Modular Wind Turbine Blade Damping for Edgewise Vibration

Solution Overview

Problem

Modular wind turbine blades are susceptible to edgewise vibrations due to their slender design, which lacks inherent aerodynamic damping in the edgewise direction.

Innovation Solution

A modular wind turbine blade configuration that includes a damping module intermediate two blade modules, featuring a vibration damping unit that attenuates edgewise vibrations by applying a force at the shear centre of the blade section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If wind turbine blades are made longer to increase swept area and energy capture, then energy capture capability is improved, but transportability and structural stability deteriorate due to road network constraints and increased susceptibility to vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswept areaVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is divided into multiple modular sections that can be transported separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation allows longer blades to achieve larger swept areas while maintaining transportability through standard road networks, as each module can be sized to fit transportation constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A damping module is introduced as an intermediary component between blade modules to provide vibration damping. This mediator addresses the structural stability issue by reducing edgewise vibrations that occur in slender modular blades, allowing the use of longer blades without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If wind turbine blades are designed as modular assemblies to improve transportability, then ease of transport is improved, but susceptibility to edgewise vibrations increases due to slender design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of transportVSAvoidedgewise vibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is divided into multiple modular sections that can be transported separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation allows longer blades to achieve larger swept areas while maintaining transportability through standard road networks, as each module can be sized to fit transportation constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A damping module is introduced as an intermediary component between blade modules to provide vibration damping. This mediator addresses the structural stability issue by reducing edgewise vibrations that occur in slender modular blades, allowing the use of longer blades without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If damping module is integrated into modular blade configuration to reduce edgewise vibrations, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping functionality is merged with the modular blade structure by integrating the damping module as one of the blade modules. This combination approach reduces overall device complexity compared to adding a separate damping system, as the structural and damping functions are unified in a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 integration of a damping module with a vibration damping unit effectively reduces edgewise vibrations, enhancing the stability and performance of modular wind turbine blades.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration damping unit configured to attenuate edgewise vibrations of the wind turbine blade

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS12286956B2Modular wind turbine blade with vibration damping

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

AI summary

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wind turbine blade having a split blade configuration, comprising a first blade module defining an aerofoil profile and a second blade module defining an aerofoil profile; a damping module intermediate the first blade module and the second blade module; wherein the damping module comprises a first blade interface for joining to the first blade module and a second blade interface for joining to the second blade module. The damping module comprises a vibration damping unit.Beneficially, the invention provides a useful way in which to integrate motion damping functionality into a modular wind turbine blade.