Validation of a lightning protection system for a fusion-welded thermoplastic composite wind turbine blade tip

Murray, Robynne E.; Plumer, Andy; Beach, Ryan; Broome, Peter

doi:10.1177/0309524x211024642

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 23 publications

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“…Researchers are actively working on the development of a lightning protection system to protect blades from such damage. The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) has developed a new type of material (thermoplastic resin composites) to protect the blade from lightning [7]. The advantage of using thermoplastic materials is that they can be easily recycled compared to commonly used thermoset materials.…”

Section: Overview Of Damages On Wtbmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review on the Advancements in Wind Turbine Blade Inspection: Integrating Drone and Deep Learning Technologies for Enhanced Defect Detection

Memari,

Shakya,

Shekaramiz

et al. 2024

IEEE Access

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The increasing demand for wind power requires more frequent inspections to identify defects in the Wind Turbine Blades (WTBs). These defects, if not detected, can compromise the structural integrity and safety of wind turbines. As WTBs are crucial and costly components, they may suffer material degradation and fatigue failure, which affects their performance and safety. Thus, the urgency for efficient and regular monitoring to maintain their structural integrity is greater than ever. This review paper explores innovative methods in fatigue testing, damage detection, and structural reliability in WTBs, focusing on the use of recent inspection methods, including those that take advantage of drones. Drones are used to identify defects such as cracks, erosion, and coating irregularities using high-resolution imagery with the onboard cameras. Various investigators have developed novel data-driven approaches, incorporating machine learning and deep learning, to accurately identify these defects. Although deep learning-based image processing has been successful in other public infrastructure contexts, its application to wind turbine inspection from aerial images presents unique challenges. This paper also highlights the critical role of failure inspection in enhancing the operational integrity of WTBs, showcasing state-of-the-art deep learning techniques that are pivotal for identifying and analyzing failures in WTBs from images captured by drones. The paper provides insights into the latest developments in using drone imagery for blade defect detection, contrasting this method with traditional non-destructive techniques. This approach could significantly transform the wind energy industry by offering a more efficient, automated, and precise way of ensuring the structural health of wind turbines. Unlike previous studies that predominantly focus on isolated aspects such as inspection or fatigue, this review paper not only integrates the three major aspects of WTBs integrity in terms of aerial inspection, image processing using machine learning, and structural integrity of the blade but also undertakes an extensive examination of the prevailing methodologies in the field, pinpointing crucial gaps and challenges. It provides a detailed review of existing research, covering various areas including automated inspection, image processing techniques, fatigue analysis, and the reliability of wind turbines. This approach enriches the discourse by offering a multifaceted perspective on WTB maintenance, thereby advancing the understanding of operational integrity within the field of wind energy.

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Section: Overview Of Damages On Wtbmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review on the Advancements in Wind Turbine Blade Inspection: Integrating Drone and Deep Learning Technologies for Enhanced Defect Detection

Memari,

Shakya,

Shekaramiz

et al. 2024

IEEE Access

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Resistance Welding of Thermoplastic Composites, Including Welding to Thermosets and Metals: A Review

Stankiewicz,

Lipkowski,

Kowalczyk

et al. 2024

Materials

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This review paper presents the current progress in the development of resistance welding techniques for thermoplastic composites, with a particular emphasis on their application in hybrid joints, such as those involving thermosetting composites and metals. Resistance welding, a fusion bonding method, offers significant advantages over adhesive bonding and mechanical joining by eliminating the need for additional adhesive materials and enabling integration into automated manufacturing processes. The study highlights the unique benefits of resistance welding, including lower energy consumption compared to other methods and its compatibility with automated manufacturing, which can reduce production costs by up to 40%. Key findings from the literature indicate that resistance welding is particularly effective in achieving strong, durable joints for complex and large structures, such as those used in the aerospace industry. The review also identifies the main challenges associated with resistance welding, including temperature control, current leakage in carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers, and potential corrosion when using metal meshes. To address these challenges, various strategies are discussed, including surface treatments, the use of nanocomposites, and the integration of carbon nanotubes. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to optimize welding parameters and to develop non-destructive testing methods for industrial applications, ensuring the reliability and long-term performance of welded joints.

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Enhancing the Lap Shear Performance of Resistance-Welded GF/PP Thermoplastic Composite by Modifying Metal Heating Elements with Silane Coupling Agent

Long,

Zhou,

et al. 2024

Materials

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Thermoplastic composites are gaining widespread application in aerospace and other industries due to their superior durability, excellent damage resistance, and recyclability compared to thermosetting materials. This study aims to enhance the lap shear strength (LSS) of resistance-welded GF/PP (glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene) thermoplastic composites by modifying stainless steel mesh (SSM) heating elements using a silane coupling agent. The influence of oxidation temperature, solvent properties, and solution pH on the LSS of the welded joints was systematically evaluated. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to investigate the SSM surface and assess improvements in interfacial adhesion. The findings indicate that surface treatment promotes increased resin infiltration into the SSM, thereby enhancing the LSS of the resistance-welded joints. Treatment under optimal conditions (500 °C, ethanol solvent, and pH 11) improved LSS by 27.2% compared to untreated joints.

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Validation of a lightning protection system for a fusion-welded thermoplastic composite wind turbine blade tip

Cited by 3 publications

References 23 publications

Review on the Advancements in Wind Turbine Blade Inspection: Integrating Drone and Deep Learning Technologies for Enhanced Defect Detection

Review on the Advancements in Wind Turbine Blade Inspection: Integrating Drone and Deep Learning Technologies for Enhanced Defect Detection

Resistance Welding of Thermoplastic Composites, Including Welding to Thermosets and Metals: A Review

Enhancing the Lap Shear Performance of Resistance-Welded GF/PP Thermoplastic Composite by Modifying Metal Heating Elements with Silane Coupling Agent

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