Wind turbine blade comprising a trailing edge flap and a piezoelectric actuator
AssigneeVestas Wind Systems A/S
InventorSrikanth Narasimalu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wind turbine blade comprises a main blade body and trailing edge section movably connected to the main blade body, and an actuator structure internally within the blade. The actuator interconnects the trailing edge section and the main blade body, and it comprises a stack of a plurality of piezoelectric elements, so that the stack of piezoelectric elements is capable of operating as a linear actuator. The actuator structure is arranged such that it is capable of causing the trailing edge section to move or deform relative to the main blade body in response to aerodynamic loads on the blade. The actuator structure is controllable by a control system applying a voltage to the stack of piezoelectric elements in response to, e.g., detected wind or load characteristics.
Claims18
A wind turbine blade comprising a main blade body and trailing edge section movably connected to the main blade body, the blade further comprising:
- at least one actuator structure internally within the blade, the actuator structure being arranged such that it interconnects the trailing edge section and the main blade body, the actuator structure comprising a stack of a plurality of piezoelectric elements, so that the stack of piezoelectric elements is capable of operating as a linear actuator, wherein the actuator structure is electrically insulated from skins of the main blade section and the trailing edge section;
- the actuator structure being arranged such that it is capable of causing the trailing edge section to move or deform relative to the main blade body;
- wherein the actuator structure comprises electrically insulating elements at both ends of the stack of piezoelectric elements.
A wind turbine comprising at least one wind turbine blade comprising a main blade body and trailing edge section movably connected to the main blade body, the blade further comprising:
- at least one actuator structure internally within the blade, the actuator structure being arranged such that it interconnects the trailing edge section and the main blade body, the actuator structure comprising a stack of a plurality of piezoelectric elements, so that the stack of piezoelectric elements is capable of operating as a linear actuator, wherein the actuator structure is electrically insulated from skins of the main blade section and the trailing edge section;
- the actuator structure being arranged such that it is capable of causing the trailing edge section to move or deform relative to the main blade body;
- wherein the actuator structure comprises electrically insulating elements at both ends of the stack of piezoelectric elements.
A wind turbine blade comprising a main blade body and trailing edge section movably connected to the main blade body, the blade further comprising:
- at least one actuator structure internally within the blade, the actuator structure being arranged such that it interconnects the trailing edge section and the main blade body, the actuator structure comprising a stack of a plurality of piezoelectric elements, so that the stack of piezoelectric elements is capable of operating as a linear actuator, wherein the actuator structure is electrically insulated from skins of the main blade section and the trailing edge section;
- the actuator structure being arranged such that it is capable of causing the trailing edge section to move or deform relative to the main blade body;
- wherein the trailing edge section is pivotally connected to the main blade body at an attachment point located between an upper and a lower skin of the blade,
- wherein a first end of the actuator structure is connected to the main blade body, and
- wherein a second end of the actuator, which is opposite to said first end, is connected the trailing edge section at a point distant from said attachment point of the trailing edge section.
A wind turbine comprising at least one wind turbine blade, the wind turbine blade comprising a main blade body and trailing edge section movably connected to the main blade body;
- at least one actuator structure internally within the blade, the actuator structure being arranged such that it interconnects the trailing edge section and the main blade body, the actuator structure comprising a stack of a plurality of piezoelectric elements, so that the stack of piezoelectric elements is capable of operating as a linear actuator, wherein the actuator structure is electrically insulated from skins of the main blade section and the trailing edge section;
- the actuator structure being arranged such that it is capable of causing the trailing edge section to move or deform relative to the main blade body;
- wherein the trailing edge section is pivotally connected to the main blade body at an attachment point located between an upper and a lower skin of the blade,
- wherein a first end of the actuator structure is connected to the main blade body, and
- wherein a second end of the actuator, which is opposite to said first end, is connected the trailing edge section at a point distant from said attachment point of the trailing edge section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.