Trailing Edge Deformation Mechanism for Active Variable - Camber Wind Turbine Blade

Abstract:

Blade root fatigue stress, primarily resulting from wind shear and turbulence, is a critical factor in wind turbine design. Blade mounted aerodynamic control devices have been shown to have the potential to reduce this. However, limited research exists into suitable devices, with great challenges being involved in meeting the requirements for use on large turbines. The blade designed in this work addresses this by employing a piezoceramic actuated compliant mechanism, contained within a flexible matrix composite structure. The resulting mechanism design achieves a sectional change in lift coefficient of ΔC_L +0.4 to 0.15. The performance of the blade is analysed with a quasi-steady time marching BEM model, employing optimal control. A reduction of 21.59% in the standard deviation of the flap-wise bending moment was achieved, a comparable result to previous load control investigations.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 493)
• Pages: 444-449
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.493.444
• Online since: January 2014
• Authors: Bu Yung Kosasih, Michael Dicker
• Keywords: Airfoil, Compliant Mechanism, Load Control, Variable-Camber, Wind Turbine (WT)

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