Wind Turbine Blade Vortex Generator Fin Height Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing designs for wind turbine blades lack a clear relationship between the size of vortex generators and the blade size, making it difficult to determine suitable vortex generator dimensions for wind turbines of varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
The wind turbine blade incorporates a vortex generator with fins of specific height and chord length ratios, optimized for different operational states of the blade, including a height range relative to boundary layer thickness and a fin angle between 12 to 18 degrees, to balance drag and separation suppression effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the height of the fin is increased to suppress separation in blade degradation state, then the separation suppression effect is improved, but the drag due to the fin itself increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing a specific relationship between the fin height H and the boundary layer thickness δ1 in blade degradation state, where H ≥ 0.1δ1. This quantitative parameter relationship ensures the fin is tall enough to effectively suppress separation while not excessively tall to cause excessive drag, thus resolving the contradiction between separation suppression effect and drag.
2Reliability
If the height of the fin is increased to suppress separation in blade normal state, then the separation suppression effect is improved, but the drag due to the fin itself increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing a specific relationship between the fin height H and the boundary layer thickness δ2 in blade normal state, where H ≤ δ2. This quantitative parameter relationship ensures the fin is tall enough to effectively suppress separation while not excessively tall to cause excessive drag, thus resolving the contradiction between separation suppression effect and drag.
3Reliability
If the size of the vortex generator is increased to improve aerodynamic performance, then the separation suppression effect is improved, but the drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing a specific relationship between the fin height H and the maximum chord length C of the wind turbine blade, where 0.3×10−2 ≤ H/C ≤ 0.9×10−2. This quantitative parameter relationship ensures the vortex generator size is appropriately scaled to the blade size, improving aerodynamic performance while minimizing excessive drag that would result from an oversized vortex generator.
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 configuration allows for a suitable vortex generator size relative to the wind turbine blade, maintaining a balance between drag reduction and separation suppression in both normal and degradation states, enhancing aerodynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex generator including a plurality of fins
Implementation Method 2
to suppress separation of a flow along the surface of the wind turbine blade
Implementation Method 3
provided that δ1 is a boundary layer thickness at a rated tip speed ratio in a blade degradation state
Implementation Method 4
the demerit due to the influence of drag of the fin itself outweighs the advantageous effect of the fin to suppress separation
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine blade has a vortex generator including a plurality of fins, and a height H(m) of each of the fins and a maximum chord length C (m) of the wind turbine blade satisfies 0.3×10−2≤H/C≤0.9×10−2. The height H of the fins may satisfy H≥0.1δ1, provided that δ1 is a boundary layer thickness at a rated tip speed ratio in a blade degradation state. A method for determining arrangement of a vortex generator on the wind turbine blade includes a pair of the fins arranged line-symmetrically with respect to a segment along a chordwise direction of the wind turbine blade.