Hub-Mounted Airfoil Body for Wind Turbine Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face challenges in dynamically controlling torque along blades due to varying wind conditions, as existing methods like movable slats require complex blade modifications and are costly, and fail to provide sufficient dynamic control.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an airfoil body with an aerodynamic profile attached to the hub, which increases lift at the inner portion of the rotor blades, and a coupling system that allows for adjustable positioning relative to the blades, enabling dynamic control without modifying the blades themselves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the angle of attack is twisted from the inner portion to the outer portion of the blade to increase torque at the inner portion, then the torque at the inner portion is improved, but the blade shape becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into two functional parts: a fixed rotor blade and a movable airfoil body that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the airfoil body to be adjusted to optimize torque at the inner portion without requiring the entire blade to have a complex twisted shape, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining improved torque performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The airfoil body is made movable relative to the rotor blade through a coupling system, enabling dynamic adjustment of the angle of attack at the inner portion of the blade. This dynamic configuration allows optimization of torque under varying wind conditions without permanently modifying the blade shape, thus avoiding the complexity and cost associated with fixed twisted blade designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable slat is attached to the blade to provide adjustable angle of attack at the inner portion, then dynamic control of torque is improved, but the solution is insufficient or unsuitable for particular wind conditions and requires complex blade modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The airfoil body is designed as a separate, movable component that can be independently adjusted relative to the rotor blade. This segmentation enables versatile dynamic control of torque at the inner portion without requiring complex modifications to the blade structure itself, as the airfoil body can be repositioned to suit different wind conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable airfoil body serves multiple functions: it increases torque at the inner portion, provides dynamic control under varying wind conditions, and can be adjusted without modifying the blade. This multi-functional design enhances adaptability while avoiding the complexity of blade modifications required by movable slat solutions.
3Force
If the angle of attack is increased at the inner portion of the blade to increase lift, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but existing methods require complex blade modifications and are costly
Solution Approach 1:
The airfoil body is separated from the rotor blade as an independent, movable component. This allows the airfoil body to be manufactured separately with optimized aerodynamic properties for increased lift at the inner portion, while the rotor blade itself remains simple and easy to manufacture. The coupling system enables assembly without complex blade modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable airfoil body allows dynamic adjustment of the angle of attack at the inner portion to optimize lift under different operating conditions. This dynamic capability is achieved through a simple coupling system rather than complex blade modifications, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining improved aerodynamic performance.
4Force
If existing methods are used to increase lift at the inner portion of the blade, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the methods require blade shutdowns for adjustment and compromise aerodynamic performance
Solution Approach 1:
The airfoil body is designed to be movable during rotor operation through a coupling system that allows adjustment without blade shutdowns. This enables continuous optimization of lift at the inner portion under varying wind conditions, maintaining energy production continuity while improving aerodynamic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system enables the airfoil body to be adjusted during rotor operation, ensuring that the useful action of generating lift continues without interruption. This eliminates the need for blade shutdowns required by existing methods, thereby maintaining continuous energy production while optimizing aerodynamic performance.
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
This solution enhances aerodynamic lift, improves wind capture, and allows for efficient response to varying wind conditions without compromising aerodynamic performance or requiring shutdowns, leading to increased energy production and reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
The aerodynamic profile is configured for increasing aerodynamic lift of at least an inner portion of a rotor blade
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a wind turbine (10) including: a rotor (18) including a rotatable hub (20) and a plurality of rotor blades (22), each of the plurality of rotor blades (22) being attached to the hub (20); and at least one airfoil body (120) including an aerodynamic profile (156) and an airfoil body root portion (122); wherein the aerodynamic profile (156) is configured for increasing aerodynamic lift of at least an inner portion of a rotor blade (22); and the at least one airfoil body (120) is attached to the hub (20) at the airfoil body root portion (122). In addition thereto, the present disclosure relates to an aerodynamic assembly (118) for a wind turbine (10) and a method of assembling a wind turbine (10).