Organic conductive elements for deicing and lightning protection of a wind turbine rotor blade
First Claim
1. A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine, the rotor blade assembly comprising:
- a rotor blade having a body shell comprising a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge each extending between a root portion and a tip portion, the body shell being constructed of one or more foam materials; and
,a protection system configured to protect the rotor blade from ice accumulation or a lightning strike, the protection system comprising;
at least one organic conductive foam core embedded at or near the leading edge of the rotor blade in place of the one or more foam materials of the body shell, the at least one organic conductive foam core comprising a carbon-based foam core; and
,a conductor source coupled to the at least one organic conductive foam core, the conductor source comprising at least a conductive cable infused into or configured adjacent to a leading edge bond cap of the rotor blade,wherein the conductor source is configured to heat the organic conductive foam core so as to prevent ice from accumulating on the rotor blade or to provide a conductive path for the lightning strike.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having a body shell with a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge each extending between a root portion and a tip portion. Further, the rotor blade assembly includes a protection system configured to protect the rotor blade from ice accumulation or a lightning strike. The protection system includes at least one organic conductive element configured within the rotor blade. The protection system also includes a conductor source electrically or thermally coupled to the organic conductive element. Thus, the conductor source is configured to heat the organic conductive element so as to prevent ice from accumulating on the rotor blade or to provide a conductive path for the lightning strike.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine, the rotor blade assembly comprising:
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a rotor blade having a body shell comprising a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge each extending between a root portion and a tip portion, the body shell being constructed of one or more foam materials; and
,a protection system configured to protect the rotor blade from ice accumulation or a lightning strike, the protection system comprising; at least one organic conductive foam core embedded at or near the leading edge of the rotor blade in place of the one or more foam materials of the body shell, the at least one organic conductive foam core comprising a carbon-based foam core; and
,a conductor source coupled to the at least one organic conductive foam core, the conductor source comprising at least a conductive cable infused into or configured adjacent to a leading edge bond cap of the rotor blade, wherein the conductor source is configured to heat the organic conductive foam core so as to prevent ice from accumulating on the rotor blade or to provide a conductive path for the lightning strike. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for protecting a rotor blade of a wind turbine from ice accumulation or a lightning strike, the method comprising:
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providing a body shell of the rotor blade being constructed of one or more foam materials; embedding at least one organic conductive foam core at or near the leading edge of the rotor blade between the one or more foam materials, the organic conductive foam core comprising a carbon-based foam core; connecting a down conductor between a conductive tip portion of the rotor blade and the organic conductive foam core; during operation of the wind turbine, monitoring a weather-related parameter of the rotor blade; and
,implementing a protective action when the weather-related parameter indicates the presence of ice or a lightning strike. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification