Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Thorned Trailing Edge for Hub Flow Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large wind turbine rotor blades face challenges with high weight, complex transportation, and noise emissions due to their size and aerodynamic design, particularly in the hub region where flow separation and turbulence occur, limiting lift characteristics and increasing noise levels.
Innovation Solution
The rotor blade design incorporates a thickness profile with thorn-like extensions at the trailing edge in the hub region, featuring a rose thorn profile with varying thickness and serrations, which reduces profile depth while maintaining lift characteristics and stabilizing vortex formation to minimize noise and enhance aerodynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rotor blade diameter is increased to ensure constant electricity production in light wind regions, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the rotor blade weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor blade is divided into multiple sections (root section, intermediate section, tip section) with different profile characteristics. The hub region has a modified thickness profile with reduced profile depth compared to the central and tip regions, allowing optimization of each section for its specific functional requirements while reducing overall weight
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness profile is locally adapted in the hub region with a reduced profile depth and modified trailing edge geometry, while the central and tip regions maintain standard airfoil profiles. This local modification optimizes the hub region for connection purposes and reduces weight without compromising the aerodynamic performance of the main lifting sections
2Productivity
If the rotor blade diameter is increased to ensure constant electricity production in light wind regions, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the transport complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor blade is designed as a multi-section structure with a parting point in the intermediate region, enabling division into transportable segments. The hub region with its reduced profile depth facilitates connection of blade sections, simplifying transport logistics while maintaining the large diameter needed for light wind performance
3Device complexity
If a two-part rotor blade design is implemented to simplify transport, then the transportability is improved, but the stability and load-bearing capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection region in the hub area is designed with a specific modified thickness profile and reduced profile depth, creating an optimized junction zone that enhances the strength and stability of the connection between blade sections. This local structural enhancement compensates for the potential weakness introduced by the parting point
Solution Approach 2:
The blade design incorporates pre-reinforced connection regions with modified geometry and enhanced structural features at the parting point, preparing the connection zones in advance to withstand operational loads and maintain stability during assembly and operation
4Weight of moving object
If the profile depth is reduced in the hub region, then the weight is reduced, but the lift characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hub region with reduced profile depth is positioned where lift generation is less critical compared to the central and tip regions. The modified thickness profile in this specific location reduces weight while the standard airfoil profiles in the main lifting sections preserve the overall lift characteristics of the rotor blade
5Ease of manufacture
If a flat back profile with truncated trailing edge is used in the hub region, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the flow separation and turbulence increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flat back profile with truncated trailing edge is applied specifically in the hub region where aerodynamic performance is less critical. This simplified geometry facilitates manufacturing and connection operations, while the standard airfoil profiles with proper trailing edge geometry in the central and tip regions maintain smooth flow characteristics and minimize turbulence
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor blade employs different profile geometries in different regions: the simplified flat back profile in the hub section and conventional airfoil profiles in the aerodynamically critical sections. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while minimizing overall harmful effects
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 achieves reduced noise emissions, improved lift values, and increased effective profile depth, allowing for lighter and more transportable rotor blades with efficient energy extraction from wind, even in turbulent conditions.
Implementation Method 1
stabilizing vortex formation to minimize noise and enhance aerodynamics
Implementation Method 2
flow separation and turbulence occur
Implementation Method 3
maintaining lift characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor blade having a suction side and a pressure side for a wind power installation, comprising: a rotor blade root of a hub region for the attachment of the rotor blade to a rotor hub, and a rotor blade tip arranged toward that side of a tip region which is averted from the rotor blade root. In the region of the hub region, the rotor blade has, at least in part, a thickness profile which has a thorn-like extension at its trailing edge, wherein, in the region of the hub region, the thickness profile has, at least in part, a first thorn-like extension at the trailing edge at the suction side, and a second thorn-like extension at the trailing edge at the pressure side, and, in the region of the hub region, the thickness profile has, at least in part, a flow stabilizer and/or a vortex generator on the suction and/or pressure side.