Segmented Wind Turbine Blade Lightning Protection via Offset Metal Sheets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind turbine rotor blade segments face challenges in protecting aerodynamic and aeroacoustic properties, resisting environmental conditions, and safely discharging lightning currents, while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly, especially in harsh climatic conditions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of sleeve-shaped pressure pieces and offset metal sheets between rotor blade segments, forming a meandering electrically conductive connection to manage lightning strikes and corrosion, allowing for tool-free installation and easy maintenance without compromising structural integrity or aerodynamic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If rotor blade segments are connected via bolts with gaps for connecting means, then assembly is enabled, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates and corrosion resistance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidaerodynamic performance and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible sealing membrane is introduced to cover the gap area containing the connecting bolts and connecting means. This thin film structure prevents water ingress and corrosion while maintaining the mechanical connection, and restores aerodynamic performance by sealing the surface without compromising assembly capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If segmented rotor blade design is used, then transportability is improved, but protection against environmental conditions and aerodynamic properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransportabilityVSAvoidenvironmental protection and aerodynamics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible sealing membrane extends over the segmentation area to provide continuous environmental protection and aerodynamic surface, allowing the blade to be segmented for transport while maintaining performance and durability during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing membrane acts as an intermediary element between the segmented blade sections, mediating the gap created by segmentation to restore both aerodynamic continuity and environmental sealing without affecting the mechanical connection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If connecting means are exposed in the gap area, then assembly is simplified, but lightning protection and corrosion resistance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidlightning protection and corrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible sealing membrane covers the exposed connecting means in the gap area, providing corrosion protection and lightning protection while maintaining assembly simplicity. The membrane can be installed after mechanical assembly without complicating the connection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution enhances the durability and aerodynamic efficiency of segmented rotor blades by reducing material usage, simplifying installation, and ensuring safe lightning discharge, while maintaining high assembly precision and ease of handling, even in challenging environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of first metal sheets (150) are provided, each first metal sheet (150) being arranged between a respective connection end and several pressure pieces (144), so that an electrically conductive connection is formed between several pressure pieces (144) via a respective first metal sheet (150)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12110871B2Wind turbine rotor blade and metal sheet

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 NORDEX ENERGY SE & CO KG

AI summary

The segments of a segmented wind turbine rotor blade are screwed together at respective connection ends via a plurality of connecting bolts. Sleeve-shaped pressure pieces are arranged between the rotor blade segments, each of which is mounted on a connecting bolt. A plurality of first metal sheets is provided, each first metal sheet being arranged between a respective connection end and several pressure pieces, so that an electrically conductive connection is formed between several pressure pieces via a first metal sheet. The first metal sheets, which are associated with the first connection end, are each arranged along the circumference of the rotor blade offset from the first metal sheets, which are associated with the second connection end. Further, a metal sheet for a segmented wind turbine rotor blade is disclosed.