Pneumatic Wind Turbine Blade Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine blade control systems face challenges in quickly and accurately regulating aerodynamic surfaces due to high power consumption, mechanical instability, and electrical wiring issues, particularly with longer blades where fast load variations occur.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine blade system utilizing pneumatic actuators powered by a pressure chamber and controlled via a valve system with a signal communication pathway, minimizing electrical wires and leveraging low molecular weight gases for faster signal propagation, allowing for precise and rapid control of aerodynamic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aerodynamic devices are powered directly from the hub via power link with electrical cables, then the system structure is simple, but lightning risks increase and operational speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical power transmission function from the hub-power link system and replaces it with a pneumatic actuation system located within the blade. The aerodynamic devices are now powered by pneumatic actuators that use compressed air stored in pressure chambers along the blade, eliminating the need for electrical cables running through the blade and thereby removing lightning risks associated with electrical wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces compressed air as an intermediary medium to transmit power from the pressure chambers to the pneumatic actuators. This pneumatic intermediary replaces direct electrical power transmission, providing both power delivery and signal communication functions while avoiding electrical cables and lightning risks.
2Measurement precision
If traditional pressure control systems are used without valve systems, then the system is simpler, but control precision and response speed are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic valve systems controlled by compressed air pressure changes to precisely regulate the operation of pneumatic actuators. The valve system responds to pressure signals transmitted through the pneumatic network, enabling accurate control of aerodynamic device positions and movements without requiring complex electrical control wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional electrical control systems with a pneumatic control system where control signals are transmitted as pressure changes through the compressed air network. This mechanical/pneumatic substitution eliminates electrical cables while maintaining control precision through pressure-regulated valve actuation.
3Speed
If the entire blade is pitched for load regulation, then the control is comprehensive, but the response speed is too slow for fast load variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blade into multiple sections with distributed pressure chambers and pneumatic actuators along the blade span. Instead of pitching the entire blade, individual aerodynamic devices can be actuated independently or in groups, enabling localized and rapid load regulation responses to fast wind variations without the inertia constraints of full-blade pitching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic control system where pneumatic actuators can rapidly adjust the aerodynamic surface geometry in real-time response to changing wind conditions. The compressed air system provides immediate power delivery to actuators, enabling fast dynamic adjustments of lift and drag characteristics compared to slow mechanical blade pitching.
4Productivity
If aerodynamic devices operate quickly and repeatedly, then the load regulation performance improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-stores compressed air in pressure chambers distributed along the blade before it is needed for actuation. This preliminary storage of pneumatic energy allows rapid repeated operation of actuators without requiring continuous power input, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining high response capability for load regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic system enables actuators to self-regulate using stored compressed air energy, reducing the need for continuous external power input. The system efficiently uses the elastic potential energy of compressed air to drive repeated actuator operations, minimizing power consumption while maintaining high productivity in load regulation.
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 enables faster and more accurate control of aerodynamic devices, reducing wear and increasing power output by reacting quicker to wind variations, while also reducing weight and mechanical complexity, and minimizing lightning risks.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pneumatic actuator for controlling the position and/or movement of the device
Implementation Method 2
a pressure chamber for powering the pneumatic actuator and connected to the actuator via a valve system for controlling the powering of the actuator
Implementation Method 3
at least one signal communication pathway for conveying control signals and for connecting the valve system to a control unit operating the valve system by the signals
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wind turbine blade with devices for modifying the aerodynamic surface or shape of the blade. The position and movement of these devices are controlled by a pneumatic actuator powered by pressure from a pressure chamber connected to the actuator via a valve system controlling the powering. The valve system in return is operated by a control unit conveying control signals to the valve system via a signal communication pathway. The communication pathway may comprise a power link or pressure tubes with a liquid or a gas. In one embodiment the gas used is of a lower molecular weight than 28.9 kg/kmol and thereby lower than air, whereby the speed of the pressure signals being sent from the control unit is increased and thereby the operational speed of the aerodynamic devices. The invention further relates to a wind turbine comprising a tower, a nacelle mounted to one end of the tower, and a rotor with at least one wind turbine blade according to the above.