Rotatable Aerodynamic Surface Features for Wind Turbine Load Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind turbine rotor blades face challenges with increased loads due to larger sizes, which can exceed the load-bearing capabilities of other components, especially in high-speed wind conditions, and existing surface features lack dynamic control and are difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A rotor blade assembly with rotatable aerodynamic surface features that include a fixed and rotatable portion, housed within an airfoil-shaped body shell, allowing the surface features to adjust between positions such as vortex generators, spoilers, and gurney flaps using an actuator, enabling dynamic control of lift and load management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rotor blade size is increased to improve energy production, then energy production increases, but loads on blade components exceed load-bearing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of aerodynamic surface features (spoilers, vortex generators, gurney flaps) that can rotate between different positions to adjust lift and drag forces. This allows the blade to adapt to varying wind conditions, reducing loads during high-speed operation while maintaining energy production efficiency across different wind regimes.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerodynamic surface features can change their orientation parameters dynamically through rotation, transitioning between spoiler position (reducing lift), vortex generator position (delaying flow separation), and gurney flap position (increasing lift). This parameter change enables load management without altering the fundamental blade structure or size.
2Strength
If permanent surface features are used to reduce or increase lift, then load control is achieved, but dynamic control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the aerodynamic surface features dynamic by providing rotation capability through actuators. Each surface feature can independently rotate to different angular positions, enabling real-time adaptation to changing wind conditions while maintaining load control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The same aerodynamic surface features can perform multiple functions by rotating to different positions: acting as spoilers for load reduction, vortex generators for flow attachment, or gurney flaps for lift enhancement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate permanent features for each aerodynamic purpose.
3Adaptability or versatility
If actuators are installed within the rotor blade shell to move surface features, then dynamic control is achieved, but maintenance time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is extracted from the internal blade shell structure and repositioned to operate from the external surface. The actuator rod extends through a sealed opening in the blade shell, allowing the actuator body to be mounted externally on the blade surface rather than being embedded within the complex internal blade structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed opening or interface is provided in the blade shell that serves as an intermediary between the external actuator and the internal aerodynamic surface feature. This interface allows the actuator rod to transmit motion through the shell while maintaining aerodynamic integrity and enabling external actuator placement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If actuators are installed within the rotor blade shell to move surface features, then dynamic control is achieved, but the rotor blade shell is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is extracted from the blade shell interior and positioned externally, eliminating the need to install actuators within the blade's structural shell. This avoids compromising the shell's integrity during actuator installation and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed interface or opening is provided in the blade shell that allows the actuator rod to pass through while maintaining shell integrity. The sealed opening acts as an intermediary that protects the shell structure from damage while enabling external actuator connection to internal surface features.
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 rotatable surface features allow for adaptive load management, optimizing energy production by reducing or increasing lift based on wind conditions without damaging the rotor blade shell and simplifying maintenance by avoiding the need for internal actuators.
Implementation Method 1
The surface features, e.g. spoilers, may be utilized to separate the flow of air from the outer surface of a rotor blade, thereby reducing the lift generated by the blade and reducing the loads acting on the blade
Implementation Method 2
Certain surface features, e.g. spoilers, may be utilized to separate the flow of air from the outer surface of a rotor blade, thereby reducing the lift generated by the blade
Implementation Method 3
Other surface features, e.g. vortex generators, may delay separation of the air flowing over a rotor blade to increase loads during periods of decreased wind
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine having at least one rotatable aerodynamic surface feature configured thereon. The rotor blade assembly includes a body shell including a pressure side surface and a suction side surface extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The aerodynamic surface feature is disposed adjacent to the pressure side surface, the suction side surface, and/or both. In addition, the surface feature may have a generally airfoil-shaped cross section. As such, an actuator can be configured at least partially within an internal volume of the surface feature, the actuator being configured to rotate the surface feature relative to the body shell.