Deicing system for wind power blade

Abstract

The invention discloses a wind power blade deicing system which comprises a conductive heating coating layer and an insulating layer, the conductive heating coating layer is laid on the surface of a wind power blade, and the insulating layer is laid on the surface of the conductive heating coating layer; the conductive heating coating layer is connected with a power module, the power module is connected with a controller, and the controller is used for controlling the output power of the power module so as to control the heating amount of the conductive heating coating layer. The technology of the conductive heating coating layer and the insulating layer is adopted, the base material and the wind power blade are easy to combine, the structure is extremely simple, the total interlayer thickness is about 0.07 mm, additional equipment of the wind power blade is reduced, the influence of mechanical stress and temperature stress on the wind power blade is effectively reduced, the use cost is low, the deicing efficiency is high, and the service life of the wind power blade is prolonged. And the safety and the reliability are high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of wind power generation, and in particular relates to a wind turbine blade deicing system. Background Art

[0002] Wind turbine blades are one of the core components of a wind turbine, responsible for capturing wind energy and converting it into mechanical kinetic energy, which drives the generator to generate electricity. Comprised of a casing, main beam, and web, wind turbine blades range in length from tens to hundreds of meters. With the advancement of wind power technology, blade length continues to increase to capture more wind energy and improve power generation efficiency.

[0003] In cold and humid environments, wind turbine blades are prone to icing. Blade icing alters the blades' aerodynamic properties, reducing power generation. Mild icing can cause output power to drop by 5-15%, while severe icing can cause torque to drop to zero, causing the turbine to shut down. It also lowers the blade's natural frequency, bringing it closer to the turbine's system resonant frequency and increasing the risk of resonance. Furthermore, the unbalanced bending moment generated within the blade's rotating plane is transmitted to the tower base, increasing the load amplitude in the left-right direction and equivalent fatigue load. Furthermore, low temperatures affect lubricant fluidity, increasing mechanical wear, and severely impacting the turbine's power generation efficiency and service life. It can even lead to serious safety incidents such as blade breakage.

[0004] To solve the problem of blade icing, a variety of de-icing technologies have been developed, mainly including: Mechanical de-icing, such as manually breaking up the ice using an operating platform or using centrifugal or vibration methods to remove the ice, is inefficient, labor-intensive, and unsafe when working at height. Furthermore, improper operation can damage the blades, affecting their structural integrity and aerodynamic performance.

[0005] Electric heating de-icing removes ice by placing heating elements on the blade surface, raising the blade surface temperature to above 0°C. However, traditional resistance wire heating systems consume extremely high power, reaching up to 10% of the blade's power generation, resulting in excessive energy consumption. While new carbon fiber heating films and other technologies can reduce energy consumption through zoned temperature control, the cost is high, and the durability and stability of materials such as carbon fiber in complex environments require further verification. Furthermore, electric heating de-icing faces the challenge of lightning protection. Heating materials such as metal wire and carbon fiber are prone to attracting lightning, potentially causing serious damage to the wind turbine.

[0006] Gas-heat deicing heats the air inside the blades and then transfers the heat to the outer surface to remove ice. However, because wind turbine blades are mostly made of fiberglass, which has poor thermal conductivity, this results in low heat transfer efficiency and high heat loss. Blades longer than 60 meters also face power bottlenecks, making it difficult to meet the deicing needs of large blades. Furthermore, the water film generated during gas-heat deicing can refreeze on the trailing edge of the blade, compromising the deicing effect.

[0007] Anti-icing coatings are applied to blade surfaces to reduce ice adhesion. However, the coating's lifespan and durability are limited. In complex outdoor environments, the coating easily wears out and ages, leading to a gradual decline in its anti-icing effectiveness. Furthermore, anti-icing coatings alone cannot completely prevent blade icing; they can only delay icing and reduce its amount to a certain extent.

[0008] In addition, some cutting-edge technological achievements, such as wall-climbing robots and drones, have the problem of high costs when applied to de-icing and anti-icing operations of wind turbines. At the same time, they are greatly disturbed by external factors such as wind and airflow when operating at high altitudes, and their operation stability is poor. Safety cannot be effectively guaranteed. Once a collision occurs, it may cause huge economic losses to the wind turbine.

[0009] In summary, existing wind turbine blade de-icing device technologies have varying degrees of problems in terms of efficiency, energy consumption, cost, safety, and reliability. There is an urgent need to develop more efficient, economical, safe, and reliable de-icing technologies and devices to meet the growing needs of the wind power industry. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a wind turbine blade deicing system to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: a wind turbine blade deicing system, comprising a conductive heating coating layer and an insulating layer, wherein the conductive heating coating layer is arranged on the surface of the wind turbine blade, and the insulating layer is laid on the surface of the conductive heating coating layer; the conductive heating coating layer is connected to a power module, and the power module is connected to a controller, and the controller is used to control the output power of the power module to control the heat generation of the conductive heating coating layer.

[0012] As an optional implementation of the above technical solution, the conductive heating coating layer includes conductive paint, and the conductive paint is applied on the wind turbine blade.

[0013] As an optional implementation of the above technical solution, the spiral pitch of the conductive paint gradually decreases from the root of the wind turbine blade to the tip of the blade.

[0014] As an optional implementation of the above technical solution, the thickness of the conductive paint is 0.025mm-0.05mm.

[0015] As an optional implementation of the above technical solution, the conductive paint is copper-based conductive paint, nickel-based conductive paint or silver-based conductive paint.

[0016] As an optional implementation of the above technical solution, the insulating layer includes corrosion-resistant insulating paint, and the corrosion-resistant insulating paint is coated on the surface of the conductive heating paint layer.

[0017] As an optional implementation of the above technical solution, the thickness of the corrosion-resistant insulating paint is 0.025mm-0.03mm.

[0018] As an optional implementation scheme of the above technical solution, the controller is connected to a temperature detection device, which is used to detect the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade. When the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade is lower than 0°C, the controller increases the output power of the power module and increases the heat generation of the conductive heating coating layer; when the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade reaches 5°C, the controller reduces the output power of the power module and reduces the heat generation of the conductive heating coating layer.

[0019] As an optional implementation of the above technical solution, the power module is connected to a conductive slip ring, which is installed between the main shaft and the hub of the wind turbine, and a flexible cable is connected between the conductive slip ring and the conductive heating coating layer.

[0020] As an optional implementation of the above technical solution, the flexible cable is equipped with a cable guide mechanism and a tension adjustment mechanism. The cable guide mechanism is used to adjust the direction of the flexible cable, and the tension adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the tension state of the flexible cable.

[0021] As an optional implementation of the above technical solution, a waterproof sealing structure is provided at the connection between the conductive slip ring and the flexible cable.

[0022] As an optional implementation of the above technical solution, a backup power supply is provided inside the wheel hub, and the backup power supply is connected to the conductive heating coating layer.

[0023] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: The present invention adopts the technology of conductive heating coating layer and insulation layer. Its substrate and wind turbine blade are easy to combine, and the structure is extremely simple. The total thickness between layers is about 0.07mm, which reduces the additional equipment of the wind turbine blade and effectively reduces the impact of mechanical stress and temperature stress on the wind turbine blade. It also has low cost, high deicing efficiency, and high safety and reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a wind turbine blade deicing system according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the layout structure of the conductive heating coating layer and the insulating layer in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a control block diagram of a wind turbine blade deicing system in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In the figure: 1-conductive heating coating layer; 2-insulating layer; 3-wind turbine blade; 4-power module; 5-controller; 6-temperature detection device; 7-backup power supply. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] like Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a wind turbine blade deicing system, comprising a conductive heating coating layer 1 and an insulating layer 2. The conductive heating coating layer 1 is spirally applied to the surface of a wind turbine blade 3. When energized, the conductive heating coating layer 1 generates heat, thereby removing ice from the surface of the wind turbine blade 3. The insulating layer 2 is applied to the surface of the conductive heating coating layer 1 to provide protection for the conductive heating coating layer 1. The conductive heating coating layer 1 is connected to a power module 4, which is connected to a controller 5. The controller 5 is used to control the output power of the power module 4, thereby controlling the heat generation of the conductive heating coating layer 1.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, to facilitate temperature control of the wind turbine blade 3, the controller 5 is connected to a temperature detection device 6 for detecting the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade 3. The temperature detection device 6 includes a temperature sensor disposed on the surface of the wind turbine blade 3. When the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade 3 is below 0°C, the controller 5 increases the output power of the power module 4, thereby increasing the heat generated by the conductive heating coating layer 1. When the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade 3 reaches 5°C, the controller 5 decreases the output power of the power module 4, thereby reducing the heat generated by the conductive heating coating layer 1.

[0028] Specifically, the conductive heating coating layer 1 comprises conductive paint, which is applied in a spiral pattern to the wind turbine blade 3. Preferably, the spiral pitch of the conductive paint gradually decreases from the root of the wind turbine blade 3 toward the tip. The conductive paint is applied in a spiral pattern, but unlike uniform spiral winding, the spiral pitch of the conductive paint gradually decreases from the root of the wind turbine blade 3 toward the tip. Specifically, the spiral pitch is larger at the root of the wind turbine blade 3 and smallest at the tip. Because the blade tip experiences a faster linear velocity and greater friction with the air during wind turbine operation, heat dissipation is more likely to occur. By increasing the amount of conductive paint applied at the blade tip, heat generation in this area can be increased, compensating for heat loss, ensuring a uniform temperature across the entire blade 3, and effectively preventing ice formation at the blade tip due to low temperatures. The thickness of the conductive paint is 0.025 mm to 0.05 mm, and the conductive paint is copper-based, nickel-based, or silver-based.

[0029] In this embodiment, the insulating layer 2 comprises a corrosion-resistant insulating paint applied to the surface of the conductive heating paint layer 1. Preferably, the thickness of the corrosion-resistant insulating paint is 0.025 mm to 0.03 mm. The combined thickness of the conductive paint and the corrosion-resistant insulating paint is approximately 0.07 mm, minimizing the need for additional equipment on the wind turbine blade 3 and effectively reducing the effects of mechanical and thermal stress on the wind turbine blade 3.

[0030] In order to facilitate the power supply to the conductive paint, the power module 4 is connected to a conductive slip ring, which is installed between the main shaft and the hub of the wind turbine. A flexible cable is connected between the conductive slip ring and the conductive heating paint layer 1. The flexible cable is equipped with a cable guide mechanism and a tension adjustment mechanism. The cable guide mechanism is used to adjust the direction of the flexible cable, and the tension adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the tension state of the flexible cable. A waterproof sealing structure is provided at the connection between the conductive slip ring and the flexible cable to increase the waterproof effect between the conductive slip ring and the flexible cable. A backup power supply 7 is provided inside the hub, and the backup power supply 7 is connected to the conductive heating paint layer 1. When the conductive slip ring is damaged and the power module 4 is unable to power the conductive paint, the backup power supply 7 can be used to power the conductive paint for de-icing.

[0031] The deicing principle of this invention involves applying a layer of conductive paint or other conductive coating to ice-prone areas of wind turbine blades 3 to form a conductive layer. A layer of insulating paint is then applied over the conductive paint to form an insulating layer 2. The interlayer structure of wind turbine blades 3, from the inside out, is: blade surface - conductive layer - insulating layer 2. When powered on, the conductive paint conducts heat to the insulating paint surface through the electrical resistance effect. Temperature sensors are installed on the blade surface. When these sensors detect a surface temperature above 0°C, the blades are protected from ice formation.

[0032] In order to solve the problem of energizing the conductive layer when the wind turbine blade 3 rotates, a composite power supply method combining a slip ring conductive system and a wireless power supply auxiliary system is adopted, and a closed-loop temperature control circuit is constructed to achieve stable energization and precise temperature control of the conductive layer, ensuring that the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade 3 remains above 0°C, effectively preventing icing.

[0033] Slip Ring Conductive System: A set of dual-channel precision conductive slip rings is installed at the junction of the wind turbine's main shaft and hub. The stator portion of the conductive slip ring is fixed to the main shaft and connected to the external power module 4. The rotor portion is connected to the hub and connected to the conductive layer inside the wind turbine blade 3 via a multi-strand flexible cable. The flexible cable uses a highly flexible, bend-resistant polyurethane sheath, with an internal conductor of silver-plated copper wire to reduce resistance and signal loss. To prevent excessive cable entanglement and wear during the rotation of the wind turbine blade 3, a cable guide and tension adjustment mechanism are installed inside the hub to adjust the flexible cable's routing and tension in real time. Cable clamps and protective sleeves are used to prevent cable damage due to vibration and friction during the rotation of the wind turbine blade 3. A waterproof and dustproof seal is installed at the junction of the conductive slip ring and the flexible cable, using a double-layer O-ring and sealant to prevent the intrusion of rain, sand, and dust, which could affect the conductive performance. In addition, the existing lightning protection device of the wind turbine blade 3 is retained.

[0034] Wireless Power Assist System: A wireless power transmitter module is installed inside the wheel hub, and a wireless power receiver module is installed at the root of the wind turbine blade 3. The wireless power assist system utilizes magnetic resonance coupling technology, and both the transmitter and receiver modules are equipped with high-gain planar helical antennas to improve energy transmission efficiency. If the slip ring conductive system fails or requires maintenance, the wireless power assist system activates, acting as a backup power source 7 to provide emergency power to the conductive layer, ensuring uninterrupted anti-icing functionality for the wind turbine blade 3.

[0035] The power module 4 uses an isolated DC-DC power module, which converts the AC power input from the power grid into stable DC power suitable for the operation of the conductive layer. The output voltage can be adjusted according to the length of the wind turbine blade 3 and the heating requirements to adjust its output power. The power module 4 has overvoltage, overcurrent and short-circuit protection functions to ensure the safe operation of the system.

[0036] Controller 5: A programmable logic controller (PLC) is installed in the cabin control cabinet as the core control unit. The PLC receives real-time surface temperature data from the temperature sensor. When the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade 3 is below 0°C, the PLC increases the output power of the power module 4, increasing the heat generated by the conductive paint. When the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade 3 reaches 5°C, the PLC reduces the output power of the power module 4, reducing the heat generated by the conductive paint, achieving energy-saving operation. The PLC also connects to the remote monitoring center via a communication module, uploading real-time information such as the wind turbine blade 3 temperature and power status, facilitating remote monitoring and fault diagnosis by operation and maintenance personnel.

[0037] The present invention adopts the technology of conductive paint and insulating paint. Its base material and wind turbine blade 3 are easy to combine, and the structure is extremely simple. The total thickness between layers is about 0.07 mm, which reduces the additional equipment of wind turbine blade 3 and effectively reduces the impact of mechanical stress and temperature stress on wind turbine blade 3. In addition, it has low use cost, high deicing efficiency, and high safety and reliability.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, the terms "install", "connect", "connect", "fix" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, and may be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrated; may be mechanically connected or electrically connected; may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; may be internal connectivity between two elements or an interaction relationship between two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention. In addition, the specific features, structures, etc. described in the embodiments are included in at least one embodiment. Under the condition that there is no contradiction, those skilled in the art may combine the features of different embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiments. According to the basic technical concept of the present invention, the embodiments that can be associated with by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wind turbine blade deicing system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a conductive heating paint layer (1) and an insulating layer (2), wherein the conductive heating paint layer (1) is arranged on the surface of a wind turbine blade (3), and the insulating layer (2) is arranged on the surface of the conductive heating paint layer (1); the conductive heating paint layer (1) is connected to a power module (4), and the power module (4) is connected to a controller (5), and the controller (5) is used to control the output power of the power module (4) to control the heat generation of the conductive heating paint layer (1).

2. The wind turbine blade deicing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive heating paint layer (1) comprises conductive paint, and the conductive paint is applied on the wind turbine blade (3).

3. The wind turbine blade deicing system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The spiral pitch of the conductive paint gradually decreases from the root of the wind turbine blade (3) to the blade tip.

4. The wind turbine blade deicing system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thickness of the conductive paint is 0.025mm-0.05mm.

5. The wind turbine blade deicing system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The conductive paint is copper-based conductive paint, nickel-based conductive paint or silver-based conductive paint.

6. The wind turbine blade deicing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insulating layer (2) comprises corrosion-resistant insulating paint, and the corrosion-resistant insulating paint is coated on the surface of the conductive heating paint layer (1).

7. The wind turbine blade deicing system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The thickness of the corrosion-resistant insulating paint is 0.025mm-0.03mm.

8. The wind turbine blade deicing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller (5) is connected to a temperature detection device (6), and the temperature detection device (6) is used to detect the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade (3). When the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade (3) is lower than 0°C, the controller (5) increases the output power of the power module (4) and increases the heat generation of the conductive heating coating layer (1); when the surface temperature of the wind turbine blade (3) reaches 5°C, the controller (5) reduces the output power of the power module (4) and reduces the heat generation of the conductive heating coating layer (1).

9. The wind turbine blade deicing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power module (4) is connected to a conductive slip ring, which is installed between the main shaft and the hub of the wind turbine generator. A flexible cable is connected between the conductive slip ring and the conductive heating coating layer (1).

10. The wind turbine blade deicing system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The flexible cable is equipped with a cable guide mechanism and a tension adjustment mechanism, wherein the cable guide mechanism is used to adjust the direction of the flexible cable, and the tension adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the tension state of the flexible cable; a waterproof sealing structure is provided at the connection between the conductive slip ring and the flexible cable; a backup power supply (7) is provided inside the hub, and the backup power supply (7) is connected to the conductive heating coating layer (1).

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