This paper presents a design tool for optimizing wind turbine blades. The design model is based on an aerodynamic/aero-elastic code that includes the structural dynamics of the blades and the Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory. To model the main aero-elastic behaviour of a real wind turbine, the code employs 11 basic degrees of freedom corresponding to 11 elastic structural equations. In the BEM theory, a refined tip loss correction model is used. The objective of the optimization model is to minimize the cost of energy which is calculated from the annual energy production and the cost of the rotor. The design variables used in the current study are the blade shape parameters, including chord, twist and relative thickness. To validate the implementation of the aerodynamic/aero-elastic model, the computed aerodynamic results are compared to experimental data for the experimental rotor used in the European Commision-sponsored project Model Experiments in Controlled Conditions, (MEXICO) and the computed aero-elastic results are examined against the FLEX code for flow past the Tjaereborg 2 MW rotor. To illustrate the optimization technique, three wind turbine rotors of different sizes (the MEXICO 25 kW experimental rotor, the Tjaereborg 2 MW rotor and the NREL 5 MW virtual rotor) are applied. The results show that the optimization model can reduce the cost of energy of the original rotors, especially for the investigated 2 MW and 5 MW rotors.
Vibration characteristics of a deep groove ball bearing caused by a localized surface defect are greatly affected by defect sizes, such as the length, width, and depth. However, effects of the defect depth, the time-varying contact stiffness between the ball and defect, and the relationship between the time-varying contact stiffness and defect sizes have not been considered in previous defect models. In this work, a new defect model considering a new force–deflection relationship is presented to replace the Hertzian force–deflection relationship to describe the ball-line contact between the ball and defect edge. Both the time-varying displacement impulse and time-varying contact stiffness are considered. The relationship between the time-varying contact stiffness and defect sizes is obtained. Effects of defect sizes on the vibrations of the deep groove ball bearing, especially the defect depth that cannot be described by previous defect models, are investigated. The simulation results are compared with those from the previous defect models. The results show that the model developed can predict a more realistic impulse caused by a localized surface defect for dynamic simulation of the deep groove ball bearing. An experimental investigation is also presented to validate the proposed model.
The linear dynamics of a class of translating media with an arbitrarily varying length is investigated. The tension in the media arising from their longitudinal accelerations is incorporated. The dynamic stability of the continuous media relative to the inertial and moving coordinate systems is studied from the energy standpoint. The exact expressions for the rates of change of energies of media are derived and interpreted from both control volume and system viewpoints. The stability analyses relative to the inertial and moving coordinate systems result in the same predictions. Examples including a robotic arm through a prismatic joint and an elevator cable in a high-rise building illustrate the analysis. In particular, the results explain an inherent “unstable shortening cable behavior” encountered in elevator industry. [S0739-3717(00)00503-1]
Wind power as a source of green and abundant energy is proposed as one of the main new world power sources and has acquired a great momentum across the world. In the last few decades, wind turbines with different generators have been developed to increase the maximum power capture, minimize the cost, and expand the use of the wind turbines in both onshore and offshore applications. This paper reviews the development of different types of wind turbine generator technologies and discusses advantages and disadvantages of each type. In addition, a comparison of different generator designs based on the technical data and market trends is provided. To better understand the development of generator concepts on the market, the market trends of current large generators with a capacity of 2.5 MW and above across the world are evaluated.
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