Aeroelastic Control of a Wind Turbine Blade Using Microtabs Based on UA97W300-10 Airfoil

• Published in: Wind engineering Vol. 37; no. 5; pp. 501 - 516
• Main Authors: Li, N., Balas, M. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Multi-Science Publishing Company 01-10-2013; SAGE Publications
• Subjects: Adaptive control; Adaptive control systems; Aerodynamics; Airfoils; Blades; Coefficients; Dynamical systems; Dynamics; Mathematical models; Modeling; Speed; Vibration; Wind power; Wind turbines; Wind velocity; Wing flaps
• ISSN: 0309-524X; 2048-402X
• DOI: 10.1260/0309-524X.37.5.501

The unsteady flow over a rotating wind turbine blade is described by the Beddoes-Leishman dynamic stall model. Based on the asymmetric airfoil UA97W300-10, a wind turbine blade section with unsteady aerodynamic loads is modeled as an aeroelastic system for this vibration suppression study. Aeroelastic stability of the system is analyzed by open-loop tests to identify the flutter speed. With consideration of wind turbine operations, control strategies for flutter suppression are made separately in each operation region and implemented by a designed Adaptive Controller using microtab devices, which are positioned at the trailing edge of the airfoil with deployment at the maximum height of 5% of chord length. The control effects of the Adaptive Control and microtabs are investigated by closed-loop tests. The stability of the Adaptive Controller is proved using a new Adaptive Stability Theorem, which is also illustrated by examples.