Patent Application
20200191123
The invention relates to a lighting element for illuminating a component of a wind power installation, in particular a rotor blade and/or a rotor and/or a tower and/or a nacelle. Further, the invention relates to a component for a wind power installation, in particular a rotor blade and/or a rotor and/or a nacelle and/or a tower for a wind power installation. Further, the invention relates to a wind power installation and a method for illuminating a component of a wind power installation.
Wind power installation and their components, such as rotor blades (in particular rotor blade tips), rotors (here within the meaning of an aerodynamic rotor) with a hub and one or more rotor blades, towers and/or nacelles, for example, require an illumination that can also be referred to as beaconing. This illumination or beaconing serves, in particular, for protecting air traffic in the vicinity of individual wind power installations or wind parks that consist of a plurality of wind power installations. Such an illumination or beaconing is particularly advantageous at night and/or in the case of poor visibility, although it may also be desired during the day, depending on the surroundings of the wind power installation and/or air traffic requirements. Existing solutions are known from WO 2006/077084 A1 or WO 2012/038296 A1, for example, in particular for the offshore sector. However, further improvements are desirable.
In the priority application in respect of the present application, the German Trade Mark and Patent Office has searched the following prior art: DE 10 2013 110 857 A1, DE 676 166 A, US 2005/0 052 869 A1.
Provided is a lighting element and a method for illuminating a component of a wind power installation, and a component of a wind power installation and a wind power installation, which are improved in relation to existing solutions. In particular, provided is a lighting element and a method for illuminating a component of a wind power installation, and a component of a wind power installation and a wind power installation, which facilitate reliable and/or little bothersome illumination. Further, provided is a lighting element and a method for illuminating a component of a wind power installation, and a component of a wind power installation and a wind power installation, which facilitate and/or simplify servicing of and/or improve a large-area illumination of components of wind power installations.
According to a first aspect of the invention, provided is a lighting element for illuminating a component of a wind power installation, in particular a rotor blade and/or a rotor and/or a tower and/or a nacelle, comprising a lighting portion and a connection portion, wherein the connection portion is arranged and embodied to be connected in an interior of the component, and the lighting portion is arranged and embodied to protrude from an opening of the component, and the lighting portion is arranged and embodied to irradiate the component from which it protrudes.
On account of its embodiment with a lighting portion and a connection portion, the lighting element is suitable for protruding from an opening of a component of a wind power installation with the lighting portion, while the connection portion is arranged in an interior of the component and able to be connected there. Preferably, the opening of the component of a wind power installation is an assembly opening of a rotor blade of a wind power installation, wherein the assembly opening serves to receive a hoist when assembling the rotor blade on a wind power installation.
In particular, the lighting element can also be pushed through the opening in the component wall from an interior of the component such that the installation and/or servicing and/or a replacement of the lighting elements can be implemented in a simple and cost-effective manner, in particular also with little or no dependence on the weather conditions. Moreover, this also facilitates simple and cost-effective retrofitting of components of a wind power installation.
Preferably, the connection portion can be connected to supply lines required for the illumination in an interior of the component, for example by means of a plug. Preferably, the supply lines are connected to a central controller which assumes the actuation of the lighting elements. Preferably, this allows electronics within the lighting element to be dispensed with, as a result of which the lighting element itself once again becomes more cost-effective and simpler.
The component on which the lighting element is arranged preferably has a hollow interior, in particular an interior cavity or internal space, which is preferably walkable, for example by service staff. Further, supply lines and the like can preferably be guided in this interior of the component in order to supply the lighting element and/or other functional elements, for example with power.
By way of example, a functional element can be an element that fulfills a function that is advantageous for the operation of a wind power installation. Preferably, the functional element closes off an assembly opening of a rotor blade of a wind power installation and/or protrudes from the latter. Preferably, the functional element has at least one further function beyond closing off, preferably in sealing fashion, the assembly opening. By way of example, a functional element can be embodied as a sensor, for example for determining speed and/or humidity and/or light and/or temperature and/or weather data, and/or as a camera and/or as a vortex generator and/or as a lightning protection apparatus and/or as a heating apparatus.
A further peculiarity of the lighting element is that the lighting portion is arranged and embodied to irradiate a component from which it protrudes, preferably with electromagnetic radiation. Existing illumination devices, such as from WO 2006/077084 A1, for example, are designed to emit electromagnetic radiation into the surroundings of the wind power installation; i.e., they serve for direct perception of the illumination attached to the wind power installation or a component thereof from the outside (for example, from an aircraft) since the illumination radiates to the outside. By contrast, the lighting element provides for the component of the wind power installation, the lighting element protruding from the opening thereof, being irradiated by the lighting element. Consequently, the lighting portion of the lighting element is situated outside of the component or on the outer side thereof and is arranged and embodied to irradiate the component from the outside.
In this way, the component can reflect the electromagnetic radiation of the lighting element irradiating it. Thus, the irradiated component can be perceived from the outside (for example, from an aircraft), i.e., a significantly larger part of the wind power installation than only an illumination device itself.
Therefore, the lighting element is advantageous, in particular, in that there is not only point-wise, direct beaconing of the wind power installation and the components thereof, but there is beaconing of the component in the entire irradiated region as a result of irradiating the component and said entire irradiated region can consequently be perceived from the outside, for example from an aircraft.
The lighting element has particular advantages at locations of wind power installations at which it is necessary to closely approach the wind power installation with aircraft, in part as close as 50 m, or fly past the wind power installation at such a distance. By way of example, such a requirement arises in mountainous regions, in which wind power installations are increasingly erected. Large-scale circumnavigation of the wind power installation is often not possible on account of the topology, for example in narrow valleys, in particular in the case of rescue operations in the mountains, for example. Further, military aircraft, in particular, often travel at high speeds, which require appropriate beaconing of wind power installations. Here, the lighting element was found to be particularly advantageous since provision is made not only for a point-like illumination of the wind power installation by light sources radiating to the outside but also for a significantly larger region to be able to be made visible, for example for pilots, by the irradiation of the component. In particular, an illumination of the entire rotor and/or the rotor blades, in particular up to the blade tip, can be implemented in a simple and reliable manner using the lighting element. In this way, the wind power installation with the rotating rotor can be perceived as an overall obstacle and, in particular, the rotor diameter can also be identified by the pilot in order to facilitate safe navigation, even in close proximity and in the direct vicinity of the wind power installation.
A further advantage is that arranging the lighting element on the component to be irradiated provides a particularly efficient solution, particularly in view of the energy consumption as well. Preferably, at least one embodiment of the invention facilitates particularly short assembly distances, i.e., the arrangement of the lighting element close to the component or component region to be irradiated. As a result of arranging the lighting element at the component to be irradiated, there can be targeted irradiation of the component and/or scattering losses during the illumination can be reduced; this represents an advantage, particularly in the case of rotating components.
Here, the lighting portion is particularly preferably arranged and embodied to irradiate a region of at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, of the component and/or of the side of the component from which said lighting portion protrudes and/or on which the opening is arranged.
In a preferred embodiment, provision is made for the lighting portion to be arranged and embodied to irradiate the component from which it protrudes with electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light, in particular yellow and/or red and/or white light, and/or in the range of infrared radiation.
Preferably, the range of visible light includes wavelengths from approximately 380 nm to 780 nm, corresponding to frequencies from approximately 789 THz to 384 THz. The range of yellow and/or red light preferably includes wavelengths from approximately 570 nm to 780 nm, corresponding to frequencies from approximately 525 THz to 384 THz. Here, in particular, white light is understood to be electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light, in which a plurality of wavelength ranges are superposed.
Here, in particular, infrared radiation denotes the spectral range between 1 mm and 700 nm, corresponding to a frequency range from 300 GHz to 430 THz. A spectral range between 800 nm and 850 nm is particularly preferred.
Visible light is preferred for beaconing in order to ease navigation, also in visual flight. Irradiating the components with electromagnetic radiation in the infrared range is preferred since this type of irradiation is optically inconspicuous, usable independently of light conditions and, in particular, reliably identifiable, even for military aircraft.
Further, provision is preferably made for the lighting portion to have one or more light-emitting diodes. Light-emitting diodes for emitting visible light and/or infrared radiation are obtainable both relatively cheaply and with a high luminous intensity, and further have a long service life.
Further, the lighting portion preferably has an aerodynamic external form, for example a droplet form. By way of example, this can be realized by cladding the lighting portion. Such an aerodynamic external form is preferable, particularly when arranging lighting elements on movable components, in particular rotating components, of a wind power installation, in particular the rotor blades, in order to keep an increase of the air resistance as a result of arranging the lighting elements as low as possible.
Further, provision is preferably made for the lighting portion to have an external form that produces vortices and/or prevents or reduces a stall in an airflow. This, too, can be realized, for example, by corresponding cladding of the lighting portion. To this end, the lighting portion can have one or more vortex generators, for example.
A further preferred development is distinguished by virtue of the lighting element having a sealing portion between the lighting portion and the connection portion, said sealing portion being embodied and arranged to close-off the opening of the component from which the lighting element, in particular the lighting portion, protrudes in sealing fashion. Further, the lighting element can have a sleeve and/or one or more guide elements, for example, which ensure correct or desired positioning of the lighting element relative to the component from which the lighting portion of the lighting element protrudes and which should be irradiated by the lighting portion, for example also in relation to a desired or necessary emission angle.
The lighting element, in particular the sealing portion, preferably has an external diameter of at least or at most 100 mm, in particular a diameter of 120-130 mm, for example a diameter of 122 mm, or a diameter of at most 200 mm, and/or it is suitable for use in an opening with such a diameter.
In a further preferred embodiment, provision is made for the lighting element to be embodied as a bar-type lamp and/or plate-type lamp.
Further, provision is preferably made for the lighting portion to have a rounded and/or inclined emission surface. The emission surface is preferably transmissive for the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the lighting portion.
A further preferred development is distinguished by virtue of the lighting portion, in particular an emission surface of the lighting portion, protruding from the component by a predetermined distance, preferably by at least 10 cm, at least 20 cm, at least 30 cm, at least 40 cm, or at least 50 cm and/or at most 1 m.
Here, the lighting portion particularly preferably has an emission angle of 3° to 15°, in particular an emission angle of greater than 5° or greater than 10° and/or an emission angle of less than 15° or less than 12°.
A further preferred development is characterized by a lightning protection apparatus and/or a heating apparatus. This arrangement is preferred in order to prevent lightning damage and/or impairment by icing over. Since corresponding lines are guided in the interior of the component for the purposes of supplying the lighting element preferably in any case, these can advantageously also be used for the lightning protection apparatus and/or the heating apparatus.
The lighting element, in particular the lighting portion and/or the connection portion, can have a light source which emits electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light and/or in the range of infrared radiation, for example in the form of an LED.
Further preferably, the lighting element, in particular the lighting portion, is arranged and embodied to deflect and/or reflect electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light and/or in the range of infrared radiation. For instance, in this way, a light source can be arranged not on the lighting element itself but at a distance therefrom, for example in an interior of a component of a wind power installation. In this way, a particularly simple configuration of an illumination can be realized since the lighting element can be embodied merely as a passive, reflective component and a light source can be arranged at a distance from the lighting element, for example in the interior of the component of the wind power installation.
Preferably, the lighting element is free from electrical component parts, such as light sources. This is advantageous, inter alia, in that the risk of lightning damage can be reduced. By way of example, light sources can have electrically conductive materials. If the lighting element does not have a light source but merely serves as a passive lighting element, for example, and/or merely deflects and/or reflects radiation, light sources can be arranged in the interior of a component.
By way of example, the lighting element can have, in full or in part, an embodiment as a hollow bar or with a hollow-bar shape. A cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the lighting element can be round, oval, triangular or polygonal, for example, with straight and/or curved sides.
Preferably, the lighting element has a reflection surface. A reflection surface is preferably arranged in the interior of the lighting element, in particular in the interior of the hollow rod.
Preferably, the lighting element, in particular the lighting portion, can, in full or in part, be embodied from material which prevents or significantly reduces the passage of electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light and/or in the range of infrared radiation. Further, the lighting element, in particular the lighting portion, preferably comprises a lighting region which is embodied as a recess and/or which consists of a material that allows the passage of electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light and/or in the range of infrared radiation. By way of example, the lighting region can have a slot-shaped embodiment. In this way, the emergence of electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light and/or in the range of infrared radiation can be focused onto the lighting region, as a result of which a particularly focused illumination can arise.
Preferably, the lighting element is embodied from a non-electrically-conductive material or has a non-electrically-conductive material, in particular making up a large part thereof. Preferably, the lighting element consists of a fiber-reinforced composite, in particular a fiber plastic composite, preferably having or consisting of plastics and glass fibers.
According to a further aspect of the invention, provided is a component for a wind power installation, in particular rotor blade and/or rotor and/or nacelle and/or tower for a wind power installation, comprising an opening, in particular an assembly opening, which serves to receive a hoist when assembling the rotor blade on a wind power installation, a lighting element as described above, the lighting portion of which protrudes from the opening, and/or a functional element, which protrudes out of the opening and/or closes off the opening.
By way of example, a functional element can be an element that fulfills a function that is advantageous for the operation of a wind power installation. Preferably, the functional element closes off an assembly opening of a rotor blade of a wind power installation and/or protrudes from the latter. Preferably, the functional element has at least one further function beyond closing off, preferably in sealed fashion, the assembly opening. By way of example, a functional element can be embodied as a sensor, for example for determining speed and/or humidity and/or light and/or temperature and/or weather data, and/or as a camera and/or as a vortex generator and/or as a lightning protection apparatus and/or as a heating apparatus.
Preferably, the opening is arranged in a wall of the component, which surrounds an inner cavity of the component. Preferably, the opening is a passage opening which connects the interior of a component with the surroundings of the component. Preferably, the opening has one or more guide and/or positioning elements, which serve to position a lighting element protruding from the opening relative to the component. In particular, the opening is preferably arranged and embodied in such a way that the lighting portion of the lighting element protruding from the opening can be arranged and/or aligned and/or positioned in such a way that the component is irradiated by the lighting portion.
Here, the component particularly preferably has two, three or more openings, in particular two, three or more assembly openings and two, three or more lighting elements as described above, and/or two, three or more functional elements. By way of example, the arrangement of at least one above-described lighting element on the pressure side and the arrangement of at least one above-described lighting element on the suction side is preferred in the case of rotor blades. By way of example, the arrangement of two or more above-described lighting elements at substantially the same height in relation to the longitudinal extent of the tower, preferably distributed around the circumference of the tower in equidistant fashion, is preferred in the case of a tower.
In particular, the opening is preferably an assembly opening, which serves to receive a hoist during the assembly of the rotor blade on a wind power installation.
A further preferred development of the component is distinguished by the opening being arranged in a region of the component that is walkable on the inside by service staff. This configuration is preferred as it facilitates a particularly simple and weather-independent manner for installation, service and replacement of lighting elements.
Further, provision is preferably made for the opening to be arranged in a region of the component that has a clear inner height of at least 60 cm, preferably at least 80 cm, in particular of at least 1 m. Such regions are preferred, in particular as walkable regions.
Further, the opening preferably has a diameter of at least or at most 100 mm, in particular a diameter of 120-130 mm, for example a diameter of 122 mm, or a diameter of at most 200 mm. In particular, being able to use the opening differently in the transportation and/or assembly state is preferable. By way of example, lifting point openings of rotor blades often have a diameter of 122 mm.
In a further preferred embodiment of the component, provision is made for the component to have a deflection element arranged and embodied to deflect radiation received from the lighting element in the direction of the component, in particular. By way of example, the deflection element can be embodied as an optical deflection element, e.g., a prism, and/or have an optical deflection element. In this way, the region of the component irradiated by the lighting portion can advantageously be enlarged.
Further, provision is preferably made for the component to have a lightning protection apparatus and/or a heating apparatus, which is arranged on the lighting element or in the direct vicinity thereof. Preferably, a region within a 1 m perimeter around the lighting element is understood to be the direct vicinity of the lighting element. A heating apparatus that is present on a component of the wind power installation in any case can be used as heating apparatus. As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision can be made of a separate and/or dedicated heating apparatus for the lighting element.
Provision is made for the component to be a rotor blade in a preferred embodiment.
Here, arranging the lighting element in a region of the rotor blade close to the hub is particularly preferred, with the region close to the hub preferably extending over no more than 50%, in particular over no more than 30%, for example over no more than 20%, of the longitudinal extent of the rotor blade. In particular, the region of the rotor blade root and a region adjoining the rotor blade root is understood to be a region of the rotor blade close to the hub. As a rule, the region of the rotor blade close to the hub, in particular, is still walkable by the service staff.
Further, provision is preferably made for the opening to be arranged or embodied in such a way that part of a hoist can be guided therethrough in the transportation state of the rotor blade. The opening can preferably be embodied as a lifting point opening. Therefore, the lighting element is preferably not yet arranged in the opening in the assembly and/or transportation state, and so the opening can still be used for other purposes, for example for fastening a hoist. Then, after completed assembly of the rotor blade on the rotor hub, one or more lightning elements are preferably installed in the openings. In this way, even existing wind power installations can be retrofitted easily and cost-effectively.
Further, the deflection element is preferably arranged between the lighting element and a rotor blade tip. The provision of a deflection element between lighting element and rotor blade tip is preferred, in particular in order to be able to reliably irradiate the longitudinal extent of the rotor blade right up to the blade tip. Preferably, the deflection element can be arranged in the outer third of a rotor blade that adjoins the blade tip.
Further, provision is preferably made for the lighting element to be arranged and embodied to irradiate the rotor blade up to the blade tip and/or up to the blade root. Preferably, the lighting element is embodied and arranged to irradiate the rotor blade in the direction of its longitudinal extent, in particular toward the blade tip and/or toward the blade root. Further, the lighting element is preferably arranged and embodied to irradiate the rotor blade toward leading edge and/or trailing edge.
Further preferably, the lighting element is arranged and embodied to irradiate the rotor blade, starting from a certain region around the lighting element. As a rule, the component is not irradiated within a certain perimeter around the lighting element. As a rule, this perimeter emerges from the emission angle, the distance by which the lighting portion protrudes from the component and the component geometry.
In a further preferred embodiment, provision is made for the component to be a rotor.
Here, the opening is particularly preferably arranged in a hub and/or a spinner of the rotor.
Further, provision is preferably made for the lighting element to be arranged and embodied to irradiate one or more rotor blades, preferably from the blade root onwards and/or up to the blade tip.
In a further preferred embodiment, provision is made for the component to be a nacelle.
Here, arranging and embodying the lighting element to irradiate one or more rotor blades, preferably from the blade root onwards and/or up to the blade tip, is particularly preferred.
In a further preferred embodiment, provision is made for the component to be a tower.
Here, the lighting element being arranged and embodied to irradiate the tower down to the foundations and/or up to the tip of the tower is particularly preferred.
According to a further aspect of the invention, provided is a wind power installation, comprising an above-described component, in particular a rotor blade and/or a rotor, and/or a nacelle and/or a tower.
According to a further aspect of the invention, provided is a method for illuminating a component of a wind power installation, comprising: providing an above-described lighting element, guiding the lighting portion out of an opening in a component of the wind power installation, in particular out of an opening in a rotor blade and/or a rotor and/or a nacelle and/or a tower, illuminating the component from which the lighting portion protrudes by the lighting portion.
The method for illuminating a component of a wind power installation further preferably comprises assembling a rotor blade on a wind power installation using at least one assembly opening in the rotor blade, and guiding the lighting portion out of the assembly opening. Thus, after assembling the rotor blade on the wind power installation, the assembly opening required to this end is preferably used for attaching the lighting element. A hoist situated in the assembly opening during the assembly is preferably removed before the lighting element and/or a functional element is attached.
According to a further aspect of the invention, provided is the use of an above-described lighting element for illuminating a component of a wind power installation, in particular a rotor blade and/or a rotor and/or a tower and/or a nacelle.
According to a further aspect of the invention, provided is a method for extending the functionality of a rotor blade of a wind power installation, comprising: assembling the rotor blade on a wind power installation using at least one assembly opening in the rotor blade, in particular for receiving hoist, attaching a functional element in the assembly opening.
According to a further aspect of the invention, provided is the use of an assembly opening of a rotor blade, which serves for receiving a hoist when assembling the rotor blade on a wind power installation, as an opening for receiving an above-described lighting element for illuminating a component of a wind power installation, in particular a rotor blade and/or a rotor and/or a tower and/or a nacelle, and/or for receiving a functional element, in particular during the operation of the wind power installation.
The component according to the invention and the method according to the invention and the respective possible developments have features or method steps which make these particularly suitable for being used with a lighting element according to the invention and the developments thereof. The lighting element and its respective possible developments, too, have features which make the lighting element particularly suitable for being used with a component according to the invention, a wind power installation according to the invention and/or the method according to the invention.
In respect of the advantages, embodiment variants and configuration details of the respective aspects of the invention and the possible developments thereof, reference is made to the description relating to the corresponding features of the respective other aspects. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in exemplary fashion on the basis of the attached figures. In detail:
The lighting elements 200b, 200c differ in respect of their emission angles α2, α3. While the lighting element 220b according to
As a rule, the clear internal height of the rotor blade 300b in the region L1 is more than 1 m, and so the interior of the rotor blade in this region is easily accessible to service staff; this is particularly preferred for the installation, service and/or replacement of lighting elements in the openings 300b. Lighting elements are particularly preferably installed up to the region L2, which has such a minimum clear internal height that it can still be walked by service staff, in particular a clear internal height of at least 80 cm, in particular at least 1 m.
The lighting elements 200 of the rotor blade 300e in
On account of the greater distances of the lighting portion from the surface of the rotor blade 320e in
In principle, the arrangement of the lighting elements 200, in particular the distance by which the lighting portions protrude from the component surface, the emission angle and the component geometry, in particular also the pretensioning and maximum bend of rotor blades, for example, is preferably chosen in such a way that regions that are not irradiated, such as the regions L1 and L2, are minimized where possible. Allowing the lighting elements 200 on the suction and pressure side of the rotor plate to protrude different distances from the surface may also be preferable in the case of a nonsymmetric bend, for example of rotor blades in the pretensioned state and in the operating state. This renders it possible to take account of different bending in different situations.
A possible configuration of the lighting element 510 is illustrated in
The lighting element 510 is free from electrical component parts, such as light sources; however, it is arranged and embodied to deflect and/or reflect electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light and/or in the range of infrared radiation. To this end, the lighting element 510 has a reflection surface 511. The lighting element 510 is embodied as a passive, reflecting component; thus, for instance, a light source can be arranged at a distance from the lighting element, for example in the interior of the rotor blade. This is advantageous, inter alia, in that the risk of lightning damage can be reduced. Preferably, an infrared LED can be used as a light source.
Electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light and/or in the range of infrared radiation, which is to be reflected and/or deflected by the reflection surface 511 of the lighting element 510, can enter into the interior of the lighting element 510 embodied as a hollow bar or with a hollow-bar shape, for instance through a front side 514. Preferably, the front side 514 is formed from a material that allows the passage of electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light and/or in the range of infrared radiation. The sides 513 of the lighting element 510 can be formed from material that prevents or significantly reduces the passage of electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light and/or in the range of infrared radiation.
Further, the lighting element 510, in particular the lighting portion 515, comprises a slot-shaped lighting region 512, which is embodied as a recess in this case. In this way, the emergence of electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light and/or in the range of infrared radiation can be focused onto the lighting region, as a result of which particularly focused illumination may arise. As an alternative to the open configuration in the form of a recess, such a lighting region may also consist, for example, of a material that allows the passage of electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light and/or in the range of infrared radiation.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2016 114 717.6 | Aug 2016 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2017/070252 | 8/9/2017 | WO | 00 |
