Monitoring the structural integrity of a wind turbine blade
OwnerMark Volantheninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of monitoring the structural integrity of a wind turbine blade 1 is disclosed. The blade 1 has at least two shell portions 2a, 2b, forming the outer surface of the turbine blade 1. At least one web member 3a, 3b connects the shell portions 2a, 2b in a transverse direction. The method comprises measuring a bending moment on the turbine blade 1 in a plane containing the longitudinal and transverse directions, measuring the transverse strain on the web member 3a, 3b at least one location, and comparing the measured transverse strain to an expected value for the transverse strain at the measured bending moment to provide an indication of debonding between the web member 3a, 3b and at least one shell portion 2a, 2b.
Claims20
A method of monitoring the structural integrity of a wind turbine blade, the blade comprising a shell extending in a longitudinal direction and defining the external shape of the turbine blade and at least one web member extending in a transverse direction from one internal surface of the shell to another, wherein the method comprises:
- measuring a bending moment on the turbine blade in a plane containing the longitudinal and transverse directions;
- measuring the transverse strain on the web member at least one location;
- and
- comparing the measured transverse strain to an expected value for the transverse strain at the measured bending moment to provide an indication of debonding between the web member and the shell.
An apparatus for monitoring the structural integrity of a wind turbine blade, the blade comprising a shell extending in a longitudinal direction and defining the external shape of the turbine blade and at least one web member extending in a transverse direction from one internal surface of the shell to another, wherein the apparatus is adapted to:
- measure a bending moment on the turbine blade in a plane containing the longitudinal and transverse directions;
- measure the transverse strain on the web member at least one location;
- and
- compare the measured transverse strain to an expected value for the transverse strain at the measured bending moment to provide an indication of debonding between the web member and the shell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.