second clearance notch is located near the end of the middle blade. A third clearance notch is provided on the suction surface of one end of the middle blade, and a fourth clearance notch is provided on the suction surface of the other end of the middle blade. The first clearance notch and the third clearance notch constitute clearance notch A, and the second clearance notch and the fourth clearance notch constitute clearance notch B. The movable plate is respectively arranged on clearance notch A and clearance notch B. The drive rod assembly is hinged to the inner wall of the movable plate and the support beam respectively. The distance sensor transmitter is respectively provided on the suction surface of the front blade and the suction surface of the rear blade. Two distance sensor receivers are provided on the movable plate, and the distance sensor transmitter and the distance sensor receiver correspond one-to-one.

[0012] Furthermore, the drive lever assembly is provided in three sets, and the three sets of drive lever assemblies are distributed parallel to each other at intervals.

[0013] Furthermore: Each set of drive rods includes a servo motor, two connecting rods, and a hinged arm. The two connecting rods are distributed parallel to each other. One end of each connecting rod is connected to the inner wall of the movable plate through the hinged arm, and the other end of each connecting rod is hinged to the support beam. The servo motor is mounted on the support beam, and one end of the connecting rod near the support beam is connected to the output shaft of the servo motor.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. By designing the blade body into a three-section structure, a folding structure is connected between every two adjacent blade sections, and a locking structure is installed on the corresponding end faces of every two adjacent blade sections. When the wind speed is too high and the machine needs to be stopped, the locking structure is first unlocked, allowing the adjacent blade sections to unlock. Then, the folding structure is controlled to drive the two blade sections at the two ends of the three blade sections to fold towards the suction surface of the blade in the middle, making the three blade sections of the blade body form a U-shape. This shortens the length of the blade body, thereby reducing the load on the easily damaged blade tip and ensuring the safety of the wind turbine structure. During folding, a folding area compensation structure prevents collisions at the angle between adjacent blade sections, avoiding damage to the blade body from collisions, reducing bumps during the folding process, and improving service life.

[0015] 2. By placing the movable plate on the suction surface, the pressure surface of the blade body can be kept intact, ensuring the aerodynamic performance in the wind. When the blade body is in the unfolded state, the locking structure tightly locks the two adjacent blade sections together, ensuring structural safety. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the folded state of the present invention. Figure 1 ; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the folded state of the present invention. Figure 2 ; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the folded state of the present invention. Figure 2 ; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention in its unfolded state; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view at point B; Figure 7 This is a structural decomposition diagram of the present invention in its unfolded state; Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the structure of the present invention in its unfolded state (with the movable plate removed). Figure 1 ; Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the structure of the present invention in its unfolded state (with the movable plate removed). Figure 2 ; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the locking structure of the present invention; Figure 11 This is an exploded view of the locking structure of the present invention; Figure 12 A simplified structural diagram of the invention in its unfolded state; Figure 13 This is a simplified structural diagram of the folded state of the present invention.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1-blade body, 2-folding structure, 3-locking structure, 4-folding area compensation structure, 5-pressure surface, 6-suction surface, 7-shell, 8-support beam, 9-front blade, 10-middle blade, 11-rear blade, 12-triangular bracket, 13-hydraulic rod, 14-hydraulic cylinder, 15-support shaft, 16-support plate, 17-locking block, 18-drive assembly, 19-locking pin, 20-locking hole, 21-limiting groove, 22-locking motor, 23-lead screw, 24-shell, 25-moving plate, 26-first clearance notch, 27-third clearance notch, 28-clearance groove A, 29-connecting rod, 30-hinged arm. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Figures 1 to 13 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a foldable blade provided by the present invention, including a blade body 1, a folding structure 2, a locking structure 3, and a folding area compensation structure 4. The blade body 1 is divided into a pressure surface 5 and a suction surface 6. The blade body 1 has a three-section structure. The folding structure 2 connects every two adjacent blade sections. The locking structure 3 is provided on the corresponding end face of every two adjacent blade sections, and the locking structure 3 is located on the side closer to the pressure surface 5. The folding area compensation structure 4 is provided on the suction surface 6. The folding structure 2 is used to drive the blade body 1 to fold or unfold. When the blade body 1 unfolds, the three blade sections form a straight line shape, and the corresponding end faces of every two adjacent blade sections are in close contact with each other and locked by the locking structure 3. When the blade body 1 is folded, the two blade sections at both ends of the three blade sections fold towards the suction surface 6 of the blade in the middle, forming a U-shaped shape. The folding area compensation structure 4 prevents the suction surfaces 6 of adjacent blade sections from colliding.

[0019] The blade body 1 includes a shell 7 and a support beam 8. The shell 7 is a hollow structure. There are three support beams 8, which are fixed inside the shell 7 and are distributed parallel to each other at intervals. The front of the shell 7 is the pressure surface 5, and the back of the shell 7 is the suction surface 6.

[0020] The three-section structure of the blade body 1 includes a front blade 9, a middle blade 10, and a rear blade 11. After the blade body 1 is folded, the included angle between the front blade 9 and the middle blade 10 is 90°, and the included angle between the rear blade 11 and the middle blade 10 is 90°.

[0021] When the wind speed is too high and the machine needs to be stopped, the locking structure 3 is unlocked, which unlocks the front blade 9 and the middle blade 10, and the middle blade 10 and the rear blade 11. Then, the folding structure 2 drives the front blade 9 to fold towards the suction surface 6 of the middle blade 10 and drives the rear blade 11 to fold towards the suction surface 6 of the middle blade 10, so that the front blade 9, the middle blade 10 and the rear blade 11 form a U-shaped structure, and the included angle between the front blade 9 and the middle blade 10 is 90°, and the included angle between the middle blade 10 and the rear blade 11 is 90°. During the folding process, the folding area compensation structure 4 prevents the suction surfaces 6 between the front blade 9 and the middle blade 10 and between the middle blade 10 and the rear blade 11 from colliding, thereby folding the blade body 1, which makes it easier to reduce the length of the blade body 1, thereby reducing the load on the easily damaged blade tip and ensuring the safety of the wind turbine structure.

[0022] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8The folding structure 2 includes a triangular bracket 12, a hydraulic rod 13, and a hydraulic cylinder 14. The positions between the front blade 9 and the middle blade 10, and between the middle blade 10 and the rear blade 11, are respectively equipped with triangular brackets 12. Each corner of each triangular bracket 12 is movably fitted with a support shaft 15. The support shaft 15 is fixed between two support beams 8. Two corners of the triangular bracket 12 are respectively hinged to hydraulic rods 13. The hydraulic rods 13 are set on the hydraulic cylinder 14. The housing 7 of the hydraulic cylinder 14 is hinged to the support plate 16. The support plate 16 is fixed on the support beam 8.

[0023] The tripod 12 has an equilateral triangle structure.

[0024] When the folding structure 2 drives the front blade 9 and the rear blade 11 to fold, the hydraulic cylinder 14 drives the hydraulic rods 13 to move. The two hydraulic rods 13 push the two corners of the triangular bracket 12, causing the front blade 9 and the rear blade 11 to rotate around the support shaft 15. This causes the front blade 9 to rotate 90° towards the suction surface 6 of the middle blade 10, and the rear blade 11 to rotate 90° towards the suction surface 6 of the middle blade 10, thus forming a U-shaped structure (as shown in the image). Figure 13 As shown in the figure, this reduces the length of the blade body 1.

[0025] When the folding structure 2 drives the front blade 9 and rear blade 11 to unfold, the hydraulic cylinder 14 drives the hydraulic rods 13 to move. The two hydraulic rods 13 push the two corners of the triangular bracket 12, causing the front blade 9 and rear blade 11 to rotate around the support shaft 15. This causes the front blade 9 to rotate 90° away from the suction surface 6 of the middle blade 10, and the rear blade 11 to rotate 90° away from the suction surface 6 of the middle blade 10, thus forming a straight line shape (e.g., ...). Figure 12 As shown), thus unfolding the blade body 1.

[0026] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 6 , Figure 10 and Figure 11The locking structure 3 includes a locking block 17, a drive assembly 18, and a locking pin 19. Locking blocks 17 are distributed on both ends of the middle section blade 10 and are fixed on the support beam 8. Locking holes 20 are provided on the locking blocks 17 and are adapted to the locking pins 19. Drive assemblies 18 are distributed on the end face of the front section blade 9 near the middle section blade 10 and the end face of the rear section blade 11 near the middle section blade 10. Drive assemblies 18 are fixed on the support beam 8 and located on the side near the pressure surface 5. Drive assemblies 18 are connected to the locking pins 19. Limiting grooves 21 are provided on the end wall of the support beam 8 and correspond to the locking pins 19. Limiting grooves 21 are adapted to the locking blocks 17.

[0027] The drive assembly 18 includes a locking motor 22 and a lead screw 23. The output shaft of the locking motor 22 is connected to the lead screw 23. The lead screw 23 and the locking pin 19 are connected by a threaded pair. The outer periphery of the lead screw 23 and the locking pin 19 is covered by a housing 24.

[0028] Before the blade body 1 is folded, the locking motor 22 drives the lead screw 23 to rotate. The rotation of the lead screw 23 drives the locking pin 19 to rise along the lead screw 23, thereby pulling the locking pin 19 out of the locking hole 20, thus unlocking the front blade 9 and the middle blade 10, and the rear blade 11 and the middle blade 10. After the blade body 1 is unfolded, the locking block 17 is inserted into the limiting groove 21, and the locking hole 20 on the locking block 17 corresponds to the locking pin 19. Then, the locking motor 22 drives the lead screw 23 to rotate. The rotation of the lead screw 23 drives the locking pin 19 to fall along the lead screw 23, thereby inserting the locking pin 19 into the locking hole 20 of the locking block 17, thus locking the front blade 9 and the middle blade 10, and the rear blade 11 and the middle blade 10.

[0029] The folding area compensation structure 4 includes a movable plate 25, a drive rod assembly, a distance sensor transmitter, and a distance sensor receiver. A first clearance notch 26 is provided on the suction surface 6 of the front blade 9, and the first clearance notch 26 is located near the end of the middle blade 10. A second clearance notch is provided on the suction surface 6 of the rear blade 11, and the second clearance notch is located near the end of the middle blade 10. A third clearance notch 27 is provided on the suction surface 6 at one end of the middle blade 10, and a third clearance notch 27 is provided on the suction surface 6 at the other end of the middle blade 10. Four clearance notches: the first clearance notch and the third clearance notch 27 form clearance notch A28, and the second clearance notch and the fourth clearance notch form clearance notch B. Movable plates 25 are respectively arranged on clearance notches A28 and clearance notches B. The drive rod assembly is hinged to the inner wall of the movable plate 25 and the support beam 8 respectively. Distance sensor transmitters are respectively set on the suction surface 6 of the front blade 9 and the suction surface 6 of the rear blade 11. Two distance sensor receivers are set on the movable plate 25, and the distance sensor transmitters and distance sensor receivers correspond one-to-one.

[0030] The first clearance notch 26 and the second clearance notch have the same structure, the third clearance notch 27 and the third clearance notch 27 have the same structure, and the clearance groove A28 and the clearance groove B have the same structure.

[0031] There are three sets of drive levers, which are distributed parallel to each other at intervals.

[0032] Each set of drive rods includes a servo motor, two connecting rods 29, and a hinge arm 30. The two connecting rods 29 are distributed in parallel to each other. One end of each connecting rod 29 is connected to the inner wall of the movable plate 25 through the hinge arm 30, and the other end of each connecting rod 29 is hinged to the support beam 8. The servo motor is mounted on the support beam 8, and one end of one connecting rod 29 near the support beam 8 is connected to the output shaft of the servo motor.

[0033] During the folding process of the blade body 1, the servo motor drives the connecting rod 29 to rotate counterclockwise. The rotation of the connecting rod 29 drives the movable plate 25 on the clearance groove A28 and clearance groove B to rise. At the same time, the movable plate 25 on the clearance groove A28 moves away from the interrupted blade, thereby causing the movable plate 25 to rise from the clearance groove A28, and at the same time, causing the positions of part of the movable plate 25 and the clearance groove A28 to be misaligned (e.g., Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, this avoids collisions caused by overlapping at the angle between the front blade 9 and the middle blade 10. Similarly, the movable plate 25 on the clearance groove B moves away from the middle blade 10, causing the movable plate 25 to rise from the clearance groove B. At the same time, the positions of part of the movable plate 25 and the clearance groove B are offset, thus avoiding collisions caused by overlapping at the angle between the rear blade 11 and the middle blade 10. During the process of the movable plate 25 rising and moving away from the middle blade 10, the distance sensor receiver on the front blade 9 sends a signal to the corresponding distance sensor receiver on the movable plate 25. When the distance measured by the distance sensor transmitter and the distance sensor receiver reaches the preset distance, it is determined that the front blade 9 has been folded to the preset angle position. At the same time, the distance sensor receiver on the rear blade 11 sends a signal to the corresponding distance sensor receiver on the movable plate 25. When the distance measured by the distance sensor transmitter and the distance sensor receiver reaches the preset distance, it is determined that the rear blade 11 has been folded to the preset angle position.

[0034] During the unfolding of the blade body 1, the servo motor drives the connecting rod 29 to rotate clockwise. The rotation of the connecting rod 29 drives the movable plate 25 to descend, simultaneously moving the movable plate 25 closer to the interrupted blade. This causes the movable plate 25 above the clearance groove A28 to cover the clearance groove A28, and the movable plate 25 on the clearance groove B to cover the clearance groove B, thereby resetting the movable plate 25 (e.g., ...). Figure 5 (As shown).

[0035] The above detailed description is a specific description of feasible embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent implementations or modifications that do not depart from the present invention should be included in the patent scope of this case.

Claims

1. A foldable blade, characterized in that: The device includes a blade body, a folding structure, a locking structure, and a folding area compensation structure. The blade body is divided into a pressure surface and a suction surface. The blade body has a three-section structure. The folding structure connects every two adjacent blade sections. The locking structure is provided on the corresponding end faces of every two adjacent blade sections, and the locking structure is located on the side closer to the pressure surface. The folding area compensation structure is located on the suction surface. The folding structure is used to drive the blade body to fold or unfold. When the blade body unfolds, the three blade sections form a straight line shape, and the corresponding end faces of every two adjacent blade sections are in close contact with each other and locked by the locking structure. When the blade body folds, the two blade sections at the two ends fold towards the suction surface of the blade in the middle, forming a U-shaped shape. The folding area compensation structure prevents the suction surfaces of adjacent blade sections from colliding. The blade body includes a shell and support beams. The shell is a hollow structure. Three support beams are provided and fixed inside the shell. The three support beams are distributed parallel to each other at intervals. The front of the shell is the pressure surface and the back of the shell is the suction surface. The three-section structure of the blade body includes a front blade, a middle blade, and a rear blade. After the blade body is folded, the included angle between the front blade and the middle blade is 90°, and the included angle between the rear blade and the middle blade is 90°. The folding area compensation structure includes a movable plate, a drive rod assembly, a distance sensor transmitter, and a distance sensor receiver. A first clearance notch is provided on the suction surface of the front blade, located near one end of the middle blade. A second clearance notch is provided on the suction surface of the rear blade, also located near one end of the middle blade. A third clearance notch is provided on the suction surface of one end of the middle blade, and a fourth clearance notch is provided on the suction surface of the other end of the middle blade. The first and third clearance notches form clearance groove A, and the second and fourth clearance notches form clearance groove B. The movable plate is respectively arranged on clearance groove A and clearance groove B. The drive rod assembly is hinged to the inner wall of the movable plate and the support beam, respectively. The distance sensor transmitter is respectively provided on the suction surface of the front blade and the suction surface of the rear blade. Two distance sensor receivers are provided on the movable plate, with each distance sensor transmitter and receiver corresponding to the other.

2. The foldable blade according to claim 1, characterized in that: The folding structure includes a triangular bracket, a hydraulic rod, and a hydraulic cylinder. The positions between the front blade and the middle blade, and between the middle blade and the rear blade, correspond to the triangular brackets. Each corner of each triangular bracket is movably fitted with a support shaft, which is fixed between two support beams. Two corners of the triangular bracket are hinged to the hydraulic rod, which is mounted on the hydraulic cylinder. The housing of the hydraulic cylinder is hinged to a support plate, which is fixed to the support beam.

3. The foldable blade according to claim 2, characterized in that: The triangular support has an equilateral triangle structure.

4. The foldable blade according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking structure includes locking blocks, drive components, and locking pins. Locking blocks are distributed on both ends of the middle section blade and are fixed to the support beam. Locking holes are formed on the locking blocks, and these holes are compatible with the locking pins. Drive components are distributed on the end faces of the front section blade near the middle section blade and the rear section blade near the middle section blade. These drive components are fixed to the support beam and located on the side closest to the pressure surface. The drive components are connected to the locking pins. Limiting grooves are formed on the end walls of the support beam, corresponding to the locking pins and compatible with the locking blocks.

5. A foldable blade according to claim 4, characterized in that: The drive assembly includes a locking motor and a lead screw. The output shaft of the locking motor is connected to the lead screw. The lead screw and the locking pin are connected by a threaded pair. The outer periphery of the lead screw and the locking pin is covered with a housing.

6. A foldable blade according to claim 4, characterized in that: The drive rod assembly consists of three sets, which are distributed parallel to each other at intervals.

7. A foldable blade according to claim 6, characterized in that: Each drive rod group includes a servo motor, two connecting rods, and a hinged arm. The two connecting rods are distributed parallel to each other. One end of each connecting rod is connected to the inner wall of the movable plate through the hinged arm, and the other end of each connecting rod is hinged to the support beam. The servo motor is mounted on the support beam, and one end of the connecting rod near the support beam is connected to the output shaft of the servo motor.

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