In-depth study of dynamic stall control : fundamentals to application

Abstract

Wind turbine blades are growing at remarkable rates as manufacturers aim to increase power capture. Currently, wind turbines that consist of 100 meter long blades are already in the prototype stage, and this trend is expected to continue. As wind turbine blades get larger, the structural dynamics of a long and slender blade become problematic. Specifically, unsteady fatigue loads arise in the inherent rotational nature of the rotor, and can detrimentally impact the fatigue life of the wind turbine blades and its various components. Throughout their lives, wind turbines may experience numerous aerodynamic events induced large structural oscillations; events that can only be controlled by the use of active flow control devices. Specifically, the current work controls structural oscillations that arise due to dynamic stall, using synthetic jet actuators.