Wind Turbine Blade Monitoring Posted in: Displacement Measurement – Tags: Energy and Hydropower
Last Updated: March 20, 2023
Displacement Measurement for Wind Turbine Blade Monitoring
Laser Rangefinders Measure Wind Displacement from Turbine Blades
Although sometimes considered beautiful and serene from a distance, wind turbines are tremendous mechanical marvels. The towers stand over 100 meters high and a single blade may be upwards of 40 meters in length. When the turbine blades rotate, the tips of the blades move as fast as 90 m/sec (200 mi/hr).
Turbine engineers often want to remotely monitor components and gain data on their wind turbine blade monitoring from a distance. The monitoring of blade tip displacement is an important metric and it requires laser sensors that allows measurements away from the danger of the moving blades and one fast enough to “see” a fast moving blade tip. The Acuity AR2500 laser sensor supports measurement frequencies of 30 KHz and can measure a distance reading every 3 mm for the blade tip moving at 90 m/sec. Displacements of the turbine blade might be as much as several meters in strong winds. Using triangulation or time-of-flight principles, laser sensors can measure the distance of a surface from the laser source. Detections can be used for bolt loosening, ice build-up, misalignment, or potential material loss on the blade.
Related Products
AS1100 Long Distance Sensor
The Acuity AS1100 Long Distance Sensor can measure up to 100 meters on natural targets and up to 150 meters away with an Acuity reflective plate with an accuracy of ± 3 mm. This rugged sensor is built for versatile environments and is often used in applications that involve measurements on hot materials.
AS2100 Accurate Distance Sensor
The AS2100 is a highly accurate laser distance sensor that is designed to work well outdoors, in bright lights, and even on difficult targets such as hot or dark surfaces. With the ability to take accurate measurements (± 1 mm) from distances up to 500 meters away, and a measurement frequency of up to 250 Hz, it is the perfect laser for a wide range of applications.
AR2700 High-Speed Long Range Sensor
Acuity Laser’s ultra-compact rangefinder model. This eye-safe rangefinder has a measurement frequency of up to 40 kHz and can measure distances to natural targets up to 70 meters away or to retroreflective targets 270 meters away. This laser is best for applications that demand high sampling rates.
AS1100 Long Distance Sensor
The Acuity AS1100 Long Distance Sensor can measure up to 100 meters on natural targets and up to 150 meters away with an Acuity reflective plate with an accuracy of ± 3 mm. This rugged sensor is built for versatile environments and is often used in applications that involve measurements on hot materials.
AS2100 Accurate Distance Sensor
The AS2100 is a highly accurate laser distance sensor that is designed to work well outdoors, in bright lights, and even on difficult targets such as hot or dark surfaces. With the ability to take accurate measurements (± 1 mm) from distances up to 500 meters away, and a measurement frequency of up to 250 Hz, it is the perfect laser for a wide range of applications.
AR2700 High-Speed Long Range Sensor
Acuity Laser’s ultra-compact rangefinder model. This eye-safe rangefinder has a measurement frequency of up to 40 kHz and can measure distances to natural targets up to 70 meters away or to retroreflective targets 270 meters away. This laser is best for applications that demand high sampling rates.
Sarah has been our technical support and sales engineer for 5+ years. If you've ever reached out to Acuity Laser for tech support, more than likely, Sarah is the one who helped you.