Drone-Installed Blade Dampers for Parked Wind Turbine Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind turbines experience excessive vibrations, particularly when parked, leading to potential damage and reduced lifespan due to varying wind conditions, which existing methods like rotor positioning and pitch system adjustments are ineffective during installation, commissioning, or maintenance.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing drones to install and remove vibration mitigating devices on wind turbine blades, eliminating the need for rotor rotation and pitch system adjustments, thereby securing the devices using drones to mitigate vortex-induced and stall-induced vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rotor positioning or pitch system adjustments are used to mitigate vibrations, then vibrations during normal operation can be reduced, but these methods are ineffective when the wind turbine is parked, installed, or under maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration mitigation effectivenessVSAvoidapplicability across different operational states

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the vibration mitigation function from the operational control systems (rotor positioning and pitch system) and implements it as a separate, independent device that can be applied to the blade surface. This extracted device works passively by modifying airflow characteristics, making it effective regardless of whether the turbine is operating or parked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration mitigating device is installed on the blade in advance, before the turbine begins operation or during maintenance periods. This preliminary installation ensures protection is already in place when the turbine is parked or being commissioned, eliminating the gap where vibrations would otherwise cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional installation methods are used for vibration mitigating devices, then installation can be performed with existing equipment, but the process is time-consuming and exposes personnel to risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of personnelVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical installation methods (cranes, hoists, personnel working at height) with a drone-based delivery system. The drone carries the vibration mitigating device to the blade and releases it for attachment, eliminating the need for heavy lifting equipment and reducing personnel exposure to hazardous conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The drone acts as an intermediary between the ground-based operation team and the blade-mounted installation point. It transports the vibration mitigating device to the precise location on the blade and facilitates attachment without requiring personnel to physically access high-risk areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the wind turbine is parked for installation or maintenance, then the vibration mitigating device can be installed or serviced, but the turbine is vulnerable to vibrations during this period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for installationVSAvoidvibration exposure during parked state

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12523198B2Methods and devices for vibration mitigation on wind turbines

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 GE VERNOVA INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to methods for installing and uninstalling devices for reducing vibrations in wind turbines and to such devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for installing and uninstalling devices for reducing vortex induced vibrations and stall induced vibrations when the wind turbine is parked, especially during wind turbine installation and/or maintenance, and to such devices. A method for installing a vibration mitigating device for mitigating wind turbine vibrations on a wind turbine blade of a parked wind turbine is provided. The method comprises moving the vibration mitigating device at least partially around the wind turbine blade using one or more drones; and securing the vibration mitigating device to the wind turbine. In some examples, the vibration mitigating device may be carried to the wind turbine blade using the one or more drones.