Abstract:
Joints for connecting a first blade segment to a second blade segment of a wind turbine rotor blade include a first bolt comprising a first proximal end connected to the first blade segment and a first distal end connected to the second blade segment, a second bolt comprising a second proximal end connected to the first blade segment and a second distal end connected to the second blade segment, and a third bolt comprising a third proximal end connected to the first blade segment and a third distal end connected to the third blade segment. At least two of the first bolt, the second bolt and the third bolt differ in size, and a first distance between the first bolt and the second bolt is different than a second distance between the second bolt and the third bolt.
Abstract:
Methods for forming rotor blades, rotor blade mold assemblies, and cores for rotor blade mold assemblies are disclosed. A method includes providing a first shell substrate on a first mold, providing a generally hollow core on the first shell substrate, providing a second shell substrate on the generally hollow core, and providing a second mold on the second shell substrate. The method further includes flowing a resin into a mold interior defined between the first mold and the second mold.
Abstract:
The present subject matter is directed to a rotor blade assembly having a rotor blade with a blade tip segment having a blade tip and a blade root segment having a blade root. The blade segments extend in opposite directions from a chord-wise joint. The blade tip segment includes a beam structure extending lengthways that structurally connects with the blade root segment via a receiving section. The assembly also includes a plurality of first bolt joints located at a first end of the beam structure for connecting with the receiving section of the blade root segment. The assembly also includes a lightning protection system with at least one lightning receptor coupled to a lightning receptor cable. The lightning receptor cable is routed from the blade tip to each of the plurality of first bolt joints and to the blade root.
Abstract:
A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine includes a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. A generally cylindrical blade root section has a flush root end configured to attach the rotor blade assembly to a hub. A plurality of span-wise extending root inserts are disposed around and molded into the cylindrical blade root section, with each root insert having an end face and defining an internally threaded bore configured for receipt of a bolt member for attaching the rotor blade assembly to the hub. A metallic flange is disposed at an end of one of the root inserts. The metallic flange is flush with the end faces of adjacent root inserts such that the metallic flange and end faces of the root inserts lie in a common flush plane of the root end.
Abstract:
Methods for forming rotor blades, rotor blade mold assemblies, and cores for rotor blade mold assemblies are disclosed. A method includes providing a first shell substrate on a first mold, providing a generally hollow core on the first shell substrate, providing a second shell substrate on the generally hollow core, and providing a second mold on the second shell substrate. The method further includes flowing a resin into a mold interior defined between the first mold and the second mold.
Abstract:
Aerodynamic root adapters for rotor blades include an interior support section having a first end that connects to a root end of the rotor blade and a second end that connects to a rotor hub of the wind turbine, and, an aerodynamic exterior section supported by the interior support section. The aerodynamic exterior section thereby extends an aerodynamic profile of the rotor blade beyond the root end of the rotor blade to at least partially between the root end of the rotor blade and the rotor hub when the aerodynamic root adapter is connected thereto.