Rotor Blade Heating Element With Adjustable Conductor Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating elements for wind turbine rotor blades are difficult to install accurately due to their large size and flexibility, leading to potential damage and impaired aerodynamic efficiency when not properly positioned, and require labor-intensive adjustments to connect end sections to electrical supply lines.
Innovation Solution
A heating element with a movable fastening system for the heating conductor, allowing adjustable length adjustment along the carrier layer, enabling precise positioning and easy connection to electrical supply lines, while maintaining stability during handling and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the heating element is made large to cover the required surface area, then the heating coverage is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to flexibility and size making precise placement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heating conductor is made dynamically adjustable in length through the adjustment section, allowing it to be shortened or lengthened as needed. This dynamic adjustment capability enables precise positioning of the heating element on the rotor blade surface while maintaining full heating coverage, resolving the contradiction between large area coverage and positioning accuracy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the heating conductor is fixedly attached to the carrier layer, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of installation deteriorates due to inability to adjust end section length for connection to electrical supply lines
Solution Approach 1:
The heating conductor is segmented into three distinct sections: a fixedly attached main section for stability, a movable adjustment section for length modification, and free end sections for connection. This segmentation allows the heating element to maintain structural stability while enabling easy installation through adjustable length configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment section provides dynamic length adjustment capability, allowing the heating conductor to be shortened or lengthened during installation. This dynamic feature enables easy connection to electrical supply lines while the fixed main section maintains structural stability, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of installation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the heating conductor is made flexible to conform to the rotor blade surface, then the adaptability is improved, but the positioning precision deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining exact position during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating conductor combines flexible material properties for surface conformity with a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The adjustment section allows precise positioning by enabling the installer to shorten or lengthen the conductor to exact required dimensions, while the flexible nature maintains adaptability to the rotor blade surface geometry.
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
Facilitates easy and precise installation of heating elements on wind turbine rotor blades, reducing damage risk and maintaining aerodynamic efficiency by allowing flexible yet stable attachment and connection of end sections.
Implementation Method 1
A heating current flowing through the heating conductor will heat the heating element and the respective surface area of the wind turbine rotor blade
Data Source
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AI summary
A heating element for a wind turbine rotor blade comprising: • a carrier layer, • a heating conductor fastened to the carrier layer, • wherein the heating conductor comprises a first end section which extends beyond an edge of the carrier layer, wherein the first end section is adapted to be connected to an electrical supply line of the wind turbine rotor blade, characterized in that • the heating conductor is guided through an adjustment section in which the heating conductor is movably fastened to the carrier layer, thereby enabling an adjustment of a length of the first end section by shifting the heating conductor in the adjustment section with reference to the carrier layer along a longitudinal direction of the heating conductor.