Wind Turbine Blade Strain Sensing with Modular Sensor Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine blade strain sensing solutions, particularly optical sensors, face challenges such as restricted retrofitting, reduced accuracy due to limited mounting points, and vulnerability to lightning strikes, which necessitate a more precise, easily mountable, and protected strain sensing system.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine blade with a block sensor unit featuring an intermediate connection plate made of glass-reinforced plastic with a modulus of elasticity matching the blade, which is adhesively connected to the blade surface and optical sensors, providing a large connection area for precise strain sensing and protection, and includes a tapering shape to reduce stress concentrations and indented areas for uniform strain transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical sensors are embedded in the inner blade surface during manufacturing, then sensor precision is improved, but the blade cannot be easily retrofitted with sensors later
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into separate modular components: the optical sensor unit and the intermediate connection plate. This segmentation allows the sensor to be mounted as a discrete assembly rather than being embedded during blade manufacturing, enabling both high precision measurement and easy retrofitting of existing blades.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate connection plate is introduced as a mediator between the optical sensor and the blade surface. This plate provides a standardized mounting interface that facilitates precise sensor positioning while allowing the sensor to be attached to the blade surface without requiring modifications during manufacturing, thus enabling retrofitting.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical sensors are fixed at a few points on the inner blade surface with brackets, then retrofitting is enabled, but measurement precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate connection plate extends the mounting interface from discrete point connections to a distributed two-dimensional surface area. This dimensional expansion allows multiple strain measurement points to be incorporated into a single retrofittable unit, maintaining precision while enabling easy installation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid connection plate is used to connect optical sensors to the blade surface, then structural stability is improved, but stress concentrations occur at plate boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate connection plate features tapered boundaries with curved transitions instead of sharp corners. This geometric curvature eliminates stress concentration points at the plate edges, distributing mechanical stresses more evenly across the connection interface while maintaining structural stability for sensor mounting.
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 enables easier manufacturing and retrofitting of wind turbine blades with precise strain sensing, improved accuracy, and enhanced protection against lightning strikes by ensuring strain transfer and maintaining flexibility in the adhesive connection, while also allowing for supplementary mounting and improved lightning protection.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate connection plate (16) positioned in between said optical sensor means (14) and said surface structure (9), where said intermediate connection plate is adhesively connected to said surface structure and connected to said optical sensor means
Implementation Method 2
where said intermediate connection plate is adhesively connected to said surface structure and connected to said optical sensor means
Implementation Method 3
said optical sensor means includes light emitting means and light receiving means which are displaceable in relation to each other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a wind turbine blade with strain sensing means. The blade comprises a surface structure, a block sensor unit including optical sensor means for sensing strain in the blade, and an intermediate connection plate positioned in between said optical sensor means and said surface structure. The intermediate connection plate is adhesively connected to said surface structure and connected to said optical sensor means. The modulus of elasticity of said intermediate connection plate is similar to or less than the modulus of elasticity of said surface structure. The invention also relates to a wind turbine, block sensor unit and uses hereof.