Tapered Vortex Generator for Wind Turbine Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vortex generator devices for wind turbine blades are difficult to manufacture as unitary elements and require tedious installation methods, including recess milling and additional sealing steps, which can lead to structural issues and increased noise.
Innovation Solution
A vortex generator device with a tapered trailing edge and thickness, allowing for moulding without part breakage, and featuring a trapezium-shaped base with an integrated adhesive recess for direct mounting on the blade surface, eliminating the need for post-installation sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a recess is milled into the blade surface for mounting the vortex generator base plate, then the base plate can be mounted flush with the blade surface reducing noise and flow disruption, but the installation process becomes tedious and structurally compromising
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is pre-formed with an integrated recess during manufacturing, so that when mounted on the blade surface, the vortex generator protrudes appropriately without requiring post-installation recess milling. This preliminary preparation eliminates the complex installation process while achieving the desired flush mounting effect that reduces noise and flow disruption.
2Ease of operation
If the vortex generator strip is mounted directly on the blade surface without recess milling, then installation becomes simpler, but additional sealing steps are required to prevent the strip from being ripped loose
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the base plate structure itself through an integrated recess that receives and secures the vortex generator strip. This integration eliminates the need for separate sealing steps while maintaining direct mounting simplicity, as the recess provides both mechanical retention and sealing in one feature.
3Reliability
If the vane is formed with a uniform thickness and perpendicular trailing edge, then the vortex generator functionality is optimized, but the device becomes difficult to manufacture as a unitary moulded element
Solution Approach 1:
The vane is designed with varying thickness along its length, with the leading edge portion having greater thickness than the trailing edge portion. This local variation in quality allows the vane to be manufactured as a unitary moulded element, as the tapered geometry facilitates easy release from the mould while the leading edge maintains sufficient thickness to preserve vortex generator functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vortex generator device (70) for mounting on a wind turbine blade (10) is disclosed. The device comprises: a base (71) having, when mounted on an exterior of the wind turbine blade (10), an inner side (72) for attaching on a surface, such as the exterior of the wind turbine blade (10), and an outer side (73) facing away from the exterior of the wind turbine blade (10). The vortex generator device is provided with at least a first vane (79, 80) protruding substantially perpendicular to the base (71) from the outer side (73), wherein the vane (79, 80) comprises a leading edge side (78) for arranging nearest a leading edge of the wind turbine blade (10), and a trailing edge side (77) for arranging nearest a trailing edge of the wind turbine blade (10), and wherein the vane (79, 80) comprises a leading edge portion (83) located nearest the leading edge side (78) of the vane (79, 80), which is tapered towards the leading edge side (78) of the vane (79, 80). The vane (79, 80) further comprises a trailing edge portion (85) located nearest the trailing edge side (77) of the vane (79, 80), which is tapered towards the trailing edge side (77) of the vane (79, 80), and/or the vane (79, 80) is tapered towards a top part of the vane (79, 80).