Inflatable Cover Reduces Wind Turbine Blade Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the installation of wind turbine blades, unforeseen drag effects from passing winds can cause blades to yaw or swing uncontrollably, requiring large and expensive carrier frames or tack-wires that apply excessive force on lifting equipment.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable member is arranged on the wind turbine blade to cover at least a part of it, reducing the aerodynamic drag coefficient when inflated, thereby minimizing the impact of wind and turbulence on handling the blade, which simplifies the installation process by reducing the force applied to lifting equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the blade is suspended from lifting equipment during installation, then the blade can be transported to the wind turbine, but the blade experiences uncontrollable yaw or swing due to aerodynamic drag from passing winds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by covering the blade with an inflatable cover that gives the blade a rounded, aerodynamic shape. This curved surface reduces aerodynamic drag and prevents uncontrollable yaw or swing during transport, directly resolving the stability issue while maintaining ease of handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable cover acts as an intermediary between the blade and the wind. By placing this cover over the blade, it mediates the interaction between the blade surface and passing winds, reducing aerodynamic drag effects and stabilizing the blade during transport without requiring complex lifting equipment modifications.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tack-wires are used to compensate for horizontal movements, then blade stability improves, but large forces are applied onto the crane
Solution Approach 1:
By giving the blade a rounded shape through the inflatable cover, the aerodynamic drag is reduced, which directly decreases the horizontal forces that would otherwise require tack-wires to counteract. This reduces the load on the crane while maintaining blade stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful aerodynamic drag effect into a benefit by using the inflatable cover to streamline the blade shape. The same wind that would cause instability is now reduced in its effect, eliminating the need for tack-wires and reducing force on the crane.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a large and expensive carrier frame is used to handle the blade, then blade stability during transport improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible inflatable cover instead of a rigid carrier frame. This thin film structure provides the necessary aerodynamic protection and stability during transport, eliminating the need for complex and expensive carrier frames while maintaining blade stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic inflation to create a rigid-like structure from a flexible material. By inflating the cover with air, it achieves the necessary structural integrity to protect the blade during transport, replacing the need for heavy carrier frames with a simple inflatable structure.
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 use of an inflatable member significantly reduces the aerodynamic drag coefficient of the wind turbine blade, making it less susceptible to wind and turbulence, thus facilitating easier handling and installation with reduced force requirements on lifting equipment.
Implementation Method 1
an aerodynamic drag coefficient of the wind turbine blade with the arranged inflatable member is less than an aerodynamic drag coefficient of the wind turbine blade
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4D
AI summary
There is described a device for facilitating handling of a wind turbine blade, the device comprising an inflatable member (110, 220a, 220b, 310, 410, 510, 610a, 610b, 610c, 710a, 710b1, 710b2, 710c, 820a, 820b, 910) adapted to be arranged at the wind turbine blade (101, 201, 301, 401, 701, 801, 901) such that the inflatable member covers at least a part of the wind turbine blade (101, 201, 301, 401, 701, 801, 901), wherein, when the inflatable member (110, 220a, 220b, 310, 410, 510, 610a, 610b, 610c, 710a, 710b1, 710b2, 710c, 820a, 820b, 910) is arranged at the wind turbine blade (101, 201, 301, 401, 701, 801, 901) and inflated, an aerodynamic drag coefficient of the wind turbine blade (101, 201, 301, 401, 701, 801, 901) with the arranged inflatable member (110, 220a, 220b, 310, 410, 510, 610a, 610b, 610c, 710a, 710b1, 710b2, 710c, 820a, 820b, 910) is less than an aerodynamic drag coefficient of the wind turbine blade (101, 201, 301, 401, 701, 801, 901). Further, there is described a system for handling a wind turbine blade, and a method of facilitating handling of a wind turbine blade.