Split Wind Turbine Blade Damping Module for Edgewise Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular wind turbine blades are susceptible to edgewise vibrations due to less inherent aerodynamic damping, which poses challenges in transportation and operational stability.
Innovation Solution
A modular wind turbine blade design incorporating a damping module with a vibration damping unit, such as a mass-spring-damper device, is integrated between blade modules to attenuate edgewise vibrations, with the unit acting on the shear centre of the blade section to minimize torsional forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If wind turbine blades are made longer to increase swept area and energy capture, then energy capture capability is improved, but transportation difficulty increases due to road network constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine blade is divided into multiple modular sections that can be transported separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation allows longer blades to be broken into manageable pieces for transportation while maintaining the overall length needed for large swept area, directly resolving the contradiction between energy capture and transportation ease.
2Ease of operation
If wind turbine blades are designed as modular assembly to facilitate transportation, then transportation ease is improved, but edgewise vibration susceptibility increases due to reduced inherent aerodynamic damping
Solution Approach 1:
A damping module is introduced as an intermediary component between the modular blade sections. This damping module contains vibration damping units that actively counteract edgewise vibrations, mediating between the transportation-friendly modular design and the vibration resistance needed for reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping module modifies the vibrational parameters of the blade system by introducing damping elements that change the energy dissipation characteristics. This allows the modular blade to achieve appropriate vibration damping properties despite the inherent susceptibility introduced by segmentation.
3Reliability
If damping module is added to attenuate edgewise vibrations, then vibration resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping module is merged with the existing modular blade structure, integrating vibration damping functionality into one of the blade sections. This combining approach reduces overall device complexity by consolidating structural and damping functions rather than adding completely separate damping systems.
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 damping module effectively reduces edgewise vibrations, enhancing the stability and aerodynamic efficiency of the blade while allowing for easier transportation and maintenance of modular components.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration damping unit configured to attenuate edgewise vibrations of the wind turbine blade
Data Source
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AI summary
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wind turbine blade having a split blade configuration, comprising a first blade module defining an aerofoil profile and a second blade module defining an aerofoil profile; a damping module intermediate the first blade module and the second blade module; wherein the damping module comprises a first blade interface for joining to the first blade module and a second blade interface for joining to the second blade module. The damping module comprises a vibration damping unit. Beneficially, the invention provides a useful way in which to integrate motion damping functionality into a modular wind turbine blade.