Abstract:

A nine meter turbine blade was prepared for an experiment to examine the movement and fatigue patterns during operation on a 115 kW turbine. The blade, equipped with surface mounted fiber optic strain gauges, foil strain gauges, single and triple axis accelerometers, was placed on a calibration fixture consisting of a 115 kW wind turbine nacelle and steel support structure. After the blade was adjusted to the proper pitch, the blade was stabilized using a brace to reduce random movement and compensate for gravity induced displacement. Using a laser tracker unit with 0.049mm volumetric accuracy at 10m, the exterior of the blade was characterized with the spherically mounted retroreflectors (SMRs). following this each individual sensor was pinpointed by type and placement. The data collected, was then analyzed using the analyzer software, the data was then compared to the CAD drawings for correlation of proper sensor placement. With the data from these measurements, and the data collection from the blade sensors during operation, an analysis of blade movement and deteriorization of internal structures will be performed.