Wind Turbine Blade NDT via Internal Fluid Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in non-destructive testing (NDT) of large wind turbine blades is accessing all points of the external surface without dismounting the blades, which is difficult due to their size and the limitations of existing methods that require prolonged turbine immobilization and pose safety risks for operators.
Innovation Solution
A method that modifies the physical characteristics of a fluid within the blade's internal hollow volume, such as temperature or pressure, to detect anomalies on the external surface using contactless sensors, allowing for remote, rapid, and precise measurements without physical contact, and comparing these measurements to reference values to identify defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operators use a movable platform to inspect blade surfaces, then access to blade points is improved, but operator safety and operational time are worsened due to working at heights of several tens of meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical platform system with an autonomous robot that moves along the blade using rolling means bearing on the leading edge. This eliminates the need for operators to work at heights, improving safety while maintaining access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot performs inspection autonomously without human operators on the blade. The system self-navigates along the blade span and executes inspection tasks independently, removing the safety risks associated with human work at height.
2Ease of operation
If operators work on a movable platform for inspection, then blade access is improved, but inspection time is worsened due to prolonged turbine shutdown requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous robot performs inspection without requiring prolonged turbine shutdowns. The robot can operate during shorter停机 periods, reducing the time loss while maintaining comprehensive blade access through its autonomous navigation along the blade span.
3Productivity
If visual checking techniques are used, then inspection speed is improved, but detection capability is worsened as only visible defects from the outside can be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The robot acts as an intermediary carrier for multiple sensing systems (visual, ultrasonic, thermal) along the blade. This intermediary platform enables comprehensive defect detection including internal defects, while maintaining inspection speed through automated movement along the blade span.
4Measurement precision
If ultrasonic inspection techniques are used, then defect detection capability is improved, but inspection time is worsened due to long implementation time
Solution Approach 1:
The robot enables continuous inspection by moving autonomously along the entire blade span, performing ultrasonic and other inspection techniques without interruption. This continuous action reduces total inspection time compared to stationary methods, while maintaining high defect detection capability through multiple sensing systems.
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
Enables frequent and high-quality NDT without prolonged turbine shutdowns, improving the detection of defects at early stages and reducing maintenance costs and risks, while being safer for operators and more efficient than existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
A method for non destructive testing of a wind turbine blade (10) consists in loading the structure of the blade (10) by a modification of at least one physical characteristic of a fluid, in particular air, filling out the blade internal hollow volume
Implementation Method 2
modifying at least one physical characteristic of a fluid, in particular air, filling out the blade internal hollow volume
Data Source
AI summary
The method CND of non-destructive testing of a wind turbine blade includes: stressing the structure of the blade through a modification of a physical characteristic of a fluid filling the hollow interior volume of the blade; observing zones to be tested of the exterior surface of the blade, with the contactless measurement of a physical parameter on points of the exterior surface of the blade; and comparing the map of the values of the physical parameter measured with a reference map. A corresponding system CND for checking the structural integrity of a wind turbine blade includes an aerothermic device for modifying the physical conditions, temperature or pressure, of a fluid filling the hollow interior volume of the blade, a device for contactless measurement of a physical parameter, temperature or dimensions, of the exterior surface of the blade, and a device for processing the measurements.