An experimental study on wind-induced torsional aerodynamic instability of single-axis trackers under all wind directions

Aiming at the problem of wind-induced torsional aerodynamic instability of single-axis trackers, this study used a full aeroelastic model, and reproduced the phenomenon of torsional aerodynamic instability of the single-axis tracker in a wind tunnel test. Through the analysis of torsional response and the critical wind speed, the vibration characteristics of the single-axis trackers were clarified. The results show that torsional aerodynamic instability occurs in the tilt angle range of -45 °C - 45 °C and the critical wind speed is higher in tilt angle of 0 °C, when the module is placed horizontally, than that in the other tilt angles. Damping has little effect on the critical wind speed at small tilt angles, and increasing damping at large tilt angle can increase the critical wind speed. With the increase of the angle between the incoming flow and the normal direction of the single-axis tracker ( wind direction ), the critical wind speed gradually increases. The vibration of the wake end of the single-axis tracker under oblique wind is more severe than that of the windward. © 2024 Chinese Vibration Engineering Society. All rights reserved.