Rotor Blade Airflow Constriction for Faster De-Icing Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine rotor blade heating systems face inefficiencies in heat transfer due to suboptimal airflow dynamics, leading to ineffective de-icing under icing conditions.
Innovation Solution
The rotor blade incorporates cross-sectional constrictions and flow resistances within its internal volume, enhancing airflow velocity and heat transfer by reducing the free cross-sectional area, utilizing a rotor blade heater to convey heated air through channels with strategically placed flow resistance sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the internal volume of the rotor blade is reduced to increase airflow velocity, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the structural integrity and strength of the rotor blade may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The internal volume is divided into multiple air channels by introducing webs, which segment the flow path and increase airflow velocity without significantly reducing the overall internal volume. This segmentation allows the heated air to flow through multiple restricted passages, enhancing heat transfer to the blade surface while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed web structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Flow resistance elements are strategically placed at specific locations within the air channels where they are most effective for enhancing heat transfer. The webs and flow resistance features are positioned to create localized flow restrictions that maximize thermal efficiency without uniformly reducing the structural volume of the blade.
2Reliability
If flow resistance elements are added to increase airflow velocity, then de-icing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow resistance elements are integrated directly into the existing air channel structure by forming webs that simultaneously serve as structural supports and flow restriction elements. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate, additional components, thereby improving de-icing effectiveness while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The webs serve multiple functions: they provide structural support to maintain blade integrity, divide the internal volume into functional air channels, and create flow resistance to enhance airflow velocity and heat transfer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the internal volume is narrowed to enhance heat transfer, then energy efficiency is improved, but the rotor blade heater requires more precise control
Solution Approach 1:
The air channel configuration with webs and flow resistance elements creates dynamic airflow patterns that adapt to varying heater output conditions. The flow restrictions ensure that even with precise control, the system maintains optimal airflow velocity and heat transfer efficiency across different operating conditions.
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 design significantly improves heat transfer to the rotor blade shell, ensuring effective de-icing by increasing airflow velocity and heat transfer coefficient, thereby enhancing de-icing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The flow resistance reduces the free cross-sectional area through which the heated air can be conveyed, which increases the flow velocity
Implementation Method 2
This increased flow velocity leads to improved heat transfer to the rotor blade shells, thus resulting in improved rotor blade heating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3B
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A wind turbine rotor blade (200) is provided with a rotor blade shell (210, 220) surrounding an internal volume (203) and at least one flow resistance (300) within the internal volume (203). The flow resistance (300) leads to a narrowing of the volume required for airflow, which increases the flow velocity, resulting in improved heat transfer and thus better heating of the rotor blades. A rotor blade heating system (500) is provided in or at the root (201) of the rotor blade (200). The rotor blade heating system (500) generates warm air, which is conveyed into the internal volume (203) of the rotor blade (200). The flow resistance (300) can be constructed as a tunnel (350) from a plurality of curved, plastic-reinforced fiber plates (351-356). The ends of the curved plates can be held by means of angles.The volume covered by the tunnel (350) can be at least partially filled.