Wind turbine blade with lightning receptor and method for protecting the surface of a wind turbine blade

Solicitante: OLSEN KAJ

N. de publicación: US2012243997

The inventive wind turbine blade comprises at least one lightning receptor. At least part of the surface of the wind turbine blade close to the lightning receptor is covered by a protective layer comprising electrical and thermal insulating material. The protective layer protects the surface of the wind turbine blade close to the lightning receptor against the temperature increase resulting from lightning impact. Advantageously this can be achieved by covering the surface by a layer of a material which combines high resistance to thermal damage with good electrical insulation properties.

Preferably the protective layer can have a resistance to thermal damage up to a temperature of at least 200° C. The protective layer may especially comprise a ceramic or a polymer. For example, the protective layer can comprise polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE or Teflon). PTFE is a polymer which has a low thermal conductivity and which is therefore suited for a thermal protection. It has excellent dielectric properties, even at elevated temperatures, especially up to 300° C. Moreover, it has a good resistance to arcing. This reduces the risk that lighting strikes through the laminate surface instead of impacting the receptor.
Si desea obtener más información sobre este contenido contacte con nuestro Centro de DocumentaciónSolicitante: OLSEN KAJ

N. de publicación: US2012243997

The inventive wind turbine blade comprises at least one lightning receptor. At least part of the surface of the wind turbine blade close to the lightning receptor is covered by a protective layer comprising electrical and thermal insulating material. The protective layer protects the surface of the wind turbine blade close to the lightning receptor against the temperature increase resulting from lightning impact. Advantageously this can be achieved by covering the surface by a layer of a material which combines high resistance to thermal damage with good electrical insulation properties.

Preferably the protective layer can have a resistance to thermal damage up to a temperature of at least 200° C. The protective layer may especially comprise a ceramic or a polymer. For example, the protective layer can comprise polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE or Teflon). PTFE is a polymer which has a low thermal conductivity and which is therefore suited for a thermal protection. It has excellent dielectric properties, even at elevated temperatures, especially up to 300° C. Moreover, it has a good resistance to arcing. This reduces the risk that lighting strikes through the laminate surface instead of impacting the receptor.
Si desea obtener más información sobre este contenido contacte con nuestro Centro de Documentación