Wind Turbine Blade Flow Separation Control via Fiber Optic Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind turbine technologies lack an efficient method to measure flow fields across wind turbine blades, leading to suboptimal performance due to flow separation, which results in reduced lift and torque loss, and existing measurement techniques are not suitable for continuous, automated control systems, especially in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine system equipped with fiber optic sensors positioned along the blades to measure wind speed, a controller to develop a wind speed profile, and performance adjustment mechanisms like yaw and blade pitch mechanisms to compensate for variations in flow profiles, thereby controlling flow separation and optimizing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional flow measurement methods (oil flow techniques, cameras, angle of attack instruments) are used, then flow visualization is achieved, but the methods are not suitable for continuous automated control systems in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/optical measurement systems (oil flow techniques, cameras, angle of attack instruments) with a fiber optic sensing system that uses light propagation through optical fibers to detect flow conditions. This substitution enables continuous operation in harsh environments while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fiber optic sensors as an intermediary between the flow field and the control system. These sensors act as mediators that can withstand harsh environmental conditions while providing continuous flow field data to the automated control system.
2Device complexity
If no direct flow field measurement is performed, then system complexity is reduced, but aerodynamic performance is suboptimal due to flow separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with fiber optic sensors that provide direct flow field measurement capability. This enables the system to detect and respond to flow separation conditions, optimizing aerodynamic performance without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where fiber optic sensors continuously measure flow field conditions and provide data to the control system. This feedback enables real-time adjustments to prevent or mitigate flow separation, maintaining optimal aerodynamic efficiency.
3Device complexity
If whole blade level control is used, then device complexity is minimized, but measurement resolution is insufficient for precise flow separation control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blade into multiple measurement zones by positioning fiber optic sensors at different radial locations along the blade span. This segmentation enables precise local flow field measurement and control, allowing the system to address flow separation at specific locations without requiring complex whole-blade control.
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
The system enables continuous, precise measurement and adjustment of wind turbine performance, enhancing energy capture, reducing system loads, and improving aerodynamic efficiency by detecting and mitigating flow separation, leading to increased power generation and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of fiber optic wind speed sensors positioned along a blade. The controller activates the yaw mechanism and/or the blade pitch mechanism in response to the fiber optic wind speed sensors
Implementation Method 2
sensing a wind induced strain in the number of fiber optic wind speed sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application provides a wind turbine system (100). The wind turbine system (100) may include a number of blades (110), a number of wind speed sensors (200) positioned on the blades (110), a controller (190) in communication with the wind speed sensors (200), and one or more performance adjustment mechanisms (180) in communication with the controller (190). The controller (190) activates the performance adjustment mechanisms (180) in response to the wind speed sensors (200).