• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.102-108
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• 2012

A study of terahertz waves (T-ray) was made for the nondestructive evaluation of FRP (Fiber reinforced plastics) composite materials. The to-be-used systems were time domain spectroscopy (TDS) and continuous wave (CW). The composite materials investigated include both turbine blades of wind energy (non-conducting polymeric composites) and conducting carbon fiber composites. Terahertz signals in the TDS mode resembles that of ultrasound; however, unlike ultrasound, a terahertz pulse was not able to detect a material with conductivity. This was demonstrated in CFRP (Carbon fiber reinforced plastics) laminates. Refractive index (n) was defined as one of mechanical properties; so a method was solved in order solve the "n" in the material with the cut parts of the turbine blades of wind energy. The defects and anomalies investigated by terahertz radiation were foreign material inclusions and simulated disband. Especially, it is found that the T-ray went through the turbine blade with greater thickness (about 90mm).

• Solar Energy
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 1986

This paper presents the aerodynamic performances of horizontal axis wind turbines with non-twisted but taperd blades. Five configurations of blades, namely, one straight blade and four tapered blades with taper ratio of ranging from 0.1 to 0.7 have been simulated. The aerodynamic performances of the wind turbines have been determined over blade incidence angle of ranging from $2^{\circ}$ to $6^{\circ}$ and keeping same solidity and radius of them. The results are presented comparing straight blade from four tapered blades for maximum power coefficient and tip looses against variation of taper ratio. It also shows that the wind turbine with taper ratio of 0.5 has the highest maximum power coefficient than others. And wind turbines with taper ratio below 0.2 have lower values of maximum power coefficients than straight one. The tip loss of straight blade is the largest and reduces Slightly with the decrementation of taper ratio.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.9 no.2 s.35
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• pp.7-12
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• 2006

This study is to develop a system of electric power generation utilizing the wind resources available in the domestic wind environment. We tested drag-type vortical wind turbine models, which have two different types of blades: a flat plate and circular arc shape. Through a performance test, conditions of maximum rotational speed were found by measuring the rpm of wind turbine. The rotational speed was measured by a tachometer in a wind tunnel and the tunnel wind speed was by using a pilot-static tube and a micro manometer. The performance test for a prototype was accomplished by calculating power, power coefficient, torque coefficient from the measurement of torque and rpm by a dynamometer controller From the measurements for miniature turbine models with two different blades, the circular arc shape was found to Produce a maximum rotational speed for the same wind velocity condition. Based on this result, the prototype with the circular arc blade was made and tested. We found that it produces 500W at the wind velocity of 10.8 m/s and the power coefficient was 20%.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2012

This paper deals with the aerodynamic analysis and structural test under estimated loading condition for small composite blade, which is utilized in dual rotor wind turbine system. Firstly, the front and rear blades of dual rotor wind turbine system were modeled using reverse engineering method. And using finite volume method, the aerodynamic forces were analyzed at the rated and cutout wind speed to identify the pressure distribution on blades. And then, the full scale structural tests were conducted according to load and strength based methodology in IEC 61400-2 to identify the structural integrity of composite blade.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.311-328
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• 2017

The characteristics of boundary layers have significant effects on the aerodynamic forces and vibration of the wind turbine blade. The incorporation of active trailing edge flaps (ATEF) into wind turbine blades has been proven as an effective control approach for alleviation of load and vibration. This paper is aimed at investigating the effects of external trailing edge flaps on the flow pattern and velocity distribution within a boundary layer of a NREL 5MW reference wind turbine, as well as designing a new type of velocity sensors for future validation measurements. An aeroelastic-aerodynamic simulation with FAST-AeroDyn code was conducted on the entire wind turbine structure and the modifications were made on turbine blade sections with ATEF. The results of aeroelastic-aerodynamic simulations were combined with the results of two-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations. From these, the velocity profile of the boundary layer as well as the thickness variation with time under the influence of a simplified load case was calculated for four different blade-flap combinations (without flap, with $-5^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$, and $+5^{\circ}$ flap). In conjunction with the computational modeling of the characteristics of boundary layers, a bio-inspired hair flow sensor was designed for sensing the boundary flow field surrounding the turbine blades, which ultimately aims to provide real time data to design the control scheme of the flap structure. The sensor element design and performance were analyzed using both theoretical model and finite element method. A prototype sensor element with desired bio-mimicry responses was fabricated and validated, which will be further refined for integration with the turbine blade structures.

• Journal of Wind Energy
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.100-108
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• 2023

The aim of this study is to develop guidelines for predicting interference between drones and wakes during non-destructive blade inspections in wind power systems. The wake generated by wind towers and blades can affect the stability of drone flights, necessitating the establishment of guidelines to ensure safe and efficient inspections. In order to predict the interference between drones and blades, environmental variables must be considered, including quantification of turbulence intensity in the wake generated by the tower and blades, as well as determining the appropriate distance between the drone and the tower/blades for flight stability. To achieve this, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed using cross-sectional geometries corresponding to the main wind turbine blade and tower span locations. Based on the CFD analysis results, a safe flight path for drones is proposed, which minimizes the risk of collision and interference with towers and blades during maintenance operations of wind power systems. Implementation of the proposed guidelines is expected to enhance the safety and efficiency of maintenance work.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2012

In this paper, cross-sectional stiffnesses, static stresses, and dynamic natural frequencies are analyzed to examine the structural performance of wind turbine composite blades. The material properties of composite materials are based on room-temperature and radiation curing processes. The cross-sectional stiffnesses of composite blades are calculated by applying a beam theory with solid-profile cross sections. The wind turbine blades are modeled with a finite element program, and static analyses are carried out to check the maximum displacement and stress of the blades. In addition, dynamic analyses are performed to predict the rotating natural frequencies of the composite blades including the effects of centrifugal force. By comparing these analysis results, mainly owing to the material properties of composite materials, an improvement in the structural performance of the blades according to the curing process is investigated.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.88-92
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• 2017

Owing to the depletion of fossil energy, wind power is attracting attention as a promising environmentally friendly alternative energy source, because it is abundant, renewable, and non-polluting. Wind turbines are divided into horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) according to the direction of the rotating shaft. VAWTs have a low power generation efficiency, but are not affected by the wind direction and, thus, no yaw system is required and their structure is simple. Small VAWTs are attracting much attention because they can generate power even at low wind speeds. In this study, the output voltages and output currents of small VAWTs with gyromill type, hinge type and double door type blades capable of generating power even at low wind speeds were analyzed at variable wind speeds in the range of 1~11 m/s. At the maximum wind speed of 11m/s, the application of the double door type blades achieved 67% and 9% higher wind turbine output voltages than that of the gyromill type and hinge type blades, respectively. As regards the wind turbine output currents, the application of the double door type blades gave rise to 93% and 5% higher results than that of the gyromill type and hinge type blades, respectively. Through this study, the excellent output characteristics and commercialization potential of the double door type blades, which can generate power both at low and high wind speeds, were confirmed.

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.147-154
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• 2010

The world is gradually running short of fossil fuel. Currently, the role of wind turbine is attracting great attention from all over the world. The objective of this study is to investigate blades of Vertical-axial wind turbine (VAWT) for optimum design using the CFD from the aerodynamics point of view. Because one of the performance of wind turbine depends on shape of blades, the study of comparing one gyro mill type blade and a modified one was carried out. Using the results of computation, we calculated and compared RPM for both models at same wind velocity. And we calculated angular acceleration and moment of inertia to find torque in every time-step. And the pressure contour and velocity profile around the blade were analyzed Also, this study is performed to calculate the wake effect.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.341-354
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• 2024

This paper presents a theoretical method to deal with the aerodynamic performance and pitch optimization of the horizontal axis wind turbine blades at low wind speeds. By considering a blade element, the functional relationship among the angle of attack, pitch angle, rotational speed of the blade, and wind speed is derived in consideration of a quasi-steady aerodynamic model, and aerodynamic loads on the blade element are then obtained. The torque and torque coefficient of the blade are derived by using integration. A polynomial approximation is applied to functions of the lift and drag coefficients for the symmetric and asymmetric airfoils respectively, where specific expressions of aerodynamic loads as functions of the angle of attack (which is a function of pitch angle) are obtained. The pitch optimization problem is investigated by considering the maximum value problem of the instantaneous torque of a blade as a function of pitch angle. Dynamic pitch laws for HAWT blades with either symmetric or asymmetric airfoils are derived. Influences of parameters including inflow ratio, rotational speed, azimuth, and wind speed on torque coefficient and optimal pith angle are discussed.