Wind turbine generator blade lightning conductor and application method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of wind power generation, and discloses a wind turbine generator blade lightning conductor and an application method thereof.The wind turbine generator blade lightning conductor comprises an annular metal fastener, the metal fastener is connected with at least two grounding cables, the connecting points of the grounding cables and the metal fastener are evenly distributed on the metal fastener in the circumferential direction, and a connecting structure is arranged on the inner side of the metal fastener. The problem that wind turbine blades are damaged due to the fact that current cannot be led out in time after the wind turbine blades are struck by lightning can be solved, the lightning conductor can be applied to wind turbines in coastal areas to serve as a lightning conductor, and the probability that the blades are damaged by lightning is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of wind power generation, and in particular to a lightning protection wire for blades of a wind turbine generator set and an application method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Wind turbines work in the natural environment and are extremely susceptible to lightning. Therefore, lightning protection technology is crucial for the safe operation of wind turbines. The highest part of a wind turbine is the highest height of the blades. When the blades reach their highest height, they can be regarded as lightning rods that form a lightning channel. This is currently the most damaging situation for wind turbines worldwide. Typical consequences of blade lightning strikes include blade cracking, burn damage to the surface of composite materials, and burning and melting of metal parts. In addition, when lightning forms an arc inside the blade, the damage to the blade is most serious and may cause the blade to burst.

[0003] Existing lightning protection technologies for wind turbines mostly use a lightning tower installed on the top or tail of the wind turbine chassis, connecting the lightning tower to the ground through a wire. When lightning strikes, the lightning is attracted by the lightning tower and then led into the underground through the wire. The wire used is a conventional wire, and due to the large size of wind turbine blades, the wind turbine blades are usually higher than the lightning tower when they reach the top, making it difficult to ensure that every lightning strike will hit the lightning tower. There are still cases where wind turbine blades are struck by lightning, and there are still cases where the current cannot be discharged in time after being struck by lightning, causing damage to the wind turbine blades. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention is intended to provide a lightning protection conductor for wind turbine blades to solve the problem that the wind turbine blades are damaged due to the failure to conduct the current in time after the wind turbine blades are struck by lightning.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a wind turbine blade lightning protection wire, comprising an annular metal fastener, to which at least two grounding cables are connected, the connection points between the grounding cables and the metal fastener are evenly distributed on the metal fastener along the circumferential direction, and a connecting structure is provided on the inner side of the metal fastener.

[0006] Preferably, as an improvement, two grounding cables are connected to the metal fastener, and the two grounding cables are symmetrically distributed.

[0007] Preferably, as an improvement, one end of the grounding cable is connected to the metal fastener through a metal crimping joint, and the other end of the grounding cable is grounded.

[0008] Preferably, as an improvement, the outer peripheral surface of the metal fastener and the crimping portion of the grounding cable are both covered with an insulating layer.

[0009] Preferably, as an improvement, the connection structure is a thread formed on the inner side of the metal fastener.

[0010] Preferably, as an improvement, the conductor of the grounding cable is a tinned conductor.

[0011] Preferably, as an improvement, the insulating layer is a modified polyurethane material layer.

[0012] The principles and advantages of this solution are: in actual application, the metal fastener serves as a lightning protection conductive support structure coaxially connected to the wind turbine blade, and can be fastened and installed on the non-rotating axis of the wind turbine blade through threads. The grounding cable serves as a conductor to introduce lightning into the underground. The grounding cable and the metal fastener are compressed and connected by a metal crimping joint to ensure smooth conduction. The connection points of the grounding cable on the metal fastener are evenly and symmetrically distributed to ensure the stability of the metal fastener installed on the non-rotating axis of the wind turbine blade. The use of at least two grounding cables can not only ensure the lightning protection and conductivity of the wind turbine blade, but also ensure that the lightning protection conductor itself is not damaged by lightning.

[0013] Metal fasteners are connected to the non-rotating shaft of the wind turbine blades. The inner circumferential surfaces of the metal fasteners are all conductive contact surfaces. When lightning strikes the blades, the lightning conductor can quickly conduct the lightning energy to the ground, reducing the damage to the wind turbine blades. In addition to protecting the wind turbine blades from lightning strikes, two or more grounding cables also have lightning protection functions. If the lightning strike is not conducted in time, it will damage the lightning conductor itself. By establishing a good grounding system, the charge can be released in time to prevent damage to the equipment struck by lightning, and the lightning charge can be effectively eliminated.

[0014] Tin-plated conductors are used to resist salt corrosion on the sea surface, and long-term use does not affect its lightning protection function. The connection part uses modified polyurethane material, which has excellent insulation performance, mechanical strength, and elongation performance, and is highly adaptable to the influence of the external environment during the operation of the wind turbine.

[0015] A method for applying a lightning conductor to a blade of a wind turbine generator set comprises connecting a metal fastener to a non-rotating shaft of a blade of the wind turbine generator set by using inner threads, and connecting the free end of a grounding cable to a grounding system of the wind turbine generator set.

[0016] Preferably, as an improvement, it is applied to wind turbines on islands and coasts.

[0017] By using an annular metal fastener as the connection end, two or more tinned conductor grounding cables are grounded and conductive, and the modified polyurethane material is used as insulation. When applied to the non-rotating shaft of the wind turbine blade, it can provide excellent lightning protection for the wind turbine blade, so that the charge can be released in time, preventing the equipment struck by lightning from being damaged, and effectively eliminating the lightning charge. It can effectively resist salt corrosion when used in coastal areas, and its lightning protection function will not be affected by long-term use. With excellent insulation performance, mechanical strength, and elongation performance, it can strongly adapt to the influence of the external environment during the operation of the wind turbine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following is further described in detail through specific implementation methods:

[0020] The reference numerals in the drawings of the specification include: a metal fastener 1, a grounding cable 2, an insulating layer 3, and an internal thread 4.

[0021] Embodiment 1, basically as attached Figure 1 As shown: A lightning conductor for wind turbine blades, including an annular metal fastener 1, two grounding cables 2 are connected to the metal fastener 1 by a metal crimping joint, the connection points of the two grounding cables 2 and the metal fastener 1 are symmetrically distributed on the metal fastener 1, one end of the grounding cable 2 is connected to the metal fastener 1 by a metal crimping joint, the other end of the grounding cable 2 is grounded, and the conductor of the grounding cable 2 is a tinned conductor. An internal thread 4 is provided on the inner side of the metal fastener 1 as a connection structure. The outer peripheral surface of the metal fastener 1 and the crimping part of the grounding cable 2 are both coated with an insulating layer 3, and the insulating layer 3 is a modified polyurethane material layer.

[0022] The specific implementation process is as follows: the production and assembly of the lightning conductor is completed in advance in the factory, the specifications of the grounding cable 2 are selected according to the rated voltage level of the wind power system, and the two tinned conductor grounding cables 2 are pressed and fixed on the metal fastener 1 with a metal crimping joint, and then the melted modified polyurethane material is poured on the outer peripheral surface of the metal fastener 1 and the metal crimping part, and the modified polyurethane material is solidified to form a lightning conductor product. The metal fastener 1 in the lightning conductor product is used as an installation connection structure, which is installed on the non-rotating shaft of the wind turbine blade, and is fastened and installed through the inner internal thread 4, and the free end of the grounding wire is connected to the grounding system of the wind turbine. In thunderstorm weather, lightning strikes the blades of the wind turbine, and the lightning enters the metal fastener 1 through the blades and the non-rotating shaft, and then is introduced into the ground through the grounding cable 2. The inner circumferential surface and thread of the metal fastener 1 ensure smooth conduction of lightning, which can quickly conduct lightning energy to the ground and reduce the damage of lightning to the wind turbine blades. In addition to protecting the wind turbine blades from lightning strikes, the turbine also has lightning protection capabilities to prevent damage to the lightning conductors due to untimely lightning conduction.

[0023] Embodiment 2, a method for applying a lightning conductor for a wind turbine blade, is applied to wind turbines on islands and coasts. The metal fastener 1 is connected to the non-rotating shaft of the wind turbine blade using the inner thread, and the free end of the grounding cable 2 is connected to the grounding system of the wind turbine.

[0024] The use of tinned conductors can resist salt corrosion on the sea surface, and long-term use will not affect its lightning protection function. The connection is made of modified polyurethane material, which has excellent insulation performance, mechanical strength, and elongation performance, and is highly adaptable to the influence of the external environment during the operation of the wind turbine.

[0025] The above is only an embodiment of the present invention, and the common knowledge such as the known specific technical solutions and / or characteristics in the solution is not described in detail here. It should be pointed out that for those skilled in the art, without departing from the technical solution of the present invention, several modifications and improvements can be made, which should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention, and these will not affect the effect of the implementation of the present invention and the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection required by this application shall be based on the content of its claims, and the specific implementation methods and other records in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A lightning conductor for wind turbine blades, characterized in that: It comprises an annular metal fastener, to which at least two grounding cables are connected, the connection points between the grounding cables and the metal fastener are evenly distributed on the metal fastener along the circumferential direction, and a connection structure is arranged inside the metal fastener.

2. A wind turbine blade lightning conductor according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two grounding cables are connected to the metal fastener, and the two grounding cables are symmetrically distributed.

3. A wind turbine blade lightning conductor according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the grounding cable is connected to the metal fastener through a metal crimping joint, and the other end of the grounding cable is grounded.

4. A wind turbine blade lightning conductor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer peripheral surface of the metal fastener and the grounding cable crimping position are both covered with an insulating layer.

5. A wind turbine blade lightning conductor according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connection structure is a thread formed on the inner side of the metal fastener.

6. A wind turbine blade lightning conductor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The conductor of the grounding cable is a tinned conductor.

7. A wind turbine blade lightning conductor according to claim 6, characterized in that: The insulating layer is a modified polyurethane material layer.

8. The method for applying a lightning conductor for wind turbine blades according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The metal fastener is connected to the non-rotating shaft of the wind turbine blade using the inner thread, and the free end of the grounding cable is connected to the grounding system of the wind turbine.

9. The method for applying a lightning conductor to a wind turbine blade according to claim 8, characterized in that: Applicable to wind turbines on islands and coasts.

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