Multi-frequency-band blade condition monitoring system
OwnerShaw Shahriar Makaremiinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method are provided for monitoring the structural integrity of one or more blades in a blade-based device, such as a wind turbine. Multiple frequency bands may be separately analyzed to determined blade condition. Physical and electrical (e.g., lightening) sources of damage, wear and the like are considered. Condition monitoring and alarms may be provided for alerting a user when blade operating condition is determined to be outside of a desired range of blade operation parameters. Timely and cost-effective repair of any structural or weather-related damage or other issues may be provided, thereby improving operating efficiency and safety of blade-based devices.
Claims22
A system for measuring operating condition of a blade in a multi-blade turbine system, comprising:
- a plurality of rotatable blades;
- a first sensor sub-system, associated with each said blade, for measuring strain on said rotating blade;
- a second sensor sub-system, associated with each said blade, for measuring position of each said rotating blade;
- a wireless data link for transmitting strain data representing the measured strain to a remote location;
- a first processing sub-system for synchronizing the collection of strain data from said first sensor sub-system to blade position as determined by said second sensor sub-system such that said strain data is collected at at least one predetermined target position of said rotating blade;
- a second processing sub-system for analyzing blade operational condition of each said blade, said second processing sub-system configured to:
- convert said strain data to frequency spectrum data;
- separate said frequency spectrum data into a low frequency portion and a high frequency portion;
- and,
- separately analyze said blade operational condition for each of said low frequency portion and said high frequency portion;
- and
- an indicator sub-system providing an indication of said blade operating condition of each said blade.
A method for measuring operating condition of a blade in a multi-blade turbine system, comprising for each blade:
- measuring strain on a rotating blade by way of a first sensor sub-system associated with said blade;
- measuring position of said rotating blade by way of a second sensor sub-system associated with each said blade;
- transmitting strain data representing the measured strain by way of a wireless data link to a remote location;
- synchronizing the collection of strain data by said first sensor sub-system to blade position as determined by said second sensor sub-system, by way of a first processing sub-system, such that said strain data is collected at at least one predetermined target position of said rotating blade;
- analyzing blade operational condition of said blade by way of a second processing sub-system, said analyzing comprising:
- converting said strain data to frequency spectrum data;
- separating said frequency spectrum data into a low frequency portion and a high frequency portion;
- and,
- separately analyzing said blade operational condition for each of said low frequency portion and said high frequency portion;
- and
- providing an indication of said blade operating condition of said blade by way of an indicator sub-system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.