Flexible variable trailing edge flap structure of wind turbine blade

Abstract

The utility model discloses a flexible variable trailing edge flap structure of a wind turbine blade. The flexible variable trailing edge flap structure is assembled at the tail of a main body structure of the wind turbine blade. The flexible variable trailing edge flap structure comprises an outer skin, an inner skin, a motor and a spring; the outer skin and the blade body are fixed in a gluing mode, the inner skin is fixed to the inner side of the outer skin through a cable fastener, and it is guaranteed that the inner skin and the outer skin deform in a unified mode. Two ports of the inner skin are respectively connected with a motor, and the inner skin is pulled by the motor to move; the inner skin is hinged to the outer skin through two connecting pieces at the tail end of the tail edge; and a spring is mounted on the upper surface of the inner skin. Flexible deformation of the tail edge of the blade can be achieved, the deformation amplitude is smoother, and power increasing and load reducing of the wind turbine are assisted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of wind turbine generators, specifically relating to a flexible variable trailing edge flap structure for wind turbine blades. Background Technology

[0002] Wind power, as a strategic emerging industry supported by the state, has developed rapidly in recent years, with deep-sea and large-scale wind turbines becoming important trends in future development. The increasing size of wind turbines, along with the resulting enhanced aeroelasticity and multi-scale flow problems, poses significant challenges to blade design, operation regulation, and cost control. The concept of intelligent blades offers a solution to this problem and has become a hot topic in innovative research within the industry. Numerous institutions and scholars have conducted further research on the design and implementation of intelligent blades, resulting in a series of intelligent blade technologies, including variable trailing edge flaps, aerodynamic springs, synthetic jets, and plasma excitation. Related research results indicate that among various intelligent blade technologies, variable trailing edge flap technology possesses good high-frequency performance, excellent structural safety characteristics, and rapid adjustment capabilities, making it the most feasible active load-reducing technology currently available.

[0003] The application of trailing edge flap technology in wind turbines mainly draws on helicopter rotor flap technology. Although both wind turbines and helicopters are rotating machines, the aerodynamic loads of wind turbines exhibit significant non-uniform and non-periodic characteristics due to numerous factors such as wind shear, turbulence, gusts, yaw, tower shadows, and wakes during operation. These characteristics differ greatly from the stress characteristics of helicopters. Therefore, the control mechanism of variable trailing edge flaps on wind turbine blades requires specialized research. Currently, the research status of variable trailing edge flap blade flow mechanisms both domestically and internationally includes three aspects: the influence of the aerodynamic shape of variable trailing edge flaps on flow control, the flow control mechanism of variable trailing edge flaps on two-dimensional airfoils, and the aerodynamic performance and flow control mechanism of variable trailing edge flaps on three-dimensional blades.

[0004] Trailing edge flap deformation forms include flexible deformable trailing edge flaps and split rigid trailing edge flaps. Studies have shown that flexible trailing edge flaps have a continuous shape, are less prone to flow separation, and have better aerodynamic characteristics and load reduction capabilities, but their complex structure makes variable angle control difficult. Split trailing edge flaps offer simple control and fast response, and can assist the pitch control system in fine-tuning, but gaps between them and the main body are unavoidable, affecting lift and drag characteristics. The flap length and deflection angle affect the airfoil's aerodynamic characteristics and flow control effectiveness.

[0005] It can be seen that the flexible trailing edge flap structure connected to the blade has a good effect on increasing blade power and reducing load. However, how to realize the flexible trailing edge flap structure of wind turbine blades is still a practical problem, especially how to achieve flexible deformation of the trailing edge flap skin instead of rigid oscillation. For example, the telescopic variable trailing edge flap changes by extending and retracting the device, so the change of the trailing edge flap is a rigid extension and retraction change; the oscillating variable trailing edge flap changes by rotating the device, so the change of the trailing edge flap is a rigid up and down oscillation. Utility Model Content

[0006] To overcome the problems of existing trailing edge flaps, this utility model discloses a flexible variable trailing edge flap structure for wind turbine blades, which can realize flexible deformation of the trailing edge of the blade, with a smoother deformation range, and help wind turbines increase power and reduce load.

[0007] This invention designs a simple and practical flexible variable trailing edge flap. This structure can flexibly change the shape of the trailing edge according to the situation, thereby improving the aerodynamic characteristics of the wind turbine and increasing the power generation of the wind turbine.

[0008] The flexible variable trailing edge flap structure of the wind turbine blade is assembled at the tail of the main body structure of the wind turbine blade. The flexible variable trailing edge flap structure includes an outer skin, an inner skin, a motor, and a spring; the outer skin is glued to the blade body, and the inner skin is fixed to the inside of the outer skin by fasteners to ensure uniform deformation of the inner and outer skins; the two ends of the inner skin are respectively connected to the motor, and the inner skin is pulled by the motor; the inner skin is hinged to the outer skin at the trailing edge end by two connectors; a spring is installed on the upper surface of the inner skin.

[0009] Furthermore, there are two springs, and the inner skin has two fixing points with locking pin holes. The two ends of the springs are fixed to the inner skin by locking pins.

[0010] Furthermore, the motor is mounted on the main body of the wind turbine blade, and a pneumatic rotary clamp is fixed to the inner skin port. The pneumatic rotary clamp is connected to the motor, and the motor drives the pneumatic rotary clamp to rotate, thereby driving the inner skin to move.

[0011] The inner skin is made of rubber and silicone resin, which has good elasticity, flexibility and fatigue resistance, and can withstand repeated deformation without damage; the outer skin is made of carbon fiber reinforced elastic matrix composite material, which has good ductility, corrosion resistance and fatigue resistance, and can adapt to complex outdoor environments.

[0012] The outer skin is glued to the blade body, while the inner skin's port is connected to a motor. The control of the trailing edge flap deformation is driven by the motor. In operation, the upper and lower motors pull on the flexible, variable trailing edge flap's inner skin, causing both the inner and outer skins to deform simultaneously, thus achieving the variability of the trailing edge flap structure's shape. During the motor-driven operation of the inner skin, the upper and lower springs are compressed or stretched accordingly, further supporting the stability of the trailing edge flap structure.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0014] (1) The deformation of the trailing edge flap in the prior art is more of a rigid up-and-down swing of the flap part, while the present invention can control the trailing edge flap shape to undergo flexible changes, thereby optimizing the blade shape.

[0015] (2) During the use of this utility model, the motor drives the tail edge flap to deform inside the blade, and the motor is not exposed to the outside, so the reliability is high;

[0016] (3) When using this structure for trailing edge flap control, the spring component can maintain good stability and has strong structural strength.

[0017] (4) This utility model has the advantages of simple operation, simple structure, convenient installation, convenient maintenance and obvious effect, which can effectively improve the aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbine blades. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible variable trailing edge flap structure of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the trailing edge flap structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the deformed form of the trailing edge flap structure of this utility model.

[0021] In the diagram: 1-Outer skin, 2-Inner skin, 3-Connector, 4-Cable fastener, 5-Upper motor, 6-Lower motor, 7-Upper spring, 8-Lower spring. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Example

[0023] A flexible variable trailing edge flap structure for wind turbine blades, such as Figure 1As shown, the trailing edge flap structure, assembled at the tail of the wind turbine blade main body, includes an outer skin 1, an inner skin 2, a motor, and a spring. The outer skin 1 is glued to the blade body, and the inner skin 2 is fixed to the inside of the outer skin by fasteners 4 to ensure uniform deformation of the inner and outer skins. The two ends of the inner skin 2 are connected to the motor, and the inner skin is pulled by the motor. The inner skin 2 is hinged to the outer skin 1 at the trailing edge end by two connectors 3. A spring is installed on the upper surface of the inner skin (the contact surface between the inner and outer skins is the lower surface).

[0024] There are two springs, and the inner skin has two fixing points with locking pin holes (not shown in the figure). The two ends of the springs are fixed to the inner skin by locking pins.

[0025] The motor is mounted on the main body of the wind turbine blade, and a pneumatic rotary clamp (not shown in the figure) is fixed to the inner skin port. The pneumatic rotary clamp is connected to the motor, and the motor drives the pneumatic rotary clamp to rotate, thereby driving the inner skin to move.

[0026] In this invention, the inner skin is made of rubber and silicone resin, and the outer skin is made of carbon fiber reinforced elastic matrix composite material. Many companies at home and abroad produce the above-mentioned materials that can be used as wind turbines, such as VESTAS, GEMESA-SIEMENS, NORTEX, GE (General Electric), and domestic companies such as Sinoma Science & Technology, Times New Material, Sinoma Lianzhong, and Sany Heavy Energy.

[0027] The length and control method of the flexible variable trailing edge flap can be obtained through orthogonal analysis using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulation. Taking the airfoil with section FFA-w3-241 as an example, according to previous numerical calculations, its optimal trailing edge flap length is 15% of the chord length. Therefore, the flexible variable trailing edge flap length in this example is 15% of the chord length.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the flexible variable trailing edge flap structure is installed behind the wind turbine blade. In its original state without activated deformation motion, the trailing edge flap structure remains integrated with the wind turbine blade, presenting the original basic airfoil structure.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, when the flexible trailing edge flap needs to move, the upper motor 5 inside the blade is activated. The upper motor pulls the inner skin 2 of the trailing edge flap inwards towards the blade according to a preset extension length. The extension length of the upper motor is... The flap length is LThe deflection angle is q. After the inner flap skin 2 is pulled into the blade, it rotates around the upper motor. The upper inner flap structure is pulled upward by the motor and warps, causing the outer flap to deform as well. The internal spring ensures that the flap will not suddenly lose control during the pulling process and has a certain strength.

[0030] When the upper motor pulls the flap to the set extension length position, it stops, at which point the blade has deformed according to the predetermined requirements. Then the upper motor 5 moves in the opposite direction, and the inner skin of the flap, supported by the upper spring 7, gradually returns to its original shape along with the outer skin, until the upper motor returns to its initial state.

[0031] If the trailing edge flap needs to deform downwards, the lower motor 6 can be activated, and its operation is the same as that of the upper motor.

[0032] If the trailing edge flaps need to deform in an upward and downward manner, the upper motor and the lower motor can be used alternately to achieve the expected trailing edge flap control pattern.

Claims

1. A flexible variable trailing edge flap structure for a wind turbine blade, assembled at the tail of the main body structure of the wind turbine blade; characterized in that: The flexible variable trailing edge flap structure includes an outer skin, an inner skin, a motor, and a spring. The outer skin is glued to the blade body, and the inner skin is fixed to the inside of the outer skin by fasteners to ensure uniform deformation of the inner and outer skins. The two ends of the inner skin are connected to the motor, and the inner skin is pulled by the motor. The inner skin is hinged to the outer skin at the trailing edge end by two connectors. A spring is installed on the upper surface of the inner skin.

2. The flexible variable trailing edge flap structure for wind turbine blades according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two springs, and the inner skin has two fixing points with locking pin holes. The two ends of the springs are fixed to the inner skin by locking pins.

3. The flexible variable trailing edge flap structure for wind turbine blades according to claim 1, characterized in that: The motor is mounted on the main body of the wind turbine blade, and a pneumatic rotary clamp is fixed to the inner skin port, which is connected to the motor.

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