Contactless Displacement Sensor for Wind Turbine Blade Root Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind turbines face challenges in accurately monitoring wind loads acting on rotor blades due to stochastic wind distributions and dynamic load transfers, making it difficult to control pitch adjustments effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for measuring displacements of a blade root using a hub-mounted displacement sensor that detects radial, axial, and tilting displacements of a reference plane relative to the hub or rotor blade without physical contact, allowing for real-time data transfer to a controller to determine bending moments and adjust pitch angles accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contactless displacement sensing is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based displacement sensors with contactless displacement sensors that utilize electromagnetic fields or optical fields to detect blade root displacements. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and contact interference while achieving high measurement precision, directly resolving the technical contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Reliability
If real-time displacement monitoring is implemented, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous real-time displacement monitoring of the blade root using contactless sensors, enabling uninterrupted measurement of wind loads. This continuous monitoring approach ensures high reliability for detecting dynamic wind conditions and enables timely pitch adjustments, while the contactless nature of the sensors minimizes energy consumption compared to mechanical systems.
3Productivity
If pitch adjustment control is enhanced, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a closed-loop feedback control system where contactless displacement sensors continuously measure blade root positions, the controller processes this data to determine wind loads, and pitch adjustments are automatically made based on the feedback. This feedback mechanism enables efficient wind energy capture through optimized pitch control while integrating seamlessly with existing turbine systems.
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 precise monitoring and control of wind loads on rotor blades, improving wind turbine efficiency and safety by providing accurate data for pitch adjustments, reducing the impact of fluctuating wind conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one displacement sensor configured to detect a displacement of the reference plane without physical contact
Implementation Method 2
the displacement sensor is configured to detect a displacement of the reference plane relative to the hub without physical contact
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system for measuring displacements of a blade root of a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The system comprises a hub, a rotor blade coupled to the hub by a pitch bearing. The system further comprises a reference plane and at least one displacement sensor. The reference plane is configured to move with the rotor blade as the rotor blade moves relative to the hub while the displacement sensor is fixed to the hub and the displacement sensor is configured to detect a displacement of the reference plane relative to the hub without physical contact. Alternatively, the reference plane has a fixed position with respect to the hub while the displacement sensor is fixed to the rotor blade and the displacement sensor is configured to detect a displacement of the reference plane relative to the rotor blade without physical contact.