A lightning conductor connecting structure for a wind turbine blade

Abstract

This invention discloses a lightning protection conductor connection structure for wind turbine blades, comprising a fixing block and a slider. The fixing block is fixedly installed on the wind turbine blade and has a first end and a second end opposite each other along its length. The first end is connected to a first lightning protection conductor. The slider is movably installed on the fixing block and moves along the length of the fixing block. The side of the slider near the second end is connected to a second lightning protection conductor. Both the fixing block and the slider are made of conductive material. The lightning protection conductor connection structure for wind turbine blades provided by this invention achieves a flexible connection of the lightning protection conductor, effectively preventing breakage of the lightning protection conductor under long-term tension, thereby reducing the risk of failure of the wind turbine blade lightning protection system and improving the safety performance of wind turbine operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lightning protection technology for wind turbine blades, and more specifically to a connection structure for lightning protection conductors on wind turbine blades. Background Technology

[0002] Lightning strikes are a major cause of wind turbine failures and can even affect the safe operation of wind farms. Therefore, lightning protection systems are installed on wind turbine blades to prevent direct lightning strikes that could cause the blades to overheat, expand, crack, or become damaged.

[0003] In the existing technology, the main lightning protection line in the lightning protection system is straightened and fixed to the metal flange at the root of the blade from the starting position of the blade web. The main lightning protection line is connected to the lightning protection branch line. During the operation of the wind turbine, due to the inconsistency between the deformation of the conductor position and the deformation of the blade web area, the lightning protection branch line pulls on the main lightning protection line. Under long-term fatigue, the main lightning protection line will break, which will lead to the failure of the wind turbine blade lightning protection system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to propose a connection structure for the lightning protection conductor of wind turbine blades, which aims to solve the problem that the lightning protection conductor will break under long-term tension, leading to the failure of the lightning protection system of wind turbine blades.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a lightning protection conductor connection structure for wind turbine blades, comprising a fixing block and a slider. The fixing block is fixedly installed on the wind turbine blade and has a first end and a second end arranged opposite to each other along the length direction. The first end is connected to a first lightning protection conductor. The slider is movably installed on the fixing block and moves along the length direction of the fixing block. The side of the slider near the second end is connected to a second lightning protection conductor. Both the fixing block and the slider are made of conductive material.

[0006] Optionally, the fixing block is made of copper; and / or,

[0007] The slider is made of graphene.

[0008] Optionally, the top surface of the fixing block is provided with a sliding groove, which extends along the length direction of the fixing block and passes through the second end of the fixing block;

[0009] The slider is slidably installed within the groove.

[0010] Optionally, grooves are provided on both sides of the slide, each groove extends along the length of the fixing block, each groove has a first groove wall facing the slide and two second groove walls arranged opposite to each other, and the first groove wall of each groove is wavy.

[0011] The slider is provided with roller frames on both sides along the width direction of the fixed block. Each roller frame is rotatably mounted with a roller. Each roller is rolled in the corresponding groove and abuts against the first groove wall of the corresponding groove. Each roller frame can extend and retract along the width direction of the fixed block.

[0012] Optionally, the slider has mounting grooves on both sides corresponding to the rollers, and each mounting groove contains a first spring. One end of each first spring is connected to the mounting groove, and the other end is connected to the roller frame.

[0013] Optionally, the other end of each of the first springs is connected to the roller frame via a guide block, and the guide block and the mounting groove are slidably connected along the width direction of the fixing block.

[0014] Optionally, the ratio of the height difference between the crests and troughs of the first groove wall to the radius of the roller is 1:2; and / or,

[0015] The ratio of the distance between two adjacent wave crests on the first groove wall to the radius of the roller is 1.8:1.

[0016] Optionally, the lightning protection conductor connection structure for the wind turbine blades further includes:

[0017] A baffle, vertically fixed within the groove and positioned near the second end, has a first through hole for the second lightning protection conductor to pass through; and...

[0018] An elastic unit is located between the baffle and the slider, and its two ends are respectively connected to the baffle and the slider. The elastic unit can extend and retract along the length direction of the fixed block.

[0019] Optionally, the elastic unit includes multiple second springs and multiple sliding plates. The multiple second springs are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the fixed block, and each second spring is parallel to the length direction of the fixed block. A sliding plate is provided between two adjacent second springs. One end of the two outermost second springs is connected to the adjacent sliding plate, and the other end is connected to the slider or the baffle. The two ends of the remaining second springs are respectively connected to the adjacent sliding plates. Each sliding plate is vertically arranged and slidably connected to the groove along the length direction of the fixed block. Each slider has a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole for the second lightning protection wire to pass through.

[0020] Optionally, a first limiting hole is provided in the groove near the first end of the fixed block, and a second limiting hole is provided on the top surface of the slider. The second limiting hole communicates with the first limiting hole and can be connected by a pin so that the slider is positioned near the first end of the fixed block.

[0021] In the technical solution of the present invention, the second lightning protection conductor is connected to the first lightning protection conductor through the fixed block and the slider. When the second lightning protection conductor is pulled, the second lightning protection conductor will drive the slider to move along the length direction of the fixed block. Both the fixed block and the slider are made of conductive material so that the first lightning protection conductor and the second lightning protection conductor are electrically connected, thereby realizing the flexible connection of the lightning protection conductor. This can effectively prevent the lightning protection conductor from breaking under long-term pulling, thereby reducing the risk of failure of the lightning protection system of wind turbine blades and improving the safety performance of wind turbine operation. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the lightning protection conductor connection structure for wind turbine blades provided by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the central fixing block;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the middle slider;

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the connection between the side of the slider and the groove provided by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 A top view of yet another embodiment of the wind turbine blade lightning protection conductor connection structure provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 A top view of an embodiment of the slider provided by the present invention.

[0029] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0030]

[0031]

[0032] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0035] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0036] Lightning strikes are a major cause of wind turbine failures and can even affect the safe operation of wind farms. Therefore, lightning protection systems are installed on wind turbine blades to prevent direct lightning strikes that could cause the blades to overheat, expand, crack, or become damaged.

[0037] In the existing technology, the main lightning protection line in the lightning protection system is straightened and fixed to the metal flange at the root of the blade from the starting position of the blade web. The main lightning protection line is connected to the lightning protection branch line. During the operation of the wind turbine, due to the inconsistency between the deformation of the conductor position and the deformation of the blade web area, the lightning protection branch line pulls on the main lightning protection line. Under long-term fatigue, the main lightning protection line will break, which will lead to the failure of the wind turbine blade lightning protection system.

[0038] In view of this, the present invention proposes a connection structure for the lightning protection conductor of wind turbine blades, which realizes a flexible connection of the lightning protection conductor, effectively avoids the breakage of the lightning protection conductor under long-term tension, thereby reducing the risk of failure of the lightning protection system of wind turbine blades and improving the safety performance of wind turbine operation.

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the lightning protection conductor connection structure for wind turbine blades provided by the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the central fixing block; Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the middle slider; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the connection between the side of the slider and the groove provided by the present invention; Figure 5 A top view of yet another embodiment of the wind turbine blade lightning protection conductor connection structure provided by the present invention; Figure 6 A top view of an embodiment of the slider provided by the present invention.

[0040] In the embodiments of this invention, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 The wind turbine blade lightning protection conductor connection structure 1000 includes a fixing block 1 and a slider 2. The fixing block 1 is fixedly installed on the wind turbine blade. The fixing block 1 has a first end and a second end that are arranged opposite each other along the length direction. The first end is connected to a first lightning protection conductor 11. The slider 2 is movably installed on the fixing block 1. The slider 2 moves along the length direction of the fixing block 1. The side of the slider 2 near the second end is connected to a second lightning protection conductor 21. Both the fixing block 1 and the slider 2 are made of conductive material.

[0041] In the technical solution of the present invention, the second lightning protection conductor 21 is connected to the first lightning protection conductor 11 through the fixing block 1 and the slider 2. When the second lightning protection conductor 21 is pulled, the second lightning protection conductor 21 will drive the slider 2 to move along the length direction of the fixing block 1. Both the fixing block 1 and the slider 2 are made of conductive material so that the first lightning protection conductor 11 and the second lightning protection conductor 21 are electrically connected, thereby realizing the flexible connection of the lightning protection conductor. This can effectively avoid the lightning protection conductor from breaking under long-term pulling, thereby reducing the risk of failure of the lightning protection system of wind turbine blades and improving the safety performance of wind turbine operation.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, the fixing block 1 is made of copper, which is a high-quality conductive material with good conductivity, easy processing, and strong corrosion resistance. In some embodiments, the slider 2 is made of graphene, which is a high-quality conductive material with good conductivity, easy processing, and low density, which can greatly reduce the weight of the slider 2 and prevent the second lightning protection wire 21 from being unable to move the slider 2 when it is pulled due to excessive weight. It is understood that the non-conductive parts of the fixing block 1 and the slider 2 can be made of insulating materials to improve safety in use.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, the top surface of the fixing block 1 is provided with a sliding groove 12, the sliding groove 12 extends along the length direction of the fixing block 1 and passes through the second end of the fixing block 1; the slider 2 is slidably installed in the sliding groove 12. The sliding groove 12 serves as a guide for the slider 2, so that the slider 2 can move stably along the length direction of the fixing block 1; in addition, the sliding groove 12 passes through the second end of the fixing block 1, which can effectively prevent the movement of the slider 2 from being affected by the fixing block 1 interfering with the second lightning protection wire 21.

[0044] For some embodiments of the present invention, please refer to Figure 4 The slide groove 12 has grooves 121 on both sides. Each groove 121 extends along the length of the fixing block 1. Each groove 121 has a first groove wall 122 facing the slide groove 12 and two second groove walls arranged opposite to each other. The first groove wall 122 of each groove 121 is wavy.

[0045] The slider 2 is provided with roller frames 221 on both sides along the width direction of the fixed block 1. Each roller frame 221 is rotatably mounted with a roller 22. Each roller 22 is rolled in the corresponding groove 121 and abuts against the first groove wall 122 of the corresponding groove 121. Each roller frame 221 can extend and retract along the width direction of the fixed block 1.

[0046] When the second lightning protection conductor 21 is pulled, it will cause the slider 2 to move along the length direction of the fixed block 1. The rollers 22 located on the two sides of the slider 2 along the width direction of the fixed block 1 will roll along the first groove wall 122 of the wavy groove 121 under the action of the pulling force, providing a certain buffer for the slider 2. This effectively prevents the slider 2 from moving too far forward due to inertia under the pulling force of the second lightning protection conductor 21, which would cause the second lightning protection conductor 21 to bend significantly. This protects the second lightning protection conductor 21 and reduces the risk of damage to the second lightning protection conductor 21, thereby further reducing the risk of failure of the wind turbine blade lightning protection system. In addition, each roller frame 221 can extend and retract along the width direction of the fixed block 1, so that the rolling of the rollers 22 along the first groove wall 122 of the groove 121 does not affect the movement of the slider 2 along the length direction of the fixed block 1, thus enabling the slider 2 to move stably and smoothly along the length direction of the fixed block 1.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present invention, mounting grooves 23 are provided on both sides of the slider 2 corresponding to the roller 22. A first spring 231 is provided in each mounting groove 23. One end of each first spring 231 is connected to the mounting groove 23, and the other end is connected to the roller frame 221. The first spring 231 provides a telescopic force, allowing the roller frame 221 to extend and retract along the width direction of the fixed block 1. The structure is simple, and it is easy to select a first spring 231 with appropriate elasticity according to requirements, providing suitable buffering for the movement of the slider 2, which is beneficial to improving the protection effect on the second lightning protection conductor 21.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, the other end of each of the first springs 231 is connected to the roller frame 221 via a guide block 232. The guide block 232 is slidably connected to the mounting groove 23 along the width direction of the fixed block 1. The guide block 232 guides the first spring 231, allowing the first spring 231 to extend and retract stably along the width direction of the fixed block 1, thereby enabling the roller 22 to roll stably and smoothly along the first groove wall 122 of the groove 121, further ensuring the smoothness and stability of the slider 2's movement.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ratio of the height difference between the crests and troughs on the first groove wall 122 surface of the groove 121 to the radius of the roller 22 is 1:2, and the depth of the wavy troughs is more suitable, providing a more suitable buffer and further ensuring the protection effect on the second lightning protection conductor 21. In some embodiments, the ratio of the distance between two adjacent crests on the first groove wall 122 surface of the groove 121 to the radius of the roller 22 is 1.8:1, and the length of the wavy troughs is more suitable, providing a more suitable buffer and further ensuring the protection effect on the second lightning protection conductor 21. It can be understood that when the ratio of the height difference between the crests and troughs on the first groove wall 122 surface of the groove 121 to the radius of the roller 22 is 1:2, and the ratio of the distance between two adjacent crests on the first groove wall 122 surface of the groove 121 to the radius of the roller 22 is 1.8:1, the buffering provided is more suitable, and the protection effect on the second lightning protection conductor 21 is better.

[0050] For some embodiments of the present invention, please refer to Figure 5 The wind turbine blade lightning protection conductor connection structure 1000 further includes:

[0051] A baffle 3 is vertically fixed within the slide groove 12 and positioned near the second end. The baffle 3 has a first through hole for the second lightning protection conductor 21 to pass through.

[0052] The elastic unit 31 is located between the baffle 3 and the slider 2, and its two ends are respectively connected to the baffle 3 and the slider 2. The elastic unit 31 can extend and retract along the length direction of the fixed block 1.

[0053] The elastic unit 31 provides elastic force to the slider 2. Under the action of the elastic unit 31, the slider 2 can extend and retract along the length direction of the fixed block 1, which can keep the second lightning protection wire 21 in a straight state, thereby protecting the second lightning protection wire 21 and reducing the risk of breakage of the second lightning protection wire 21, and further reducing the risk of failure of the wind turbine blade lightning protection system. The baffle 3 acts as a limit to prevent the slider 2 from disengaging from the slide groove 12. At the same time, the first through hole on the baffle 3 can guide the second lightning protection wire 21, which can further ensure the movement of the slider 2 and reduce the damage at the connection between the second lightning protection wire 21 and the slider 2. In addition, the baffle 3 also provides an installation position for the elastic unit 31.

[0054] In some embodiments of the present invention, the elastic unit 31 includes a plurality of second springs 311 and a plurality of sliding plates 312. The plurality of second springs 311 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the fixed block 1, and each second spring 311 is parallel to the length direction of the fixed block 1. A sliding plate 312 is provided between two adjacent second springs 311. One end of the two outermost second springs 311 is connected to the adjacent sliding plate 312, and the other end is connected to the slider 2 or the baffle 3. The two ends of the remaining second springs 311 are respectively connected to the adjacent sliding plates 312. Each sliding plate 312 is vertically arranged and is slidably connected to the slide groove 12 along the length direction of the fixed block 1. Each slider 2 is provided with a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole for the second lightning protection wire 21 to pass through.

[0055] The multiple springs make the elastic force provided by the elastic unit 31 more uniform, which can further improve the protection effect on the second lightning protection wire 21. Each of the sliding plates 312 can guide the second spring 311, so that the elastic unit 31 can stably extend and retract along the length direction of the fixed block 1, thereby allowing the slider 2 to move stably and smoothly along the length direction of the fixed block 1. At the same time, the second through hole on each slider 2 can guide the second lightning protection wire 21, which can further ensure the movement of the slider 2 and further reduce the damage at the connection between the second lightning protection wire 21 and the slider 2. In addition, the multiple springs can be set in two groups, respectively located on both sides of the second lightning protection wire 21. The force of the elastic unit 31 is more stable, and it can effectively avoid the second spring 311 interfering with the second lightning protection wire 21 and affecting the movement of the slider 2.

[0056] For some embodiments of the present invention, please refer to Figure 6 The sliding groove 12 has a first limiting hole at its first end near the fixed block 1, and the top surface of the slider 2 has a second limiting hole 24. The second limiting hole 24 communicates with the first limiting hole and can be connected by a pin to position the slider 2 near the first end of the fixed block 1. When installing the wind turbine blade lightning protection conductor connection structure 1000, first align the second limiting hole 24 with the first limiting hole, then insert the pin to connect the slider 2 to the fixed block 1, so that the slider 2 has a maximum travel distance and will not move relative to the fixed block 1, which facilitates the installation of the lightning protection system. After installation, remove the pin and release the slider 2 so that the slider 2 can move along the length direction of the fixed block 1.

[0057] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lightning conductor connection structure for a wind turbine blade, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that include: A fixing block (1) is fixedly installed on a wind turbine blade. The fixing block (1) has a first end and a second end that are arranged opposite each other along the length direction. The first end is connected to a first lightning protection conductor (11). The slider (2) is movably mounted on the fixed block (1). The slider (2) moves along the length direction of the fixed block (1). The side of the slider (2) near the second end is connected to the second lightning protection wire (21). The fixing block (1) and the slider (2) are both made of conductive material; The top surface of the fixing block (1) is provided with a sliding groove (12), which extends along the length direction of the fixing block (1) and passes through the second end of the fixing block (1); The slider (2) is slidably installed in the groove (12); The slide (12) has grooves (121) on both sides. Each groove (121) extends along the length of the fixing block (1). Each groove (121) has a first groove wall (122) facing the slide (12) and two second groove walls arranged opposite to each other. The surface of the first groove wall (122) of each groove (121) is wavy. The slider (2) is provided with roller frames (221) on both sides along the width direction of the fixed block (1). Each roller frame (221) is rotatably mounted with a roller (22). Each roller (22) is rolled in the corresponding groove (121) and abuts against the first groove wall (122) of the corresponding groove (121). Each roller frame (221) can extend and retract along the width direction of the fixed block (1).

2. The wind turbine blade lightning conductor connection structure of claim 1, wherein, The material of the fixing block (1) includes copper; and / or, The slider (2) is made of graphene.

3. The wind turbine blade lightning conductor connection structure of claim 1, wherein, The slider (2) has mounting grooves (23) on both sides corresponding to the roller (22). Each mounting groove (23) is provided with a first spring (231). One end of each first spring (231) is connected to the mounting groove (23), and the other end is connected to the roller frame (221).

4. The wind turbine blade lightning conductor connection structure of claim 3, wherein, The other end of each of the first springs (231) is connected to the roller frame (221) via a guide block (232), and the guide block (232) and the mounting groove (23) are slidably connected along the width direction of the fixing block (1).

5. The wind turbine blade lightning conductor connection structure according to claim 1, wherein, The ratio of the height difference between the crests and troughs of the first groove wall (122) of the groove (121) to the radius of the roller (22) is 1:2; and / or, The ratio of the distance between two adjacent wave crests on the first groove wall (122) of the groove (121) to the radius of the roller (22) is 1.8:

1.

6. The wind turbine blade lightning conductor connection structure of claim 1, wherein, The wind turbine blade lightning protection conductor connection structure (1000) also includes: A baffle (3) is vertically fixed in the groove (12) and located near the second end. The baffle (3) has a first through hole for the second lightning protection conductor (21) to pass through. The elastic unit (31) is located between the baffle (3) and the slider (2), and its two ends are respectively connected to the baffle (3) and the slider (2). The elastic unit (31) can extend and retract along the length direction of the fixed block (1).

7. The wind turbine blade lightning conductor connection structure of claim 6, wherein, The elastic unit (31) includes multiple second springs (311) and multiple sliding plates (312). The multiple second springs (311) are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the fixed block (1), and each second spring (311) is parallel to the length direction of the fixed block (1). The sliding plate (312) is provided between two adjacent second springs (311). One end of the two outermost second springs (311) is connected to the adjacent sliding plate (312), and the other end is connected to the slider (2) or the baffle (3). The two ends of the remaining second springs (311) are respectively connected to the adjacent sliding plates (312). Each sliding plate (312) is vertically arranged and is slidably connected to the slide groove (12) along the length direction of the fixed block (1). Each slider (2) is provided with a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole for the second lightning protection wire (21) to pass through.

8. The wind turbine blade lightning conductor connection structure according to claim 1, wherein, The slide groove (12) is provided with a first limiting hole at the first end near the fixed block (1), and the top surface of the slider (2) is provided with a second limiting hole (24). The second limiting hole (24) is connected to the first limiting hole and can be connected by a pin so that the slider (2) is positioned near the first end of the fixed block (1).

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