Wind Turbine Thermal Imaging Inspection Forecasting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind turbine inspections using thermal imaging cameras are hindered by temperature differences caused by solar radiation, leading to inconclusive results due to uneven heating, and require complex preparations and flights, often resulting in unnecessary efforts.
Innovation Solution
A method that predicts thermal conditions by analyzing ambient and historical temperature data, using sensors and thermal models to forecast temperature differences between the inner and outer areas of rotor blades, allowing for targeted inspections when sufficient contrast is ensured, and employing artificial heating if necessary to enhance temperature differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If thermal imaging cameras are used to inspect rotor blades from aircraft, then inspection coverage is improved, but temperature differences caused by solar radiation create false contrasts that worsen measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by forecasting thermal conditions before the actual inspection flight. Environmental parameters (solar radiation, ambient temperature, wind speed) are measured and fed into thermal models that predict future temperature distributions on the rotor blade. This advance prediction allows operators to determine whether thermal contrast will be sufficient for damage detection, avoiding flights when conditions are unfavorable and thus preventing wasted resources while ensuring high measurement precision when flights are conducted.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring environmental parameters (solar radiation intensity, ambient temperature, wind speed) and using these measurements to update thermal models. The predicted thermal contrast is fed back to decision-making processes that determine whether to proceed with inspections. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that inspection flights are only conducted when thermal conditions will provide sufficient contrast for accurate damage detection, thereby maintaining high measurement precision.
2Loss of information
If flights are conducted for thermal imaging inspections, then inspection data can be collected, but unnecessary flights are performed when temperature differences are insufficient, increasing loss of time and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary thermal forecasting before scheduling inspection flights. By calculating predicted temperature differences based on environmental parameters and thermal models, the system determines in advance whether sufficient thermal contrast will exist during the planned inspection window. This preliminary assessment prevents scheduling flights when temperature differences would be insufficient, thereby eliminating unnecessary flight time and energy consumption while ensuring that flights are conducted only when they will yield useful inspection data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses automatically available environmental data (solar radiation, ambient temperature, wind speed measurements) to perform self-service thermal forecasting without requiring manual intervention. The thermal models automatically process these environmental parameters and generate predictions about future thermal conditions on the rotor blade. This automated self-service capability continuously evaluates whether inspection conditions will be favorable, enabling the system to optimize flight scheduling and avoid unnecessary missions independently.
3Measurement precision
If thermal models and environmental sensors are integrated, then forecasting accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies multi-functionality by using a single integrated platform that combines environmental sensors (solar radiation, ambient temperature, wind speed measurements), thermal models for predicting temperature distributions, and decision-support algorithms. This multi-functional system serves multiple purposes: it monitors environmental conditions, forecasts thermal contrasts, evaluates inspection feasibility, and guides flight scheduling. By consolidating these functions into one universal system rather than separate independent components, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high forecasting accuracy.
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
Significantly reduces the risk of unnecessary flights by ensuring sufficient temperature differences for accurate inspections, allowing for more efficient and effective monitoring of wind turbine rotor blades.
Implementation Method 1
Sensor values can be used for the prognosis, which can record environmental influences and convert them into electronically processable environmental influence values. In particular, the ambient temperature and the intensity of solar radiation or parameters relating to precipitation can be used as environmental influences.
Implementation Method 2
For the prognosis, the current temperatures in the inner area and in the adjacent outer area can also be determined using sensors. Taking into account the current ambient temperature or other influencing variables, it can then be determined how the temperatures in the interior or in the exterior area will change.
Implementation Method 3
An extrapolation of the temperatures of the inner and outer areas into the future can preferably be carried out on the basis of temperature profiles, namely in particular the ambient temperature and the temperatures of the inner and outer areas of the past 6 to 12 hours.
Implementation Method 4
Aircraft, usually helicopters, are used for this purpose. These have suitable recording devices, for example in the form of thermal imaging cameras on board, which are used to record the data required for the inspection.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The method involves determining temperature difference between inner region of the wind turbine (1), and outer region of the wind turbine using temperature sensor. The measurement time period is calculated corresponding to the temperature difference between inner region and outer region of the wind turbine. The aircraft (2) is driven near the wind turbine such that the wind turbine is in the detection range of the thermographic recording device (6) installed in aircraft, during the measurement time period. An independent claim is included for aircraft.