Curved Vortex Generator Platform for Wind Turbine Blade Stress Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vortex generators on wind turbine blades tend to fall off due to stress from deformation, leading to reduced wind turbine performance.
Innovation Solution
A vortex generator with a platform portion having a curved convex cross-section along the blade spanwise and chordwise directions, and an adhesive-agent layer to enhance adhesion, reducing the risk of falling off and improving stress dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vortex generator with a platform portion is mounted to a wind turbine blade surface, then flow separation is suppressed and aerodynamic performance is improved, but the platform portion experiences great stress from blade deformation causing the vortex generator to fall off
Solution Approach 1:
The platform portion is designed with a curved convex cross-sectional shape along the blade spanwise direction. This curvature allows the platform to deform flexibly with the wind turbine blade during operation, distributing the stress caused by blade deformation across the curved structure rather than concentrating it at rigid attachment points, thereby preventing the vortex generator from falling off while maintaining aerodynamic performance
2Ease of manufacture
If the platform portion is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then manufacturing is simplified, but stress concentration occurs during blade deformation leading to detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The curved convex cross-section of the platform portion provides inherent flexibility that allows it to adapt to blade deformation without requiring complex rigid structures or additional stress-distribution mechanisms, maintaining both manufacturability and attachment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The platform portion's cross-sectional shape parameter is changed from a conventional flat or simple geometric form to a curved convex shape. This parameter change fundamentally alters the stress distribution characteristics, enabling the platform to flex with blade deformation while maintaining structural integrity and attachment reliability
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 design effectively reduces the risk of vortex generator detachment and enhances the adhesion to the wind turbine blade, maintaining performance and efficiency over time.
Implementation Method 1
the platform portion is deformable in accordance with bending deformation of the wind turbine blade, and thereby it is possible to disperse stress generated at the platform portion
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive-agent layer to enhance adhesion, reducing the risk of falling off
Data Source
AI summary
A vortex generator for a wind turbine blade to be mounted to a wind turbine blade includes: a platform portion to be mounted to a surface of the wind turbine blade; and at least one fin disposed upright on the platform portion. The platform portion has a cross section having a curved convex shape, at least along a blade spanwise direction of the wind turbine blade.