Curled C-Shape Wind Turbine Blade Winglet Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine blade winglets face limitations in reducing tip vortex losses and thrust loads, leading to sub-optimal aerodynamic performance and potential tower-strike issues, with traditional L-shaped structures being either ineffective or limited by weight and drag penalties.
Innovation Solution
A compact curled winglet structure is introduced, extending spanwise from the tip towards the center of rotation to form a C-shape or open P-shape, which can be smoothly curved, boxy planar, or a combination thereof, on both the pressure and suction sides, reducing out-of-plane thrust and enhancing aerodynamic efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional L-shaped winglet structures are used, then the blade tip vortex suppression is improved, but the tower-strike margin is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from straight L-shaped winglet segments to a continuously curved C-shaped or open P-shaped winglet structure. The winglet features a curved spanwise extension that smoothly transitions from the blade tip toward the center of rotation, creating a more aerodynamic profile that reduces tip vortices while maintaining adequate tower clearance through the curved geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves beyond the traditional two-dimensional L-shaped winglet configuration by introducing a three-dimensional C-shaped or open P-shaped structure with curved spanwise and chordwise extensions. This dimensional transformation allows the winglet to effectively suppress tip vortices while maintaining sufficient distance from the tower through spatial optimization.
2Productivity
If larger winglet structures are used to reduce tip vortex losses, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but weight and drag penalties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved C-shaped or open P-shaped winglet structure creates a more aerodynamic profile that reduces drag compared to traditional L-shaped designs. The smooth curvature minimizes flow separation and turbulence, allowing for effective tip vortex suppression with reduced structural weight requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the winglet geometry by changing key parameters including the curvature radius, spanwise extension length, and chordwise distribution. These parameter adjustments enable the winglet to achieve optimal aerodynamic performance while minimizing weight and drag penalties through precise geometric tuning.
3Ease of manufacture
If passive winglet devices are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The continuously curved C-shaped or open P-shaped winglet structure provides superior adaptability across different operating conditions compared to segmented L-shaped designs. The smooth curvature allows the winglet to effectively suppress tip vortices across a broader range of wind speeds and blade pitch angles, enhancing versatility while remaining manufacturable as a single-piece composite structure.
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 curled winglet structure effectively minimizes tip vortex losses and thrust loads, improving aerodynamic performance while maintaining sufficient tower clearance, thus enhancing energy production and reducing structural weight and noise.
Implementation Method 1
winglets can be employed to improve the overall efficiency and performance of a wind turbine. For example, a winglet may decrease the amount of spanwise flow generated at the tip of a rotor blade and, thereby, reduce drag on the rotor blade
Implementation Method 2
winglets may decrease the amount of spanwise flow generated at the tip of a rotor blade and, thereby, reduce drag on the rotor blade
Implementation Method 3
The rotor blades capture kinetic energy from wind using known airfoil principles and transmit the kinetic energy through rotational energy
Implementation Method 4
winglets may also be installed on rotor blades to reduce the overall diameter of the wind turbine as well as to reduce noise emitted by the blades
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine blade includes a root portion, a tip and a body extending between the root portion and the tip. The body has a pressure side and a suction side. The body further has at least one winglet. Each winglet has a spanwise extension towards the root portion of the rotor blade and that ends at the tip to form a winglet having a substantially C-shaped or substantially open P-shaped geometry.