Abstract: An active flow control system for use with a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes at least one blade. The active flow control system includes an air distribution system at least partially defined within said at least one blade. The air distribution system includes at least one aperture defined through the at least one blade. An aperture control system is in operational control communication with the air distribution system. The aperture control system includes an actuator at least partially positioned within the at least one blade and configured to control a flow of air discharged through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A method of assembling an air distribution system for use in a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The rotor blade includes a sidewall at least partially defining a cavity extending from a blade root towards a blade tip. The method includes positioning at least a portion of a manifold within the cavity and coupling the manifold to the sidewall. The manifold extends from the blade root towards the blade tip and has a root end and an opposing tip end. A passage is defined from the root end to the tip end. A flow control device is coupled to the manifold root end and configured to channel air through the manifold. A bypass flow assembly is coupled to the manifold and configured to channel air through the air distribution system with the flow control device in a non-operating configuration.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine having at least one rotor blade and an active flow control (AFC) system is provided. The at least one rotor blade has at least one aperture defined through a surface thereof, and the AFC system is configured to modify aerodynamic properties of the rotor blade by ejecting gas through the aperture. The method includes operating the wind turbine in a normal mode, determining whether an estimated insect density value surrounding the wind turbine is above an insect density threshold value based on a measured environmental condition, and changing a mode of the wind turbine from the normal mode to a cleaning mode different than the normal mode based on the estimated insect density value. The cleaning mode includes adjusting at least one operation parameter of the wind turbine based on the estimated insect density value such that fouling of the aperture is reduced.

Abstract: A method of assembling an air distribution system for use in a rotor blade of a wind turbine wherein the rotor blade includes a sidewall extending from a blade root towards a blade tip. The method includes coupling a manifold to the sidewall, wherein the manifold extends from the blade root towards the blade tip and has a root end and an opposing tip end defining a passage from the root end to the tip end. A plurality of apertures is defined through the sidewall. The apertures provide flow communication between the passage and ambient air. A debris collector is coupled to the tip end of the manifold and is configured to collect debris flowing through the air distribution system.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine that includes a flow control system includes operating the wind turbine in a first mode, operating the wind turbine in a second mode that is different than the first mode, acquiring operational data of the wind turbine during at least the second mode, determining an effectiveness of the flow control system using the acquired operational data, and performing an action based on the effectiveness of the flow control system.

Abstract: A method for optimizing energy production in a wind turbine includes pitching a plurality of rotor blades to a full operational angle, and utilizing an active flow control device in accordance with a generator speed and a rotor blade pitch setting to facilitate maintaining a predetermined generator rated power level.

Abstract: An active flow control system for manipulating a boundary layer of air across a wind turbine rotor blade. The wind turbine rotor blade has at least one sidewall defining a cavity therein. The sidewall extends between a leading edge and an axially spaced trailing edge. The active flow control system includes an air discharge assembly that is coupled to the sidewall. The air discharge assembly is configured to selectively discharge air from within the wind turbine rotor blade into the boundary layer. An air suction assembly is coupled to the sidewall and to the air discharge assembly. The air suction assembly is configured to channel air from the boundary layer to the air discharge assembly.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine includes operatively coupling a fluid container within the wind turbine. The fluid container is in flow communication with an air distribution system at least partially defined within a blade of the wind turbine. The method further includes channeling a fluid from the fluid container into the air distribution system, and discharging the fluid from the air distribution system through at least one aperture of the air distribution system defined through an outer surface of the blade to facilitate removing debris from the air distribution system.

Abstract: An active flow control system for use with a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes at least one blade. The active flow control system includes an air distribution system at least partially defined within said at least one blade. The air distribution system includes at least one aperture defined through the at least one blade. An aperture control system is in operational control communication with the air distribution system. The aperture control system includes an actuator at least partially positioned within the at least one blade and configured to control a flow of air discharged through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A control system for use with a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a rotor, a blade coupled to the rotor, a sensor configured to obtain a measurement of the wind turbine, and an active flow control system at least partially defined within the blade. The control system is configured to operate the active flow control system in a first mode, receive a signal from the sensor indicating a load imbalance on the rotor, and change an operation of the active flow control system from the first mode to a second mode based on the signal. The second mode is configured to reduce the load imbalance on the rotor.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine having at least one rotor blade and an active flow control (AFC) system is provided. The at least one rotor blade has at least one aperture defined through a surface thereof, and the AFC system is configured to modify aerodynamic properties of the rotor blade by ejecting gas through the aperture. The method includes operating the wind turbine in a normal mode, determining whether an estimated insect density value surrounding the wind turbine is above an insect density threshold value based on a measured environmental condition, and changing a mode of the wind turbine from the normal mode to a cleaning mode different than the normal mode based on the estimated insect density value. The cleaning mode includes adjusting at least one operation parameter of the wind turbine based on the estimated insect density value such that fouling of the aperture is reduced.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine has at least one rotor blade and an active flow control (AFC) system. The at least one rotor blade has at least one aperture defined through a surface thereof, and the AFC system is configured to modify aerodynamic properties of the at least one rotor blade by ejecting gas through the at least one aperture. The method includes operating the wind turbine in a first mode, determining an environmental condition surrounding the wind turbine indicative of fouling of the AFC system, and operating the wind turbine in a second mode different than the first mode based on the environmental condition. The second mode facilitates reducing fouling of the AFC system.

Abstract: A method performed by a control system for operating a wind turbine includes operating a flow control system of the wind turbine in a first mode, and operating the flow control system in a second mode different than the first mode to facilitate removing debris from the flow control system. The second mode includes varying at least one of a velocity, a flow rate, and a direction of a fluid flow of the flow control system.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a plurality of rotor blades for converting wind energy to rotational energy. The rotor blades have winglets that are configurable. A sensor senses a parameter and generates a sensed signal indicative of the parameter. A processor receives the sensed signal for generates an actuator signal in response thereto. An actuator is associated with each of the winglets for configuring the winglets in response to the actuator signal.

Abstract: An active flow control system for manipulating a boundary layer of air across a wind turbine rotor blade. The wind turbine rotor blade has at least one sidewall defining a cavity therein. The sidewall extends between a leading edge and an axially spaced trailing edge. The active flow control system includes an air discharge assembly that is coupled to the sidewall. The air discharge assembly is configured to selectively discharge air from within the wind turbine rotor blade into the boundary layer. An air suction assembly is coupled to the sidewall and to the air discharge assembly. The air suction assembly is configured to channel air from the boundary layer to the air discharge assembly.

Abstract: A method of assembling an air distribution system for use in a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The rotor blade includes a sidewall at least partially defining a cavity extending from a blade root towards a blade tip. The method includes positioning at least a portion of a manifold within the cavity and coupling the manifold to the sidewall. The manifold extends from the blade root towards the blade tip and has a root end and an opposing tip end. A passage is defined from the root end to the tip end. A flow control device is coupled to the manifold root end and configured to channel air through the manifold. A bypass flow assembly is coupled to the manifold and configured to channel air through the air distribution system with the flow control device in a non-operating configuration.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade system having a blade rotatably attached to a rotor of a wind turbine. The system further includes a controller and one or more openings disposed along at least one surface of the blade and a fluid moving device arranged and disposed to provide a fluid to or from the one or more openings. A controlled amount of the fluid is provided to the one or more openings. The amount of fluid is determined by the controller. A wind turbine and a method for operating a wind turbine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of assembling an air distribution system for use in a rotor blade of a wind turbine wherein the rotor blade includes a sidewall extending from a blade root towards a blade tip. The method includes coupling a manifold to the sidewall, wherein the manifold extends from the blade root towards the blade tip and has a root end and an opposing tip end defining a passage from the root end to the tip end. A plurality of apertures is defined through the sidewall. The apertures provide flow communication between the passage and ambient air. A debris collector is coupled to the tip end of the manifold and is configured to collect debris flowing through the air distribution system.

Abstract: An active flow control (AFC) system for use with a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes at least one rotor blade. The AFC system includes at least two manifolds at least partially defined within the at least one rotor blade, at least one aperture in flow communication with each manifold of the at least two manifolds, a gas supply coupled in flow communication with the at least two manifolds, and a valve system operatively coupled to the gas supply. The valve system is configured to block a gas flow to a first manifold of the at least two manifolds to redistribute the gas flow to a second manifold of the at least two manifolds.

Abstract: An active flow control (AFC) system for use with a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes at least one rotor blade having at least one manifold extending at least partially therethrough and at least one aperture defined through a surface of the at least one rotor blade. The at least one aperture is in flow communication with the at least one manifold. The AFC system includes an air intake duct configured to draw ambient air into the wind turbine, a self-cleaning air filter coupled in flow communication with the air intake duct and configured to filter the ambient air, and an AFC distribution system configured to eject the filtered air through the at least one aperture.