The experimental determination of rotor blade dynamic bending moments of a 10-kw wind turbine

A l0-kW horizontal axis wind turbine was studied to determine the effects of wind shear and gravity on rotor blade bending moments. A drag sphere based wind measuring system was designed to measure rapid fluctuations in wind velocity at two different heights. However, severe power line noise problems with the low level signals forced the use of standard rotating cup anemometry. Rotor blade bending moments were obtained with strain gages mounted on blade extenders near the root of the instrumented blade. Rotor angular position data were obtained with a photocell arrangement. The one per revolution primary bending moment frequency was caused mostly by gravity-induced bending. Also present is the 6 Hz blade natural frequency. A logarithmic atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) profile was used to estimate wind conditions at the upper level. Examination of the bending moment data revealed good agreement with values predicted from the ABL profile (within 4% in the mean) indicating the profile was a good mean approximation. A logarithmic atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) profile was used to estimate wind conditions at the upper level. Examination of the bending moment data revealed good agreement with values predicted from the ABL profile (within 4% in the mean) indicating the profile was a good mean approximation.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1991

Author dc:creator

• Hendricks, David Gerard

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Moses, Hal L.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• O'Brien, Walter F. Jr.
• Vaughan, David H.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-04182009-041114

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/42128