Windmill Blade Leading Edge Protector Internal Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Windmill blades experience erosion damage due to raindrops and dust, and existing leading edge protectors compromise aerodynamic performance with recesses and projections, leading to reduced service life and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A windmill blade design featuring a leading edge protector fixed to the skin from the inside of a hollow space, using a bolt and nut system for secure attachment without external exposure, and potentially composed of conductive or non-conductive materials for enhanced protection and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a thin tape-like leading edge protector is used on the windmill blade surface, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but erosion resistance performance deteriorates due to recesses and projections that serve as starting points for erosion damage
Solution Approach 1:
The leading edge protector is nested within the hollow space of the blade main body, with its trailing edge positioned inside the hollow space and its leading edge extending outward to cover the blade's leading edge portion. This nesting arrangement eliminates recesses and projections on the blade surface while maintaining protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The leading edge protector is positioned in a different spatial dimension by placing it within the hollow space structure rather than attaching it to the external blade surface. This dimensional repositioning allows the protector to be integrated into the blade's internal architecture, eliminating surface irregularities.
2Ease of manufacture
If a thin tape-like leading edge protector is used on the windmill blade surface, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates due to recesses and projections that reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The leading edge protector is nested within the hollow space of the blade main body, with its trailing edge positioned inside the hollow space and its leading edge extending outward to cover the blade's leading edge portion. This nesting arrangement eliminates recesses and projections on the blade surface while maintaining protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The leading edge protector is positioned in a different spatial dimension by placing it within the hollow space structure rather than attaching it to the external blade surface. This dimensional repositioning allows the protector to be integrated into the blade's internal architecture, eliminating surface irregularities.
3Device complexity
If a conventional leading edge protector attachment method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to exposed fasteners that create erosion starting points
Solution Approach 1:
The leading edge protector is nested within the hollow space of the blade main body, with its trailing edge positioned inside the hollow space and its leading edge extending outward to cover the blade's leading edge portion. This nesting arrangement eliminates recesses and projections on the blade surface while maintaining protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism is extracted from the external attachment method and relocated to the internal hollow space. The bolt member extends through the skin from the hollow space side, with the nut positioned inside the hollow space, removing exposed fasteners from the erosion-prone external surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A windmill blade includes a leading edge protector at a leading edge portion of a blade main body including a skin surrounding a hollow space. The leading edge protector is fixed to the skin from the hollow space.