A DETECTION SYSTEM, A METHOD AND A DETECTION DEVICE THEREOF

Abstract

This invention relates to a detection system, a detection device thereof and a method, comprising a support structure having a contact surface for contacting a first surface of a moulding element having a composite structure, wherein a number of detectable element is arranged below the contact surface and configured to interact with the detection device via a magnetic field. The detection device is moved along a second surface of the moulding element and is configured to detect a position on the second surface of a reference line in relation to a detectable element, wherein the reference line is formed by the detectable elements.

Claims

1. A detection system for detecting a reference parameter of a moulding element, such as a composite structure, the detection system comprising a support structure configured to hold the moulding element, the support structure having a contact surface shaped to contact a first surface of the moulding element, the detection system comprising at least one detectable element arranged relative to the contact surface, the at least one detectable element being configured to interact with at least one detection device via a magnetic field characterised in that said at least one detectable element forms at least one reference parameter of said moulding element, and that said at least one detection device is configured to be moved along said contact surface and to detect a position of said at least one reference parameter on a second surface of the moulding element in relation to said at least one detectable element.

2. The detection system according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least one reference parameter is a reference line, a reference point and/or a mounting point.

3. The detection system according to claim 1, characterised in that a first number of detectable elements are distributed along the contact surface to form a first reference line, and at least a second number of detectable elements are further distributed along the contact surface to form at least a second reference line, the second reference line being arranged at a distance from said first reference line.

4. The detection system according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least one detectable element is integrated into the support structure.

5. The detection system according to claim 1, characterised in that the least one detectable element is arranged on a holding element, the holding element being configured to be connected to the support structure.

6. The detection system according to claim 5, characterised in that said holding element comprises adjustable means for adjusting the position of that detectable element in the chordwise direction and/or in the longitudinal direction.

7. The detection system according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least one detection device further comprises alignment means for aligning the at least one detection device relative to the position of the at least one detectable element.

8. The detection system according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least one detection device further comprises a template extending from the detection device, wherein said template comprises means for marking at least one selected reference parameter.

9. The detection system according to claim 7, characterised in that said at least one detection device comprises an arrangement of sensors configured to detect said at least one detectable element, the sensors being connected to a control unit and/or a display unit for determining the position of the at least one detection device in relation to the at least one detectable element.

10. The detection system according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least one detectable element is a permanent magnet, an electromagnet or a magnetisable element.

11. The detection system according to claim 1, characterised in that said moulding element is a composite structure of a wind turbine blade, and said support structure is a mould for moulding said composite structure or a cradle for holding said composite structure.

12. A detection device of a detection system, the detection system comprises a support structure configured to hold a moulding element having a composite structure, such as a wind turbine blade or wind turbine blade shell part, the support structure having a contact surface shaped to contact a first surface of the moulding element, the moulding element further having a second surface opposite of said first surface, the detection system further having at least one detectable element arranged relative to said contact surface and configured to interact with the detection device via a magnetic field, wherein said detection device is configured to be moved along said contact surface and to detect a position of at least one reference parameter on the second surface in relation to said at least one detectable element, the at least one reference parameter being formed by said at least one detectable element.

13. A method of detecting a reference line of a moulding element, the method comprises the steps of: providing a support structure configured to hold the moulding element, the support structure having a contact surface shaped to contact a first surface of the moulding element, the support structure comprising at least one detectable element arranged relative to the contact surface and configured to interact with a detection device via a magnetic field, providing the moulding element having a composite structure, such as a wind turbine blade or wind turbine blade shell part, the moulding element further has a second surface opposite of said first surface, and moving the detection device along said second surface to detect a position of at least one reference parameter on the second surface in relation to said at least one detectable element, wherein said at least one reference parameter is formed by the at least one detectable element.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterised in that the method further comprises the steps of: marking at least one selected reference parameter on said second surface, aligning at least one item with said at least one selected reference parameter, and attaching said at least one item to the moulding element.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterised in that said detection device is manually or semi-automatically moved relative to the second surface.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterised in that said at least one selected reference parameter is marked using a template of the detection device.

17. The method according to claim 13, characterised in that the method further comprises the step of: determining the position of the detection device relative to the at least one detectable element, e.g. by use of an arrangement of sensors in the detection device, or by a unique shape of said at least one detectable element.

18. The method according to claim 14, characterised in that a number of selected reference parameters are marked at the same time using the detection device.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0080] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings, in which

[0081] FIG. 1 shows a wind turbine,

[0082] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the wind turbine blade,

[0083] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the detection system,

[0084] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the detection device,

[0085] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the detection system of FIG. 3 with a moulding element arranged on the support structure,

[0086] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the detection device with a template,

[0087] FIG. 7a-b show the detection device in alignment with detectable element and out of alignment,

[0088] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a holding element with adjustable means for adjusting the position of the detectable element,

[0089] FIG. 9a-b show two alternative positions of the detection device in relation to the detectable element,

[0090] FIG. 10 shows the detection device with exemplary embodiments of the template and examples of the reference parameter, and

[0091] FIG. 11 shows the detection device with a sensor arrangement and a control unit and a display unit.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0092] 1. Wind turbine

[0093] 2. Wind turbine tower

[0094] 3. Nacelle

[0095] 4. Hub

[0096] 5. Wind turbine blades

[0097] 6. Pitch bearing

[0098] 7. Blade root

[0099] 8. Tip end

[0100] 9. Leading edge

[0101] 10. Trailing edge

[0102] 11. Blade shell

[0103] 12. Pressure side

[0104] 13. Suction side

[0105] 14. Blade root portion

[0106] 15. Aerodynamic blade portion

[0107] 16. Transition portion

[0108] 17. Length of wind turbine blade

[0109] 18. Chord length of wind turbine blade

[0110] 19. Root end structure

[0111] 20. Detection system

[0112] 21. Support structure

[0113] 22. Supporting frame body

[0114] 23. Contacting body part

[0115] 24. Contact surface

[0116] 25. Bottom surface

[0117] 26. First edge

[0118] 27. Second edge

[0119] 28. First end

[0120] 29. Second end

[0121] 30. Detectable element

[0122] 31. Detection device

[0123] 32. Moulding element

[0124] 33. First surface

[0125] 34. Second surface

[0126] 35. Template

[0127] 36. Display unit

[0128] 37. Alignment window

[0129] 38. Profile of detectable element

[0130] 39. Holding element

[0131] 40. Adjustable means

[0132] 41a-c, d. Reference lines

[0133] 41e. Reference point, mounting point

[0134] 42. Sensor arrangement

[0135] The listed reference numbers are shown in abovementioned drawings where no all reference numbers are shown on the same figure for illustrative purposes. The same part or position seen in the drawings will be numbered with the same reference number in different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0136] FIG. 1 shows a modern wind turbine 1 comprising a wind turbine tower 2, a nacelle 3 arranged on top of the wind turbine tower 2, and a rotor defining a rotor plane. The nacelle 3 is connected to the wind turbine tower 2, e.g. via a yaw bearing unit. The rotor comprises a hub 4 and a number of wind turbine blades 5. Here three wind turbine blades are shown, but the number of blades may be greater or smaller. The hub 4 is connected to a drive train located in the wind turbine 1 via a rotation shaft.

[0137] The hub 4 comprises a mounting interface for each wind turbine blade 5. A pitch bearing unit 6 is optionally connected to this mounting interface and further to a blade root of the wind turbine blade 5.

[0138] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the wind turbine blade 5 which extends in a longitudinal direction from a blade root 7 to a tip end 8. The wind turbine blade 5 further extends in a chordwise direction from a leading edge 9 to a trailing edge 10. The wind turbine blade 5 comprises a blade shell 11 having two opposite facing side surfaces defining a pressure side 12 and a suction side 13 respectively. The blade shell 11 further defines a root portion 14, an aerodynamic portion 15, and a transition portion 16 between the root portion 14 and the aerodynamic portion 15.

[0139] The root portion 14 has a substantially circular or elliptical cross-section (indicated by dashed lines). The root portion 14 together with a load carrying structure (not shown) are configured to add structural strength to the wind turbine blade 5 and transfer the dynamic loads to the hub 4. The load carrying structure extends between the pressure side 12 and the suction side 13 and further in the longitudinal direction.

[0140] The aerodynamic blade portion 15 has an aerodynamically shaped cross-section (indicated by dashed lines) designed to generate lift. The cross-sectional profile of the blade shell 11 gradually transforms from the circular or elliptical profile into the aerodynamic profile in the transition portion 16.

[0141] The wind turbine blade 5 has a longitudinal length 17 of at least 35 metres, preferably at least 50 metres. The wind turbine blade 5 further has a chord length 18 as function of the length 17, wherein the maximum chord length is found at the shoulder between the aerodynamic portion 15 and the transition portion 16. The wind turbine blade 5 further has a blade thickness as function of the chord length 18, wherein the blade thickness is measured between the pressure side 12 and the suction side 13.

[0142] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a detection system 20 according to the invention, wherein the detection system 20 comprises a support structure 21. Here, the support structure 21 is a blade mould or a cradle. The support structure 21 has a frame body 22 for supporting a contacting body part 23. The body part 23 has a contact surface 24 and an opposite bottom surface 25. The contact surface 24 extends from a first edge 26 to a second edge 27 in a chordwise direction and further from a first end 28 to a second end 29 in a longitudinal direction.

[0143] A number of detectable element 30, here only one is shown, is arranged relative to the contact surface 24. Each detectable element 30 is placed at a predetermined position to form one or more reference parameters of a moulding element (see FIG. 5). The detectable element is configured to interact with a detection device 31 via a magnetic field.

[0144] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the detection device where the detection device 31′ is configured as a handheld scanner. In FIG. 3, the detection device 31 is provided on a hockey stick. The detection device 31, 31′ is able to be moved along a second surface, such as an inner surface, of the moulding element in order to detect the detectable elements 30.

[0145] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the detection system 20 with the moulding element 32 arranged on the contacting body part 23. Here, the moulding element 32 is a composite structure comprising a fibre material. The moulding element has a first surface 33 facing the contact surface 24 and a second surface 34, i.e. inner surface.

[0146] Here, the detectable element 30 is a permanent magnet generating a magnetic field, where the local magnetic field lines extends through at least the contacting body part 23 and the moulding element 32. The detection device 31 has sensors (see FIG. 11) configured to detect this magnetic field which then can be used to align the detection device 31 relative to the detectable element 30.

[0147] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the detection device 31 with a template 35 for marking a number of reference parameters. The template 35 extends in opposite directions out from the detection device 31. The template 35 comprises individual marking means X1, X2, X3, X4 for marking a selected reference parameter. Here, the marking means X1, X2, X3, X4 are shaped as L-shaped holes so that the operator is able to manually mark the selected reference parameter.

[0148] Once the detectable element 30 is detected by the detection device 31, the detection device 31 is aligned with the detectable element 30. FIG. 7a shows the detection device out of alignment with the detectable element 30.

[0149] Here, the detection device 31 has a display unit 36 on which an alignment window 37 is displayed. Further, a control unit (see FIG. 10) of the detection device 31 is configured to generate a detected profile 38 of the detectable element 30, as illustrated in FIG. 7a. The profile 38 and the alignment window 37 is used to visually align the detection device 31 relative to the detectable element 30, as illustrated in FIG. 7b.

[0150] When the detection device 31 is aligned, the selected reference parameters may be marked, e.g. using the template 35.

[0151] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a holding element 39 with adjustable means 40 for adjusting the position of the detectable element 30. The holding element 39 is configured to hold the detectable element 30 in a predetermined position. The holding element 39 is further configured to be connected to the frame body 22. Here, the holding element 39 is arranged at the bottom surface 25.

[0152] The holding element 39 comprises adjustable means 40 for adjusting the position of the detectable element 30 in the longitudinal direction and/or in the chordwise direction. The adjustable means 40 are here formed as adjustable bolts connected to the detectable element 30.

[0153] FIG. 9 shows two alternative positions of the detection device 31 in relation to the detectable element 30. The adjustable means 40 are here used to compensate for the curvature of the moulding element 32 and the body part 23 so that the position of the reference parameter is correctly detected on the second surface 34.

[0154] When the curvature is close to zero, as illustrated in FIG. 9a, the detection device 31 is placed more or less above the detectable element 30 and thus no or a minor correction is needed.

[0155] As the curvature is increases, as illustrated in FIG. 9b, the detection device 31 is offset relative to the detectable element 30 and thus a correction is needed.

[0156] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of the moulding element 32. Here, the moulding element 32 is a composite structure of a wind turbine blade, e.g. a blade shell part. Further, various embodiments of the detection device 31 and the reference parameter are shown here.

[0157] The detection device 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d is configured to detect the position of at least one reference parameter, e.g. a centreline 41a, on the second surface 34 of the moulding element 32 in relation to one or more detectable elements 30.

[0158] The detection device 31a may be fitted with a template for marking a first and a second reference line. The distance between the first and second reference lines may decrease towards the second end 29, as illustrated, or be constant. Here, the first and second reference lines indicate the web location lines 41b of the main shear webs.

[0159] The detection device 31b may be fitted with a template for marking a third reference line. Here, the third reference line indicates the web location line 41c of a third main shear web.

[0160] The detection device 31c may be fitted with a template for marking a fourth reference line. Here, the fourth reference line indicates the web location line 41c of a reinforcing web. The third reference line and/or fourth reference line may be located towards the first edge 26 or the second edge 27.

[0161] The detection device 31d may be configured to detect a first reference parameter, e.g. the centreline 41a, and mark the first reference parameter and/or a second reference parameter, e.g. a mounting point 41e.

[0162] The detection device 31e may be configured to detect at least two detectable elements 30 forms part of the same reference parameter, e.g. the centreline 41a.

[0163] Here, each reference line 41a-d and the corresponding detectable elements 30 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction. However, the detection device 31 may also be used to detect detectable elements 30 and mark reference lines extending in the chordwise direction. These reference lines may indicate the location lines 41f of local spacer elements or bulkheads.

[0164] FIG. 11 shows the detection device 31 with a sensor arrangement 42 for detecting the magnetic field of the detectable elements 30. The sensor arrangement 42 is electrically connected to a control unit 43 configured to process and analyse the respective sensor signals. The control unit 43 is further electrically connected to the display unit 36. The control unit 43 may generate a detected profile of the detectable element 30 based on the sensor signals, wherein this detected profile is displayed on the display unit 36. This enables to the operator to align the detection device 31 correctly relative to the detectable element 30.

[0165] The abovementioned embodiments may be combined in any combinations without deviating from the present invention.