DYNAMIC BLADE LOADING IN THE FRDA-NASA 100 KW AND 200 KW WIND TURBINES

摘要

Dynamic blade loads, including aerodynamic, gravitational, and inertial effects, are presented for two large horizontal-axis wind turbines: the ERDA-NASA 100 kW Mod-0 and 200 kW Mod-0A wind power systems. Calculated and measured loads are compared for the experimental Mod-0 machine in operation at NASA's Plum Brook Station near Sandusky, Ohio. Predicted blade loads are also given for the higher power Mod-0A wind turbine now being assembled for operation as part of the municipal power plant of Clayton, New Mexico. Two major structural modifications have been made to the Mod-0 wind turbine for the purpose of reducing blade loads. A stairway within the truss tower was removed to reduce the impulsive aerodynamic loading caused by the tower wake on the downwind rotor blades. Also, the torsional stiffness of the yaw drive mechanism connecting the turbine nacelle to the tower was doubled to reduce rotor-tower interaction loads. Measured reductions in load obtained by means of these two modifications equaled or exceeded predictions. (ERA citation 03:000558)