Morphable Wind Turbine Blade Airfoil Profile Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The annual energy production (AEP) of most wind turbines is limited by inefficiencies associated with the construction and function of their blades, particularly due to negative lift angles and contamination which affect aerodynamic behavior and noise levels.
Innovation Solution
The wind turbine incorporates a morphable region on its blades, activated by a control system, to alter the airfoil-shaped profile, reducing negative lift at negative lift angles and adapting to clean or rough conditions, thereby improving aerodynamic efficiency and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the blade operates at negative lift angles, then the wind turbine can capture more wind energy, but negative lift is generated which reduces aerodynamic efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a morphable region on the blade that can dynamically change its shape during operation. When the blade operates at negative lift angles, the morphable region alters the airfoil profile to reduce negative lift, allowing the blade to maintain both high energy capture and aerodynamic efficiency through real-time adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the blade by incorporating a morphable region that can modify the airfoil-shaped profile. This allows the blade to adjust its lift characteristics and reduce negative lift effects while operating at negative lift angles, thereby maintaining aerodynamic efficiency.
2Productivity
If the blade is constructed with longer span, then more energy can be captured, but structural support requirements increase weight and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables longer blade spans by using a morphable region that can actively reduce negative lift and control aerodynamic loads. This allows the blade structure to be optimized for lighter weight since the morphable region compensates for the increased stresses that would normally require heavier construction.
3Reliability
If the blade operates in rough conditions, then contamination affects aerodynamic performance, but increasing structural support adds weight
Solution Approach 1:
The morphable region provides dynamic adaptation to rough conditions by altering the airfoil profile in response to contamination. This active adjustment maintains aerodynamic performance without requiring additional structural support or weight, as the shape change compensates for the adverse effects of contamination.
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 the efficiency and extends the useful life of wind turbines by allowing longer, lighter blades with reduced structural support, increasing annual energy production while maintaining low noise levels.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure side has a morphable region. The control system is configured to activate the morphable region to alter the airfoil-shaped profile and reduce negative lift generated by the blade when the blade is oriented at a negative lift angle.
Implementation Method 2
The rotor includes a number of blades that rotate to drive a generator through a gearbox via a rotor shaft... such that the generator may convert the mechanical energy to electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine includes at least one blade having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge that define an airfoil-shaped profile. The suction side and/or the pressure side has a morphable region. The wind turbine also includes a control system configured to activate the morphable region to alter the airfoil-shaped profile and reduce negative lift generated by the blade when the blade is oriented at a negative lift angle.