FRP Wing Leading Edge Coating for Rain Erosion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wing structures, such as wind turbine wings, experience erosion due to collisions with foreign matter like raindrops and dust, leading to degradation of protective films, which compromises their aerodynamic performance.
Innovation Solution
A wing structure with a thermal spray layer on the leading edge, having a predetermined surface roughness to maintain a liquid film that alleviates impact pressure from droplets, enhancing erosion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a smooth protective film is formed on the leading edge, then aerodynamic performance is maintained, but erosion resistance performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface qualities to different regions: the leading edge surface is given a specific roughness (Ra 3.2-6.3μm) to maintain liquid film and resist erosion, while other wing surfaces remain smooth for aerodynamic performance. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between smooth surfaces for aerodynamics and rough surfaces for erosion resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface roughness parameter of the protective film from the conventional smooth state (Ra < 3.2μm) to a controlled rough state (Ra 3.2-6.3μm). This parameter change enables the protective film to maintain liquid film under droplet impact while still providing adequate aerodynamic performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If surface roughness is increased to maintain liquid film, then erosion resistance improves, but aerodynamic performance may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent limits the roughened surface treatment to only the leading edge region, while keeping the rest of the wing surface smooth. This localized application ensures that the roughness-induced aerodynamic penalty is minimized while still achieving the liquid film maintenance function where it is most needed for erosion protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a base protective film layer and a surface treatment layer with controlled roughness. This composite approach allows the underlying smooth film to provide aerodynamic performance while the outer roughened surface maintains liquid film for erosion resistance.
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 thermal spray layer with controlled surface roughness effectively maintains a liquid film, reducing erosion and preserving aerodynamic performance by mitigating impact pressure from droplets.
Implementation Method 1
the erosion suppression layer includes a thermal spray layer configured to maintain a liquid film formed on the erosion suppression layer by having a predetermined surface roughness
Implementation Method 2
the thermal spray layer configured to maintain a liquid film formed on the erosion suppression layer... reducing erosion and preserving aerodynamic performance by mitigating impact pressure from droplets
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a wing structure comprising a wing body formed from fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), and an erosion suppression layer provided so as to cover at least a portion of a front edge of the wing structure. The erosion suppression layer contains a thermal spraying layer configured so as to maintain, by having a prescribed surface roughness, a liquid film formed on the erosion suppression layer.