When serious damage is imminent, or blade conditions are approaching a preset condition threshold, (such as the blades in the pictures which are covered in ice) the system immediately sends a signal to the turbine control unit, which can then shut down the unit and avoid blade damage.
Continuous blade monitoring can be an effective tool for sustaining the efficiency and performance of wind turbines. Rotor blades are exposed to significant environmental strains, such as icing, storms, and excessive wind gusts, which can damage blades.
When this damage is detected only during routine visual inspections, the complexity and cost of repairing―or even replacing the damaged blades―can be quite high.
Bosch Rexroth created the BLADEcontrol system to provide active, real-time data on wind turbine blade conditions, so wind energy operators can take proactive steps to correct issues early and avoid turbine downtime. In addition to blade damage, the control system detects other problems, such as aerodynamic imbalances, loose parts in the blade or hub, and incorrect pitch settings.
Bosch Rexroth
www.boschrexroth-us.com
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