Load distribution estimation

摘要

A system and method for pressure based load measurement are provided. The system and method measure at least one pressure differential on an airfoil and determine at least one aerodynamic load associated with the at least one pressure differential. The determined at least one load is used to modify characteristics of the airfoil to increase efficiency and/or avoid damage. The determined at least one aerodynamic load may be further utilized to balance and/or optimize loads at the airfoil, estimate a load distribution along the airfoil used to derive other metrics about the airfoil, and/or used in a distributed control system to increase efficiency and/or reduce damage to, e.g., one or more wind turbines.

主权项

1. A method for estimating a load distribution for a rotor blade, the method comprising:
determining, by a controller, a plurality of pressure differentials along a length of the rotor blade, wherein each pressure differential is a difference in pressure between a first pressure location and a second pressure location at a radial position on the rotor blade; determining, by the controller, a plurality of aerodynamic loads, each aerodynamic load based on a corresponding pressure differential; determining, by the controller, a load distribution along the rotor blade, wherein the load distribution comprises each aerodynamic load at the radial position of the corresponding pressure differential; determining, by the controller, whether a first predetermined load condition is met based on the load distribution along the rotor blade; and modifying at least a first characteristic of the rotor blade in response to the determining the first predetermined load condition is not met.