Wind Turbine Blade Root Locking Pawl to Eliminate Bending Moments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine pitch systems require complex and material-intensive locking mechanisms that introduce bending moments into reinforcement plates, necessitating rigid construction and additional components for proper function and safety.
Innovation Solution
A pitch system locking arrangement featuring a rotor blade root section with an integrated plate and a locking pawl that interacts with an opening in the plate to prevent further pitch movement, eliminating the need for external reinforcement and reducing material usage by eliminating bending moments, with a spring-loaded locking mechanism for passive locking and hydraulic actuation for controlled release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional locking mechanism with pawl, ramp, and notch is used, then the rotor blade can be locked in position, but bending moments are introduced into the reinforcement plate requiring rigid construction and additional parts
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pawl is integrated directly into the hub structure, merging the locking function with the hub itself. This eliminates the need for separate reinforcement plates and multiple mounting parts, reducing device complexity while maintaining the reliable locking function through the direct integration of the pawl mechanism into the existing hub structure
2Reliability
If a traditional locking mechanism with lever arms is used, then the rotor blade can be locked, but bending moments are introduced requiring the reinforcement plate to be built rigid enough to withstand these moments
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pawl is merged into the hub structure, eliminating the need for external reinforcement plates that would require high rigidity to withstand bending moments. The hub itself provides the structural support, eliminating the lever arm effect and associated bending moments on separate reinforcement components
3Reliability
If multiple parts are mounted on the reinforcement plate, then the locking mechanism can function, but the parts need to be controlled and maintained during service to ensure proper function
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pawl is integrated into the hub structure as a single unified component rather than being mounted as a separate part on the reinforcement plate. This integration reduces the number of parts requiring individual control and maintenance, simplifying service operations while maintaining the reliable locking function
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 simplifies the locking mechanism, reduces material requirements, and enhances safety by allowing the rotor blade to be locked in place without additional structural reinforcement, while maintaining operational efficiency and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The locking pawl comprises a spring, to push the locking pawl in the direction of the plate along its longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
The locking pawl comprises an actuator to move the locking pawl along its longitudinal axis. The actuator is a hydraulic actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pitch system locking arrangement. A rotor of a wind turbine is disclosed with a pitch system locking arrangement to lock the position of a wind turbine rotor blade. A rotor comprises a rotor hub 1 and a rotor blade, whereby the rotor blade is connected to the hub via a bearing 10, to be rotatable in respect to the hub 1 in a pitch movement. The rotor blade comprises a root section, and the root section comprises a plate 2, that at least partially covers the cross section of the rotor blade. A certain predetermined rotational position of the rotor blade in respect to the hub 1 is a locked position. The hub 1 comprises a locking pawl 20. The plate 2 comprises an opening 7, 9 and the locking pawl 20 is at least partially located in the opening 7, 9 of the plate 2, when the rotor blade is in the locked position.