Flexible Capacitive Ice Detection on Wind Turbine Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice detection systems for surfaces like wind turbine rotor blades are complex, invasive, and unable to accurately detect ice layers or their location, often requiring significant installation and power, and are not suitable for non-flat surfaces without altering aerodynamics.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, hermetically sealed device with capacitive sensors and energy harvesting capabilities for ice detection, allowing wireless data transfer and integration into non-flat surfaces without altering their behavior, using flexible circuit boards and energy storage for autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex measuring devices (optical and ultrasound-based systems) are used for ice detection, then detection capability is improved, but device size and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measuring devices (optical and ultrasound-based systems) with a capacitive sensor system. The capacitive sensors detect ice formation through electrical field changes rather than mechanical or optical means, significantly simplifying the device while maintaining detection capability. The sensor comprises a capacitive element that measures changes in capacitance caused by ice accumulation on the rotor blade surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from mechanical/optical measurements to electrical capacitance measurements. By monitoring capacitance changes between the capacitive sensor and the rotor blade surface, the system detects ice formation through electrical field interactions, enabling a more compact and simpler device design while achieving accurate ice detection.
2Measurement precision
If optical fibres are guided from inside to the surface of the rotor blade for ice detection, then localised measurement is achieved, but installation outlay and surface damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the rotor blade interior by placing capacitive sensors on the outer surface of the rotor blade. This eliminates the need to install optical fibres inside the blade structure, removing the associated installation complexity and surface damage while maintaining the capability for localized ice detection at multiple positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensor is implemented as a thin, flexible element that can be mounted directly on the rotor blade surface without requiring internal installation. The sensor structure includes a capacitive element that conforms to the blade surface, enabling easy installation and removal while providing localized measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If natural frequency analysis is used to monitor rotor blade state, then ice detection is possible, but detection threshold is high and localisation is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the rotor blade surface into multiple measurement zones by placing multiple capacitive sensors at different locations on the blade. Each sensor provides localized capacitance measurements for its specific area, enabling both detection of ice formation and determination of its precise location on the rotor blade surface.
4Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted on non-flat surfaces like rotor blades, then ice detection on actual surfaces is achieved, but aerodynamics may be influenced
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensor is designed as a thin, flexible element that can be mounted on the curved surface of the rotor blade while maintaining aerodynamic smoothness. The sensor's thin profile and flexible nature allow it to conform to the blade surface without creating significant aerodynamic disturbances, enabling accurate ice detection on non-flat surfaces.
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 accurate detection and classification of ice on non-flat surfaces with minimal impact on aerodynamics, allowing for timely countermeasures and reduced mechanical stress on wind turbines, with the ability to operate independently and communicate wirelessly for robust data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
methods for ice detection that are based on the measurement of the electrical capacitance or impedance are known
Data Source
AI summary
A device for detecting critical states of a surface, in which at least one hermetically sealed sensor for detecting critical states of a surface, one system for energy supply and one device for data transfer with an at least partially flexible, thin carrier plate are mechanically connected, and said carrier plate is arranged on the surface to be observed.