Flexible Sensor for Wind Turbine Boundary Layer Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods are inefficient for determining characteristics of the boundary layer of a wind turbine rotor blade, requiring specific sensors placed outside the rotor blade to measure airflow properties.

Innovation Solution

A method using flexible sensors attached to the rotor blade to capture movements caused by aerodynamic forces, allowing indirect measurement of airflow velocity and characteristics within the boundary layer through deflection or vibration analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If specific sensors are placed outside the rotor blade to determine airflow characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow characteristic determinationVSAvoidsensor placement and configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible elements as intermediary components that transfer airflow information to the sensor. Instead of placing sensors directly in the airflow outside the blade, flexible elements are attached to the blade surface and deform in response to airflow, converting complex external measurements into simpler surface-mounted sensor readings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical airflow sensing with a coupled system where flexible mechanical elements (that naturally respond to airflow) are combined with electronic sensors. This substitution simplifies the overall system by using the flexible elements as passive mechanical transducers that convert airflow effects into measurable sensor signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are placed outside the rotor blade to measure boundary layer characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboundary layer characteristic measurementVSAvoidsensor installation and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible elements serve as intermediaries that bridge the boundary layer environment and the sensor. These elements are attached to the blade surface where they naturally interact with the boundary layer airflow, translating complex boundary layer effects into simple deflection patterns that sensors can easily measure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible elements perform self-service by automatically responding to boundary layer conditions without requiring active control or complex installation. Their natural flexibility allows them to self-adjust and self-measure boundary layer characteristics, simplifying operation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If flexible elements are used to capture airflow movements, then ease of manufacture and device complexity are improved, but measurement precision may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor device fabricationVSAvoidairflow velocity measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the flexible elements (material properties, geometry, stiffness) to optimize the balance between ease of manufacture and measurement precision. By carefully selecting these parameters, the flexible elements achieve sufficient sensitivity to detect airflow velocity while remaining simple to fabricate and integrate with standard sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 easy and economical determination of boundary layer characteristics, improving wind turbine operation by monitoring soiling, blade degradation, and stall conditions, leading to optimized energy production and reduced loads.

Implementation Method 1

Flexible element may be any element of a sensor comprising at least partly a flexible body being arranged in such a way to react specifically or individually upon impinging air flows with different air flow velocities resulting in different aerodynamic forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic forces: Drag

Data Source

PatentUS11378487B2Determining at least one characteristic of a boundary layer of a wind turbine rotor blade

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

Provided is a method for determining at least one characteristic of a boundary layer a wind turbine rotor blade, including capturing at least one movement of at least one flexible element of at least one sensor being attached to or being part of a surface of the rotor blade, determining the at least one characteristic of the boundary layer based on the at least one captured movement of the at least one flexible element. Further, a sensor device, a wind turbine and a device as well as a computer program product and a computer readable medium are suggested for performing the method.