DEVICE FOR DETECTING SEPARATION AND ASSEMBLY FOR SUCH A DEVICE

Abstract

A device for detecting separation in an aerodynamic or hydrodynamic profile having a one-piece structure with a flexible and deformable strip extending between the first end and the second end. The second end of the strip being free. A mounting plate configured to be attached to the profile. The mounting plate includes the first end of the flexible and deformable strip. The mounting plate also includes a circuit board and at least one separation sensor having a magnet generating an electrical signal which indicates a separation value.

Claims

1-7. (canceled)

8. Device to detect separation in an aerodynamic or hydrodynamic profile, comprising a one-piece structure comprising: a flexible and deformable strip made from a silicone material extending between a first end and a second end, the second end being free; a mounting plate configured to be attached to the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic profile, the mounting plate comprising the first end of the flexible and deformable strip, a circuit board and at least one separation sensor comprising a magnet, the magnet generates an electrical signal indicative of a separation value along three orthogonal axes; and wherein the circuit board attached to the mounting plate transmits the electrical signal by a radio transmission system or a wired connection.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a battery positioned internally or externally to the device, the battery serving as a power supply and connected to the circuit board.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the one-piece structure comprises three parts: a first part comprises the flexible and deformable strip, a second part comprises the mounting plate, and a third part comprises a protective shell covering the mounting plate.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the separation sensor utilizes principles of Hall effect electromagnetism or inductive eddy current.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the flexible and deformable strip moves from a lowered position to a raised position.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the silicone material of the flexible and deformable strip has a Shore value between 20 and 100.

14. An assembly comprising a plurality of devices of claim 8.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein each device comprises a battery positioned internally or externally to said each device, the battery serving as a power supply and connected to the circuit board of said each device.

16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the one-piece structure of each device comprises three parts: a first part comprises the flexible and deformable strip, a second part comprises the mounting plate, and a third part comprises a protective shell covering the mounting plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0061] Other advantages, aims and features of the present invention will become apparent from the description below, provided for explanatory purposes and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0062] FIG. 1 described above shows three graphs of the lift coefficient, of the moving average of the angle between the tail and the profile, and of the moving standard deviation as a function of the angle of attack, explaining the separation sensor signal as a function of the angle of attack.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a separation detection device integrated into the profile, and showing the theta angle (0) corresponding to the moving average of the angle between the tail and the profile.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the separation detection device according to one embodiment.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a separation detection device, where the sensor is integrated into the profile.

[0066] FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a separation detection device.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a top view of a separation detection device subjected to flow separation.

[0068] FIG. 7 shows a diagram of an exemplary separation detection device integrated into the profile (aircraft wing).

[0069] FIG. 8 shows a top view of a separation detection device integrated into the profile.

[0070] FIG. 9 shows a diagram of an exemplary scale-like arrangement and arrangement integrated into the profile.

[0071] FIG. 10 shows a separation detection device positioned near the leading edge in order to monitor the position of the stop point when there is an absence of turbulence.

[0072] FIG. 11 shows a stall detection device positioned near the leading edge in order to monitor the position of the stop point when there is turbulence.

[0073] FIG. 12 shows a diagram of the physical operating principle of Hall-effect and inductive sensors.

[0074] FIG. 13 shows a diagram of the multi-sensor system to describe the curve of the tail in detail.

[0075] FIG. 14 shows a view of a wind turbine fitted with a wireless radio transmission separation sensor system linked to an acquisition system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0076] FIG. 1 has been described above.

[0077] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a separation detection device integrated into the profile, and showing the theta angle (?) corresponding to the moving average of the angle between the tail and the profile.

[0078] The measurement of the moving average of the angle between the tail and the profile can be used to monitor and anticipate changes in lift.

[0079] FIG. 2 shows the three orthogonal axes: X; Y and Z. In this way, it is possible to have a measurement value in different directions, making the measurement more accurate than in a single direction.

[0080] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the separation detection device formed by the flexible and deformable strip 21 subjected to the pressure field and corresponding to the tracer of the flow separation on the profile, and the protective shell 20 assembled to a mounting plate 22, the assembly being held by a closure screw 26.

[0081] The term mounting plate is understood to mean the support on which the device is mounted.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the protective shell 20 and the mounting plate 22 are made from a vacuum-cast polyurethane resin for prototype and technical parts, with mechanical properties similar to thermoplastic polymers such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, which goes by the acronym ABS and is a rigid, light, impact-resistant thermoplastic polymer with a flexural modulus equal to or greater than 2000 MPa-90? C. glass transition temperature (Tg).

[0083] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a separation detection device made up of: the protective shell 20, the flexible and deformable strip 21, a magnet 23 suitable for measuring the movement of the flexible strip 21, a mounting plate 22 on which a separation sensor 24 is mounted, itself mounted on a circuit board, said circuit board 25 connects the Hall effect sensor 24 to a radio transmission system (example 2.4 Ghz), not shown, or in another embodiment, the signal is transmitted by wire, said circuit board 25 is connected to a power supply, not shown, for example an internal battery, or in another embodiment, the separation sensor 24 is powered by an external source.

[0084] The mounting plate 22 is glued to the surface of the profile using a two-component polyurethane adhesive.

[0085] The sensor 24 is used to monitor the shape and position of the strip 21 relative to the profile.

[0086] The circuit board 25 is encapsulated in a dielectric resin for a perfect seal.

[0087] In one embodiment, for a separation sensor 24 using the Hall effect principle, the magnet 23 is of the neodymium or ferrite, SmCo, NdFeB or other type.

[0088] SmCo magnets (the acronym for samarium-cobalt magnet) is a type of permanent magnet made from an alloy of samarium and cobalt. The same goes for NdFeB magnets (the acronym for neodymium magnet), which are permanent magnets made from an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron.

[0089] FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the parts making up the one-piece structure formed by the separation detection device, said separation sensor is formed by the assembly of the strip 21, the mounting plate 22, and the protective shell 20 covering part of the mounting plate 22 where the sensor 24 and circuit board are.

[0090] FIG. 6 shows a top view of a separation detection device subjected to flow separation, the flexible and deformable strip 21 is then in the raised position. The mounting plate 22 covered by the protective shell 20 and the flexible strip 21 remains glued to the profile.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the flexible and deformable strip 21 is made with a silicone elastomer with a Shore value of 30 ShA (example: Silastic, registered trademark).

[0092] FIG. 7 shows a diagram of an exemplary separation detection device integrated into the profile 27; the separation sensor is shown in the raised position 28 when the sensor is subjected to flow separation, and the separation sensor is shown in the lowered position 29 when the sensor is not subjected to flow separation.

[0093] FIG. 8 shows a top view of a separation detection device integrated into the profile, the flexible and deformable strip 21 is in a raised position when the sensor is subjected to flow separation, or in a lowered position when the sensor is not subjected to flow separation and comprises a magnet 23 that can generate an electrical signal which indicates a separation condition, as well as the separation sensor 24.

[0094] FIG. 9 shows a diagram of an exemplary scale-like arrangement integrated into the profile 27. It shows the flexible and deformable strips overlapping one another in the raised position 28. The tail of the sensor, corresponding to the flexible and deformable strip, bends and has a raised position 28, due to the flow separating from the profile. If the separation is great enough, this can lead to a stall.

[0095] FIG. 10 shows a stall detection device positioned near the leading edge of the profile 27 in order to monitor the position of the stop point, the position at which the airflow speed is equal to zero, when there is an absence of turbulence.

[0096] The arrows around the profile 27 correspond to the flow of air bypassing both sides of the profile 27 and which opens at the front of said profile before closing at the rear of said profile. The places where the flow of air opens and closes correspond to the separation lines positioned just in front of the stop points.

[0097] The aerodynamic profile is located within a flow of air with a suitable angle of incidence, said profile thus has a low incidence.

[0098] The aerodynamic/hydrodynamic profile 27 is in zone (a) of FIG. 1, its lift developing linearly with the angle of incidence. The flow is attached. The stop point is upstream of the separation sensor. The position of the separation sensor 24 relative to the leading edge is chosen so as to detect a critical attack angle before stalling.

[0099] FIG. 11 shows a device for detecting when an angle of attack, or a critical angle of attack close to the stall angle, is exceeded, positioned near the leading edge of the profile 27 to monitor the position of the stop point when there is turbulence.

[0100] The arrows around the profile 27 correspond to the flow of air bypassing both sides of the profile 27. The state of the airflow forms vortices whose orientation and size fluctuate constantly, and is therefore disordered, corresponding to turbulence.

[0101] The aerodynamic/hydrodynamic profile 27 has left zone (a) of FIG. 1 to go into zone (b), (c) or (d). The leading edge strip is in a raised position 30. The stop point has thus passed the separation sensor to warn of an imminent stall.

[0102] FIG. 12 shows a diagram of the physical operating principle of Hall-effect and inductive sensors.

[0103] The bipolar Hall effect sensor marked C1, sensitive to the north pole (N) and the south pole (S), enables magnetic fields to be detected and measured by exploiting the Hall effect, i.e., the appearance of a force proportional to the electromagnetic field when a conductive element is integrated into this electromagnetic field.

[0104] The sensor generates a voltage to measure the current and gives a signal when a magnetic field passes through the profile.

[0105] The Hall effect sensor has three independent axes and provides a high degree of accuracy (less than 2%) including temperature compensation.

[0106] The inductive sensor, marked C2, also known as an eddy current sensor, consists of a coil which generates a magnetic field to enable detection of variations in the position of the sensor relative to the surface of the metal part (M) placed at the level of the magnetic field.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the present invention uses a Hall-effect electromagnetic sensor. According to another embodiment, the present invention uses an inductive electromagnetic sensor.

[0108] FIG. 13 shows a diagram of the multi-sensor system to describe the curve of the tail in detail.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the present invention has a plurality of devices. Indeed, several magnets 23 and sensors 24 are present within the separation detection device integrated into the profile, the plurality of said sensors 24 provides better accuracy.

[0110] FIG. 14 shows a view of a wind turbine fitted with a wireless radio transmission separation detection device linked to an acquisition system.

[0111] The present invention also relates to the profiles such as a wind turbine blade. In this way, the separation sensors positioned on the profile produce a signal transmitted at a frequency that is sufficiently high to describe the physical phenomenon, said signal which is transmitted by radio transmission to a remote receiver is itself connected to a processing system, or acquisition system, enabling data to be recorded, real-time monitoring, the profile to be controlled or the profile to be made safe.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS References Descriptions 20 protective shell 21 flexible and deformable strip 22 mounting plate 23 magnet 24 sensor 25 circuit board 26 closure screw 27 profile 28 strip in raised position 29 strip in lowered position 30 leading edge strip in separated position