Method for site specific energy capture optimization through modular rotor blade tip extension

Abstract

A power generating system wherein a turbine ( 34 ) is mounted on top of a tower ( 30 ) or tethered underwater. The turbine ( 34 ) includes a rotor having a main blade ( 20 ) connected to a rotor hub ( 40 ) and an extender blade tip ( 22, 22 ′) attached to the main blade ( 20 ). During manufacture, the optimum energy-capture is determined using site-specific conditions of one or more of air density, wind speed, extreme wind, wind shear, noise and turbulence intensity. The extender blade tip ( 22, 22 ′) is chosen from a number of extender blade tips having a length that is the closest to the determined optimum energy-capture. The chosen extender blade tip is attached to the main blade either during manufacture or on-site. Alternatively, a one piece blade is produced based on information determined from the site specific conditions. The tip of such one piece blade can be customized based on the information obtained.

1 . A fluid-flow power generating method, comprising steps of:
 A. mounting a turbine on a structure that is held stationary with reference to a fluid flow, said turbine including a rotor having a main blade connected to a rotor hub at a proximal end and including a distal end with provisions for attaching a modular extender blade tip to said main blade;   B. determining an optimum energy capture using site specific conditions including one or more of air density, wind speed, extreme wind, wind shear, noise and turbulence intensity;   C. choosing from a number of extender blade tips an extender blade tip whose length is the closest to said optimum energy capture of step B; and   D. attaching the extender blade tip chosen in step C to said main blade.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising steps of:
 E. maintaining said turbine in alignment with fluid-flow direction; and 
 F. converting an output of said turbine to electrical energy. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of determining comprises accumulating data for a period of time. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the period of time is extended. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the period of time includes at least one season of a year. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the period of time includes all four seasons of a year. 
     
     
         7 . A method of selecting a turbine blade for fluid flow power generation, comprising:
 forming a blade base portion;   forming a plurality of blade tip portions of varying lengths and/or shapes;   determining an optimum energy capture blade length and shape for a site at which the blade will be employed, using site specific conditions including one or more of air density, wind speed, extreme wind, wind shear, noise and turbulence intensity;   selecting a blade tip from the plurality of blade tips formed, which blade tip when mounted to the blade base portion will most closely approach the determined optimum energy capture blade length and shape; and,   securing the selected blade tip portion to the blade base portion.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of determining comprises accumulating data for a period of time. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the period of time is extended. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the period of time includes one or more months of a calendar year. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the period of time includes all four seasons of a year. 
     
     
         12 . A method of selecting a turbine blade for fluid flow power generation, comprising:
 A. determining a configuration of a blade base portion;   B. determining an optimum energy capture blade length and shape for a site at which the blade will be employed, using site specific conditions including one or more of air density, wind speed, extreme wind, wind shear, noise and turbulence intensity;   C. determining a configuration of a blade tip portion based on step B above;   D. configuring a blade mold based on steps A to C above; and,   E. manufacturing a blade in the blade mold configured in step D.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of determining comprises accumulating data for a period of time. 
     
     
         14 . The method of claim wherein the period of time is extended. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the period of time includes at least one season of a calendar year. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the period of time includes all four seasons of a year.