Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Grounding for Electrostatic Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines experience electrostatic charge accumulation in rotor blades due to air friction or precipitation, leading to malfunctions, shutdowns, and potential damage, which existing systems fail to effectively dissipate or manage.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine system with switchable connections between the electrical system and ground, controlled by a control device, allows for intentional grounding and discharge of electrostatic charge, combined with a blade heating system to prevent ice accumulation and needle electrodes for corona discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical system is continuously grounded to dissipate electrostatic charge, then electrostatic charge accumulation is reduced, but the electrical system becomes inoperable due to continuous grounding
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding connection is made dynamic through a switchable connection that can be controllably switched between open and closed states. This allows the electrical system to be grounded when needed for charge dissipation and disconnected when operational capability is required, resolving the contradiction between continuous charge dissipation and system operability.
2Ease of operation
If the electrical system is disconnected from ground to maintain operability, then the system remains operational, but electrostatic charge accumulates leading to malfunctions and shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary grounding action by controllably closing the switchable connection before electrostatic charge reaches dangerous levels. The control device monitors charge accumulation and proactively grounds the electrical system to prevent malfunctions and shutdowns, while minimizing the duration of grounding to maintain operational capability.
3Reliability
If a non-switchable overvoltage connection is used for lightning protection, then automatic protection is provided, but controlled dissipation of electrostatic charge is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the non-switchable overvoltage connection for lightning protection with a switchable connection for controlled charge dissipation. Both functions are integrated into the grounding system, allowing the electrical system to benefit from automatic lightning protection while also enabling controlled grounding for electrostatic charge management through the switchable connection.
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
Effectively dissipates electrostatic charge, prevents system malfunctions, and maintains operational safety by controlled grounding and discharge, while also addressing ice accumulation and lightning protection.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one switchable connection is controllably switchable between an open state and a closed state so that, when the at least one switchable connection is in the closed state, the electrical system is grounded, and when the at least one switchable connection is in the open state, the electrical system is not grounded
Implementation Method 2
The electrical system may comprise a blade heating system for preventing accumulation of ice on the rotor blade
Implementation Method 3
A wind turbine system with switchable connections between the electrical system and ground, controlled by a control device, allows for intentional grounding and discharge of electrostatic charge, combined with a blade heating system to prevent ice accumulation and needle electrodes for corona discharge
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a wind turbine (100) comprising a rotor blade (1), an electrical system (4) embedded in the rotor blade and at least one switchable connection (5) between the electrical system and ground. The at least one switchable connection is controllably switchable between an open state and a closed state so that, when the at least one switchable connection is in the closed state, the electrical system is grounded, and, when the at least one switchable connection is in the open state, the electrical system is not grounded.