Predictive Blade Pitch Adjustment for Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine blades are inefficient due to their inability to make predictive on-the-fly pitch adjustments, leading to excessive fluid velocity exposure and stall configurations that reduce energy capture and prolong blade life but at the cost of inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An automated system using a laser Doppler velocimeter to measure upstream fluid velocities and adjust blade pitch in real-time across multiple segments, allowing for optimal lift distribution and reduced oscillatory bending, with microprocessor control and optional tip-vortex reduction end plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blades operate in stall configuration to avoid flexing, then blade life is prolonged, but wind energy capture efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by measuring upstream wind velocities before the blade encounters them and adjusting the blade pitch in advance. This allows the blade to be positioned at the optimal angle before high-velocity wind arrives, eliminating the need to operate in stall configuration and thereby capturing maximum energy while avoiding excessive flexing and blade damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously measuring upstream wind velocities with laser Doppler velocimeters and using this information to dynamically adjust blade pitch. This closed-loop control enables the blade to respond adaptively to changing wind conditions, maintaining optimal performance while preventing dangerous flexing that would occur with fixed or reactionary pitch control
2Reliability
If adjustable pitch blades are used in reactionary manner, then blade protection is achieved, but benefit of on-the-fly adjustment is negated due to delayed response
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures wind velocities upstream at a distance where the wind has not yet been disturbed by the blade. This preliminary measurement allows pitch adjustment to begin before the blade encounters the high-velocity wind, eliminating the reactionary delay and allowing the full benefit of on-the-fly adjustment to be realized while still providing blade protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary measurement system (laser Doppler velocimeter) that detects wind velocity conditions before they reach the blade. This intermediary provides advance warning of incoming high-velocity wind, enabling timely pitch adjustment without waiting for the blade to actually experience the harmful conditions
3Device complexity
If single pitch adjustment is used for entire blade, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to optimize lift distribution across blade segments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the blade into multiple segments with independent pitch adjustment capabilities. Each segment can be optimized for its specific local wind conditions and aerodynamic requirements, allowing maximum energy capture efficiency. The segmentation is implemented through multiple actuator systems that can independently control pitch for different portions of the blade
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by allowing different pitch angles for different segments of the blade based on local wind velocity measurements. Each blade segment can be optimized for its specific position and local conditions, rather than forcing a uniform pitch across the entire blade, thereby maximizing overall energy capture efficiency
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 system enhances wind energy capture efficiency by allowing blades to operate at optimal angles of attack, reducing flexing and turbine stress, while maintaining blade longevity and reducing repair costs through precise lift management.
Implementation Method 1
laser Doppler velocimeter to measure upstream fluid velocities
Data Source
AI summary
Predictively adjusting the pitch of blades and/or sections of a blade based on fluid velocity measurements. In one embodiment, the measurements are obtained of an upstream portion of a fluid flow using a laser Doppler velocimeter. The pitch of the blade(s) and/or blade section(s) are then adjusted to achieve a desired amount of lift or to create a stall-configuration as can be useful for conditions in which an excessive fluid velocity is detected.