Segmented Wind Turbine Blade with Rotatable Ribs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine blades face inefficiencies in adapting to local wind flow conditions due to the need for pitch control, which involves rotating the entire blade, leading to high inertia, long response times, and increased costs, while also producing turbulence and noise when segmented for independent rotation.

Innovation Solution

A wind turbine blade design featuring a spar with rotatable ribs, allowing independent rotation of consecutive ribs, which are covered by a flexible skin to adapt to local flow conditions without surface discontinuities, simplifying the connection to the hub and enabling adaptive aerodynamic shaping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pitch control is used to adapt to local flow conditions, then the wind turbine can adjust to varying wind speeds, but the response time becomes long and power consumption increases due to high inertia of rotating the whole blade

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAdaptation to local flow conditionsVSAvoidResponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is divided into multiple segments along the span, with each segment capable of independent rotation about an axis parallel to the spanwise axis. This segmentation allows local adaptation to flow conditions without requiring rotation of the entire blade, significantly reducing the moment of inertia and response time while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the blade is divided into segments for independent rotation, then adaptability to local flow conditions improves, but turbulence and noise increase due to lack of continuity between adjacent segments

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAdaptation to local flow conditionsVSAvoidTurbulence and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blade segments are designed with twisted aerodynamic shapes and curved surfaces that maintain smooth flow transitions. The continuous twisted geometry of each segment and their arrangement ensure that the blade surface remains aerodynamically smooth even when segments rotate independently, preventing turbulence and noise generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If pitch control is implemented by rotating the whole blade, then the angle of attack can be adjusted, but the cost and complexity increase due to the need for bearings and rotational connections

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePitch control capabilityVSAvoidConnection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is segmented into multiple independent sections that can rotate locally without requiring complex rotational connections at the root. Each segment has simplified rotational joints, eliminating the need for large bearings and complex pitch mechanisms at the blade-hub connection, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blade transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic segmented structure where individual segments can independently adjust their orientation. This dynamic configuration allows pitch control functionality to be distributed across multiple simple rotational joints rather than concentrated in a complex bearing system at the root.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Power

If large blades are used to capture enough energy, then power output increases, but the weight and structural loads increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePower outputVSAvoidBlade weight

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is divided into multiple lightweight segments connected by simple rotational joints, replacing the need for a single heavy rigid structure. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for local loads, reducing overall material requirements and weight while maintaining the large span needed for energy capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blade incorporates dynamic segmented sections that can independently rotate to optimize aerodynamic performance and reduce structural loads. This dynamic capability allows the blade to adapt to varying wind conditions, reducing peak loads and enabling the use of lighter materials compared to a static rigid blade of the same size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9790917B2Wind turbine blade and methods of operating it

Publication Date: 2017.10.17 GE RENEWABLE TECH WIND BV

AI summary

Wind turbine blade comprising a spar, a plurality of ribs rotatably mounted on said spar, and a rotating means adapted to rotate at least two consecutive ribs independently of each other. The blade can thus be operated so as to rotate at least two consecutive ribs independently of each other, although it is also possible to jointly rotate all the ribs.