Analysis of the Design Parameters of a Climbing Robot for Wind Turbine Towers Inspection

Abstract

Wind energy is becoming one of the rising sources of energy with the global shift towards renewable and clean energy. One of the challenges of wind energy is the periodic inspection of wind turbines. Given the high safety hazard of performing this process by technicians, this paper addresses the analysis of design parameters of a climbing robot purposed for inspection of wind turbines that can be controlled remotely to reduce the necessity of having personnel in critical safety conditions. The preliminary design analysis enables the robot to climb the wind turbine tower by means of four wheels and adhesion force provided through the tension of two ropes or screw, each driven by a stepper motor. A study of the acting forces and the required components was performed. The weight of the proposed prototype would weigh around 9 Kg, about 15% of which could be allocated for testing equipment; for example, ultra-sonic transducers as well as the controller that controls the system and be controlled remotely.