Wind Turbine Blade Heating Element Failure Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbine blades experience reduced power output and potential damage due to ice accumulation, which can lead to heating element failure, necessitating a method to monitor and identify such failures effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a voltage to the heating element relative to a reference potential to determine capacitance and leakage, comparing real values to desired values to identify failures, and using voltage impulses to locate the failure point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating elements are installed on wind turbine blades to prevent ice accumulation, then ice protection capability is improved, but the risk of heating element failure due to external conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system performs preliminary detection of heating element status by measuring capacitance and leakage current before actual ice accumulation occurs. This allows early identification of heating element degradation or failure, enabling preventive maintenance before the heating element can cause ice accumulation problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors heating element parameters (capacitance and leakage current) and provides feedback about their status. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to detect changes in heating element condition and respond appropriately, either by alerting operators or adjusting operation to maintain reliable ice protection.
2Reliability
If heating elements are used for anti-icing and de-icing, then ice accumulation is prevented, but detection of heating element failure becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex physical inspection methods with electrical measurement techniques. By measuring capacitance and leakage current, the system can detect heating element failures without requiring physical access to the heating elements on the blade surfaces, significantly simplifying the detection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system uses electrical parameters (capacitance and leakage current) as intermediaries to indirectly assess the condition of heating elements. These measurable electrical properties serve as proxies for the functional status of the heating elements, allowing failure detection without direct physical examination.
3Strength
If the wind turbine shuts down to prevent excessive loading from ice accumulation, then blade damage is avoided, but power output is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system detects heating element failures before ice accumulation reaches critical levels that would require turbine shutdown. By identifying problems early, the system allows the turbine to continue operating at full power output while maintenance can be scheduled during planned downtime rather than forced shutdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the wind turbine to monitor and assess its own heating element condition autonomously. This self-diagnosis capability allows the turbine to determine when maintenance is needed without external inspection, optimizing the timing of shutdowns to balance safety with power production.
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 early detection of heating element failures, preventing ice accumulation and reducing the risk of turbine damage by accurately identifying and potentially repairing issues.
Implementation Method 1
A resistive material connected to a power supply may be utilized as a heating element. The resistive material may be located near the surface of the turbine blade and may be embedded in each blade and powered on to prevent ice accumulation.
Implementation Method 2
providing a desired value for a parameter indicative of a capacitance and/or or a leakage of the heating element relative to a reference potential; applying a voltage to the heating element relative to the reference potential; determining a real value of the parameter indicative of a capacitance and/or or a leakage of the heating element relative to a reference potential
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine and a method for locating an event corresponding to a failure of a heating element at a wind turbine blade, the heating element comprising an electric resistive material configured to generate heat using electrical power, the method comprising: —providing a location of an event corresponding to a failure of a heating element, wherein the heating element is in an Ohmic contact with a reference potential; —applying a voltage impulse to the heating element relative to the reference potential at a first point in time; —measuring a voltage at the reference potential at a second point in time; —determine the location based at least on the first point in time and the second point in time.