Pitch-Controlled Wind Turbine Blade Segmentation for Load Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
As wind turbine blades increase in size to enhance energy production, the loads on them also increase, requiring additional reinforcement which in turn increases weight and further loads, creating a vicious cycle.
Innovation Solution
A pitch controlled wind turbine design with a connection joint that connects blade portions using a connector to transfer loads between spar cap portions, allowing for simpler construction and reduced disruptions, while using blade connecting members that extend between neighboring blades to share loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If wind turbine blade size is increased to enhance energy production, then energy production is improved, but blade weight increases due to required reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into multiple blade portions that are connected together, allowing each portion to be optimized independently and reducing the overall weight while maintaining structural integrity for larger blade sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The blade portions are connected using connection joints with connectors that create composite structures, combining different materials to achieve optimal strength-to-weight ratio for enhanced energy production without excessive weight increase
2Strength
If blade reinforcement is added to handle increased loads, then load bearing capacity is improved, but blade weight further increases
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the blade into segments with connection joints allows load distribution across multiple connection points, reducing the need for excessive reinforcement in any single location and minimizing weight increase while maintaining load bearing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The connection joints serve multiple functions: they connect blade portions, transfer loads between them, and reduce discontinuities, thereby achieving load bearing enhancement without proportionate weight increase
3Strength
If blade portions are connected with spaced connection points for blade connecting members, then load sharing between blades is improved, but construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection points for blade connecting members are merged with the blade portion connection joints, allowing both functions to be achieved at the same location and reducing construction complexity while maintaining load sharing capacity
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
The design minimizes construction disruptions and reduces weight by allowing for efficient load transfer between blade portions, thereby alleviating the cycle of increased loads and reinforcement.
Implementation Method 1
The connector may be adapted to transfer load between the first spar cap portion of the first blade portion and the second spar cap portion of the second blade portion
Implementation Method 2
at least three blade connecting members, each wind turbine blade comprising a first connection point and a second connection point, wherein each blade connecting member extends from a first connection point on one wind turbine blade towards a second connection point on a neighbouring wind turbine blade
Implementation Method 3
each wind turbine blade extends between a root end connected to the hub via a pitch mechanism, and a tip end
Data Source
AI summary
A first aspect of the invention provides a pitch controlled wind turbine comprising a tower, a nacelle mounted on the tower, a hub mounted rotatably on the nacelle, and at least three wind turbine blades, wherein each wind turbine blade extends between a root end connected to the hub via a pitch mechanism, and a tip end, wherein each wind turbine blade comprises: a first blade portion having a shell that defines a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a first spar cap portion, the first blade portion further including a first blade portion end surface at one end of the first blade portion; a second blade portion having a shell that defines a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a second spar cap portion, the second blade portion further including a second blade portion end surface at one end of the second blade portion, wherein the first blade portion and the second blade portion are configured to be coupled together at the first and second blade portion end surfaces; and a connection joint for coupling the first and second blade portions together, wherein the connection joint includes a connector for connecting to the first blade portion end surface and to the second blade portion end surface, and wherein the pitch controlled wind turbine further comprises at least three blade connecting members, each wind turbine blade comprising a first connection point and a second connection point, wherein each blade connecting member extends between from a first connection point on one wind turbine blade and towards a second connection point on a neighbouring wind turbine blade, where each connection point on a given wind turbine blade is on the connector of the connection joint of that wind turbine blade.