Lightning protection system for hectometer-level wind power blade

Abstract

The hectometer-level wind power blade lightning protection system comprises a blade tip shell, the blade tip shell comprises an SS face and a PS face opposite to the SS face, a blade tip metal net is laid at the end, close to the blade tip shell, of the SS face, and one end of the blade tip metal net is connected with the blade tip shell through a blade tip metal disc; the other end of the blade tip metal net is connected with a wire of the blade root lightning protection assembly through the grounding metal net assembly and the lightning arrester. The lightning arrester is mounted on the grounding metal base; the metal base is arranged in the blade tip shell and attached to the inner wall of the blade tip shell. The blade tip shell, the blade tip metal net and the wire of the whole lightning protection system are reliably connected through the grounding metal net assembly and the lightning arrester to form a conductive channel. According to the lightning protection system, reliable connection of the metal net, the blade tip and the wire is achieved, the structure is compact, the aerodynamic performance of the blade is not affected, large-current conduction is achieved, the positioning precision requirement during installation of the lightning arrester can be lowered, and the lightning protection reliability of the hectometer-level blade is improved to a greater extent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of lightning protection for wind power generation, and particularly to a lightning protection system for wind turbine blades with a length of one hundred meters. Background Art

[0002] With the development of large-scale wind turbines, the blade design is getting longer and has now fully entered the one-hundred-meter level. As the blade length increases, the tower will be taller, and the blade will be at a higher position with no surrounding obstacles, making it vulnerable to lightning strikes during thunderstorms. With the increase in blade length, the lightning attraction area increases accordingly, and the lightning strike probability in each area will increase during its operation. Therefore, a more reliable lightning protection system needs to be installed on the one-hundred-meter blades to prevent the blades from being damaged by lightning strikes.

[0003] Different from the lightning protection systems of ordinary blades including metal tips, lightning arresters, and conductors, the one-hundred-meter blades adopt a lightning protection system with an increased metal mesh. Usually, the metal mesh is laid at the 5m position of the blade tip, and then the metal mesh and the main conductor are connected through a down conductor, and branch lightning connection points are added within 25m of the blade tip. When the blade is struck by lightning, the current can be conducted to the main conductor through the surface metal mesh and the auxiliary lightning arrester and then drained to the lightning protection system of the entire wind turbine.

[0004] After retrieval, CN201910548662.5 discloses a lightning protection system for wind turbine blades, which includes a metal mesh I fixed on both sides of the wind turbine blade housing for conducting lightning. The laying area of each metal mesh I basically matches the main beam. One end of the metal mesh I near the blade root is connected to the ground wire to conduct lightning to the ground. A plurality of metal meshes II are overlapped at intervals on the metal mesh I. One end of the metal mesh II away from the metal mesh I is provided with a lightning arrester for conducting lightning. One end of the lightning arrester extending into the housing is connected to the main cable through a branch cable to realize the conduction of the metal mesh I and the main cable; a tip lightning arrester is provided at the tip of the wind turbine blade, and the main cable is respectively connected to the tip lightning arrester and the ground wire to conduct lightning to the ground through the ground wire. After being struck by lightning, this lightning protection system can conduct lightning through a double diversion channel of the metal mesh I and the main cable, avoiding the problem of the overall failure of the lightning protection system caused by the lightning strike fracture of the metal mesh I, and can more comprehensively ensure the safe operation of the blade.

[0005] CN202310579960.7 discloses a lightning protection system for an offshore carbon fiber wind turbine blade, which includes a metal mesh laid on the surface of the main beam of the wind turbine blade, a grounding copper mesh assembly, a blade root lightning protection assembly, and a lightning arrester; the grounding copper mesh assembly includes a lapped metal mesh and a metal disc welded to the lapped metal mesh, and the lapped metal mesh is arranged in contact with the metal mesh; the blade root lightning protection assembly includes a base and a down conductor, the lightning arrester is installed on the metal disc, and the lightning arrester includes a screw rod that penetrates the metal disc and is connected to the base; one end of the down conductor is connected to the base, and the other end is connected to the overall lightning protection system of the wind turbine; this carbon fiber wind turbine blade lightning protection system protects the carbon fiber main beam by covering the metal mesh on the outer surface of the carbon fiber main beam, and conducts lightning current from the metal mesh to the overall lightning protection system of the wind turbine through the metal mesh receiving lightning and conducting current, enabling the wind turbine blade to achieve lightning protection effect without affecting the aerodynamic performance of the blade and realizing the conduction of large current.

[0006] The above solution cannot meet the more reliable lightning protection requirements for the installation of 100-meter-class wind turbine blades. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention proposes a lightning protection system for 100-meter-class wind turbine blades. Through the setting and arrangement of the blade tip, metal mesh, blade root lightning protection assembly and lightning arrester, the reliable connection between the metal mesh and the blade tip and the wire is realized. The structure is compact, the aerodynamic performance of the blade is not affected, the conduction of large current is realized, the accuracy requirement for the positioning during the installation of the lightning arrester can be reduced, and the lightning protection reliability of the 100-meter-class blade is improved to a greater extent.

[0008] The technical means adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems are as follows: Disclose a lightning protection system for 100-meter-class wind turbine blades, which includes a blade tip housing. The blade tip housing includes an SS surface and a PS surface opposite to the SS surface. The SS surface is close to the end of the blade tip housing and is provided with a blade tip metal mesh. One end of the blade tip metal mesh is connected to the blade tip housing through a blade tip metal disc; the other end of the blade tip metal mesh is connected to the wire of the blade root lightning protection assembly through a grounding metal mesh assembly and a lightning arrester; the lightning arrester is installed on a grounding metal base; the metal base is arranged inside the blade tip housing and fits with the inner wall of the blade tip housing; the blade tip housing, the blade tip metal mesh and the wire of the entire lightning protection system are reliably connected through the grounding metal mesh assembly and the lightning arrester to form a conductive channel.

[0009] The lightning protection system for 100-meter-class wind turbine blades disclosed by the present invention effectively connects the metal mesh (copper mesh), lightning arrester, down conductor and grounding metal base through metal discs and grounding metal mesh assemblies to realize the conduction of large current.

[0010] The combination of the metal mesh (copper mesh) and the lightning arrester increases the lightning receiving area, improves the lightning protection reliability, and improves the lightning protection effect to a greater extent.

[0011] Furthermore, the metal disk is embedded in the outer surface of the SS surface. The tip metal disk is a metal disk with a thickness of 2 mm following the shape of the blade, which reduces the requirement for positioning accuracy. Embedding the metal disk in the SS surface makes the positioning more secure and the reliability in use stronger.

[0012] Furthermore, the grounding metal base includes an upper mounting surface that fits against the inner side of the SS surface and a lower mounting surface that fits against the inner side of the PS surface; both sides of the upper mounting surface and the lower mounting surface are respectively connected through the side surfaces; the entire grounding metal base is a trapezoidal aluminum alloy entity, and an insulating layer is provided on the outer layer.

[0013] Furthermore, the side surface is connected to the wire. The metal base is connected to the downlead through a branch wire, and the downlead is connected to the overall lightning protection system of the wind turbine.

[0014] Furthermore, the tip metal mesh laid on the tip housing covers the tip housing part, and a layer of continuous felt is laid on the surface of the tip metal mesh to form an integral body with the blade.

[0015] Furthermore, the tip housing is provided with a groove structure for installing the metal disk, so that the metal disk is placed at the end of the tip metal mesh and is simultaneously embedded in the tip housing.

[0016] Furthermore, the tip housing is an aluminum alloy tip housing, and the tip housing is connected to the metal disk embedded in the housing through screws, and then connected to the tip metal mesh.

[0017] Furthermore, the grounding metal mesh assembly includes a waist-shaped grounding metal disk and a grounding metal mesh. The waist-shaped grounding metal disk and the grounding metal mesh are welded and combined through a soldering tin sheet; the grounding metal mesh assembly is installed at the tail of the blade; the grounding metal mesh of the grounding metal mesh assembly is laid under the tip metal mesh, and its function is to connect the tip metal mesh and the main wire to form a path.

[0018] Furthermore, the tip metal mesh and the grounding metal mesh are multi-specification metal meshes. A large-gram metal mesh is used in the area 10 m before the tip, and a low-gram metal mesh is used at the position 10 m later.

[0019] Furthermore, the lightning arrester includes a T-shaped belt with a screw. On the waist-shaped grounding metal disk of the grounding metal mesh assembly, the T-shaped belt with a screw penetrates through the waist-shaped grounding metal disk and is then screwed into the base of the root lightning protection assembly. The design of the waist-shaped grounding metal disk increases the contact surface, and the arc shape can prevent sharp corner discharge.

[0020] A metal mesh with a length exceeding 3 meters is provided at the tip of the blade. The metal disk at the tip of the blade embedded in the metal mesh at the tip of the blade is connected to the tip housing by screws. By providing a grounding metal mesh assembly on the metal mesh at the tip of the blade, one end of the grounding metal mesh of the grounding metal mesh assembly is stacked on the metal mesh at the tip of the blade. A grounding metal disk is provided at the other end of the metal mesh of the grounding lightning protection assembly. A lightning arrester with a long screw is installed on the grounding metal disk and connected to the base of the end of the wire, thereby realizing the connection between the metal mesh and the main wire. By providing multiple branches on the downlead to increase the lightning receiving parts of the blade, the blade is effectively protected from lightning strikes.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The lightning protection system for the hundred-meter-class wind turbine blade of the present invention realizes the reliable connection between the metal mesh and the tip and the wire. The structure is compact, does not affect the aerodynamic performance of the blade, realizes the conduction of large current, can reduce the accuracy requirements for positioning during the installation of the lightning arrester, and improves the lightning protection reliability of the hundred-meter-class blade to a greater extent. Description of the Drawings

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the lightning protection system for the hundred-meter-class wind turbine blade described in the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 It is an internal cross-sectional view of the lightning protection system for the hundred-meter-class wind turbine blade described in the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the grounding metal component of the lightning protection system for the hundred-meter-class wind turbine blade described in the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the grounding copper mesh component of the lightning protection system for the hundred-meter-class wind turbine blade described in the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the tip metal disk of the lightning protection system for the hundred-meter-class wind turbine blade described in the present invention.

[0027] In the figure: 100 - blade tip, 101 - tip metal disk, 102 - lightning arrester, 103 - tip metal mesh, 104 - grounding metal base, 105 - wire, 106 - insulating layer, 300 - grounding metal mesh assembly, 301 - high-grammage copper mesh, 302 - low-grammage copper mesh, 303 - waist-shaped grounding metal disk, 304 - grounding metal mesh, 1041 - upper mounting surface, 1042 - lower mounting surface, 1043 - side surface. Detailed Embodiments

[0028] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Among them, the accompanying drawings are only for illustrative purposes, showing only schematic diagrams, not physical diagrams, and should not be construed as a limitation of this patent; in order to better illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, some components in the accompanying drawings will be omitted, enlarged or reduced, which do not represent the dimensions of the actual product; for those skilled in the art, it is understandable that some well-known structures and their descriptions in the accompanying drawings may be omitted. Embodiment 1

[0029] As Figures 1 - 5 shown, the lightning protection system for a hundred-meter wind power blade in this embodiment includes a tip housing 100. The tip blade is made of fiberglass composite material, and the tip housing is made of aluminum alloy. The tip metal mesh 103 laid on the tip housing 100 covers the part of the tip housing 100, and a layer of continuous felt is laid on the surface of the tip metal mesh 103 to form an integral body with the blade.

[0030] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the tip housing 100 includes an SS surface and a PS surface opposite to the SS surface. The tip metal mesh 103 is laid near the end of the tip housing 100 on the SS surface. One end of the tip metal mesh 103 is connected to the tip housing 100 through a tip metal disk 101; the other end of the tip metal mesh 103 is connected to the wire 105 of the root lightning protection component through a grounding metal mesh component 300 and a lightning arrester 102; the lightning arrester 102 is installed on a grounding metal base 104; the metal base 104 is arranged inside the tip housing 100 and fits with the inner wall of the tip housing 100; the tip housing 100, the tip metal mesh 103 and the wire 105 (which can be a down conductor or a branch wire) of the entire lightning protection system are reliably connected through the grounding metal mesh component 300 and the lightning arrester 102 to form a conductive path.

[0031] Preferably in this embodiment, the tip metal disk 101 embedded at the tip is a metal disk conforming to the shape of the tip housing 100, arranged at the tip position, and connected to the aluminum tip through a wire.

[0032] More specifically, the lightning arrester 102 includes a T-shaped belt with a screw. On the waist-shaped grounding metal disk 303 of the grounding metal mesh component 300, the T-shaped belt with a screw passes through the waist-shaped grounding metal disk 303 and is screwed into the base of the root lightning protection component.

[0033] The metal disk 101 is arranged to be embedded in the outer surface of the SS surface. The tip metal disk is a metal disk conforming to the shape of the blade with a thickness of 2 mm, reducing the requirement for positioning accuracy.

[0034] In this embodiment, as Figure 2As shown in the figure, the grounded metal base 104 includes an upper mounting surface 1041 that fits against the inner side of the SS surface and a lower mounting surface 1042 that fits against the inner side of the PS surface; both sides of the upper mounting surface 1041 and the lower mounting surface 1042 are respectively connected through the side surface 1043; the entire grounded metal base 104 is a trapezoidal aluminum alloy entity, and an insulating layer 106 is provided on the outer layer. The side surface 1043 is connected to the wire 105. The trapezoidal aluminum alloy entity can be effectively installed and clamped inside the blade tip housing 100, and the installation is stable and reliable.

[0035] The blade tip housing 100 is provided with a groove structure for installing the blade tip metal disc 101, so that the metal disc 101 is placed at the end of the blade tip metal mesh 103 and is embedded in the housing of the blade tip housing 100 at the same time. The blade tip housing 100 is an aluminum alloy blade tip, and the blade tip housing 100 is connected to the blade tip metal disc 101 embedded in the housing through screws, and then connected to the blade tip metal mesh 103.

[0036] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in FIGS. and, the grounded metal mesh assembly 300 includes a waist-shaped grounded metal disc 303 and a grounded metal mesh 304. The waist-shaped grounded metal disc 303 and the grounded metal mesh 304 are welded and combined through a soldering tin sheet; the grounded metal mesh assembly 300 is installed at the tail of the blade; the grounded metal mesh 304 of the grounded metal mesh assembly 300 is laid under the blade tip metal mesh 103, and its function is to connect the blade tip metal mesh 103 and the main wire to form a path.

[0037] Preferably, the grounded metal mesh assembly has a grounded metal disc with a thickness of 2 mm, a length of 200 mm, and a width of 100 mm, and the blade tip metal disc is a metal disc with a thickness of 2 mm that conforms to the shape of the blade. This setting can reduce the requirement for positioning accuracy.

[0038] In this embodiment, preferably, the blade tip metal mesh 103 and the grounded metal mesh 304 are multi-specification metal meshes. The large gram weight metal mesh 301 is used in the area 10 m before the blade tip, and the low gram weight metal mesh 302 is used at the position 10 m after. This operation saves costs as much as possible on the premise of ensuring the reliability of use.

[0039] In this embodiment, the wire of the blade root lightning protection component is poured or bonded on the web root at the inner cavity of the blade. Insulating sleeves are provided at each connection of the blade root lightning protection component to wrap the entire connection.

[0040] The lightning protection system for the hundred-meter-class wind turbine blade also includes three or more lightning arresters. One of the lightning arresters is installed on the grounded metal disc of the grounded metal mesh assembly. After the screw penetrates the metal disc, it is screwed into the base of the blade root lightning protection component. The top (flange) of the lightning arrester should be as close as possible to the grounded metal disc and the diameter of the screw of the lightning arrester should not be less than 35 mm to ensure sufficient contact area.

[0041] This lightning protection system realizes the reliable connection between the metal mesh, the blade tip and the conductor. It has a compact structure, does not affect the aerodynamic performance of the blade, can conduct large currents, reduces the accuracy requirements for positioning when installing the lightning arrester, and greatly improves the lightning protection reliability of blades at the 100-meter level.

[0042] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the present invention and not for limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the relevant technical fields can also make various changes or transformations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical solutions should also fall within the protection scope of the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention should be defined by each claim.

Claims

1. A 100-meter-class wind turbine blade lightning protection system, comprising a blade tip shell (100), wherein the blade tip shell (100) comprises a SS surface and a PS surface arranged opposite to the SS surface, characterized in that: A blade tip metal mesh (103) is laid on the SS surface near the end of the blade tip shell (100); one end of the blade tip metal mesh (103) is connected to the blade tip shell (100) via a blade tip metal plate (101); the other end of the blade tip metal mesh (103) is connected to the wire (105) of the blade root lightning protection component via a grounded metal mesh component (300) and a lightning receptor (102); the lightning receptor (102) is installed on a grounded metal base (104); the metal base (104) is arranged inside the blade tip shell (100) and is in contact with the inner wall of the blade tip shell (100); the blade tip shell (100), the blade tip metal mesh (103) and the wire (105) of the entire lightning protection system are reliably connected via the grounded metal mesh component (300) and the lightning receptor (102) to form a conductive channel.

2. The 100-meter-class wind turbine blade lightning protection system according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The metal plate (101) is arranged and embedded in the outer surface of the SS surface.

3. The 100-meter-class wind turbine blade lightning protection system according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The grounded metal base (104) comprises an upper mounting surface (1041) bonded to the inner side of the SS surface and a lower mounting surface (1042) bonded to the inner side of the PS surface; both sides of the upper mounting surface (1041) and the lower mounting surface (1042) are respectively connected by side surfaces (1043); the entire grounded metal base (104) is a trapezoidal aluminum alloy entity, and an insulating layer (106) is provided on the outer layer.

4. The 100-meter-class wind turbine blade lightning protection system according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The side surface (1043) is connected to the wire (105).

5. The 100-meter-class wind turbine blade lightning protection system according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The blade tip metal mesh (103) laid on the blade tip shell (100) covers the blade tip shell (100) portion, and a layer of continuous felt is laid on the surface of the blade tip metal mesh (103), so that the blade tip metal mesh (103) and the blade form a whole.

6. The 100-meter-class wind turbine blade lightning protection system according to claim 5 is characterized in that: The blade tip shell (100) is provided with a groove structure for installing the blade tip metal disk (101), so that the metal disk (101) is placed at the end of the blade tip metal mesh (103) and is pre-buried in the shell of the blade tip shell (100).

7. The 100-meter-class wind turbine blade lightning protection system according to claim 6 is characterized in that: The blade tip shell (100) is an aluminum alloy blade tip, and the blade tip shell (100) is connected to a tip metal plate (101) pre-buried in the shell by means of screws, and is further connected to the blade tip metal mesh (103).

8. The 100-meter-class wind turbine blade lightning protection system according to claim 7 is characterized in that: The grounding metal mesh assembly (300) comprises a waist-shaped grounding metal plate (303) and a grounding metal mesh (304), wherein the waist-shaped grounding metal plate (303) and the grounding metal mesh (304) are welded together by welding tin sheets; the grounding metal mesh assembly (300) is installed at the tail of the blade; the grounding metal mesh (304) of the grounding metal mesh assembly (300) is laid under the blade tip metal mesh (103), and its function is to connect the blade tip metal mesh (103) with the main conductor to form a passage.

9. The 100-meter-class wind turbine blade lightning protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The blade tip metal mesh (103) and the grounding metal mesh (304) are metal meshes of various specifications. A heavy-weight metal mesh (301) is used in the area 10 m in front of the blade tip, and a light-weight metal mesh (302) is used in the area 10 m behind the blade tip.

10. The 100-meter-class wind turbine blade lightning protection system according to claim 9 is characterized in that: The lightning receptor (102) comprises a T-shaped screw rod, which is on a waist-shaped grounding metal plate (303) of the grounding metal mesh assembly (300). The T-shaped screw rod penetrates the waist-shaped grounding metal plate (303) and is then screwed into the base of the blade root lightning protection assembly.

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