Blade [time] sensor

The Blade sensor [time series]  can be added by clicking the sensor icon in the blade part, as shown in the following picture:



Another type of blade sensor can be added: the  Blade [Span] sensor


The Blade [Time series]  sensor provides the following fields:

Field Unit Description
Root force (magnitude) kN Magnitude of the reaction force at the root of the blade.
Root moment (magnitude) kNm Magnitude of the reaction moment at the root of the blade.
Root moment (out-of-plane) kNm Moment at the root of the blade around the y-axis. Note that this axis does not pitch with the blades, i.e. it remains unchanged when the blades are pitched.
Root moment (in-plane) kNm Moment at the root of the blade around the x-axis. Note that this axis does not pitch with the blades, i.e. it remains unchanged when the blades are pitched.
Root moment about shaft kNm Moment at the root of the blade around the axis of the shaft. If the cone angle set in theRotor part is 0, this will be equal to the in-plane root moment.
Pitch angle deg The pitch angle of the blade. If the Rotor   Actuator mode   parameter is set to No structural pitch , then the demanded pitch is displayed (and not the structural pitch) .  See the  Pitch actuators  part for more info.
Tip deflection (out-of-plane) m Out-of-plane  displacement of the Blade aerodynamical station  at the tip. Note : Only active (relevant) when the  Analysis  parameter   Rotor model  is set to Flexible . 
Tip deflection (in-plane) m In-plane  displacement of the Blade aerodynamical station  at the tip.  Note : Only active (relevant) when the Analysis  parameter Rotor model  is set to Flexible .
Root torque kNm Bending moment (torque) at the root of the blade around the pitch axis.  Note : Only active (relevant) when the Analysis  parameter Rotor model  is set to Flexible .


The coordinate system associated with the blade is illustrated in the three images below. This is convenient to understand what the directions of application of the In-plane   and Out-of-plane  bending moments. In this coordinate system, the z-axis corresponds to the  Pitch axis . The x-axis is perpendicular to the z-axis and  Out-of-plane . The y-axis completes the cartesian coordinate system and will be  In-plane . 

Note that the coordinate system follows the Pitch axis , so it rotates with tilt and cone angles. However, it does not pitch with the blades. Therefore, the x-axis will always be  Out-of-plane  and the y-axis will always be  In-plane . 



Note on the sign of the root torque : the root torque is the response torque at the root of the blade along the pitch axis, and the positive direction goes from the root to the tip. In the example illustrated by the figure below, we apply a torque at the tip of the blade in the z-direction (corresponding to the pitch axis in this simulation) and positive in the positive z-direction. The response torque will therefore be negative in the z-direction, and the root torque  sensor will have a negative value.