Unmanned aerial vehicle for wind turbine blade damage inspection

Abstract

The utility model discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle for wind turbine blade damage inspection, which belongs to the technical field of inspection unmanned aerial vehicles and comprises a vehicle body, mounting blocks are fixedly connected to four corners of the vehicle body through connecting columns, blades are rotatably arranged on the top surfaces of the mounting blocks, mounting holes are formed in the bottom surfaces of the mounting blocks, and elastic components are arranged at the tops of the inner sides of the mounting holes. A fixing groove is formed in the lower portion of the inner side of the mounting hole and comprises a first vertical groove, a transverse groove and a second vertical groove. According to the unmanned aerial vehicle for wind turbine blade damage inspection, a first vertical groove is matched with a positioning block, so that a positioning column is inserted into a mounting hole, the positioning block is transferred from the top end of the first vertical groove to the top end of a second vertical groove through a transverse groove, and then the positioning column is pressed downwards through an elastic assembly, so that the positioning block is fixed to the bottom end of the second vertical groove; the problem that the protective cover is troublesome to disassemble and replace is solved, and the working efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of inspection drone technology, and in particular relates to a drone for inspecting damage to wind turbine blades. Background Technology

[0002] Since my country began vigorously developing its wind power industry at the beginning of this century, the first batch of wind turbines has reached the end of their lifespan, with some even exceeding their warranty period. This has led to a surge in wind turbine failures. Among these failures, damage to the wind turbine blades is the most serious, difficult to detect, and costly to maintain. Therefore, the efficient and accurate identification and classification of wind turbine blade damage is crucial for providing timely and accurate reference data for fault detection and repair.

[0003] Existing drones used for inspecting wind turbine blade damage present a cumbersome problem when installing and removing protective covers. These covers are prone to deformation upon accidental impacts, affecting blade performance and necessitating replacement. Most existing covers are secured with screws, requiring manual disassembly and replacement with appropriate tools after a collision during inspection, which is inefficient and reduces work productivity.

[0004] To address this issue, we propose a drone for inspecting damage to wind turbine blades. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem of the cumbersome process of disassembling and assembling protective covers in the prior art, and to propose a drone for inspecting damage to wind turbine blades.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A drone for inspecting damage to wind turbine blades includes a fuselage. Mounting blocks are fixedly connected to the four corners of the fuselage via connecting columns. The mounting blocks have blades rotatably mounted on their top surface and mounting holes on their bottom surface. Elastic components are provided on the top inner side of the mounting holes, and fixing grooves are provided on the lower inner side of the mounting holes.

[0008] The fixing groove includes a first vertical groove, a horizontal groove, and a second vertical groove. The bottom end of the first vertical groove is flush with the bottom surface of the mounting block, and the bottom end of the second vertical groove is higher than the bottom surface of the mounting hole. The horizontal groove connects the top end of the first vertical groove and the top end of the second vertical groove.

[0009] It also includes a connecting block, on one side of which a protective cover for mating blades is fixedly connected, on the top of which a positioning post with a mating mounting hole is fixedly connected, and on the upper side of which a positioning block with a mating fixing groove is fixedly connected;

[0010] A shooting component is fixedly installed in the middle of the bottom surface of the camera body, and a support frame is fixedly connected to both sides of the bottom surface of the camera body. A buffer plate is detachably provided at the bottom of the support frame.

[0011] Preferably, the protective cover includes multiple arc-shaped connecting rods, and the multiple connecting rods are circumferentially arrayed and fixedly connected to the side of the connecting block, and the top ends of the multiple connecting rods are jointly fixedly connected to an arc-shaped anti-collision strip.

[0012] Preferably, the anti-collision strip is higher than the blade, and the angle of the anti-collision strip is greater than 90°.

[0013] Preferably, the horizontal groove is inclined, and the top of the first vertical groove is higher than the top of the second vertical groove.

[0014] Preferably, the elastic component includes a sliding plate that is slidably disposed within the mounting hole, and a compression spring is fixedly connected between the sliding plate and the top of the mounting hole.

[0015] Preferably, a stud is fixedly connected to the middle of the top surface of the buffer plate, the top of the stud passes through the support frame and is threaded to a top plate, and a tension spring is provided between the top plate and the support frame, which is sleeved on the outside of the stud.

[0016] Preferably, the buffer plate has limit rods fixedly connected to both sides of its top surface, the support frame has a limit hole through which the limit rods pass, and the limit rods have an auxiliary plate that is threaded and detachable at the top.

[0017] In summary, the technical effects and advantages of this utility model are as follows: This drone for inspecting damage to wind turbine blades uses a first vertical groove in conjunction with a positioning block to insert the positioning post into the mounting hole. The positioning block is transferred from the top of the first vertical groove to the top of the second vertical groove via a horizontal groove. Then, the positioning post is fixed at the bottom of the second vertical groove by pressing down the elastic component. Compared with existing devices, this avoids the problem of disassembling and replacing the protective cover, thus improving work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting block structure in this utility model after the protective cover has been removed;

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Exploded view;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a top view of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Body; 2. Mounting block; 3. Blade; 4. Mounting hole; 5. First vertical groove; 6. Horizontal groove; 7. Second vertical groove; 8. Connecting block; 9. Protective cover; 10. Positioning post; 11. Positioning block; 12. Shooting assembly; 13. Support frame; 14. Buffer plate; 15. Connecting rod; 16. Anti-collision strip; 17. Sliding plate; 18. Compression spring; 19. Stud; 20. Top plate; 21. Tension spring; 22. Limiting rod; 23. Auxiliary plate. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0025] Reference Figure 1-3 A drone for inspecting damage to wind turbine blades 3 includes a fuselage 1. Mounting blocks 2 are fixedly connected to the four corners of the fuselage 1 via connecting columns. The top surface of the mounting block 2 is provided with blades 3 and the bottom surface is provided with mounting holes 4. The top of the inner side of the mounting hole 4 is provided with a spring component that tends to move downwards, and the lower part of the inner side of the mounting hole 4 is provided with a fixing groove.

[0026] The fixing groove includes a first vertical groove 5, a horizontal groove 6 and a second vertical groove 7. The bottom end of the first vertical groove 5 is flush with the bottom surface of the mounting block 2, the bottom end of the second vertical groove 7 is higher than the bottom surface of the mounting hole 4, and the horizontal groove 6 connects the top end of the first vertical groove 5 and the top end of the second vertical groove 7.

[0027] It also includes a connecting block 8, with a protective cover 9 fixedly connected to one side of the connecting block 8 to the mating blade 3, a positioning post 10 fixedly connected to the top of the connecting block 8 to the mating mounting hole 4, and a positioning block 11 fixedly connected to the upper side of the positioning post 10 to the mating fixing groove. The elastic component can apply downward pressure to the connecting block 8. To improve the fixing stability, two positioning blocks 11 can be symmetrically arranged on the upper part of the positioning post 10, and correspondingly, two sets of fixing grooves should also be symmetrically arranged.

[0028] A camera assembly 12 is fixedly mounted in the center of the bottom surface of the fuselage 1. The camera assembly 12 is existing technology and includes a camera, motherboard, etc., which is quite common in the field of inspection drones, so it will not be described in detail. Support frames 13 are fixedly connected to both sides of the bottom surface of the fuselage 1, and a buffer plate 14 is detachably provided at the bottom of the support frame 13.

[0029] The UAV used for inspecting damage to wind turbine blades 3, when installing the protective cover 9, simply align the positioning block 11 with the first vertical groove 5, then insert the positioning post 10 into the mounting hole 4 until the positioning block 11 moves to the top of the first vertical groove 5. Then, rotate the connecting block 8, and the positioning block 11 will rotate and move along the horizontal groove 6 until it moves to the top of the second vertical groove 7. At this point, release the connecting block 8, and under the influence of gravity and the elastic component, the positioning block 11 moves to the bottom of the second vertical groove 7, thus completing the installation of the protective cover 9. Removing the protective cover 9 only requires the reverse operation.

[0030] Reference Figure 2-4 The protective cover 9 includes multiple arc-shaped connecting rods 15, which are circumferentially arrayed and fixedly connected to the side of the connecting block 8. An arc-shaped anti-collision strip 16 is fixedly connected to the top of each connecting rod 15. The connecting rods 15 and the anti-collision strip 16 can be made of steel wire fitted with rubber material, balancing strength and cushioning. To improve the protective effect of the anti-collision strip 16 on the blade 3, the anti-collision strip 16 is higher than the blade 3, and the angle of the anti-collision strip 16 is greater than 90°.

[0031] The horizontal groove 6 is inclined, and the top of the first vertical groove 5 is higher than the top of the second vertical groove 7. When the connecting block 8 is misoperated or collided, causing the positioning block 11 to move and rotate slightly to the horizontal groove 6, since misoperation and collision generally do not continuously apply an upward and rotational force to the positioning block 11, the inclined horizontal groove 6, in conjunction with the elastic component, can cause the positioning block 11 to move towards the second vertical groove 7. When the friction between the horizontal groove 6 and the positioning block 11 is small, the elastic component can drive the positioning block 11 to move towards the second vertical groove 7 and automatically reset, improving the practicality of the device.

[0032] The elastic component includes a sliding plate 17 that slides vertically within the mounting hole 4, and a compression spring 18 is fixedly connected between the sliding plate 17 and the top of the mounting hole 4. The compression spring 18 presses down on the positioning post 10, ensuring that the positioning block 11 is fixed to the bottom of the second vertical groove 7 during drone use, thus improving device stability. The sliding plate 17 prevents rotational damage to the compression spring 18 during mounting post rotation.

[0033] In practical use, the elastic component can also provide a certain amount of cushioning when the protective cover 9 is hit, thus improving the stability of the drone.

[0034] Reference Figure 5A stud 19 is fixedly connected to the center of the top surface of the buffer plate 14. The top of the stud 19 passes through the support frame 13 and is threaded to a top plate 20. A tension spring 21 is provided between the top plate 20 and the support frame 13, sleeved on the outside of the stud 19. In this UAV used for inspecting damage to wind turbine blades 3, the buffer plate 14 contacts the ground first upon landing, and the tension spring 21 provides cushioning. When the buffer plate 14 needs to be disassembled or replaced, only the top plate 20 needs to be rotated and removed, and then the buffer plate 14 can be taken out downwards, which is convenient and improves replacement efficiency.

[0035] To prevent the buffer plate 14 from rotating during drone use, limit rods 22 are fixedly connected to both sides of the top surface of the buffer plate 14. The bottom of the support frame 13 has a limit hole through which the limit rods 22 pass. The top of the limit rods 22 is threaded and detachably equipped with an auxiliary plate 23. Under normal conditions, the tension spring 21 drives the buffer plate 14 to move down until the bottom surface of the auxiliary plate 23 is in contact with the support frame 13. At this time, the tension spring 21 is still in a stretched state, thereby avoiding the problem of unstable shaking of the buffer plate 14 when the drone is working.

[0036] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A drone for wind turbine blade damage inspection, comprising a fuselage (1), characterized in that, The body (1) four corners are fixedly connected with mounting block (2) through connecting column, the mounting block (2) top surface is rotatably provided with blade (3), bottom surface is provided with mounting hole (4), the inside top of mounting hole (4) is provided with elastic component, the inside lower part of mounting hole (4) is provided with fixed slot; The fixed slot includes first vertical slot (5), horizontal slot (6) and second vertical slot (7), the bottom of first vertical slot (5) is flush with the bottom surface of mounting block (2), the bottom of second vertical slot (7) is higher than the bottom surface of mounting hole (4), the horizontal slot (6) is connected with the top of first vertical slot (5) and the top of second vertical slot (7); It also includes connecting block (8), one side of the connecting block (8) is fixedly connected with the protective cover (9) matched with the blade (3), the top of the connecting block (8) is fixedly connected with the positioning column (10) matched with the mounting hole (4), the side surface of the positioning column (10) is fixedly connected with the positioning block (11) matched with the fixed slot; The bottom surface of the body (1) is fixedly provided with a shooting assembly (12), the bottom surface of the body (1) is fixedly connected with a support frame (13), and the bottom of the support frame (13) is detachably provided with a buffer plate (14).

2. A drone for wind turbine blade damage inspection as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The protective cover (9) includes a plurality of arc-shaped connecting rods (15), and the plurality of connecting rods (15) are circumferentially arrayed and fixedly connected to the side surface of the connecting block (8), and the top ends of the plurality of connecting rods (15) are commonly fixedly connected with an arc-shaped anti-collision strip (16).

3. A drone for wind turbine blade damage inspection as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The anti-collision strip (16) is higher than the blade (3), and the angle of the anti-collision strip (16) is greater than 90°.

4. A drone for wind turbine blade damage inspection as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The horizontal slot (6) is in an inclined state, and the top of the first vertical slot (5) is higher than the top of the second vertical slot (7).

5. A drone for wind turbine blade damage inspection as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The elastic component includes a sliding plate (17) slidably arranged in the mounting hole (4), and a compression spring (18) fixedly connected between the sliding plate (17) and the top end of the mounting hole (4).

6. A drone for wind turbine blade damage inspection as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The top surface of the buffer plate (14) is fixedly connected with a threaded rod (19), the top end of the threaded rod (19) penetrates through the support frame (13) and is threadedly connected with a top plate (20), and a tension spring (21) is arranged outside the threaded rod (19) between the top plate (20) and the support frame (13).

7. A drone for wind turbine blade damage inspection as claimed in claim 6, wherein, The top surface of the buffer plate (14) is fixedly connected with a limiting rod (22), and the bottom of the support frame (13) is provided with a limiting hole through which the limiting rod (22) penetrates, and the top of the limiting rod (22) is threadedly detachably provided with an auxiliary plate (23).

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