Title: Base excitation testing system using spring elements to pivotally mount wind turbine blades

Abstract

A system (1100) for fatigue testing wind turbine blades (1102) through forced or resonant excitation of the base (1104) of a blade (1102). The system (1100) includes a test stand (1112) and a restoring spring assembly (1120) mounted on the test stand (1112). The restoring spring assembly (1120) includes a primary spring element (1124) that extends outward from the test stand (1112) to a blade mounting plate (1130) configured to receive a base (1104) of blade (1102). During fatigue testing, a supported base (1104) of a blad (1102) may be pivotally mounted to the test stand (1112) via the restoring spring assembly (1120). The system (1100) may include an excitation input assembly (1140) that is interconnected with the blade mouting plate (1130) to selectively apply flapwise, edgewise, and/or pitch excitation forces. The restoring spring assemply (1120) may include at least one tuning spring member (1127) positioned adjacent to the primary spring element (1124) used to tune the spring constant or stiffness of the primary spring element (1124) in one of the excitation directions.

Inventors:

Cotrell, Jason; Hughes, Scott; Butterfield, Sandy; Lambert, Scott

Issue Date:

2013-12-10

Research Org.:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1109490

Patent Number(s):

8601878

Application Number:

12/990,069

Assignee:

Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC (Golden, CO)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F03 - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS F03D - WIND MOTORS

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F05 - INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04 F05B - INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO MACHINES OR ENGINES OTHER THAN NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, TO WIND MOTORS, TO NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS, AND TO GENERATING COMBUSTION PRODUCTS OF HIGH PRESSURE OR HIGH VELOCITY

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F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F03 - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS F03D - WIND MOTORS

F03D13/22 - {Foundations specially adapted for wind motors}
F03D17/00 - Monitoring or testing of wind motors, e.g. diagnostics

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F05 - INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04 F05B - INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO MACHINES OR ENGINES OTHER THAN NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, TO WIND MOTORS, TO NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS, AND TO GENERATING COMBUSTION PRODUCTS OF HIGH PRESSURE OR HIGH VELOCITY

F05B2250/42 - with two degrees of freedom
F05B2260/83 - Testing, e.g. methods, components or tools therefor

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01M - TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES

G01M7/025 - {Measuring arrangements}
G01M7/027 - {Specimen mounting arrangements, e.g. table head adapters}
G01M7/06 - Multidirectional test stands

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N2033/0083 - {vehicle parts}
G01N2203/0035 - Spring
G01N2203/0073 - Fatigue
G01N3/02 - Details
G01N3/32 - by applying repeated or pulsating forces

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/72 - Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
Y02E10/728 - Onshore towers

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC36-08GO28308

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

17 WIND ENERGY