Aeroelastic rotor model for wind power generator

Abstract

Wind turbines represent a technology for electrical energy generation that has been applied widely in the world. Their evolution leads to the development of rotors with blades of large aspect ratio, reaching spans over 100 meters. Consequently, these blades have great flexibility and become subject to various aeroelastic problems. Thus, the study of aeroelastic behavior of wind rotors is fundamental to avoid adverse conditions when in operation. This research project proposes the development of a computational model to analyze the aeroelastic phenomena in rotor wind generators. To do this, the aerodynamic model is based on the Unsteady Vortex Lattice Method, which is coupled to structural-dynamic model based on rotating beam finite element, ensuring that the gyroscopic effects of the structure will be accounted. The coupled models are achieved with surface splines interpolation technique in modal coordinates originated in the structure. The results are going to be made from the aeroelastic responses simulation for different operating conditions.