Methods and apparatus for measuring wind turbine blade deflection
AssigneeGeneral Electrick Company
InventorsDavid Lawrence LeMieux, Aaron John Avagliano, Joseph Lucian Smolenski, Russell Stephen DeMuth
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Abstract
A method for determining rotor blade deflection, wherein a rotor blade is coupled to a hub, includes coupling a first end of a beam to the rotor blade, positioning a second end of the beam adjacent the hub, measuring the deflection of the beam using at least one sensor, and determining the deflection of the blade based on the deflection of the beam.
Claims20
A method for determining rotor blade deflection, wherein a rotor blade is coupled to a hub, said method comprising:
- coupling a first end of a beam to the rotor blade;
- positioning a second end of the beam adjacent the hub;
- measuring the deflection of the beam using at least one sensor;
- and
- determining the deflection of the blade based on the deflection of the beam.
An apparatus for determining deflection of a rotor blade that is coupled to a hub of a rotor, said apparatus comprising:
- a beam comprising a first end and a second end, said first end configured to be coupled to the rotor blade, said second end configured to extend at least partially within the hub;
- and
- at least one sensor configured to be positioned within the hub for measuring the deflection of said beam.
A wind turbine comprising:
- a tower having a first end and a second end;
- a nacelle mounted to said tower first end;
- a rotor coupled to said nacelle, said rotor comprising a hub and at least one rotor blade extending outwardly from said hub;
- at least one beam, each said beam extending at least partially into one of said rotor blades and extending at least partially into said hub;
- and
- at least one sensor positioned within said hub for measuring deflection of said at least one beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.