Wind Turbine Rotor Blade De-icing via Tower Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional de-icing systems for wind turbine rotor blades suffer from high heat transfer losses and inefficiencies due to the need to heat all blades simultaneously, leading to increased energy consumption and potential structural damage from ice accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that positions each rotor blade in a down-wind location behind the wind turbine tower, where it is pitched to face the tower and rotated to a six o'clock position, minimizing heat transfer losses by de-icing each blade individually using hot air or other methods within a low-velocity environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all rotor blades are heated simultaneously using large heating systems, then complete de-icing is achieved, but significant energy is consumed due to high heat transfer losses to the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the de-icing process into sequential segments, treating one rotor blade at a time rather than all blades simultaneously. The system positions the rotor to bring each blade sequentially into the heating zone, allowing targeted heat application to only the blade being processed, thereby minimizing atmospheric heat transfer losses while ensuring complete de-icing of all blades over time
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the rotor and selection of the target blade before initiating the heating process. By pre-positioning the rotor so that only one blade is in the heating zone and pre-selecting which blade to de-ice next, the system prepares the optimal configuration for minimal energy loss before the actual de-icing action begins
2Reliability
If conventional heating systems are used to clear ice from rotor blades, then ice accumulation is removed, but structural damage may occur due to increased bending moments and rotational forces from ice weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by removing ice from one rotor blade at a time rather than allowing ice to accumulate on all blades simultaneously. This sequential approach prevents the cumulative weight and associated bending moments that would occur if all blades were iced over, thereby protecting structural integrity while still achieving complete ice removal across the entire rotor assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by focusing heating resources on only one blade at a time rather than attempting to heat all blades simultaneously. This partial application of thermal energy is sufficient to remove ice from the current target blade while avoiding the excessive energy input and associated structural stresses that would result from heating all blades at once
3Productivity
If rotor blades are de-iced in a high-velocity wind environment, then de-icing can occur during normal operation, but heat transfer losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamics by actively adjusting the rotor position and orientation during the de-icing process. The system dynamically positions the rotor so that the target blade is presented to the heating zone at optimal angles, and dynamically controls the duration of heating exposure as each blade passes through the heating zone, thereby maximizing heating efficiency while minimizing energy loss to the moving air environment
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by cycling through each rotor blade in sequence, bringing each blade into the heating zone for a predetermined time interval, then moving to the next blade. This periodic exposure allows controlled, intermittent heating that is more energy-efficient than continuous heating in high-velocity flow, while still achieving complete de-icing of all blades over the cycling period
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 approach reduces energy consumption and structural stress by de-icing each blade efficiently, minimizing heat transfer losses and allowing for targeted de-icing, thereby improving the overall efficiency and safety of the process.
Implementation Method 1
positions each rotor blade in a down-wind location behind the wind turbine tower... minimizing heat transfer losses by de-icing each blade individually using hot air or other methods within a low-velocity environment
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for de-icing a rotor blade 22 of a wind turbine 10. The wind turbine 10 has a nacelle 16 mounted atop a tower. The nacelle 16 has a rotor 18 with a rotatable hub 20 having rotor blade 22 mounted thereto. The method includes shutting down the wind turbine 10 in response to detecting ice on the rotor blade 22. The method also includes positioning the wind turbine 10 in a de-icing position, the de-icing position including at least one of yawing the nacelle 16 of the wind turbine 10 such that the rotor 18 is in a down-wind location of the tower or pitching the rotor blade 22 such that a leading edge 25 of the rotor blade 22 is facing the tower. Another step includes de-icing the rotor blade 22 while the rotor 18 is in the de-icing position.