Wind Turbine Blade Lightning Terminal Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of ice formation prevention systems in wind turbine blades can interfere with lightning protection systems, as conductive layers can attract lightning, leading to damage and reduced performance or failure of the ice prevention system, particularly at the blade tip region.

Innovation Solution

An oversized first connection terminal is used on the conductive layer, partially contacting it and extending towards the blade tip, to attract lightning and prevent direct strikes on the conductive layer, reducing the need for multiple lightning receptors and simplifying manufacturing, while maintaining electrical connectivity with the lightning down conductor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conductive layer is integrated into the blade structure for ice formation prevention, then ice prevention efficiency is improved, but the blade becomes more susceptible to lightning damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice formation prevention efficiencyVSAvoidlightning damage susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A connection terminal is introduced as an intermediary element between the conductive layer and the blade tip. This terminal acts as a mediator that intercepts lightning strikes before they reach the conductive layer, while still allowing the conductive layer to perform its ice prevention function. The terminal is electrically connected to both the conductive layer and a lightning down conductor, creating a safe pathway for lightning current.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection terminal, which extends towards the blade tip, intentionally exposes a portion of itself to attract lightning strikes. By converting the harmful lightning strike into a controlled event at the terminal rather than at the conductive layer, the system protects the critical ice prevention components while providing a designated path for lightning current dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If multiple lightning receptors are arranged on the blade tip region to protect the conductive layer, then lightning protection reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelightning protection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of lightning receptors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection terminal serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connection to the conductive layer for ice prevention, acts as a lightning receptor to attract and intercept lightning strikes, and serves as a connection point for the lightning down conductor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated lightning receptors, reducing system complexity while maintaining protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the connection terminal (required for ice prevention system operation) with the lightning protection function by extending it towards the blade tip. This combination of functions into a single element reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively reduces damage to the conductive layer, lowers manufacturing costs, and minimizes the complexity of the lightning protection system, ensuring the integrity of both the ice formation prevention and lightning protection systems.

Implementation Method 1

a first connection terminal placed on the first end of the conductive layer and a second connection terminal placed on the second end of the conductive layer for electrically connecting the conductive layer with a power supply unit and therefore heating the conductive layer for preventing ice formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a lightning protection system with a lightning receptor arranged on the blade tip for receiving lightning and a lightning down conductor for conducting a lightning current received by the lightning receptor to the blade root

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLightning conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4036402B1Blade for a wind turbine

Publication Date: 2023.11.01 GAMESA INNOVATION & TECH SL

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5

AI summary

Blade for a wind turbine comprising a trailing edge (2) and a leading edge (3) longitudinally extending from the blade tip (4) to the blade root (5), a lightning protection system (10) with at least one lightning receptor (11) on the blade tip (4) for receiving lightning and at least one lightning down conductor (12) for conducting a lightning current received by the lightning receptor (11) to the blade root (5), and an ice formation prevention system (20) with a conductive layer (21) arranged along the leading edge (3) having a first end (22) oriented to the blade tip (4) and a second end (23) oriented to the blade root (5), and a first connection terminal (24) on the first end (22) and a second connection terminal (25) on the second end (23) for connecting the layer (21) with a power supply unit, the first connection terminal (24) is connected with the lightning down conductor (12), wherein the first connection terminal (24) partially contacts the layer (21) and have a rear section (241) connected to the layer (21) and a front section (242) that longitudinally extends towards the blade tip (4).