Wind Turbine Blade Joint Sensors for Load Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine blade joining systems lack effective monitoring and control of forces and damages at transverse joints, leading to inefficiencies in load management and potential catastrophic failures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sensors at blade joining points to measure forces and detect damage, using a combination of ultrasound sensors and load cells to transmit data to the control system for real-time load management and optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are installed at blade joining points to measure forces and detect damage, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (ultrasound sensors and load cells) into a single monitoring system at the blade joining points. The ultrasound sensors detect damage in the joining elements while load cells measure the forces transmitted through the joint, merging damage detection and force measurement functions into one integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediary devices between the blade joining elements and the control system. These sensors act as mediators that convert physical quantities (forces, damage states) into measurable signals that can be processed by the control system for real-time monitoring and load management.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are installed to obtain precise load data, then reliability and measurement accuracy improve, but weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial monitoring by installing sensors only at the critical joining points where blades are connected, rather than throughout the entire blade structure. This selective placement provides sufficient reliability for load management while minimizing the additional weight introduced by sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by concentrating monitoring capabilities specifically at the blade joining points where forces are transmitted and damage is most likely to occur. This localized approach ensures high reliability at critical locations without adding unnecessary weight to the entire blade.
3Use of energy by moving object
If real-time load monitoring is implemented, then load reduction and energy optimization are achieved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring forces at the blade joining points with sensors and using this real-time data to adjust the control system's decisions. The control system processes sensor signals and provides feedback to optimize blade operation, reduce loads, and minimize energy consumption throughout the blade's life.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system enables the wind turbine to self-adjust its operation based on real-time load conditions. By continuously measuring forces at the joining points and automatically responding through the control system, the turbine performs self-service load management without requiring external intervention, optimizing energy efficiency autonomously.
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
This solution reduces loads and energy costs, minimizes preventative maintenance, and optimizes blade design by providing precise load data, thereby reducing failure probabilities and enabling adjusted design hypotheses based on real loads.
Implementation Method 1
From all the information described above, one can see that the advantages provided by the sensors referred to in the invention are: Load reduction and weight reduction. Optimisation and reduction of energy costs. Avoids preventative maintenance. Reduction of catastrophic failure. Knowledge of the real loads in the blade joint. Adjusted design hypotheses based on real loads. Design optimised for real loads. Decrease in the probability of failure of the blade and its joint.
Implementation Method 2
Figure 6 shows the detail of a load cell in the pin.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
A wind turbine blade is subdivided transversely into two or more sections (10,11) joined together at blade joints (12) including mechanical joining elements (9) between blade sections, that include a number of sensors (14,15,5), preferably load cells and ultrasound sensors, assembled into the mechanical joining elements between blade sections. Their measurements allow the loads to be reduced and the forces to be controlled during the entire life of the blade. They also allow damages to be detected (stopping the machine if necessary) and an optimised design for real loads.