Wind Turbine Blade Tip Section with Angled Straight Trailing Edge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine rotor blades emit significant noise due to turbulent airflow at the tip section, which is not adequately addressed by conventional designs.
Innovation Solution
The rotor blade design features a tip section with an essentially straight trailing edge at an angle ranging from 0° to 20° relative to a reference plane, combined with a relatively short rounded section at the blade tip, to minimize turbulence and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional tip section designs with rounded trailing edges are used, then aerodynamic performance is maintained, but noise emissions increase due to turbulent airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the trailing edge from a conventional rounded shape to an essentially straight line at a specific angle (0° to 20°) relative to the reference plane. This parameter change modifies the airflow characteristics at the tip section, reducing turbulence and noise emissions while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces asymmetry in the tip section design by positioning the straight trailing edge at a specific angle relative to the reference plane rather than being symmetric or perpendicular. This asymmetric configuration optimizes airflow separation and reduces noise while preserving lift generation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the trailing edge is made essentially straight at an angle of 0° to 20°, then noise emissions are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the straight trailing edge configuration only to the tip section of the rotor blade rather than the entire blade. This localized application reduces noise at the critical tip region while minimizing the impact on overall manufacturing complexity, as the majority of the blade can be manufactured using conventional processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional aerodynamic profiles are used throughout the blade, then structural integrity is maintained, but noise reduction at the tip section is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the aerodynamic profile specifically in the tip section by introducing the straight trailing edge at a defined angle, while the rest of the blade maintains conventional aerodynamic profiles. This local modification reduces noise emissions at the tip section without compromising the overall structural integrity and aerodynamic performance of the entire rotor blade.
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
This design significantly reduces noise emissions while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency, with the straight trailing edge guiding airflow smoothly past the tip section.
Implementation Method 1
Existing wind turbine rotor blades emit significant noise due to turbulent airflow at the tip section
Implementation Method 2
the trailing edge is an essentially straight line arranged at an angle in a range of 0° to 20° with reference to the reference plane
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A wind turbine rotor blade comprising • a root section defining a pitch axis, • a tip section including a blade tip and a chord line, • a blade length, • a leading edge, • a trailing edge, and • a local chord length measured between the leading edge and the trailing edge, • wherein a reference plane is defined such that it includes the pitch axis and such that the chord line is normal to the reference plane, characterised in that • in the tip section, the trailing edge is an essentially straight line arranged at an angle in a range of 0° to 20° with reference to the reference plane.