On the integration of lightning protection with stealth coated wind turbine blades

In this paper, we consider the problem of reducing the radar cross section of a wind turbine blade through the application of radar absorbing material (RAM). One problem encountered by these techniques is the integration of the RAM solution with the existing lightning protection system, which is mandatory requirement to protect the blade when in operation. A common form of lightning protection is the use of conducting lightning receptors on the surface of the blade. To ensure the protection system is effective, a clearance area around the receptor may be required before any RAM treatment is applied. The size of the clearance area and the number of lightning receptors therefore potentially reduce the effectiveness of the RAM treatment. Design guidelines are given in this paper for a generic 40 m blade geometry. Some modelling results of the radar cross section and Doppler signature from a RAM treated blade are presented, and a comment is also made on the importance the blade edges have in reducing radar effects. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.