Wind Turbine Lighting Element for Air Traffic Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting solutions for wind turbines are not reliable, disruptive, and do not facilitate large-area illumination, making them inefficient for air traffic safety and maintenance, especially in challenging environments like mountainous regions.
Innovation Solution
A lighting element with a lighting section and connection section, where the lighting section protrudes from an opening in the wind turbine component, connected internally, allowing for efficient and cost-effective installation, maintenance, and retrofitting, with the ability to illuminate a significant area of the component, including the use of visible and infrared radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing lighting solutions are used for wind turbines, then air traffic safety lighting is provided, but the lighting is not reliable and causes disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into multiple independent lighting elements distributed across the wind turbine structure. Each lighting element operates independently, so if one fails, others continue to provide safety lighting. This segmentation improves reliability while minimizing operational disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting elements are designed to be self-contained with integrated power supplies and control systems that automatically detect and respond to failures. The system performs self-diagnosis and maintains operation through redundancy, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring continuous reliable operation.
2Area of stationary object
If existing lighting solutions are used, then basic illumination is achieved, but large-area illumination is not facilitated
Solution Approach 1:
The large-area illumination requirement is met by dividing the lighting system into multiple modular lighting elements that can be distributed across different locations on the wind turbine. Each module covers a specific area, and together they provide comprehensive large-area illumination without requiring complex centralized installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting elements are designed as universal modules that can be installed in multiple locations and configurations on different wind turbine models. This multi-functionality allows the same standardized component to achieve large-area illumination across various applications, simplifying manufacturing and installation.
3Reliability
If lighting elements require complex installation procedures, then proper mounting is achieved, but maintenance and retrofitting become costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system uses segmented, modular elements that can be independently installed and removed. Each module is designed for simple attachment to standard mounting points on the wind turbine structure, ensuring secure mounting while enabling quick maintenance and retrofitting without complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting elements are designed with adjustable mounting parameters and multiple installation configurations that adapt to different wind turbine structures. This flexibility maintains secure mounting across various applications while simplifying the installation and maintenance processes through standardized interfaces and procedures.
4Illumination intensity
If traditional lighting systems are used, then illumination is provided, but energy consumption is high and scattering losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting elements utilize LED technology with optimized optical parameters and directional light distribution. This changes the lighting parameters to achieve high illumination intensity with significantly reduced energy consumption compared to traditional lighting systems, minimizing scattering losses through focused light beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system employs localized, directional illumination that concentrates light output where needed on the wind turbine structure. This local quality approach reduces overall energy consumption by eliminating unnecessary scattered light while maintaining high illumination intensity at target areas for air traffic safety.
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 provides reliable, efficient, and cost-effective lighting that enhances air traffic safety by illuminating a larger area of the wind turbine, reducing energy consumption and scattering losses, while being weather-independent and suitable for various environments.
Implementation Method 1
the lighting section is arranged and configured to illuminate the component from which it protrudes
Implementation Method 2
including the use of visible and infrared radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a luminous element for illuminating a component of a wind energy installation, in particular a rotor blade and/or a rotor and/or a tower and/or a nacelle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a component for a wind energy installation, in particular a rotor blade and/or a rotor and/or a nacelle and/or a tower for a wind energy installation. The invention furthermore relates to a wind energy installation and to a method for illuminating a component of a wind energy installation. The luminous element comprises a luminous section and a connection section, wherein the connection section is arranged and designed to be connected in an interior of the component, and the luminous section is arranged and designed to project from an opening in the component, and the luminous section is arranged and designed to illuminate the component from which it projects.