Shape Memory Polymer Wind Turbine Blades for Compact Logistics

Solution Overview

Problem

The logistical challenges of transporting and storing longer wind turbine rotor blades, such as increased size requirements for shipping and storage, hinder efficient energy resource utilization and deployment.

Innovation Solution

The use of shape memory polymer composites in wind turbine rotor blades that can transition from a retracted profile to an airfoil profile when heated, allowing for compact storage and shipping, and expanding to their functional shape upon deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the length of wind turbine rotor blades is increased to capture more kinetic energy, then power generation capability is improved, but transportation and storage difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation capabilityVSAvoidtransportation and storage ease

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor blade incorporates a shape memory polymer composite skin that can dynamically change its shape between a deployed airfoil profile and a retracted profile. This dynamic transformation allows the blade to adapt its geometry based on operational requirements, enabling compact storage while maintaining full aerodynamic functionality during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes temperature as a control parameter to trigger the shape memory effect in the polymer composite. By heating the blade skin above its transition temperature, the material transforms from a temporary retracted shape to its permanent airfoil shape, enabling easy transportation and subsequent deployment without physical manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the length of wind turbine rotor blades is increased to improve power generation, then kinetic energy capture is improved, but shipping size requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekinetic energy captureVSAvoidshipping volume

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor blade incorporates a shape memory polymer composite skin that can dynamically change its shape between a deployed airfoil profile and a retracted profile. This dynamic transformation allows the blade to adapt its geometry based on operational requirements, enabling compact storage while maintaining full aerodynamic functionality during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent exploits the phase transition behavior of shape memory polymers, which undergo a reversible transformation between different shapes when exposed to specific temperature conditions. This phase transition enables the blade to switch between a compact configuration for shipping and a full aerodynamic configuration for operation, significantly reducing shipping volume requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Power

If the length of wind turbine rotor blades is increased to enhance power generation, then energy capture capability is improved, but storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy capture capabilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor blade incorporates a shape memory polymer composite skin that can dynamically change its shape between a deployed airfoil profile and a retracted profile. This dynamic transformation allows the blade to adapt its geometry based on operational requirements, enabling compact storage while maintaining full aerodynamic functionality during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes temperature as a control parameter to trigger the shape memory effect in the polymer composite. By heating the blade skin above its transition temperature, the material transforms from a temporary retracted shape to its permanent airfoil shape, enabling easy transportation and subsequent deployment without physical manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables efficient transportation and storage of wind turbine rotor blades by reducing their size during logistics operations while maintaining their aerodynamic functionality, enhancing energy resource management and environmental sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

a section of skin in an airfoil profile supported by the structural support member and comprising a shape memory polymer composite that transitions from a retracted profile to an airfoil profile when heated above its transition temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory polymer: Shape Memory Polymer

Data Source

PatentUS8500406B2Wind turbine rotor blades with shape memory polymer composites and methods for deploying the same

Publication Date: 2013.08.06 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

Methods for deploying a section of a wind turbine rotor blade include compressing a section of skin from an airfoil profile to a retracted profile, wherein the section of skin includes a shape memory polymer composite, and heating the section of skin to at least a transition temperature of the shape memory polymer composite so that the section of skin transitions from the retracted profile back to the airfoil profile.