Pendulum Wind Turbine Blade Fatigue Testing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fatigue testing methods for wind turbine blades are cumbersome and inefficient, as they require heavy weights to preload the blade, which does not simulate real operational loading, and the handling of these weights is difficult, limiting testing frequency and duration.
Innovation Solution
A pendulum device applies a horizontal transverse edgewise force to a cantilevered wind turbine blade using a rigid pendulum pivot arm, mass member, and coupling member, allowing for adjustable force application and reduced mass requirements, enabling higher testing frequencies and shorter testing times without vertical forces on the blade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If heavy weights are used to preload the blade, then the blade can be loaded, but the handling and arranging of weights becomes troublesome and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the weight handling task from the testing system by using a pendulum mechanism where the loading mass is suspended and automatically positioned. The pendulum swing automatically places the mass into the correct position on the blade, eliminating the need for manual handling and arranging of heavy weights during setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The pendulum mechanism performs self-positioning of the loading mass through its swing motion. The system automatically adjusts the mass position based on the pendulum's natural oscillation, requiring no manual intervention to position weights, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining loading force.
2Force
If heavy weights are used for fatigue testing, then the blade can be preloaded, but the testing frequency is limited and testing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic pendulum mechanism that can be quickly reset and reused for multiple testing cycles. The pendulum's oscillating motion allows for rapid positioning and removal of the loading mass, enabling higher testing frequencies compared to static weight arrangements that require manual repositioning for each test cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The pendulum mechanism enables continuous testing by allowing rapid sequential loading and unloading of the blade. The mass can be quickly swung into position and removed without interrupting the testing flow, maintaining continuous useful action and improving productivity through repeated testing cycles.
3Force
If weights are arranged on the blade, then the blade is preloaded, but the loading does not correspond to normal operational loading
Solution Approach 1:
The pendulum mechanism allows dynamic adjustment of the loading mass position along the blade length and variation in mass magnitude. This enables the system to simulate different operational loading scenarios by adjusting the pendulum's swing characteristics, making the testing more adaptable to various operational conditions compared to fixed weight arrangements.
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 pendulum device efficiently applies a transverse edgewise force to wind turbine blades during fatigue testing, reducing the mass needed for testing, allowing for higher frequencies and shorter testing times while avoiding vertical forces, thus improving the efficiency and accuracy of the testing process.
Implementation Method 1
the effect of the inertial force of the mass element being multiplied by said ratio between b and a
Implementation Method 2
rigid pendulum pivot arm having a longitudinal pendulum pivot arm axis and being pivotally supported in an arm-supporting structure for pivoting in an essentially vertical plane about an essentially horizontal pendulum pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
A device for subjecting a cantilevered wind turbine blade to transverse force during a fatigue test of the wind turbine blade, the device comprising:a pivot arm having a longitudinal pivot arm axis and being pivotally supported in an arm supporting structure for pivoting about an essentially horizontal pivot axis,a mass member being connected to the pivot arm, anda coupling member providing a connection between the pivot arm and a blade fixture configured to be fixedly connected to the blade,the pivot axis, the mass member and the coupling member being mutually spaced along the longitudinal pivot arm axis. The system comprises the device and an exciter configured for cyclically subjecting the cantilevered blade to a transverse reciprocating movement.