Wind Turbine Blade Modeling Using a Reference Blade Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small drones equipped with limited sensors, such as cameras, struggle to accurately measure distances to wind turbine blades due to insufficient sensing capabilities, particularly when the blades have distinct features or are tilted, leading to reduced measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for modeling blades that utilize a reference blade model generated from sensing data to predict and correct modeling results for other blades, using virtual straight lines and coordinate systems to overcome spatial limitations and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a small drone with limited sensors is used to inspect wind turbine blades, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to insufficient sensing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual blade model that copies the geometric structure of the actual wind turbine blade. This virtual model serves as a reference to compensate for the limited sensing capabilities of the small drone, enabling accurate distance measurements without requiring expensive sensors like LiDAR.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device to capture images of the blade, which are then processed to extract geometric information. This intermediary approach allows the small drone to obtain measurement data indirectly through image processing rather than direct distance measurement.
2Device complexity
If a small drone with limited sensors is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates when measuring tilted blades or blades without distinct features
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a detailed virtual blade model that replicates the actual blade geometry, the system ensures reliable measurements even when the physical blade lacks distinct features or is tilted. The virtual model provides a stable reference framework that is not affected by the blade's orientation or surface characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct distance measurement parameters to image coordinate parameters. By processing camera images to extract geometric parameters and comparing them with the virtual model, the system maintains measurement reliability across different blade orientations and surface conditions.
3Measurement precision
If traditional blade modeling is performed for each blade individually, then the measurement accuracy is maintained, but the productivity deteriorates due to the complexity of processing multiple blades with different angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a single universal virtual blade model that can be applied to all blades of the wind turbine. This universal model accounts for different blade angles and positions, eliminating the need to create separate models for each blade and significantly improving inspection efficiency while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual blade model is created in advance as a preliminary reference framework. Once established, this pre-computed model can be reused for inspecting multiple blades, avoiding the need to perform complex modeling operations for each blade during the actual inspection process.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for modeling blades comprises a data collection module configured to receive sensing data of a drone for a reference blade included in a wind turbine, and a modeling module configured to generate a blade model by performing modeling on the wind turbine based on the sensing data, wherein the modeling module comprises: a reference blade model generation unit configured to generate a reference blade model by performing modeling on the reference blade, and an other blade model generation unit configured to generate an other blade model for at least one other blade included in the wind turbine based on the reference blade model.