Offshore wind power blade and leading edge protection system thereof

Abstract

The utility model discloses a front edge protection system of an offshore wind power blade, which comprises a protective paint layer arranged in a front edge protection area of a blade body, a protective film layer is arranged on the protective paint layer, and the protective film layer is only arranged at a part which is separated from a blade tip of the blade body within a preset distance. Therefore, the protective paint layer and the protective film layer are used for double reinforced protection in a high-linear-speed area close to the blade tip, the corrosion degree of the front edge is better reduced, even if the protective film layer falls off and loses efficacy, the protective paint layer can be used for protection, the protective service life of the front edge of the blade is prolonged, and the area of the protective film layer is smaller than that of the protective paint layer. Therefore, the material cost can be saved, and the front edge protection system can solve the problems of weak protection performance and short protection service life of a blade tip area caused by single adoption of front edge protection paint as well as the problems of high cost and poor bonding reliability caused by single adoption of a front edge protection film in the existing offshore wind power blade. The utility model further discloses an offshore wind power blade which has the same advantages.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of offshore wind power equipment technology, and more specifically, to an offshore wind turbine blade and its leading edge protection system. Background Technology

[0002] Offshore wind turbines typically operate in harsh climates, constantly exposed to heavy rainfall, intense ultraviolet radiation, and high salt spray. The blades are the only component of a wind turbine that captures wind energy, and the leading edge of the blade is its primary wind-cutting point and the most susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion at the leading edge affects the aerodynamic shape of the blade, significantly impacting the turbine's normal operation. Furthermore, if leading-edge corrosion is not addressed promptly, it exposes the composite material matrix to moisture, severely negatively affecting blade performance and even threatening structural safety. Therefore, leading-edge damage to wind turbine blades and related leading-edge protection technologies are receiving increasing attention within the industry.

[0003] Currently, the main methods for protecting the leading edge of wind turbine blades include using leading edge protective coatings and applying protective films. However, relying solely on either method has its drawbacks. Leading edge protective coatings are relatively inexpensive and easy to apply, but their resistance to rain erosion is relatively poor. When using only leading edge protective coatings on offshore wind turbine blades, leading edge corrosion is very likely to occur in the high linear velocity region near the blade tip, leading to leading edge damage and affecting the lifespan of the leading edge protection. Leading edge protective films offer better resistance to rain erosion, but their material cost is usually higher, and their application is more complex. Furthermore, the adhesion between the protective film and the blade is prone to problems due to unstable factors such as construction and transportation, leading to weak adhesion, peeling, and other failure risks. This, in turn, affects the reliability of the leading edge protection and increases subsequent maintenance costs. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model provides an offshore wind turbine blade and its leading edge protection system, which can solve the problems of weak protection performance and short protection life in the blade tip area caused by the single use of leading edge protective paint in existing offshore wind turbine blades, as well as the problems of high cost and poor adhesion reliability caused by the single use of leading edge protective film.

[0005] This utility model provides a leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, including a protective paint layer disposed on the leading edge protection area of ​​the blade body, and a protective film layer disposed on the protective paint layer, wherein the protective film layer is disposed only at a position within a predetermined distance from the blade tip of the blade body.

[0006] Preferably, in the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, the protective film layer includes an adhesive layer directly connected to the protective paint layer, and a film body connected to the side of the adhesive layer facing away from the protective paint layer.

[0007] Preferably, in the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, the side of the membrane body facing the adhesive layer is provided with a wavy pattern, a grid pattern, or numerous dot-like protrusions.

[0008] Preferably, in the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, the periphery of the membrane layer gradually thins.

[0009] Preferably, in the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, the membrane body is a high molecular weight polyethylene membrane or a polyurethane membrane.

[0010] Preferably, in the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, the portion within a preset distance from the blade tip is the portion with a linear velocity greater than 85 m / s, and the leading edge protection area of ​​the blade body is the portion with a linear velocity greater than 60 m / s.

[0011] Preferably, in the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, the protective coating comprises:

[0012] The putty layer is directly connected to the blade body;

[0013] A gel coat layer is disposed on the side of the putty layer opposite to the blade body;

[0014] The protective paint body is located on the side of the gel coat layer opposite to the putty layer.

[0015] Preferably, in the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, the putty layer is a polyurethane putty layer, the gel coat layer is a polyurethane gel coat layer, and the protective paint body is a polyurethane protective paint body or a polyaspartic acid ester polyurea protective paint body.

[0016] Preferably, in the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, an anti-ultraviolet film is also provided on the side of the protective film layer facing away from the protective paint layer.

[0017] The present invention provides an offshore wind turbine blade including a blade body, wherein the leading edge protection area within a preset width range on both sides of the blade mold seam of the blade body is provided with a leading edge protection system as described above for offshore wind turbine blades.

[0018] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the leading edge protection system provided by this utility model includes a protective paint layer disposed on the leading edge protection area of ​​the blade body, and a protective film layer disposed on the protective paint layer. The protective film layer is only disposed within a predetermined distance from the blade tip. Therefore, in the high linear velocity region near the blade tip, the protective paint layer and the protective film layer can provide double reinforcement protection, better reducing the degree of leading edge corrosion. Even if the protective film layer falls off and fails, the protective paint layer can still provide protection, improving the leading edge protection life of the blade. Moreover, the area of ​​the protective film can be smaller than that of the protective paint, thus saving material costs, making construction more convenient, and facilitating later maintenance. Therefore, this leading edge protection system can solve the problems of weak protection performance and short protection life in the blade tip area caused by the single use of leading edge protective paint in existing offshore wind turbine blades, as well as the problems of high cost and poor adhesion reliability caused by the single use of leading edge protective film. The offshore wind turbine blade provided by this utility model has the same advantages. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model 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 embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades provided by this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the composition of a protective film layer in the leading edge protection system of offshore wind turbine blades provided in this application;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a protective paint layer used in the leading edge protection system of offshore wind turbine blades. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The core of this utility model is to provide an offshore wind turbine blade and its leading edge protection system, which can solve the problems of weak protection performance and short protection life in the blade tip area caused by the single use of leading edge protective paint in existing offshore wind turbine blades, as well as the problems of high cost and poor bonding reliability caused by the single use of leading edge protective film.

[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. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0025] An example of an implementation of the leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades provided by this utility model. Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the leading edge protection system for an offshore wind turbine blade provided by this utility model. The leading edge protection system for the offshore wind turbine blade may include a protective paint layer 2 disposed on the leading edge protection area of ​​the blade body 1. This protective paint layer 2 has the function of preventing corrosion. A protective film layer 3 is also disposed on the protective paint layer 2. This protective film layer 3 also has the function of preventing corrosion. The protective film layer 3 is only disposed within a predetermined distance from the blade tip 4 of the blade body 1. Thus, the area of ​​the protective film layer 3 is smaller than the area of ​​the protective paint layer 2, thereby saving the material cost of the protective film layer. It can be seen that what is provided here is a composite segmented leading edge protection system of blade leading edge protection film + protective paint. This combination can not only achieve better corrosion prevention performance, but also effectively reduce the material cost required for manufacturing.

[0026] As can be seen from the above technical solution, in the embodiment of the leading edge protection system provided by this utility model, since it includes a protective paint layer disposed on the leading edge protection area of ​​the blade body, and a protective film layer is also disposed on the protective paint layer, and the protective film layer is only disposed within a preset distance from the blade tip of the blade body, the protective paint layer and the protective film layer can be used to provide double reinforcement protection in the high linear velocity area near the blade tip, thereby better reducing the degree of leading edge corrosion. Even if the protective film layer falls off and fails, it can still be protected by the protective paint layer, thereby improving the leading edge protection life of the blade. Moreover, the area of ​​the protective film can be less than the area of ​​the protective paint, thus saving material costs, making construction more convenient, and facilitating later maintenance. It can be seen that this leading edge protection system can solve the problems of weak protection performance and short protection life in the blade tip area caused by the single use of leading edge protective paint in existing offshore wind turbine blades, as well as the problems of high cost and poor bonding reliability caused by the single use of leading edge protective film.

[0027] In one specific embodiment of the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a protective film layer in the leading edge protection system of offshore wind turbine blades provided in this application. The protective film layer 3 may include an adhesive layer 31 directly connected to the protective paint layer 2, and a film body 32 connected to the side of the adhesive layer 31 facing away from the protective paint layer 2. It should be noted that suitable adhesives, such as epoxy resin, polyurethane, and acrylate, can be selected according to application requirements. The adhesive is cured through chemical reactions (such as polymerization and cross-linking) or physical actions (such as volatilization and cooling). Photoinitiators, diluents, and polyisocyanates can also be added to improve the curing speed, bonding strength, and aging resistance of the adhesive layer. The aforementioned membrane body 32 is mainly used to prevent the blades from being eroded by natural factors such as rain, dust, and ultraviolet radiation during operation, thereby extending the blades' service life and maintaining their aerodynamic performance. The material used for the membrane body can be a high-molecular-weight polyethylene film or a polyurethane film, requiring high hardness and high wear resistance to resist wind and sand abrasion and rain impact. These materials can effectively reduce the number of blade maintenance visits and maintenance costs. This is especially important for offshore wind turbine blades, where maintenance is more difficult. Furthermore, the adhesion between the membrane body and the blade surface must be sufficient. To ensure robustness and prevent detachment under high-speed rotation and harsh environments, thus improving blade durability and effectively combating environmental erosion, the film body 32 has a wavy pattern, a grid pattern, or numerous dotted protrusions on the side facing the adhesive layer 31. The distance between the highest and lowest points of these structures is preferably 0.1mm to 0.3mm. This increases the contact area between the film body 32 and the adhesive layer 31, as well as the contact area between the adhesive layer 31 and the protective paint layer 2, increasing roughness and significantly improving the mechanical interlocking between the film body 32 and the protective paint layer 2. This effectively enhances the peel strength of the protective film, making the bond between the film body 32 and the protective paint layer 2 stronger, better preventing film detachment, enhancing the reliability of the blade leading edge, extending service life, and reducing maintenance frequency. Of course, other patterns can also be set according to actual needs, which is not limited here.

[0028] In another specific embodiment of the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, the periphery of the membrane body 32 is progressively thinned. This increases the contact area between the membrane and the blade surface, improves adhesion, reduces membrane detachment due to impact or abrasion, reduces airflow turbulence at the blade edge, optimizes blade aerodynamic performance, reduces air resistance, and effectively disperses stress, reducing stress concentration caused by abrupt thickness changes. This improves the durability and reliability of the membrane. Furthermore, by reducing airflow impact at the blade edge, the progressive thinning design effectively reduces noise. Specifically, it can be manufactured using Single Point Progressive Forming (SPIF) technology. This technology achieves progressive thinning of the membrane by controlling the movement trajectory of the tool head. The manufacturing process requires precise control of the membrane thickness variation to ensure membrane performance and reliability. This progressive thinning process can be selected according to actual needs and is not limited here.

[0029] In another specific embodiment of the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, the portion within a predetermined distance from the blade tip is preferably a portion with a linear velocity greater than 85 m / s, and the leading edge protection area of ​​the blade body is preferably a portion with a linear velocity greater than 60 m / s. It should be noted that when the blade linear velocity exceeds 85 m / s, the Mach number at the blade tip will increase significantly. For example, an 80-meter-long blade at a rotational speed of 10 rad / min can reach a tip linear velocity of 85 m / s, at which point the Mach number is approximately 0.25. High Mach numbers lead to changes in aerodynamic performance, including deviations in lift and drag coefficients, which affects the blade's aerodynamic efficiency and may also cause shock wave generation, especially in the blade tip region. This further increases drag and reduces efficiency. Therefore, high linear velocity regions (especially the blade tip) require more robust materials and structural designs to withstand high centrifugal forces and aerodynamic loads. They also need to have good fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance, as these parts are more susceptible to erosion from environmental factors (such as rain, dust, and salt spray). Therefore, the combination of protective paint and protective film in areas with linear velocities greater than 85 m / s effectively reduces corrosion and wear, ensuring efficient operation of the wind turbine and a sufficiently long blade lifespan. Of course, adjustments can be made to these parts according to actual needs, and there are no restrictions here. The aforementioned protective coating is applied to areas with a linear velocity greater than 60 m / s because leading-edge corrosion in this region can alter the aerodynamic shape of the blades, increase drag, reduce power generation efficiency, and in severe cases, even damage the blade structure. The degree of corrosion and wear in this area is less than that in areas with a linear velocity greater than 85 m / s, therefore, a protective film is not necessary. However, a certain level of protection is still required. Specifically, highly elastic, wear-resistant, and aging-resistant protective coatings can be used. For example, polyurethane / polyurea elastomer coatings can effectively mitigate impact and provide good protection. Of course, other types of protective coatings can also be selected according to actual needs; there are no restrictions here.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the composition of a protective paint layer used in the leading edge protection system of offshore wind turbine blades, wherein the aforementioned protective paint layer 2 may specifically include:

[0031] Putty layer 21 is directly connected to blade body 1;

[0032] The gel coat layer 22 is disposed on the side of the putty layer 21 that is away from the blade body 1;

[0033] The protective paint body 23 is located on the side of the gel coat layer 22 facing away from the putty layer 21.

[0034] It should be noted that the putty layer 21 can be applied to the surface of the blade body 1 by scraping. An appropriate amount of putty is applied to damaged areas or areas requiring filling on the blade body surface. After curing, it forms a robust protective layer. The cured putty layer needs to be sanded to ensure a smooth transition with the blade surface, guaranteeing the blade's aerodynamic performance. The use of the putty layer is mainly concentrated on the leading edge protection area of ​​the blade, especially areas with linear velocities greater than 60 m / s. These areas are more susceptible to erosion from aerodynamic loads and environmental factors. By using the putty layer in these critical areas, blade wear and corrosion can be effectively reduced, extending the blade's service life. Furthermore, the gel coat layer 22 provides protection. The protective coating layer 23 optimizes surface properties, effectively protecting the blade surface from environmental erosion such as ultraviolet radiation, salt spray, rain, and sand particles, significantly extending the blade's service life. It also provides a smooth surface, helping to reduce air resistance and optimize the blade's aerodynamic performance. After the blade is formed, a gel coat layer can be applied to the putty layer by spraying or rolling. The gel coat layer can consist of multiple layers, such as a polyurethane layer, a hardening layer, and a surface wetting agent layer, to provide better protection and performance. Furthermore, the protective coating body 23 further enhances the blade's weather resistance, corrosion resistance, and abrasion resistance, while improving its overall performance and service life. Of course, the structure can also be adjusted; this is not a limitation. In a specific example, the putty layer 21 is preferably a polyurethane putty layer, the gel coat layer 22 is preferably a polyurethane gel coat layer, and the protective coating body 23 is preferably a polyurethane protective coating body or a polyaspartic acid ester polyurea protective coating body.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment of the aforementioned leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, an anti-ultraviolet film can also be provided on the side of the protective film layer 3 facing away from the protective paint layer 2. That is, by adding such an anti-ultraviolet film to the outermost side of the protective film layer 3, ultraviolet radiation can be effectively blocked and the service life extended. Specifically, it can be a polyurethane film, PMMA film, PTFE film, PE film, PI film, etc.

[0036] In an embodiment of an offshore wind turbine blade including a blade body provided by this utility model, the leading edge protection area within a preset width range on both sides of the blade mold seam of the blade body is provided with a leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades as described above. It should be noted that the preset width range is preferably 100mm to 200mm. This area is directly impacted by raindrops and other particles when the wind turbine blade rotates, therefore requiring a higher level of protection. Protecting this area with the aforementioned leading edge protection system is sufficient; it is not necessary to cover the entire circumference of the wind turbine blade. Other areas can be protected simply by applying ordinary topcoat paint.

[0037] The high linear velocity region at the tip of the aforementioned offshore wind turbine blades features dual enhanced protection from a protective paint layer and a protective film layer, significantly improving leading-edge protection performance. This effectively reduces the leading-edge corrosion rate in the high linear velocity region. Even if the protective film layer fails, the underlying protective paint layer can continue to provide protection, further extending the lifespan of the blade's leading edge protection. Moreover, this solution is more economical and easier to construct and maintain, significantly reducing the material cost of leading-edge protection for offshore wind turbine blades without compromising the lifespan and reliability of the leading-edge protection. It also facilitates construction and subsequent maintenance.

[0038] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A leading-edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades, characterized in that, It includes a protective paint layer disposed on the leading edge protective area of ​​the blade body, and a protective film layer disposed on the protective paint layer, wherein the protective film layer is disposed only at a position within a predetermined distance from the blade tip of the blade body.

2. The leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective film layer includes an adhesive layer directly connected to the protective paint layer, and a film body connected to the side of the adhesive layer facing away from the protective paint layer.

3. The leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades according to claim 2, characterized in that, The side of the film body facing the adhesive layer is provided with a wavy pattern, a grid pattern, or dot-like protrusions.

4. The leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades according to claim 2, characterized in that, The membrane layer gradually thins at its periphery.

5. The leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades according to claim 2, characterized in that, The membrane body is a high molecular weight polyethylene membrane or a polyurethane membrane.

6. The leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The portion within a preset distance from the blade tip is the portion with a linear velocity greater than 85 m / s, and the leading edge protection area of ​​the blade body is the portion with a linear velocity greater than 60 m / s.

7. The leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The protective coating includes: The putty layer is directly connected to the blade body; A gel coat layer is disposed on the side of the putty layer opposite to the blade body; The protective paint body is located on the side of the gel coat layer opposite to the putty layer.

8. The leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades according to claim 7, characterized in that, The putty layer is a polyurethane putty layer, the gel coat layer is a polyurethane gel coat layer, and the protective paint body is a polyurethane protective paint body or a polyaspartic acid ester polyurea protective paint body.

9. The leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, An anti-ultraviolet film is also provided on the side of the protective film layer opposite to the protective paint layer.

10. A type of offshore wind turbine blade, characterized in that, The blade body includes a leading edge protection system for offshore wind turbine blades as described in any one of claims 1-9, provided in the leading edge protection area within a preset width range on both sides of the blade mold seam.

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