Young researchers invent measurement technique for monitoring of wind rotors

In strong wind rotor blades of wind turbines to be prudent "to put passage - the plants could be damaged and break their rotors. Young scientists at the Technical University of Munich have now developed hair-thin sensors to precisely measure of rotor blades, the stress. Wind turbines could thus stiffer breezes hard on the wind remain tiny and immediately report any damage themselves. Their invention, the four young researchers want to start a company. It helps them now Exist research transfer grant from the federal government.

More than 21,000 wind turbines in Germany, and with the development of renewable energy is their number rising. So that the plants can still produce slightly more power than before, will in future optical fiber sensors measure and on the rotor blades, the local impacts of the wind to the power of the wind turbines take full advantage - at least if, after four young scientists from the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Because the fibers, barely thicker than a hair, can determine exactly how and where the material of the rotor blades vibrate tiny stretch or take damage.

These scientists use the glass fibers, such as those used in telecommunications - with one difference: At certain intervals, the glass fibers are processed with lasers, so that at these points one way mirror is created, a fiber Bragg grating. Send the measurement technician now infrared light through the fiber, so it is reflected from the grating. During stretching or compression of the fiber changes the wavelength of reflected light. Since each grating reflects back only a specific wavelength of light to pass unhindered and the other wavelengths can, scientists can measure strains and sprains in many parts of the fiber simultaneously.

Vibration as measured at the rocket launch

The biggest challenge was also high frequencies of vibration and to measure accurately, says Dr. Mathias Muller, one of the four future founder: "In various projects we have developed the sensor technology. As we have so far optimized had Metrology ours, that we measure could vibrations which, as an Ariane rocket at the start resulting in, that was the breakthrough for our dynamic measurement method. "Together with the physicist Thorbjorn Buck, he has two and a half years at the technology worked, founding a company to have joined the computer Rolf Wojtech and Industrial Engineering Dr. Lars Hoffmann.

Hoffmann look next to the wind turbines, further applications for the new sensor, such as airplanes or cars - are also made of fiber-reinforced plastics - such as wind turbine rotors. The industrial engineer explained: "The modern metal processing can look back on 200 years of experience. Fiber-reinforced plastics are used, however only 20 years to a greater extent. "Our equipment will help expand the application potential of these new materials significantly. "

Exist-transfer is a research funding program of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and supports outstanding research-based start-up projects, and the risky development work connected with consuming. In the first phase, research results, which have the potential to be the basis of establishing a business, developed, so that the basic technical feasibility of the product idea can be ensured and a foundation. In the second phase are the start of business and securing external funding following the company's focus.

Source: Technical University Munich