The paper characterizes the performance of a passive flap concept when applied to a modern very large conceptual wind turbine. The passive flap responds automatically to blade and/or tower vibrations, inducing a change of camber that opposes dynamic loads on the wind turbine. This is obtained in a purely passive manner, without the need for actuators or sensors. The present study is based on a detailed, geometrically exact multibody formulation of the device, which is able to capture all kinematic and structural dynamic effects of this inertia-driven device. The present modeling of the passive device improves on previous studies conducted with simplified models. Results show a significant ability in the reduction of both fatigue and ultimate loads, including the case of flap-specific fault scenarios. Solutions for limiting losses in energy yield caused by non-null average flap rotations in the partial load region are also investigated. The present analysis motivates further studies aimed at reaping the benefits of load alleviation enabled by the passive flap, for example by designing a new enlarged rotor at similar key loads on the rest of the machine.

Ultimate and fatigue load mitigation by an inertial-driven passive flap, using a geometrically exact multibody formulation

Montinari, Pierluigi;Gualdoni, Federico;Croce, Alessandro;Bottasso, Carlo L.
2018-01-01

Abstract

The paper characterizes the performance of a passive flap concept when applied to a modern very large conceptual wind turbine. The passive flap responds automatically to blade and/or tower vibrations, inducing a change of camber that opposes dynamic loads on the wind turbine. This is obtained in a purely passive manner, without the need for actuators or sensors. The present study is based on a detailed, geometrically exact multibody formulation of the device, which is able to capture all kinematic and structural dynamic effects of this inertia-driven device. The present modeling of the passive device improves on previous studies conducted with simplified models. Results show a significant ability in the reduction of both fatigue and ultimate loads, including the case of flap-specific fault scenarios. Solutions for limiting losses in energy yield caused by non-null average flap rotations in the partial load region are also investigated. The present analysis motivates further studies aimed at reaping the benefits of load alleviation enabled by the passive flap, for example by designing a new enlarged rotor at similar key loads on the rest of the machine.
2018
Aeroservoelasticity; Load mitigation; Passive flap; Wind turbine; Wind turbine control; Civil and Structural Engineering; Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment; Mechanical Engineering
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
MONTP01-18.pdf

Accesso riservato

Descrizione: Paper
: Publisher’s version
Dimensione 1.48 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.48 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri
GUALF_OA_01-18.pdf

Open Access dal 02/04/2020

Descrizione: Paper Open Access
: Post-Print (DRAFT o Author’s Accepted Manuscript-AAM)
Dimensione 603.91 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
603.91 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11311/1049596
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 8
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 7
social impact