Vaccuum-Assisted Mounting of Vortex Generator Device on a Wind Turbine Blade

• US 20190309726A1
• Filed: 09/07/2017
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LM Wind Power US Technology ApS (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: LM Wind Power US Technology ApS (GE Aerospace)
• Inventors: RASMUSSEN, Kim Ansholm, HOEG, Jesper, MADSEN, Kristian Lehmann
• Granted Patent: US 11,149,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/0633 of the blades
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/0675 of the blades
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/00 Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2230/604 using positioning or alignment devices for aligning or centering, e.g. pins
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2230/80 Repairing, retrofitting or upgrading methods
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/122 Vortex generators, turbulators, or the like, for mixing by creating turbulence F05B2260/222
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/221 with horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/3062 Vortex generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

The subject matter is directed to a method of mounting flow-altering devices on wind turbine blades, the mounting device and the flow-altering device. The flow-altering devices having a base with an inner side for attaching to a blade, and an outer side with flow-altering device parts protruding from the base. The method provides for a mounting device with a mounting panel supporting one or more flow-altering devices; arranging the mounting panel on an area of application on the surface of the blade with an adhesive material between the inner side of the device and the surface of the blade, and with a seal between the mounting panel and the surface to form a cavity between the mounting panel and the surface of the blade; applying a negative pressure in the cavity; releasing the negative pressure; and removing the mounting panel.

Claims

1. A method of mounting flow-altering devices on a wind turbine blade, the flow-altering devices being of the type having a base comprising an inner side for attaching onto a surface of the wind turbine blade, and an outer side with one or more flow-altering device parts protruding from the base, the method comprising

providing a mounting device with a mounting panel supporting one or more flow-altering devices, the one or more flow-altering devices including a first flow-altering device;

arranging the mounting panel on an area of application on the surface of the wind turbine blade with an adhesive material between the inner side of the first flow-altering device and the surface of the wind turbine blade, and with a seal between the mounting panel and the surface to form a cavity between the mounting panel and the surface of the wind turbine blade;

applying a negative pressure in the cavity;

releasing the negative pressure in the cavity; and

removing the mounting panel from the area of application on the surface of the wind turbine blade.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the mounting panel comprises a port, and wherein the negative pressure is applied through the port.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the mounting device comprises a pressure release mechanism for releasing a pressure in the cavity, and wherein the negative pressure in the cavity is released by activating the pressure release mechanism.

4. Method according to claim 1, the one or more flow-altering devices comprising a second flow-altering device.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive material comprises an adhesive film, such as a double adhesive tape, which is covered by a peel-off layer, and wherein the method comprises removing the peel-off layer prior to arranging the mounting panel on the area of application.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the adhesive material has one or more slits for reducing air bubble formation between the first flow-altering device and the surface of the wind turbine blade.

7. Method according to claim 5, wherein the adhesive material is V-shaped, E-shaped, U-shaped or trident-shaped for reducing air bubble formation between the first flow-altering device and the surface of the wind turbine blade.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein providing a mounting panel supporting one or more flow-altering devices comprises inserting flow-altering device parts of the one or more flow-altering devices into corresponding support recesses in the mounting panel.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more flow-altering devices comprises vortex generator devices and/or turbulence generator devices.

10. A mounting device for mounting flow-altering devices on a wind turbine blade, the mounting device comprising:

an elongate mounting panel having a first side and a second side, the mounting panel having a first support recess in the first side for receiving a flow-altering device part of a flow-altering device; and

a seal encircling a first area of the first side for forming a cavity between a part of the first side of the mounting panel and a surface of the wind turbine blade, the first area including the first support recess,

wherein the mounting panel comprises a port for connecting a pressure source to the cavity.

11. Mounting device according to claim 10, wherein the mounting device comprises a pressure release mechanism for releasing a pressure in the cavity.

12. Mounting device according to claim 10, wherein the first support recess extends from a first end to a second end, the first support recess having a first depth at the first end and a second depth at the second end, wherein the first depth is different from the second depth.

13. Use of a mounting device according to claim 10 for mounting flow-altering devices on a wind turbine blade.

14. A flow-altering device having a base comprising an inner side for attaching onto a surface of the wind turbine blade, and an outer side with one or more flow-altering device parts protruding from the base, wherein the flow-altering device comprises an adhesive material arranged on the inner surface, wherein the adhesive material has one or more slits or channels for reducing air bubble formation between the flow-altering device and the surface of the wind turbine blade.

15. Flow-altering device according to claim 14, wherein the adhesive material is V-shaped, E-shaped, U-shaped or trident-shaped.