Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Tip Feature Installation Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of suction side winglets on wind turbine rotor blades reduces tower clearance, increasing the risk of rotor blade strikes and costly downtime, especially for turbines with rotors upwind of the tower.
Innovation Solution
A method using site-specific wind data to determine when to install tip features like suction side winglets or tip extensions by monitoring wind conditions and comparing actual tip deflection thresholds to predetermined thresholds, allowing for improved performance without significantly increasing the risk of tower strikes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If suction side winglets are installed on rotor blades to improve efficiency and performance, then the power coefficient and energy output increase, but the tower clearance is reduced which dramatically increases the risk of rotor blade striking the tower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the winglet configuration parameters (size, shape, position, orientation) to optimize the balance between performance improvement and tower clearance maintenance. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves enhanced power coefficient while keeping the blade-tip-to-tower distance sufficient to prevent strikes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by using active control systems that adjust winglet parameters in real-time based on operating conditions. The control system monitors blade position, wind conditions, and tower clearance dynamically, modifying winglet configuration to maintain optimal performance while preventing tower strikes during different operational phases.
2Length of moving object
If suction side winglets are installed to reduce the overall diameter of the wind turbine, then the turbine size is reduced, but the tower clearance is reduced increasing the risk of tower strikes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to optimize the winglet configuration for achieving rotor diameter reduction while maintaining adequate tower clearance. By carefully selecting and adjusting winglet parameters, the system reduces the effective rotor diameter for performance benefits without compromising the safety margin to the tower.
3Productivity
If tip features are installed to improve overall efficiency and performance, then energy output increases, but the cost of installation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing tip features selectively rather than universally. The control system determines optimal moments for deploying tip features based on real-time conditions, allowing the system to achieve performance improvements during favorable conditions while avoiding the costs associated with continuous deployment or permanent installation in all scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for utilizing site specific data to determine whether to install a tip feature on a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method generally includes monitoring with a sensor at least one wind condition at a wind turbine site, determining an actual tip deflection threshold for a rotor blade of a wind turbine located at the wind turbine site based on the least one wind condition, comparing the actual tip deflection threshold to a predetermined tip deflection threshold for the rotor blade and determining whether to install a tip feature on the rotor blade based on the comparison between the actual tip deflection threshold and the predetermined tip deflection threshold.