Based on the 1D-blade element momentum theory (BEM) with the improved tip loss correction introduced, a new aerodynamic model of wind turbine is developed. Using one high aerodynamic performance airfoil with 18% relative thickness, one small wind turbine blade is designed and the distribution of the chord and twist angle of the blade are determined. According to the shape parameters of the blade, a method to set up the 3D model is presented by investigating the coordinate position of each section of the blade. Based on the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) molding technology, the manufacturing process of wind turbine blade is put forward. Using fiber reinforced polymer, the wind turbine blades are manufactured by the mold making and layer process. A test platform and method of wind turbine output power are carried out, the output powers at different speeds of the wind turbine are obtained and discussed. The comparison between the designed and one existing wind turbine rotor is completed to show the reliability and superiority of the design and test method presented in this paper.
To improve aerodynamic performance of wind turbine airfoils,the shape profile characteristic of the airfoil is investigated.Application of conformal transformation,one functional and integrated expression of wind turbine airfoils is presented.Using the boundary layer theory,the aerodynamic model with roughness of wind turbine airfoils is introduced by studying flow separation around the airfoil.Based on the shape expression and aerodynamic performance of airfoils,the function design of wind turbine airfoils is carried out that the maximum lift-drag ratio and low roughness sensitivity are designed objects.Three wind turbines airfoils with different thickness are gained which are used at tip part of blades.As an example,the aerodynamic performance of one designed airfoil with relative thickness of 15%is simulated in different conditions of clean surface,rough surface,laminar flow and turbulent flow.The comparison of aerodynamic performance between the designed airfoil and one popular NACA airfoil is completed which can verify the better performance of the designed airfoil and reliability of the designed method.
