Abstract
As a variation of the pseudodynamic testing technique, the real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS) technique is executed in real time, thus allowing investigation of structural systems with rate-dependent components. In this paper, the RTHS is employed for performance evaluation of full-scale liquid sloshing dampers in multi-megawatt wind turbines, where the tuned liquid damper (TLD) is manufactured and tested as the physical substructure while the wind turbine is treated as the numerical substructure and modelled in the computer using a 13-degree-of-freedom (13-DOF) aeroelastic model. Wind turbines with 2 MW and 3 MW capacities have been considered under various turbulent wind conditions. Extensive parametric studies have been performed on the TLD, e.g., various tuning ratios by changing the water level, TLD without and with damping screens (various mesh sizes of the screen considered), and TLD with flat and sloped bottoms. The present study provides useful guidelines for employing sloshing dampers in large wind turbines, and indicates huge potentials of applying RTHS technique in the area of wind energy.
Highlights
Recent development in the wind energy industry aims at obtaining more economic and productive configurations in order to compete in the energy sector
The flap-wise blade vibration and fore-aft tower vibration in wind turbines are normally highly damped owning to the strong aerodynamic damping as long as the flow is attached at the blades
Edgewise blade vibration and lateral tower vibration are characterized by insignificant aerodynamic damping, and these modes of vibrations may be prone to large amplitude vibrations
Summary
Recent development in the wind energy industry aims at obtaining more economic and productive configurations in order to compete in the energy sector. The tuned liquid damper (TLD) or sloshing damper [4,5], as one of the most cost-effective passive control devices, has the advantages of easy fabrication/installation, minimal maintenance after installation and broader band-width comparing with TMD-like devices due to the nonlinear wave breaking effect. It becomes a natural candidate for vibration control of large flexible wind turbines. Dynamic responses of the wind turbine system are numerically calculated in real-time using the 13-DOF model formulated in Matlab/Simulink. The applicability of employing RTHS technique in the area of wind energy is to be highlighted
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