A lightning protection device for a wind turbine blade

Abstract

The utility model relates to a lightning protection technical field provides a lightning protection device of wind power blade, including lightning -arresting component, internal connecting piece and down lead, and lightning -arresting component and down lead are connected through internal connecting piece, and lightning -arresting component includes lightning arrester, sleeve and screw rod, and lightning arrester is embedded in the blade side wall, and one end of screw rod is connected with internal connecting piece thread, and the other end of screw rod is connected with lightning arrester thread, and the internal connecting piece is connected with the limit seat, and screw rod passes through internal connecting piece and abuts with limit seat, sleeve is set on lightning arrester, and one end of sleeve is equipped with the elastic structure abutting with the end face of lightning arrester, so that the other end of sleeve keeps abutting with internal connecting piece under the elastic structure. The utility model discloses that the screw rod passes through internal connecting piece and abuts with limit seat, can guarantee the length of screw rod that extends internal connecting piece, and can avoid the axial position change of screw rod when connecting lightning arrester and screw rod, reduces the installation difficulty.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of lightning protection technology, and more specifically, to a lightning protection device for wind turbine blades. Background Technology

[0002] Wind power generation is a device that converts wind energy into electrical energy and is widely used in areas with abundant wind resources. Wind turbine generators typically operate in high, open environments and are inevitably subject to lightning strikes. The enormous energy released by lightning can damage wind turbine blades, cause insulation breakdown in generators, and burn out control components. Therefore, lightning protection design for wind turbine generators is of paramount importance.

[0003] For lightning protection of wind turbine blades, the common design currently involves installing lightning arresters and internal down conductors on the blade surface. For example, patent document CN220551201U discloses a lightning protection device for wind turbine blades. This device uses a lightning arrester connected to a sleeve, screw, and internal connectors, allowing for height adjustment of the lightning arrester assembly to accommodate different blade shell and adhesive thicknesses. However, in this prior art, the lightning arrester, screw, and sleeve are all connected by threads. In actual connection, it is difficult to ensure the restraint of other components when connecting one part (e.g., it is difficult to ensure the restraint of the screw when connecting the lightning arrester), making the connection process very difficult. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a lightning protection device for wind turbine blades to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior art.

[0005] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A lightning protection device for wind turbine blades includes a lightning arresting assembly, an internal connector, and a down conductor. The lightning arresting assembly and the down conductor are connected via the internal connector. The lightning arresting assembly includes a lightning arrester, a sleeve, and a screw. The lightning arrester is embedded in the side wall of the blade. One end of the screw is threadedly connected to the internal connector, and the other end of the screw is threadedly connected to the lightning arrester. A limiting seat is connected to the internal connector, and the screw passes through the internal connector and abuts against the limiting seat. The sleeve is fitted onto the lightning arrester, and one end of the sleeve has an elastic structure that abuts against the end face of the lightning arrester, so that the other end of the sleeve remains abutting against the internal connector under the elastic structure.

[0007] Optionally, the elastic structure includes a push rod and a first spring. The sleeve has several blind holes along the circumferential direction at one end near the lightning arrester. The push rod is slidably connected in the blind holes. The first spring is disposed between the inner end of the push rod and the bottom of the blind holes. The outer end of the push rod abuts against the end face of the lightning arrester under the action of the first spring.

[0008] Optionally, the outer end of the push rod is fitted with ball bearings.

[0009] Optionally, the lightning arrester includes a lightning arresting plate and a connecting shaft. The end of the connecting shaft is provided with a first threaded hole for connecting the screw, and the outer side of the lightning arresting plate is provided with a first internal hexagonal hole.

[0010] Optionally, the inner side of the lightning plate is provided with a second threaded hole, a support block is connected in the second threaded hole, and a second internal hexagonal hole is provided on the outer side of the support block; a sealing block is slidably disposed in the first internal hexagonal hole, and a second spring is fixedly connected between the sealing block and the support block.

[0011] Optionally, the inner side of the support block is provided with a limiting post for abutting against the sealing block.

[0012] Optionally, the end of the screw near the lightning arrester is provided with a third internal hexagonal hole.

[0013] Optionally, the internal connector includes a base and a connecting pipe. The base is located at one end of the connecting pipe, the lead wire is connected inside the connecting pipe, the base is fixedly connected to the inner side of the blade, and the base is provided with a third threaded hole for connecting the screw.

[0014] Optionally, the connection between the down conductor and the connecting pipe is a crimping connection.

[0015] Optionally, the end of the connecting pipe away from the base is provided with a radially penetrating notch, and the inner wall of the connecting pipe is provided with a plurality of axial protrusions at the end with the notch.

[0016] The technical solution of this utility model has at least the following advantages and beneficial effects: In this utility model, a limiting seat is connected to the internal connecting member, and the screw abuts against the limiting seat after passing through the internal connecting member. This ensures the length of the screw extending out of the internal connecting member and prevents the screw from continuing to rotate and causing a change in the axial position of the screw when connecting the lightning arrester to the screw, thus reducing the installation difficulty. At the same time, in this utility model, the sleeve is only fitted on the lightning arrester and contacts the lightning arrester but is not connected by threads, further reducing the installation difficulty. Moreover, under the action of the elastic structure, the sleeve can always remain abutting against the internal connecting member, increasing the current flow area. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a lightning protection device for wind turbine blades provided by this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the lightning arrester;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the image;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point B in the image;

[0021] Figure 5 This is the front view of the screw;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting pipe structure;

[0023] Reference numerals: 1-Lightning receiver, 101-Lightning plate, 1011-First internal hexagonal hole, 1012-Second threaded hole, 102-Connecting shaft, 1021-First threaded hole, 103-Sealing block, 104-Second spring, 105-Support block, 106-Limiting post, 2-Sleeve, 3-Screw, 301-Third internal hexagonal hole, 4-Internal connector, 401-Base, 402-Connecting pipe, 4021-Notch, 4022-Protrusion, 5-Elastic structure, 501-First spring, 502-Top rod, 6-Leader wire, 7-Limiting seat, 8-Adhesive, 9-Blade. Detailed Implementation

[0024] refer to Figures 1-5 A lightning protection device for wind turbine blades includes a lightning arresting assembly, an internal connector 4, and a down conductor 6. The lightning arresting assembly and the down conductor 6 are connected by the internal connector 4. The lightning arresting assembly includes a lightning arrester 1, a sleeve 2, and a screw 3. The lightning arrester 1 is embedded in the side wall of the blade 9. One end of the screw 3 is threadedly connected to the internal connector 4, and the other end of the screw 3 is threadedly connected to the lightning arrester 1.

[0025] Based on the above, a limiting seat 7 is connected to the internal connector 4. The screw 3 passes through the internal connector 4 and abuts against the limiting seat 7. This ensures that the screw 3 extends beyond the internal connector 4 and prevents the screw 3 from continuing to rotate and changing its axial position when connecting the lightning arrester 1 to the screw 3, thus reducing installation difficulty. The sleeve 2 is fitted onto the lightning arrester 1, contacting it but not through a threaded connection, further reducing installation difficulty. One end of the sleeve 2 has an elastic structure 5 that abuts against the end face of the lightning arrester 1. Under the elastic structure 5, the other end of the sleeve 2 remains abutted against the internal connector 4, increasing the current flow area.

[0026] In this embodiment, the lightning arrester 1 adopts the following structure: the lightning arrester 1 includes a lightning arresting plate 101 and a connecting shaft 102. The end of the connecting shaft 102 is provided with a first threaded hole 1021, and one end of the screw 3 is connected to the first threaded hole 1021. Furthermore, the outer side of the lightning arresting plate 101 is provided with a first internal hexagonal hole 1011, which facilitates the connection between the lightning arresting plate 101 and the screw 3 by turning the lightning arresting plate 101 with an internal hexagonal wrench.

[0027] In this embodiment, the internal connector 4 adopts the following structure: the internal connector 4 includes a base 401 and a connecting pipe 402. The base 401 is disposed at one end of the connecting pipe 402, and the down conductor 6 is connected to the inside of the connecting pipe 402. Preferably, the connection method between the down conductor 6 and the connecting pipe 402 is crimping. Further, refer to... Figure 6 The connecting pipe 402 has a radially penetrating notch 4021 at the end away from the base 401, and the inner wall of the connecting pipe 402 has several axially protruding ribs 4022 at the end with the notch 4021. This arrangement ensures that when the connecting pipe 402 is crimped with the lead wire, the notch 4021 of the connecting pipe 402 is compressed and deformed, and the protruding ribs 4022 can hold the lead wire 6, improving the reliability of the lead wire 6's fixation. The base 401 is fixedly connected to the inner side of the blade 9 (preferably bonded with adhesive 8). The base 401 has a third threaded hole, and the screw 3 is connected to the third threaded hole and passes through the base 401. Furthermore, the connection method of the limiting seat 7 to the base 401 is not limited, such as screw connection or bonding. Preferably, the limiting seat 7 is made of insulating material.

[0028] It is worth noting that those skilled in the art should understand that Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of blade 9 perpendicular to the line connecting the blade root and blade tip. The upper side of blade 9 in the figure represents the interior of the blade, and the lower side represents the exterior. In practical applications, the installation steps are basically the same as existing technologies (but with reduced installation difficulty), and the specific operation is as follows:

[0029] When S1 and blade 9 are molded, a pre-embedded bolt (not shown in the figure) should be connected in the third threaded hole on the base 401. A pre-embedded magnet (not shown in the figure) should be installed at one end of the pre-embedded bolt near blade 9. The base 401 should be glued and fixed to the inside of blade 9. The lead wire 6 should be crimped to the connecting pipe 402.

[0030] S2. After the blade 9 is separated from the mold, it is taken out and positioned with a strong magnet (not shown in the figure). The place with the strongest magnetic force is determined and a hole is made in the side wall of the blade 9. The above-mentioned pre-embedded bolt is removed to expose the third threaded hole.

[0031] S3. Connect the screw 3 to the third threaded hole on the base 401 (to facilitate turning the screw 3, the end of the screw 3 near the lightning arrester 1 is provided with a third internal hexagonal hole 301), and continue to turn the screw 3 until it cannot be turned (at this time, the screw 3 abuts against the limit seat 7). Insert the sleeve 2, and turn the lightning arrester plate 101 so that the first threaded hole 1021 on it is connected to the screw 3. It is worth noting that in this step, compared with the prior art, there is no need to measure the thickness of the blade 9 and the adhesive 8. The sleeve 2 directly maintains contact with the base 401 under the action of the elastic structure 5.

[0032] S4. The lightning receiver plate 101 is further connected and tightened to the blade 9 using fastening screws (not shown in the figure, self-tapping screws can be used for fastening screws) to ensure the secure installation of the lightning receiver 1.

[0033] As an alternative, in this embodiment, the elastic structure 5 includes a push rod 502 and a first spring 501. The sleeve 2, near the end of the lightning arrester 1, has several blind holes along its circumference. The push rod 502 is slidably connected within these blind holes. The first spring 501 is positioned between the inner end of the push rod 502 and the bottom of the blind holes. The outer end of the push rod 502 abuts against the end face of the lightning arrester 1 under the action of the first spring 501. It is worth noting that because the push rod 502 is telescopic, regardless of the thickness of the blade 9 and the adhesive 8, the sleeve 2 can always remain abutting against the base 401, increasing the current flow area and reducing installation difficulty. Furthermore, the outer end of the push rod 502 is embedded with ball bearings. It is worth noting that when the lightning arrester plate 101 is screwed to connect with the screw 3, the lightning arrester plate 101 rubs against the outer end of the push rod 502. The ball bearings reduce friction, facilitating quick installation.

[0034] It is worth noting that, since the outer side of the lightning plate 101 has a first internal hexagonal hole 1011, and the first internal hexagonal hole 1011 is exposed, it is easy to cause airflow disturbance and vibration effect, which leads to accelerated fatigue damage of the blade 9 structure and shortens its service life. Therefore, the following improvements have been made in this embodiment.

[0035] The lightning receiver plate 101 has a second threaded hole 1012 on its inner side, and a support block 105 is connected inside the second threaded hole 1012. The support block 105 has a second internal hexagonal hole on its outer side, which facilitates the connection and fixation of the support block 105 and the second threaded hole 1012 using an internal hexagonal wrench. A sealing block 103 is slidably disposed inside the first internal hexagonal hole 1011. It is easy to understand that the sealing block 103 is shaped to match the first internal hexagonal hole 1011. A second spring 104 is fixedly connected between the sealing block 103 and the support block 105. Under the action of the second spring 104, the sealing block 103 is flush with the outer side of the lightning receiver plate 101, which just blocks the first internal hexagonal hole 1011. When it is necessary to turn the lightning receiver 1, the internal hexagonal wrench squeezes the sealing block 103, thereby cooperating with the first internal hexagonal hole 1011. Furthermore, the inner side of the support block 105 is provided with a limiting post 106 for abutting against the sealing block 103. The limiting post 106 limits the distance that the sealing block 103 is squeezed by the Allen wrench, preventing the second spring 104 from failing, and also making it easier to fix the position of the Allen wrench in the first Allen hole 1011.

[0036] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A lightning protection device for wind turbine blades, comprising a lightning arresting assembly, an internal connector, and a down conductor, wherein the lightning arresting assembly and the down conductor are connected via the internal connector, the lightning arresting assembly includes a lightning arrester, a sleeve, and a screw, the lightning arrester being embedded in the sidewall of the blade, one end of the screw being threadedly connected to the internal connector, and the other end of the screw being threadedly connected to the lightning arrester, characterized in that, The internal connector is connected to a limiting seat, and the screw passes through the internal connector and abuts against the limiting seat; the sleeve is sleeved on the lightning arrester, and one end of the sleeve is provided with an elastic structure that abuts against the end face of the lightning arrester, so that the other end of the sleeve remains abutted against the internal connector under the elastic structure.

2. The lightning protection device for wind turbine blades according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic structure includes a push rod and a first spring. The sleeve has several blind holes along the circumferential direction at one end near the lightning arrester. The push rod is slidably connected in the blind holes. The first spring is located between the inner end of the push rod and the bottom of the blind holes. The outer end of the push rod abuts against the end face of the lightning arrester under the action of the first spring.

3. The lightning protection device for wind turbine blades according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer end of the push rod is fitted with ball bearings.

4. The lightning protection device for wind turbine blades according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lightning arrester includes a lightning arresting plate and a connecting shaft. The end of the connecting shaft is provided with a first threaded hole for connecting the screw, and the outer side of the lightning arresting plate is provided with a first internal hexagonal hole.

5. The lightning protection device for wind turbine blades according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lightning plate has a second threaded hole on its inner side, and a support block is connected inside the second threaded hole. The support block has a second internal hexagonal hole on its outer side. A sealing block is slidably disposed inside the first internal hexagonal hole, and a second spring is fixedly connected between the sealing block and the support block.

6. The lightning protection device for wind turbine blades according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner side of the support block is provided with a limiting post for abutting against the sealing block.

7. The lightning protection device for wind turbine blades according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The screw has a third internal hexagonal hole at the end near the lightning arrester.

8. The lightning protection device for wind turbine blades according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The internal connector includes a base and a connecting pipe. The base is located at one end of the connecting pipe, and the lead wire is connected inside the connecting pipe. The base is fixedly connected to the inner side of the blade, and the base is provided with a third threaded hole for connecting the screw.

9. The lightning protection device for wind turbine blades according to claim 8, characterized in that, The connection between the down conductor and the connecting pipe is a crimp connection.

10. The lightning protection device for wind turbine blades according to claim 9, characterized in that, The connecting pipe has a radially penetrating notch at one end away from the base, and the inner wall of the connecting pipe has several axially protruding ribs at the end with the notch.

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