Wind Turbine Blade Lightning Suppression Electrode Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind power generation apparatuses face damage from lightning strikes due to the inability of fixed lightning receiving parts to intercept strikes during blade rotation, leading to damage from lightning passing through the blade and nacelle.
Innovation Solution
A blade configuration with a conductive structural member and electrically insulated first and second electrodes, where the second electrode is grounded, reduces the generation of upward streamers by attracting and dissipating lightning charges, thereby suppressing lightning strikes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed lightning receiving part is installed at the tip of the blade, then lightning strikes can be received when the blade is stationary, but the lightning receiving part cannot intercept strikes when the blade is rotating at high speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed lightning receiving part into a movable structure that rotates with the blade. The receiving part is now dynamically positioned along the blade length rather than fixed at the tip, allowing it to maintain effectiveness during rotation by being distributed along the rotating path.
Solution Approach 2:
The lightning receiving part is divided into multiple segments distributed along the blade length. Instead of a single fixed receiver at the tip, multiple receivers are placed at different positions, ensuring that at least one receiver is always in position to intercept lightning strikes regardless of blade rotation angle or speed.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the lightning stroke passes through the blade to reach the ground, then the grounding function is achieved, but the blade structure is damaged by the lightning stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated lightning receiving part as an intermediary element between the lightning strike and the blade structure. This receiver captures the lightning current and provides a separate path to ground through the hub and support pole, preventing the stroke from directly passing through and damaging the blade.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful lightning strike into a beneficial grounding current path. By providing a controlled route through the hub and support pole to ground, the system safely dissipates the lightning energy while protecting the blade. The harmful electrical energy is redirected through structurally designed paths that can handle the current without damage.
3Productivity
If the blade length is increased to increase power generation amount, then more wind energy can be captured, but the blade becomes more vulnerable to lightning strikes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lightning protection function into multiple segments along the blade length. By placing multiple lightning receiving parts at different positions rather than relying on a single tip-mounted receiver, the system provides multiple interception points for lightning strikes, reducing vulnerability as blade length increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed lightning receiving parts rotate with the blade, creating a dynamic protection zone that covers the entire blade length. This dynamic configuration ensures that regardless of how long the blade becomes, there is always a receiving part in position to intercept strikes, making the protection scale with the blade length.
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 configuration effectively suppresses lightning strikes on the blade, enhancing the stability and durability of wind power generation apparatuses by preventing damage from lightning strikes during both stationary and rotating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrode made of the conductive material is installed on the surface of the blade, with the structural member being electrically insulated from the first electrode so as to form a second electrode that is grounded
Implementation Method 2
reduces the generation of upward streamers by attracting and dissipating lightning charges
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention addresses the problem of providing a structure with which lightning strikes to a blade can be suppressed. Provided is a blade 5 used in a wind power generation device 1, the blade 5 being characterized in that a structural member formed from an electroconductive material is inserted into the interior, a first electrode 7 formed from an electroconductive material is provided on the surface of the blade 5, and the structural member constitutes a second electrode 8 that is electrically insulated from the first electrode 7 and is grounded.