Wind Turbine Leading Edge Panel With Multi-Slope Chamfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind turbine blades with surface-mounted devices experience increased drag and reduced lift due to airflow disturbances, leading to negative aerodynamic performance, and existing leading edge protection panels are prone to damage and inefficient anti-corrosion protection.

Innovation Solution

A wind turbine blade design featuring a profiled contour with a surface-mounted device that includes a chamfer section providing a multi-slope transition from the base part to the exterior surface, reducing drag and optimizing the location of leading edge protection panels based on wind speed and direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a surface-mounted device is placed on the blade surface, then anti-corrosion protection is provided, but drag increases and lift decreases due to airflow disturbance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-corrosion protectionVSAvoidaerodynamic performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a single-slope chamfer to a multi-slope chamfer structure, adding dimensional complexity to the transition geometry. This multi-slope configuration creates a more gradual and optimized airflow path, reducing the aerodynamic disturbance caused by the surface-mounted device while maintaining its protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The chamfer section employs curved and rounded transitions instead of sharp angles, creating a smooth airflow path over the surface-mounted device. This curvature reduces flow separation and turbulence, thereby minimizing drag increase and lift decrease while preserving the anti-corrosion protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If a leading edge protection panel is attached, then wear and erosion are reduced, but the panel is damaged quickly at high wind speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against wear and erosionVSAvoidservice life of protection panel

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the protection panel by implementing a multi-slope chamfer structure with varying angles and curvatures. This optimized geometry reduces stress concentrations and improves aerodynamic loading distribution, allowing the protection panel to withstand high wind speeds and particle impact for extended periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The chamfer section is designed with locally optimized properties, where different slopes and curvatures are positioned strategically to address specific stress and flow conditions at various locations of the protection panel, enhancing its overall durability and resistance to damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a leading edge protection panel is attached, then anti-corrosion protection is provided, but the erosion zone moves towards the suction side at increasing wind speeds, reducing protection efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-corrosion protectionVSAvoidprotection efficiency under varying wind conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-slope chamfer structure creates a dynamic airflow pattern that adapts to varying wind speeds and directions. The optimized geometry maintains effective protection by controlling flow attachment and separation characteristics across different operating conditions, preventing the erosion zone from migrating to the suction side even at high wind speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design improves aerodynamic performance by lowering drag and noise while enhancing anti-corrosion protection, particularly at high wind speeds, by minimizing wear and optimizing the placement of leading edge protection panels.

Implementation Method 1

The transition or transition profile may lower drag, thus reducing aerodynamic losses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDrag reduction: Drag

Implementation Method 2

The step-up or step-down situation creates a disturbance in the airflow that may increase drag and/or reduce lift

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow disturbance: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS20260071607A1A wind turbine blade with a surface-mounted device

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 LM WIND POWER AS

AI summary

A wind turbine blade has a profiled contour including a pressure side and a suction side, and a leading edge and a trailing edge with a chord extending therebetween. The blade extends in a spanwise direction between a root end and a tip end. The surface-mounted device is a leading edge protection panel attached to the leading edge of the wind turbine blade, the leading edge protection panel extending in the spanwise direction including: a first section extending from the leading edge and along a part of the pressure side of the wind turbine blade to a first transverse end at a first position on the pressure side of the blade, and a second section extending from the leading edge and along a part of the suction side of the wind turbine blade to a second transverse end at a second position on the suction side of the blade.