Integrated MEMS Sensor Strip for Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Vibration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting vibrations in rotor blades of wind turbines, especially those already installed, are complex due to the need for attaching individual sensors and signal transmission lines, which are subjected to mechanical stresses from operation and weather conditions, making installation difficult and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device using a common carrier strip with integrated MEMS accelerometers, microprocessors, and signal transmission lines, covered by a protective layer, is glued to the rotor blade, allowing for simple and durable attachment over a significant length, protecting the components and enabling effective vibration detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual acceleration sensors and signal transmission lines are attached to the rotor blade, then vibration detection capability is improved, but installation complexity and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual acceleration sensors and their associated signal transmission lines are merged into a single integrated sensor device. This sensor device comprises a housing with multiple acceleration sensors arranged inside, along with signal transmission lines that are pre-organized and routed through the housing. The entire assembly is attached to the rotor blade as one unit, dramatically reducing installation complexity while maintaining the vibration detection capability of multiple distributed sensors.
2Measurement precision
If individual acceleration sensors and signal transmission lines are attached to the rotor blade, then vibration detection capability is improved, but installation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual acceleration sensors and their associated signal transmission lines are merged into a single integrated sensor device. This sensor device comprises a housing with multiple acceleration sensors arranged inside, along with signal transmission lines that are pre-organized and routed through the housing. The entire assembly is attached to the rotor blade as one unit, dramatically reducing installation complexity while maintaining the vibration detection capability of multiple distributed sensors.
3Measurement precision
If acceleration sensors and signal transmission lines are attached to the rotor blade, then vibration detection is enabled, but the attached components are subjected to mechanical stresses from operation and weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual acceleration sensors and their associated signal transmission lines are merged into a single integrated sensor device. This sensor device comprises a housing with multiple acceleration sensors arranged inside, along with signal transmission lines that are pre-organized and routed through the housing. The entire assembly is attached to the rotor blade as one unit, dramatically reducing installation complexity while maintaining the vibration detection capability of multiple distributed sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary protective structure that encloses and protects the acceleration sensors and signal transmission lines from direct exposure to mechanical stresses, weather conditions, and environmental factors. This intermediary layer shields the sensitive electronic components while allowing them to function effectively for vibration detection.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and efficient method for detecting vibrations on long rotor blades with minimal effort, ensuring the sensors remain attached and functional despite mechanical stresses, while maintaining aerodynamic effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
acceleration sensors designed as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
Data Source
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AI summary
To detect vibrations of a rotor blade (1) of a wind turbine extending over a length (4) of at least 10 m in a main direction (2), acceleration sensors (7) are attached to the rotor blade (1) at positions (29) spaced apart from each other in the main direction (2), the positions (29) being distributed over at least 60% of the length (4). For this purpose, a common carrier strip (11), in which the acceleration sensors (7), designed as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), are integrated together with microprocessors (9) and the signal transmission lines (10) and which has an outer protective layer (19), is bonded to a surface of the rotor blade (1) extending in the main direction (2) such that the protective layer (19) covers the acceleration sensors (7), the microprocessors (9), and the signal transmission lines (10) on the outside.The acceleration sensors (7) are connected to a common signal acquisition unit (14) via signal transmission lines (10), and acceleration signals from the acceleration sensors (7) are transmitted to the common signal acquisition unit (14) via the signal transmission lines (10) in order to evaluate them with regard to the vibrations to be detected.