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An Innovative Design of a Microtab Deployment Mechanism for Active Aerodynamic Load Control

Author

Listed:
  • Kuo-Chang Tsai

    (Department of Mechanical & Electro-Mechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, No. 70 Lien-hai Rd., Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
    Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of California - Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Cheng-Tang Pan

    (Department of Mechanical & Electro-Mechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, No. 70 Lien-hai Rd., Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan)

  • Aubryn M. Cooperman

    (Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of California - Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Scott J. Johnson

    (Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of California - Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • C. P. Van Dam

    (Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of California - Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

Abstract

This study presents an innovative design of a microtab system for aerodynamic load control on horizontal-axis wind-turbine rotors. Microtabs are small devices located near the trailing edge of the rotor blades and enable a rapid increase or decrease of the lift force through deployment of the tabs on the pressure or suction side of the airfoil, respectively. The new system has been designed to replace an earlier linearly-actuated microtab mechanism whose performance was limited by space restrictions and stiction. The newly-designed microtab system is based on a four-bar linkage that overcomes the two drawbacks. Its improved kinematics allows for the tab height to increase from 1.0% to 1.7% of the airfoil chord when fully deployed, thereby making it more effective in terms of aerodynamic load control. Furthermore, the modified four-bar link mechanism provides a more robust and reliable mechanical structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuo-Chang Tsai & Cheng-Tang Pan & Aubryn M. Cooperman & Scott J. Johnson & C. P. Van Dam, 2015. "An Innovative Design of a Microtab Deployment Mechanism for Active Aerodynamic Load Control," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:8:y:2015:i:6:p:5885-5897:d:51260
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Shafiqur Rehman & Md. Mahbub Alam & Luai M. Alhems & M. Mujahid Rafique, 2018. "Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Blade Design Methodologies for Efficiency Enhancement—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-34, February.
    2. Md Zishan Akhter & Farag Khalifa Omar, 2021. "Review of Flow-Control Devices for Wind-Turbine Performance Enhancement," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-35, February.
    3. Unai Fernandez-Gamiz & Macarena Gomez-Mármol & Tomas Chacón-Rebollo, 2018. "Computational Modeling of Gurney Flaps and Microtabs by POD Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Aitor Saenz-Aguirre & Unai Fernandez-Gamiz & Ekaitz Zulueta & Alain Ulazia & Jon Martinez-Rico, 2019. "Optimal Wind Turbine Operation by Artificial Neural Network-Based Active Gurney Flap Flow Control," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-17, May.
    5. Li Zhang & Liyang Jiang & Tong Zhao & Liang Zou, 2017. "Microcosmic Mechanism Investigation on Lightning Arc Damage of Wind Turbine Blades Based on Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Impact Current Experiment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Wenxian Yang & Theodoros Alexandridis & Wenye Tian, 2018. "Numerical Research of the Effect of Surface Biomimetic Features on the Efficiency of Tidal Turbine Blades," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-15, April.
    7. Davide Astolfi & Francesco Castellani, 2019. "Wind Turbine Power Curve Upgrades: Part II," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-20, April.

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