Wind Turbine Blade Vortex Generators Sealed Against Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbine blades face challenges with noise emission due to stall, which is exacerbated by the vulnerability of turbulence-generating vortex generators to environmental factors and high wind speeds, leading to premature failure and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of turbulence-generating strips on the outer section of wind turbine blades, secured with a two-component polyurethane sealer, to reduce noise emission by creating turbulence and prevent strip detachment, with the strips being uniformly designed and attached using adhesives for durability and ease of production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If vortex generators are used to create turbulence and reduce stall area, then noise emission is reduced, but the risk of being torn from the blade surface increases due to high wind speeds and environmental exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible sealing element (thin film) that conforms to the joint area between the vortex generator and blade surface. This sealing element prevents wind from gripping the joint and tearing the vortex generator, while maintaining the turbulence-generating function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element acts as an intermediary between the vortex generator and the blade surface, preventing direct exposure of the joint to high wind speeds and environmental factors. This intermediary protects the attachment while allowing the vortex generator to function.
2Productivity
If vortex generators are exposed to UV radiation, rain, snow, hail and temperature variations, then they create effective turbulence, but the risk of degradation and tearing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element forms a protective barrier (thin film) over the joint area, shielding it from UV radiation, rain, snow, hail and temperature variations. This protects the attachment while allowing the vortex generator to maintain its turbulence-generating function throughout the blade's lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element provides beforehand protection against environmental degradation. By sealing the joint area before exposure to harsh conditions, it prevents dirt, water and other contaminants from entering and degrading the attachment over time.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If turbulence generating strips are placed on the outer section of the blade near the tip, then noise emission is reduced by transforming low-frequency to high-frequency noise, but the wind speed and risk of detachment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element creates a flexible barrier that protects the joint area in the high-wind outer section of the blade. This allows the turbulence generating strip to be placed where it is most effective for noise reduction while protecting it from the increased wind forces at the blade tip.
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
The solution effectively reduces noise emission by transforming low-frequency noise into high-frequency noise that is more easily absorbed by air, while ensuring the strips remain functional for the lifespan of the blade by preventing detachment and degradation.
Implementation Method 1
The vortex generators create turbulence in the passing air, hereby reducing the area of the blade where stall occurs or completely eliminating stall
Implementation Method 2
The outside surface of a wind turbine blade presents a very harsh environment and particularly turbulence generating strips, which are intended to stir up the airflow to some degree, are at great risk of being ripped of the blade
Implementation Method 3
The solution effectively reduces noise emission by transforming low-frequency noise into high-frequency noise that is more easily absorbed by air
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wind turbine blade (5) comprising one or more turbulence generating strips (10), where the strips (10) are placed on a surface of the blade (5). The blade (5) is characterized in that at least one joint area (22) of the turbulence generating strips (10) and the surface of the blade (5) are completely or partially covered by sealing means (23). The invention further relates to a pitch controlled wind turbine (1) comprising at least two pitch controlled wind turbine blades (5) and pitch controlling means for pitching the blades (5). The pitch controlled wind turbine (1) is characterized in that the blades (5) comprises one or more turbulence generating strips (10), wherein at least one joint area (22) of the turbulence generating strips (10) and a surface of the blades (5) are completely or partially covered by sealing means (23).