UAV Blade Interaction for Wind Turbine Oscillation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines experience uncontrolled oscillations of blades during shutdown, which can lead to damage, and existing solutions like blade socks are time-consuming and require significant manual intervention, especially in offshore environments.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) that deploy automatically to interact with wind turbine blades or towers to control oscillations by disrupting airflow, using attachment means like magnetic devices, suction cups, or grippers, and can operate in various orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blade socks are used to reduce oscillations, then blade oscillation control is improved, but installation time and manual intervention requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic deployment of oscillation control devices using the wind turbine's own operational parameters (wind speed, direction, blade position) to trigger deployment without human intervention. The control system autonomously monitors conditions and deploys devices when oscillation risk is detected, making the system self-activating rather than requiring manual installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical installation of blade socks with an automated deployment mechanism. Instead of workers physically attaching oscillation control devices to blades, the system uses automated actuators and control systems to deploy the devices mechanically, reducing installation time and eliminating the need for manual intervention.
2Reliability
If blade socks are deployed manually, then oscillation protection is achieved, but operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors wind conditions and blade oscillation parameters, automatically activating oscillation control devices when needed. This self-monitoring and self-activating capability eliminates the need for continuous human oversight and manual deployment, significantly improving operational efficiency while maintaining reliable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where sensors monitor wind speed, direction, and blade oscillation in real-time. This feedback information is fed to the control system which automatically adjusts oscillation control device deployment accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that responds dynamically to changing conditions without manual intervention.
3Reliability
If maintenance personnel are deployed to install blade socks, then oscillation control is implemented, but deployment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-deployment of oscillation control devices using automated control mechanisms. The control system autonomously monitors oscillation conditions and triggers device deployment without requiring maintenance personnel to physically install the devices, thereby simplifying the deployment process and reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillation control devices are pre-positioned or pre-configured on the wind turbine structure, ready for automatic deployment. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site installation procedures by maintenance personnel, as the devices are already in place and can be activated automatically when oscillation conditions are detected.
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
This approach efficiently reduces blade and tower oscillations with minimal human intervention, enhancing safety and reducing maintenance costs, particularly in challenging offshore environments.
Implementation Method 1
interacting with a blade of the wind turbine in order to control oscillation of the blade... disrupt airflow around the blades thereby reducing oscillations
Implementation Method 2
The attachment means may comprise a magnetic device configured to couple to a magnetised portion of the blade
Implementation Method 3
The attachment means is a suction cup device for releasably attaching itself to the blade
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system for a wind park including: a control system in communication with a plurality of unmanned air vehicles, wherein the control system is configured to deploy one or more unmanned air vehicles during a triggering condition; and wherein the deployed unmanned air vehicles are guided towards an assigned wind turbine and to interact with a blade of that wind turbine in order to control oscillation of the blade. The invention also embraces a method for reducing blade oscillations of a wind turbine, comprising: monitoring for a triggering condition associated with the wind turbine; on detecting the triggering condition, deploying unmanned air vehicles towards a wind turbine and interacting with a blade of the wind turbine using the unmanned air to control oscillation of the blade. The invention therefore provides an efficient approach to controlling blade oscillations with minimal human operator involvement. Drones may be deployed automatically once suitable conditions are detected and may automatically engage with the blades, either by contacting those blades physically, or by interacting with the blades in close proximity, in order to disrupt airflow around the blades thereby reducing oscillations.