The flow chart hints at the flow of information in a way that would allow designing a pitch controller for wind turbine blade.

GL Garrad Hassan has released Version 4.4 of Bladed, a software package for the design and certification of onshore and offshore wind turbines. The release of V4.4 represents a significant milestone for Bladed because of its new features, including a pitch-actuator model with additional functions, an external controller interface, improved moorings capability for floating turbines, and several updates to the hardware-test module. The software is now 20th years old.

Bladed offers wind turbine and component manufacturers, design consultants and research organisations a validated and reliable design tool. The software is based on multibody dynamics and with a rigorous formulation of the aerodynamics, electrical systems, control systems, wind and sea-state environments.

V4.4 includes important updates, particularly to pitch-actuator modelling, which now includes additional features such as setpoint trajectory planning, limit switches, end stops, and variable-torque limits. A new interactive user interface screen also provides a clearer description of the model and options available.

The release also introduces a new interface between the simulation code and external controller, making it more straightforward and clearer to write controllers that use many variables and options.

The floating capability is also enhanced with a tool that lets users auto populate a stiffness matrix that represents a catenary mooring line from basic line properties.

GL Garrad Hassan
www.gl-garradhassan.com