Tower-Mounted LiDAR Sensing for Wind Turbine Blade Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring wind turbine blade deflection are limited in precision and reliability, particularly in weather conditions, and often require components on the blades, which are sensitive to environmental factors and can only approximate tip-end deflection, failing to provide comprehensive and accurate deflection data across the blade length.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a position detection apparatus with multiple LiDAR components set at distinct angles to monitor discrete fields of detection, determining blade deflection by detecting the presence and distance of blade segments relative to the tower, and a deflection controller that triggers corrective actions to prevent blade-tower collisions, without the need for components on the blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If strain gauges are attached on the blade surface for deflection monitoring, then measurement capability is provided, but installation cost and exposure to lightning strikes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement function from the blade surface (where strain gauges are mounted) and relocates it to the tower structure. The tower-mounted sensor system detects blade position indirectly through optical or electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for physical attachment to the blade and thus removing exposure to lightning and weather-related degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary measurement approach where the tower-mounted sensors detect blade position through the air gap without direct contact. The optical or electromagnetic field acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the blade, allowing measurement while maintaining spatial separation and avoiding weather exposure issues.
2Device complexity
If only tip-end deflection is monitored, then system complexity is reduced, but comprehensive blade deflection information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the blade monitoring function by placing multiple sensors at different locations on the tower, each monitoring a specific angular sector or spatial zone. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of the entire blade circumference and length, capturing deflection information from multiple points simultaneously without requiring a single complex sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional tip-end monitoring to three-dimensional spatial monitoring by distributing sensors throughout the tower structure. This enables measurement of blade position in multiple dimensions (radial, tangential, and axial), providing comprehensive deflection data across the entire blade length rather than just at the tip.
3Measurement precision
If components are mounted on the blades for detection, then direct measurement is enabled, but sensitivity to weather conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the detection components from the blade and relocates them to the tower structure. This spatial relocation removes the detection system from the harsh weather environment experienced by rotating blades (rain, snow, ice, lightning) while maintaining the ability to measure blade position through non-contact optical or electromagnetic fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The tower-mounted sensor system utilizes the tower's own structure and the natural optical or electromagnetic environment to perform measurements. The system serves itself by using ambient light or electromagnetic fields that are already present in the environment, eliminating the need for blade-mounted power sources or complex weather-resistant housings.
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 solution provides reliable and precise monitoring of blade deflection across the entire length, operating effectively in various weather conditions and enabling proactive corrective actions to prevent damage, enhancing the operational safety and efficiency of wind turbines.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna system contains a transmit antenna and a receive antenna, while the reflector and the antenna-system are coupled by a radio signal. The radio signal is sent from the transmit antenna via the reflector towards the receive antenna.
Implementation Method 2
the position detection components comprise a pulsed laser source and a sensor
Implementation Method 3
a position detection apparatus mounted to the wind turbine, the position detection apparatus comprising a plurality of position detection components each one of the position detection components monitoring, in a ground facing direction, a discrete field of detection
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a system for monitoring deflection of turbine blades of a wind turbine comprising a tower. The system comprises a position detecting apparatus mounted to the wind turbine, the position detection apparatus comprising position detection components each detecting a presence or absence of a corresponding one of the segments of the turbine blades; and a deflection controller configured to receive the presence or absence detection and to use the presence or absence detection to determine a distance of each of the segments of the turbine blades relative to the tower, whereby the distance of each of the segments of the turbine blades relative to the tower is representative of the deflection of the turbine blades.