Wind Turbine Blade Mechanical De-Icing Using Pulled Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing de-icing solutions for wind turbine blades, such as heating elements and ice-phobic coatings, are expensive, energy-intensive, or incomplete in addressing ice accumulation, posing safety risks and efficiency losses.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an unmanned aerial vehicle to deploy a line over the blade, using progressively thicker segments, and optionally attaching additional lines or de-icing equipment to remove ice, including options for severe icing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating elements are incorporated into the blade, then de-icing effectiveness is improved, but cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal de-icing systems (heating elements) with a mechanical de-icing system using a flexible line pulled across the blade. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous energy input while maintaining de-icing effectiveness through physical ice removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the de-icing function from the blade structure itself (removing heating elements embedded in the blade) and implements it as an external, removable line system that can be deployed only when needed, reducing both cost and energy consumption.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ice-phobic coating is applied to the blade, then ice build-up is reduced, but the problem is not completely solved and additional cost is incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines preventive measures (ice-phobic coating) with active mechanical removal (flexible line system) to create a comprehensive de-icing solution. The coating reduces initial ice adhesion while the line provides active removal, achieving complete ice elimination at moderate cost.
3Reliability
If a flexible line is pulled across the blade, then ice is mechanically removed effectively, but the line must be smoothly connected with progressive thickness to minimize surface damage
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible line is designed with progressive thickness variation along its length, with thinner sections at contact points and thicker sections at non-contact areas. This local quality variation ensures effective ice removal where needed while minimizing damage to the blade surface, balancing de-icing performance with surface protection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides an effective, inexpensive, and efficient de-icing solution that minimizes damage to the blade surface and ensures rapid ice removal, reducing operational risks and maintaining turbine efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
pulling a line one over the wind turbine blade... pulling both ends of the line one sideways parallel to the wind turbine blade
Implementation Method 2
The line one can be pulled over the wind turbine blade at the step (iii) using an unmanned aerial vehicle... pulling the line until it is in the desired position on the wind turbine blade
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to the methods and devices for wind turbine blade mechanical de-icing. The proposed method for de-icing of a wind turbine blade, includes the steps of positioning a wind turbine blade in a substantially horizontal position; pulling a line one over the wind turbine blade; and pulling both ends of the line one sideways parallel to the wind turbine blade. The line one can be provided with a line two attached to it and the method may further include the step of pulling up a joint connecting the lines one and two to the leading edge and using the line one to slide the joint position over the leading edge of the blade. According to an embodiment an elastic sliding plate configured to prevent line entanglement may be attached at the line one and two joint position.