Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Lightning Receptor Base Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wind turbine rotor blades with lightning protection systems face challenges in manufacturing complexity and cost, as well as increased risk of lightning strikes occurring outside designated lightning receptors due to bulky receptor bases and complex configurations.

Innovation Solution

A wind turbine rotor blade design featuring two lightning receptors on the suction and pressure sides, attached to a compact, one-piece lightning receptor base with internal threads and mounting rings, which reduces the likelihood of lightning strikes by minimizing the receptor base's attractiveness and allowing for secure fastening and efficient current discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a bulky, massive lightning receptor base is used to securely fasten lightning receptors, then the mechanical strength and fastening security are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening securityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional elements (fastening rings, mounting structures, and support elements) into a single integrated lightning receptor base component. This one-piece construction eliminates the need for separate fastening rings and mounting structures, thereby securing lightning receptors effectively while reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lightning receptor base is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides fastening security, structural support, and mounting functionality. By combining these functions into a single universal base structure, the patent avoids the need for multiple separate components, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If a compact, one-piece lightning receptor base is used to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the mechanical strength and fastening security may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfastening security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional elements (fastening rings, mounting structures, and support elements) into a single integrated lightning receptor base component. This one-piece construction eliminates the need for separate fastening rings and mounting structures, thereby securing lightning receptors effectively while reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lightning receptor base is made from fiber-reinforced plastic composite material, which provides high strength-to-weight ratio and mechanical properties suitable for secure fastening. The composite material structure allows the compact one-piece design to maintain adequate mechanical strength and fastening security while simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If a massive, bulky lightning receptor base is used, then the fastening security is improved, but the risk of lightning striking the base instead of the receptor increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening securityVSAvoidlightning strike risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional elements (fastening rings, mounting structures, and support elements) into a single integrated lightning receptor base component. This one-piece construction eliminates the need for separate fastening rings and mounting structures, thereby securing lightning receptors effectively while reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lightning receptor base employs a compact, streamlined outer shell design that minimizes protruding surfaces and sharp edges. The smooth, aerodynamic shape reduces the base's attractiveness to lightning strikes while maintaining adequate fastening security through optimized internal structure and material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Strength

If multiple separate components (fastening rings, mounting structures) are used, then the fastening security is improved, but the material usage and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening securityVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional elements (fastening rings, mounting structures, and support elements) into a single integrated lightning receptor base component. This one-piece construction eliminates the need for separate fastening rings and mounting structures, thereby securing lightning receptors effectively while reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lightning receptor base is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides fastening security, structural support, and mounting functionality. By combining these functions into a single universal base structure, the patent avoids the need for multiple separate components, thus reducing material usage and manufacturing cost while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 simplifies manufacturing, reduces material usage, and decreases the risk of lightning strikes by minimizing the receptor base's attractiveness, ensuring effective lightning current discharge without damage and maintaining aerodynamic efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a lightning protection conductor for dissipating a lightning current to the blade root

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

an edge radius on the outer circumferences of the two mounting rings is 3 mm or more

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field distribution: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP2930357B1Wind turbine rotor blade with a lightning conductor base

Publication Date: 2018.06.27 NORDEX ENERGY

Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

Wind turbine rotor blade with a blade root, a lightning protection conductor for diverting a lightning current to the blade root, a suction side, a pressure side, a lightning receptor arranged on the suction side, a lightning receptor arranged on the pressure side and a one-piece lightning receptor base arranged in the wind turbine rotor blade, to which the two lightning receptors and the lightning protection conductor are attached, wherein the lightning receptor base comprises two mounting rings, each having an internal thread into which one of the two lightning receptors is screwed, and an outer diameter and an outer surface, wherein the outer surfaces of the mounting rings are arranged at a distance of less than one outer diameter from each other.