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Test of rotor blades with passively controlled tips. Phase 3: Endurance test

Abstract

Rotor blades equipped with passively controlled tips were tested in an endurance test at the ECN rotor test facility. Upon inspection after 1200 hrs severe damage was observed. Consequently, it was decided to terminate the test. Fatigue loads were measured at low power, that is at almost free running conditions. Rainflow counting and frequency analysis were performed on the load measurements. The effects of cone angle, output power setpoint and constant speed operation on flapwise loads are discussed. Furthermore the load spectra at two radial stations are compared with design calculations. Results indicate that passive tips can effectively limit input power. if properly engineered. Tip pitch rotation introduces low frequency loads. At nominal power, less control effort is required and hence these loads are lower than at low power. At fixed speed operation, the flapwise loads are significantly lower than at variable speed with passive tip control. Comparison of measured load spectra with design calculations, shows that the design loads in the flapwise direction are conservative, especially near the tip. In the lead-lag direction at the blade root, measured load spectra are more severe than the design spectra. However, this proved to be of no practical consequence, since the fatigue  More>>
Publication Date:
Aug 01, 1991
Product Type:
Technical Report
Report Number:
ECN-C-91-053
Reference Number:
SCA: 170602; PA: ECN92:000099; SN: 92000675746
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Aug 1991
Subject:
17 WIND ENERGY; HORIZONTAL AXIS TURBINES; ROTORS; DYNAMIC LOADS; TEST FACILITIES; PERFORMANCE TESTING; FATIGUE; WEAR; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; 170602; TURBINE DESIGN AND OPERATION
OSTI ID:
10131791
Research Organizations:
Netherlands Energy Research Foundation (ECN), Petten (Netherlands)
Country of Origin:
Netherlands
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Other: ON: DE92777993; CNN: Contract NOVEM 24.300/1120; CEC EN3W-0064-NL; TRN: NL9200099
Availability:
OSTI; NTIS (US Sales Only)
Submitting Site:
ECN
Size:
70 p.
Announcement Date:
Jul 04, 2005

Citation Formats

Cervenka, S, Dekker, J W.M., and Rieffe, H Ch. Test of rotor blades with passively controlled tips. Phase 3: Endurance test. Netherlands: N. p., 1991. Web.
Cervenka, S, Dekker, J W.M., & Rieffe, H Ch. Test of rotor blades with passively controlled tips. Phase 3: Endurance test. Netherlands.
Cervenka, S, Dekker, J W.M., and Rieffe, H Ch. 1991. "Test of rotor blades with passively controlled tips. Phase 3: Endurance test." Netherlands.
@misc{etde_10131791,
title = {Test of rotor blades with passively controlled tips. Phase 3: Endurance test}
author = {Cervenka, S, Dekker, J W.M., and Rieffe, H Ch}
abstractNote = {Rotor blades equipped with passively controlled tips were tested in an endurance test at the ECN rotor test facility. Upon inspection after 1200 hrs severe damage was observed. Consequently, it was decided to terminate the test. Fatigue loads were measured at low power, that is at almost free running conditions. Rainflow counting and frequency analysis were performed on the load measurements. The effects of cone angle, output power setpoint and constant speed operation on flapwise loads are discussed. Furthermore the load spectra at two radial stations are compared with design calculations. Results indicate that passive tips can effectively limit input power. if properly engineered. Tip pitch rotation introduces low frequency loads. At nominal power, less control effort is required and hence these loads are lower than at low power. At fixed speed operation, the flapwise loads are significantly lower than at variable speed with passive tip control. Comparison of measured load spectra with design calculations, shows that the design loads in the flapwise direction are conservative, especially near the tip. In the lead-lag direction at the blade root, measured load spectra are more severe than the design spectra. However, this proved to be of no practical consequence, since the fatigue behaviour of the rotor blade structure is determined by flapwise loads only. 33 figs., 12 tabs., 10 refs.}
place = {Netherlands}
year = {1991}
month = {Aug}
}