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U.S. Department of Energy
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Modal identification of a rotating-blade system

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6140300

A new testing technique and the Ibrahim time-domain (ITD) modal identification algorithm have been combined, resulting in a capability to estimate modal parameters for rotating-blade systems. This capability has been evaluated on the Sandia two-meter, vertical-axis wind turbine. Variation in modal frequencies as a function of rotation speed has been experimentally determined from 0 rpm (parked) to 800 rpm. Excitation of the rotating turbine was provided by a scheme which suddenly released a pretensioned cable, thus plucking the turbine as it rotated. The structural response was obtained by passing the signals through slip rings. Using the measured free-decay responses as input data for the ITD algorithm, the modes of the rotating turbine were determined at seven rotation speeds. The measured modal parameters were compared with analytical results obtained from a finite element analysis and with experimental results obtained from a complex exponential identification algorithm.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
6140300
Report Number(s):
SAND-82-2115; ON: DE83015631
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English