Measuring the Torque and Thrust Loading on the Blades of a Small Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Operating in Highly Turbulent Flow Regimes

Abstract

This paper outlines the development of a novel instrumented system that allows the mechanical separation and measurement of the torque and thrust loads on the individual blades of a small two-bladed horizontal axis wind turbine. The siting of small wind turbine systems in the built environment is often accompanied by highly turbulent and unsteady wind conditions, with the consequence of diminished turbine performance, and reduced turbine fatigue life. The measured individual blade torque and thrust loads presented in this paper suggest significant dynamic loading effects experienced by blades of the turbine operating in turbulent, unsteady wind conditions. Further development of a comprehensive turbine instrument suite will provide a significant insight to the behavior and characteristics of small wind turbines in the built environment.