Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Cable Attachment Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for attaching guide cables to wind turbine rotor blades often damage aerodynamic add-on parts, such as trailing edge serrations, due to forces acting perpendicularly to the blade surface during inflation.
Innovation Solution
A device with an inflexible casing element and inflatable inlays that enclose the rotor blade in the profile direction, where the inlays' ends are positioned on both sides of aerodynamic attachments to avoid direct contact and minimize perpendicular forces, ensuring the casing element does not touch these parts, and featuring a remote-controlled venting system for easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If inflatable cushioning elements are used to create a force-fit connection between the attachment device and the rotor blade, then the attachment strength is improved, but aerodynamic attachments on the rotor blade are damaged due to perpendicular forces during inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable cushioning element is divided into multiple segments along the spanwise direction, with gaps between segments. This segmentation prevents the inflation forces from acting continuously across the aerodynamic attachment area, reducing damage while maintaining attachment strength through distributed force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning element is designed with varying properties: in regions away from aerodynamic attachments, it provides strong force-fit connection through inflation; in regions near aerodynamic attachments, the segmentation and positioning reduce perpendicular forces to prevent damage. This creates locally optimized force distribution.
2Reliability
If the cushioning element is inflated to create a force-fit connection, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the aerodynamic attachments suffer from perpendicular forces that can cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning element is segmented into multiple independent inflatable sections along the spanwise direction. This allows the attachment device to achieve reliable attachment through distributed inflation while the gaps between segments prevent concentrated perpendicular forces from damaging aerodynamic attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented cushioning element acts as an intermediary that distributes and moderates the inflation forces. Instead of transmitting full perpendicular forces directly to the aerodynamic attachments, the segmented structure intermediates the force transmission, reducing peak loads on sensitive components.
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
Effectively prevents damage to aerodynamic add-on parts by reducing or eliminating perpendicular forces, making it suitable for protecting trailing edge serrations and allowing safe attachment and detachment of guide cables during wind turbine assembly.
Implementation Method 1
at least one internal inflatable inlay for optionally creating a force-fit connection between the sheathing element and a rotor blade enclosed by it
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for attaching a crane or guide cable to a rotor blade (20), for example, during the erection of a rotor star of a wind turbine, and to a method for its use. The device (1) for attaching a crane or guide cable to a rotor blade (20) of a wind turbine comprises a rigid sheathing element (2) for completely enclosing a rotor blade (20) in the profile direction with at least one internal inflatable inlay (4) for selectively creating a force-fit connection between the sheathing element (2) and a rotor blade (20) enclosed by it, wherein the at least one inlay (4) extends in the circumferential direction (90) of the sheathing element (2).The at least one inlay (4) is finite such that the ends (5, 6) of each inlay (4) are arranged on the sheathing element (2) at a distance from each other such that, when the device (1) is used properly, they are arranged on both sides of an aerodynamic attachment (21) on the rotor blade (20) and are shaped such that, in the inflated state of the inlay (4), the sheathing element (2) is spaced apart from the aerodynamic attachment (21).