A smart wind turbine blade and lightning protection system for smart wind turbine blades thereof is provided. More in particular, it relates to a smart wind turbine blade including a lightning protection system including active components such as the type for de-icing systems, sensors and/or flaps among others wherein the path of the lightning current is guided to avoid the hub preventing currents to flow through the bearings which may causes significant damage to them and also to the metallic cabinet from where active components are electrically fed.

A smart wind turbine blade and lightning protection system for smart wind turbine blades thereof is provided. More in particular, it relates to a smart wind turbine blade including a lightning protection system including active components such as the type for de-icing systems, sensors and/or flaps among others wherein the path of the lightning current is guided to avoid the hub preventing currents to flow through the bearings which may causes significant damage to them and also to the metallic cabinet from where active components are electrically fed.

In a method, impulse response information indicative of an impulse response is determined based on an impulse introduced into a lightning conductor and characterized by an electromagnetic wave. The impulse response information representing at least a waveform and a travel time determined after the introduction of the impulse based on reflection thereof. Evaluation information is specified based on the determined impulse response information. The impulse response information is analyzed at least with respect to the represented waveform and travel time of the introduced and reflected electromagnetic wave. The evaluation information is indicative of whether or not the lightning conductor is functional. The determined evaluation information is output. Also disclosed are a device for practicing this method, a rotor blade for a wind turbine that includes at least one lightning conductor and a device for practicing the method, and a system with one or more devices for practicing the method.

In a method, impulse response information indicative of an impulse response is determined based on an impulse introduced into a lightning conductor and characterized by an electromagnetic wave. The impulse response information representing at least a waveform and a travel time determined after the introduction of the impulse based on reflection thereof. Evaluation information is specified based on the determined impulse response information. The impulse response information is analyzed at least with respect to the represented waveform and travel time of the introduced and reflected electromagnetic wave. The evaluation information is indicative of whether or not the lightning conductor is functional. The determined evaluation information is output. Also disclosed are a device for practicing this method, a rotor blade for a wind turbine that includes at least one lightning conductor and a device for practicing the method, and a system with one or more devices for practicing the method.

Provided is a rotor for a wind turbine, including: a blade, a hub, a pitch bearing being configured to support the blade rotatably about a longitudinal axis of the blade and relative to the hub, and one or more metal arcs for conducting a lightning current from the blade to the hub, the one or more metal arcs including: a first arc portion electrically and mechanically connected to the blade, a second arc portion electrically and mechanically connected to the hub, and a bent portion connecting the first and second arc portions. The metal arcs being configured such that, when the blade rotates relative to the hub, the first arc portion is shifted relative to the second arc portion and a length of the first arc portion is reduced or increased at the expense of an increase or decrease of a length of the second arc portion.

Provided is a rotor for a wind turbine, including: a blade, a hub, a pitch bearing being configured to support the blade rotatably about a longitudinal axis of the blade and relative to the hub, and one or more metal arcs for conducting a lightning current from the blade to the hub, the one or more metal arcs including: a first arc portion electrically and mechanically connected to the blade, a second arc portion electrically and mechanically connected to the hub, and a bent portion connecting the first and second arc portions. The metal arcs being configured such that, when the blade rotates relative to the hub, the first arc portion is shifted relative to the second arc portion and a length of the first arc portion is reduced or increased at the expense of an increase or decrease of a length of the second arc portion.

A windmill blade includes a leading edge protector at a leading edge portion of a blade main body including a skin surrounding a hollow space. The leading edge protector is fixed to the skin from the hollow space.

A windmill blade includes a leading edge protector at a leading edge portion of a blade main body including a skin surrounding a hollow space. The leading edge protector is fixed to the skin from the hollow space.

Provided is a wind turbine blade for a wind turbine, the wind turbine blade including: a first element containing carbon fibers, the first element being enclosed by a first metallic cover so as to form a Faraday cage around the same; a second element containing carbon fibers, the second element being enclosed by a second metallic cover so as to form a Faraday cage around the same; and an electrical bond connecting the first metallic cover and the second metallic cover. Elements containing carbon fibers are protected against lightning strikes allowing that such elements are placed further towards the tip, thereby making the whole blade lighter and allowing to better tailor the shape of the tip.

Provided is a wind turbine blade for a wind turbine, the wind turbine blade including: a first element containing carbon fibers, the first element being enclosed by a first metallic cover so as to form a Faraday cage around the same; a second element containing carbon fibers, the second element being enclosed by a second metallic cover so as to form a Faraday cage around the same; and an electrical bond connecting the first metallic cover and the second metallic cover. Elements containing carbon fibers are protected against lightning strikes allowing that such elements are placed further towards the tip, thereby making the whole blade lighter and allowing to better tailor the shape of the tip.