SENSORISED BLADE JOINT

• US 20090116962A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gamesa Innovation and Technology SL (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Gamesa Innovation and Technology SL (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Pedersen, Bent Herso, Arocena De La Rua, Ion, Sola, Ruben Rodriguez, Pascual, Eneko Sanz, Savii, Hely Ricardo
• Application Number:
  US12/199,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20090116962A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 416/31
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/0675 of the blades
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 17/00 Monitoring or testing of wind motors, e.g. diagnostics testing during commissioning of wind motors F03D13/30
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 7/02 the wind motors having rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/302 Segmented or sectional blades
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/301 Retaining bolts or nuts
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/20 to optimise the performance of a machine
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/331 Mechanical loads
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/808 Strain gauges; Load cells
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 31/028 with a load-indicating washer or washer assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

Wind turbine blade subdivided transversely into two or more sections made up of a number of sensors, preferably load cells and ultrasound sensors, assembled into the mechanical joining elements between blade sections and characterised in that their measurements allow the loads to be reduced and the forces to be controlled during the entire life of the blade. They also allow damages to be detected (stopping the machine if necessary) and an optimised design for real loads.

Claims

1. Sensorised blade joint uses a series of sensors to control the load of the bolts during the life of the blade, characterised in that:

a. the sensors are available in at least one the multiple connection means in the transverse joint section

b. the signals measured by the sensors are transmitted to a control system that may or may not be located in the blade that controls the forces exerted on the joint

c. the signals transmitted to the control system are used to detect possible damages in the connections

d. the signals transmitted to the control system are used to control the loads transmitted to the wind turbine

e. the signals transmitted to the control system are used to store the load range, optimising the design with the real loads obtained.

2. Sensorised blade joint, according to claim 1, characterised in that the sensors include at least one ultrasound sensor available at the end of the joint pin aligned with the resistant material that forms the insert.

3. Sensorised blade joint, according to claim 1, characterised in that the sensors include at least one load cell located in a part near the pin or between the walls of the two facing inserts.

4. Sensorised blade joint, according to claim 1, characterised in that the control system is located in the hub away from the distortions produced by blade rotation acceleration.

5. Sensorised blade joint, according to claim 1, characterised in that the control system is supplied with the measurements of the sensors leading their signal through the inside of the beam which forms the blade.