Vortex Generator Fin Arrangement for Wind Turbine Blade Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine blades face inefficiencies due to flow separation issues near the blade root, which are not adequately addressed by current vortex generator arrangements, impacting operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vortex generator arrangement with fin sets positioned such that the angle between adjacent fin sets increases towards the blade root, aligning with the changing position of flow separation along the blade spanwise direction, effectively retarding flow separation and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fins are arranged linearly along the blade spanwise direction or at a fixed inclination angle, then the vortex generator structure is simple, but the operational efficiency of the wind turbine is insufficient due to inadequate suppression of flow separation in the blade root region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the inclination angle of fin sets according to their spanwise position. Specifically, the inclination angle increases as the fin sets approach the blade root, creating different geometric characteristics in different regions of the blade. This localized adaptation allows the vortex generator to effectively suppress flow separation in the critical blade root region while maintaining appropriate performance in other regions, thereby improving overall operational efficiency without requiring complete redesign of the entire fin structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the fin arrangement adaptive to the changing flow conditions along the blade span. The inclination angle of fin sets is dynamically adjusted based on position, with steeper angles near the blade root where flow separation is more severe and shallower angles toward the blade tip. This dynamic geometric variation allows the vortex generator to respond to the spatially varying flow field, improving operational efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that follows a systematic pattern
2Reliability
If the inclination angle of fin sets is increased towards the blade root, then flow separation suppression is improved, but the manufacturing and installation precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the vortex generator into multiple discrete fin sets positioned at different spanwise locations, each with its own optimized inclination angle. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each fin set's angle to match local flow conditions, improving flow separation suppression. The segmented approach also simplifies manufacturing and installation, as each fin set can be fabricated and positioned independently according to a systematic angle pattern, reducing overall precision requirements compared to a monolithic structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by systematically varying the inclination angle parameter of fin sets based on their spanwise position. The angle increases progressively toward the blade root according to a defined pattern, allowing optimization of flow separation suppression at each location. This parameter variation follows a systematic rule rather than arbitrary changes, which helps maintain manufacturing and installation precision by providing clear design criteria for each fin set's geometry and position
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 configuration effectively retards flow separation, enhancing the operational efficiency of wind turbines by optimizing the placement of fin sets based on specific angle and radial position criteria, leading to improved power generation.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex generator is mounted to a surface of a wind turbine blade in some cases to suppress separation of a flow along the surface of the wind turbine blade
Implementation Method 2
to suppress separation of a flow along the surface of the wind turbine blade
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine blade includes a blade body; and a vortex generator mounted to a surface of the blade body. The vortex generator includes a plurality of fin sets, each fin set including a plurality of fins disposed to protrude from the surface of the blade body at different positions from one another in a blade spanwise direction. The plurality of fin sets is positioned so that, in a planar development view of the surface of the blade body, an angle θ formed by a center axis of a blade root of the blade body with a line connecting two of the fin sets which are adjacent in the blade spanwise direction increases toward the blade root, at least in a part of a region of the blade body between a position of the blade root and a maximum chord-length position of the blade body in the blade spanwise direction.