An unmanned aerial vehicle test wind turbine generator unit lightning protection grounding resistance test system

Abstract

This utility model relates to the technical field of wind power, and in particular to a drone-based testing system for lightning protection grounding resistance in wind turbine generators. The testing system includes a drone, a protection device, a test probe, and test leads. The drone is positioned inside the protection device and is fixedly connected to it. The test probe is positioned on the outer surface of the protection device and is connected to a ground resistance tester via test leads. Using a drone as the measurement carrier eliminates the need for manual measurement in existing technologies, saving time spent climbing and frequently operating the wind turbine, thus improving efficiency and increasing power generation. The protection device protects the drone, preventing instability during high winds and avoiding accidental collisions with the blades. The sharp part of the test probe solves the problem of high contact resistance caused by oxidation and corrosion at the lightning arrester contact points.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of wind power, and in particular to a test system for lightning protection grounding resistance in wind turbine generator sets tested by drones. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the increase in installed capacity, wind resources have become increasingly scarce. Wind turbines with larger single-unit capacity have better economic benefits. The increase in single-unit capacity will effectively improve the utilization efficiency of wind energy resources, enhance the overall economic efficiency of wind power project investment, development and operation, improve land / sea area utilization efficiency, reduce the cost per kilowatt-hour, increase investment returns, and facilitate large-scale project development.

[0003] However, wind turbines, with their massive rotating blades, towering into the clouds, and constantly exposed to the natural environment—especially offshore wind turbines which face the salt and alkali corrosion of seawater—are particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes. This makes them highly susceptible to corrosion at contact points, resulting in high contact resistance and poor conductivity. During thunderstorms, the current received at the blade tips and other parts of the turbine cannot be quickly dissipated. Lightning can directly or indirectly cause severe damage to almost all components of a wind turbine, including blades, anemometers, control systems, and other electronic components, and can even lead to fires and tower collapses.

[0004] In summary, as wind turbine generators become larger and towers taller, and are exposed to harsh environments for extended periods, the lightning protection grounding contact components, such as the blade tip lightning arresters, hub lightning arresters, and nacelle lightning arresters, are highly susceptible to corrosion and oxidation, leading to poor contact, high contact resistance, or even open circuits. This can cause significant damage to the wind turbine during lightning strikes. Therefore, national regulations (GB / T36490-2018 [current]) require annual testing of the lightning protection grounding system performance.

[0005] The existing equipotential bonding structure of wind turbine generators and step-up transformers, such as Figure 1 As shown in the attached diagram, a typical lightning protection zone for a wind turbine can be referenced. Figure 2 Typical lightning protection electromagnetic pulse environments are divided into LPZ0A, LPZ0B, LPZ01, LPZ2... zones. Currently, the main testing method for lightning protection systems is to determine the resistance between the LPZ0A zone (blade tip lightning rod and nacelle lightning rod) and the artificial grounding electrode by measuring the conduction resistivity.

[0006] Traditional testing and measurement techniques for wind turbines involve rotating one blade to a position close to vertical after the turbine is shut down, locking the hub to prevent the blade from rotating, and then having a professional worker climb outside the turbine nacelle, ascend to the hub and blade area, and use a suspended basket to test the contact resistance value between the lightning arrester at the blade tip and the ground. After testing each blade, the tools must be packed up and the process repeated until all three blades are tested.

[0007] The aforementioned conventional testing requires shutdown and production stoppage. Traditional manual testing is inefficient, time-consuming, difficult, risky, and expensive, especially when conducted manually at heights. Utility Model Content

[0008] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a test system for lightning protection grounding resistance in wind turbine generator sets using drones. This test system can solve the problems of complex, high-cost and high-risk traditional test procedures for lightning protection grounding resistance in wind turbine generator sets.

[0009] This utility model provides a test system for testing the lightning protection grounding resistance of wind turbine generator sets using a drone, which includes a drone, a protection device, a test probe, and test wires;

[0010] The drone is installed inside the protection device and is fixedly connected to the protection device.

[0011] The test probe is disposed on the outer surface of the protective device;

[0012] The test probe is connected to the ground resistance tester via test leads.

[0013] Preferably, the protective device includes a side wing protective net, which forms a ring structure around the perimeter;

[0014] The test probes include side test probes, and at least one side of the side wing protection net is provided with a side test probe.

[0015] Preferably, the protective device includes a top protective net;

[0016] The test probe includes a top test probe, which is disposed on the top protective mesh.

[0017] Preferably, the protective device includes a bottom protective net;

[0018] The test probe includes a bottom test probe, which is provided on the bottom protective net.

[0019] Preferably, the side protection net is connected to the drone arm through multiple evenly distributed support rods, with each support rod corresponding to a different drone arm.

[0020] Preferably, the protective device is made of carbon fiber.

[0021] Preferably, the test probe is composed of multiple probe units, which are connected in parallel and then connected to the test wire.

[0022] Preferably, the probe unit is an elastically telescopic structure.

[0023] Preferably, the probe unit includes a beryllium copper gold-plated needle tip, a needle spring, a needle tube, and a fixing mechanism;

[0024] One end of the needle spring is provided with a beryllium copper gold-plated needle tip, and the other end is inserted into the needle tube, and the needle spring and the needle tube form an elastic telescopic structure.

[0025] The end of the needle tube is provided with a fixing mechanism.

[0026] Preferably, it also includes a connection structure;

[0027] The connection structure is fixed to the protection device, and the test probe is fixed to the connection structure;

[0028] The fixing mechanism is a screw, and the connecting structure is provided with a threaded hole, and the screw is threadedly connected to the threaded hole.

[0029] Beneficial effects:

[0030] Using drones as a measurement platform saves time compared to manual measurement in existing technologies, eliminating the need to climb wind turbines and frequently operate them, thus improving efficiency and increasing power generation.

[0031] By placing the drone inside the protective device, the device can protect the drone, avoiding the problems of unstable flight and reluctance to approach the propellers when working in windy weather, as well as the "crash" phenomenon caused by accidental collision with the propellers during flight.

[0032] The test probe is used to contact the lightning arrester on the wind turbine blade. The sharp part of the test probe solves the problem of high contact resistance caused by oxidation and corrosion at the contact point of the lightning arrester. Attached Figure Description

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the equipotential bonding of a wind turbine generator set and a step-up transformer.

[0035] Figure 2 Lightning protection zones for wind turbine generators;

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the working status of the UAV testing system for testing the lightning protection grounding resistance of a wind turbine generator set, provided for a specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0037] Figure 4 An exploded view of the test system for testing the lightning protection grounding resistance of a wind turbine generator set using a drone, provided as a specific embodiment of this utility model.

[0038] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the connection between the UAV side test probe and the lightning arrester provided for a specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0039] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the probe unit with an elastic telescopic structure provided for a specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0041] 1. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); 2. Side protection net; 3. Side connection mechanism; 4. Side test probe; 5. Top protection net; 6. Top connection mechanism; 7. Top test probe; 8. Test wire; 9. Beryllium copper gold-plated needle; 10. Needle spring; 11. Needle tube; 12. Fixing mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0043] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0044] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. Furthermore, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly; for example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0045] like Figure 3-6 As shown, this embodiment provides a test system for testing the lightning protection grounding resistance of a wind turbine generator set using a drone, which includes a drone 1, a protection device, a test probe, and a test wire 8.

[0046] The drone 1 is installed inside the protective device, and the drone 1 is fixedly connected to the protective device.

[0047] The test probe is set on the outer surface of the protection device and is connected to the ground resistance tester through the test wire 8.

[0048] In this embodiment, the UAV 1 serves as the working measurement carrier, and the UAV 1 adopts existing technologies, such as the UAV 1 being a multi-rotor UAV, and the UAV 1 can be equipped with high-definition camera components and laser rangefinders, which facilitates high-precision control of the UAV 1.

[0049] Using a drone as a measurement platform, compared to manual measurement in existing technologies, saves time spent climbing wind turbines and frequently operating them, thus improving efficiency and increasing power generation.

[0050] The drone 1 is placed inside the protective device, which can protect the drone 1 and avoid the problem of unstable flight and reluctance to approach the propeller when working in windy weather, as well as the "crash" phenomenon caused by accidental collision with the propeller during flight.

[0051] The test probe is used to contact the lightning arrester on the wind turbine blade. The sharp part of the test probe solves the problem of high contact resistance caused by oxidation and corrosion at the contact point of the lightning arrester.

[0052] Similar drone testing schemes are also provided in the prior art, such as the scheme for testing using a drone disclosed in application number CN202310161064.9. A vertical support is installed on the drone body, and a metal mesh is installed on the upper end of the support. One blade of the wind turbine is rotated to the lower vertical position, and the drone is controlled to fly. The lift of the drone is used to make the conductive metal mesh contact the lightning arrester at the tip of the blade. The lightning arrester is led through the lower guide wire loop inside the blade to the hub, the nacelle equipotential terminal block, the tower grounding lower lead wire, and the tower base equipotential terminal block. It is connected to one end of the test line of the resistance tester through an artificial grounding electrode.

[0053] The other end of the resistance tester's test lead is connected to the wire to the metal mesh of the drone to form a circuit. The resistance tester is then turned on to measure the continuity resistance, thereby determining the lightning protection performance.

[0054] In the previous technical solution, the oxide film on the lightning arrester was cleaned using a cleaning device, followed by resistance testing using a metal mesh. However, this application solves the problem of high contact resistance caused by oxidation and corrosion at the lightning arrester contact points using a test probe, while also achieving resistance testing. The test probe solution used in this application has the advantages of simple structure and high testing efficiency.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the specific working principle of the UAV testing system for lightning protection grounding resistance in wind turbine generators is as follows: During operation, UAV 1 rises to the height of the lightning arrester. With the protection device ensuring the safety of UAV 1, the system uses laser ranging and other functions to control UAV 1 to approach the test location. The probe contacts the test point, the ground resistance testing instrument is activated, and the probe is connected to the lightning arrester, the internal lightning protection grounding loop of the wind turbine, and the artificial grounding point through a wire to form a loop with the resistance testing instrument. The resistance testing instrument obtains the test data.

[0056] Protective devices

[0057] The protective device provided in this embodiment includes a side wing protective net 2, which forms a ring structure around the perimeter.

[0058] The test probes include side test probes 4, and the side wing protection net 2 has at least one side of the side test probe 4.

[0059] Specifically, the side protection net 2 has a rectangular or circular cross-section, meaning that the side protection net 2 only needs to be able to cover the drone 1 in the circumference. It should be noted that the side protection net 2 has a symmetrical structure. This structure can avoid the added side protection net 2 from affecting the flight stability of the drone 1.

[0060] Preferably, side test probes 4 are provided on multiple sides of the side protection net 2, thereby facilitating the measurement of the horizontal blade lightning arrester. Furthermore, the side protection net 2 adopts a rectangular structure, with the four corners forming arc-shaped structures corresponding to the blades. Side test probes 4 are provided on the front, rear, left, and right sides of the side protection net 2. Providing side test probes 4 on all four sides of the side protection net is the preferred embodiment of this application; however, it is also possible to provide the side protection net only on two corresponding sides of the side protection net 2.

[0061] The protective device includes a top protective net 5, and the test probe includes a top test probe 7, which is installed on the top protective net 5.

[0062] The protective device includes a bottom protective net, and the test probe includes a bottom test probe, which is installed on the bottom protective net.

[0063] The top protective net 5 and the bottom protective net can be set according to requirements. The top protective net 5 and the bottom protective net are fixedly connected to the side protective net 2. The top test probe 7 and the bottom test probe are used to test the vertical lightning arresters.

[0064] Preferably, the side protection net 2 is provided with a top protection net 5 and a bottom protection net, respectively, and correspondingly equipped with side test probes 4, top test probes 7, and bottom test probes. These protection nets can protect the propellers of the UAV 1 and the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom parts of the UAV 1 body, improving the safety of the UAV 1 during operation.

[0065] The side test probe 4 is used to measure the horizontal blade lightning arrester, while the top test probe 7 and the bottom test probe are used to measure the vertical blade lightning arrester. The measurement of three blades can be completed in one stop, reducing the number of testing steps and improving work efficiency.

[0066] The side protection net 2 is connected to the arm of the UAV 1 via multiple evenly distributed support rods, with each support rod corresponding to one arm of the UAV 1. This connection method increases the overall stability and wind resistance during testing, while reducing the difficulty of operation.

[0067] The protective device is made of carbon fiber, giving it advantages such as light weight, high strength, and excellent impact resistance.

[0068] Test probe

[0069] The test probe consists of multiple probe units, which are connected in parallel and then connected to the test lead 8.

[0070] The probe unit is an elastic telescopic structure, that is, the probe unit has excellent telescopic performance, the probe is sharp and has high conductivity, and multiple probe units are densely arranged and connected in parallel to the test lead 8 to connect to the resistance tester.

[0071] The probe unit adopts an elastic telescopic structure, which solves the problem of poor test contact caused by the unevenness of the lightning rod on the wind turbine blade. The sharpness of the probe solves the problem of high contact resistance caused by oxidation and corrosion of the lightning rod contact point. The beryllium copper gold-plated material itself has good rigidity and low contact resistivity, which solves the problem of its own conductivity.

[0072] The specific structure of the probe unit is as follows: the probe unit includes a beryllium copper gold-plated needle 9, a needle spring 10, a needle tube 11, and a fixing mechanism 12.

[0073] One end of the needle spring 10 is provided with a beryllium copper gold-plated needle tip 9, and the other end is inserted into the needle tube 11, and the needle spring 10 and the needle tube 11 form an elastic telescopic structure.

[0074] The end of the needle tube 11 is provided with a fixing mechanism 12.

[0075] The test system for lightning protection grounding resistance in wind turbine generators, which is tested by drones, also includes a connection structure.

[0076] The connecting structure is fixed on the protective device, the test probe is fixed on the connecting structure, the fixing mechanism 12 is a screw, the connecting structure is provided with a threaded hole, and the screw is threadedly connected to the threaded hole.

[0077] In summary, the UAV testing system for lightning protection grounding resistance in wind turbine generator sets includes a UAV 1 as the working measurement carrier. Multiple arms of the UAV 1 are fixed with side wing protection nets 2. The front, rear, left, and right sides of the side wing protection nets 2 are equipped with side wing connecting mechanisms 3. Multiple test elastic telescopic probe units are installed on these connecting mechanisms for measuring the horizontal blade lightning arrester test points or the nacelle lightning arrester test points.

[0078] A top protective net 5 is installed above the side protective net 2. The top protective net 5 is equipped with a top connecting mechanism 6, which contains multiple test elastic telescopic probe units for measuring the vertical lightning arrester points on the wind turbine blades. During operation, a drone 1 flies close to the test point and the probe contacts the wind turbine lightning arrester. The wind turbine's lightning arrester is already connected to an artificial grounding electrode. One end of the resistance tester is connected to the artificial grounding electrode via a wire, probe, and blade lightning arrester, and the internal components of the wind turbine. The other end of the resistance tester forms a loop with the wire to the artificial test electrode. The resistance tester is then turned on to obtain the lightning protection grounding resistance measurement data.

[0079] The test of the elastic telescopic probe solves the problem of poor contact caused by unevenness and oxidation at the test site, resulting in poor test results. The parallel arrangement of multiple probes solves the problem of low work efficiency caused by blade instability or UAV instability at high wind speeds. The test mechanism and probes at the front or side wings of the UAV during horizontal movement solve the problem of testing horizontal test points. The vertical take-off and landing function of the UAV solves the problem of testing vertical test points.

[0080] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A system for testing lightning protection grounding resistance in a wind turbine generator set, characterized by, Includes drones, protective devices, test probes, and test leads; The drone is installed inside the protection device and is fixedly connected to the protection device. The test probe is disposed on the outer surface of the protective device; The test probe is connected to the ground resistance tester via test leads.

2. The unmanned aerial vehicle system for testing lightning protection grounding resistance of wind turbine generators according to claim 1, wherein, The protective device includes a side protective net, which forms a ring structure around the perimeter. The test probes include side test probes, and at least one side of the side wing protection net is provided with a side test probe.

3. The UAV test system for testing lightning protection grounding resistance in wind turbine generators according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The protective device includes a top protective net; The test probe includes a top test probe, which is disposed on the top protective mesh.

4. The UAV test system for testing lightning protection grounding resistance in a wind turbine generator unit according to claim 3, wherein, The protective device includes a bottom protective net; The test probe includes a bottom test probe, which is provided on the bottom protective net.

5. The system for testing lightning protection grounding resistance in a wind turbine generator set of claim 2, wherein, The side protection net is connected to the drone arm through multiple evenly distributed support rods, with each support rod corresponding to a different drone arm.

6. The UAV test system for testing lightning protection grounding resistance in a wind turbine generator unit according to claim 1, wherein, The protective device is made of carbon fiber.

7. The unmanned aerial vehicle system for testing lightning protection grounding resistance of wind turbine generators according to claim 1, wherein, The test probe consists of multiple probe units, which are connected in parallel and then connected to the test wire.

8. The UAV test system for testing lightning protection grounding resistance in a wind turbine generator unit according to claim 7, wherein, The probe unit is an elastically telescopic structure.

9. The UAV test system for testing lightning protection grounding resistance in a wind turbine generator unit according to claim 8, wherein, The probe unit includes a beryllium copper gold-plated needle tip, a needle spring, a needle tube, and a fixing mechanism; One end of the needle spring is provided with a beryllium copper gold-plated needle tip, and the other end is inserted into the needle tube, and the needle spring and the needle tube form an elastic telescopic structure. The end of the needle tube is provided with a fixing mechanism.

10. The UAV test system for testing lightning protection grounding resistance in a wind turbine generator unit according to claim 9, wherein, It also includes connection structures; The connection structure is fixed to the protection device, and the test probe is fixed to the connection structure; The fixing mechanism is a screw, and the connecting structure is provided with a threaded hole, and the screw is threadedly connected to the threaded hole.

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