Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having a blade root section and a rigid ring insert. The rotor blade has pressure and suction sides extending between leading and trailing edges. The blade root section includes an end face configured to attach the rotor blade assembly to a hub. Further, the blade root section includes a span-wise end portion defined by inner and outer circumferential components separated by a radial gap. The radial gap includes a first laminate material embedded between the inner and outer circumferential components at a first span-wise depth and a second laminate material embedded between the inner and outer circumferential components at a second span-wise depth. Thus, the rigid ring insert is disposed in the radial gap and embedded between the first and second laminate materials.
Abstract:
A method for controlling a wind farm includes: receiving temperature data associated with a plurality of locations along a sound path between the wind farm and a sound immission point from one or more sensors; estimating a propagation characteristic of the sound path based at least in part on the temperature data; predicting a noise level at the sound immission point based at least in part on the propagation characteristic; determining a control signal for one or more wind turbines in the wind farm based at least in part on the noise level; and using the control signal to control the one or more wind turbines.
Abstract:
The present subject matter is directed to a spacer assembly for a bearing of a wind turbine and/or a bearing assembly for a wind turbine. The bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race, a plurality of roller elements positioned between the inner and outer race, and a plurality of load-bearing spacers configured between the roller elements. Each of the spacers includes a spacer portion and an extension portion. Thus, each of the spacers is arranged to contact adjacent spacers within the bearing assembly via the extension portion such that the extension portions of the spacers are configured to transfer loads experienced by the bearing assembly rather than the loads passing through the roller elements.
Abstract:
A spacer assembly for a bearing of a wind turbine and/or a bearing assembly for a wind turbine is provided. The bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race, a plurality of roller elements positioned between the inner and outer race, and a plurality of load-bearing spacers configured between the roller elements. Each of the spacers includes a spacer portion and an extension portion. Thus, each of the spacers is arranged to contact adjacent spacers within the bearing assembly via the extension portion such that the extension portions of the spacers are configured to transfer loads experienced by the bearing assembly rather than the loads passing through the roller elements.
Abstract:
A connection assembly for a tower of a wind turbine is provided. The connection assembly includes a first tower section segment having an inner surface spaced apart from an outer surface. A second tower section segment is positioned adjacent to the first tower section segment and includes an inner surface spaced apart from an outer surface. The first tower section segment and the second tower section segment define a vertically extending gap therebetween. A connector plate includes a first connector plate portion, a second connector plate portion spaced apart from the first connector plate portion, and a third connector plate portion positioned between the first connector plate portion and the second connector plate portion. The first connector plate portion couples to the first tower section segment. The second connector plate portion couples to the second tower section segment. The third connector plate portion extends through the vertically extending gap.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a pitch assembly for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine. In one embodiment, the pitch assembly includes a first pitch bearing having a first outer race and a first inner race rotatable relative to the first outer race via a first set of rolling elements, a second pitch bearing having a second outer race and a second inner race rotatable relative to the second outer race via a second set of rolling elements, and at least one spacer configured axially between and contacting the first and second pitch bearings. Further, at least a portion of the first pitch bearing and at least a portion of the second pitch bearing are axially aligned between the rotatable hub and the rotor blade in a generally span-wise direction.
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:
The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having a blade root section and a rigid ring insert. The rotor blade has pressure and suction sides extending between leading and trailing edges. The blade root section includes an end face configured to attach the rotor blade assembly to a hub. Further, the blade root section includes a span-wise end portion defined by inner and outer circumferential components separated by a radial gap. The radial gap includes a first laminate material embedded between the inner and outer circumferential components at a first span-wise depth and a second laminate material embedded between the inner and outer circumferential components at a second span-wise depth. Thus, the rigid ring insert is disposed in the radial gap and embedded between the first and second laminate materials.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a pitch assembly for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine. In one embodiment, the pitch assembly includes a first pitch bearing having a first outer race and a first inner race rotatable relative to the first outer race via a first set of rolling elements, a second pitch bearing having a second outer race and a second inner race rotatable relative to the second outer race via a second set of rolling elements, and at least one spacer configured axially between and contacting the first and second pitch bearings. Further, at least a portion of the first pitch bearing and at least a portion of the second pitch bearing are axially aligned between the rotatable hub and the rotor blade in a generally span-wise direction.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade extending from a blade root to a blade tip. The rotor blade has a pressure side surface and a suction side surface. The pressure side surface and the suction side surface each extend between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The assembly also includes a blade root extension configured to attach to one of the pressure side surface or the suction side surface of the rotor blade adjacent to the blade root. The blade root extension includes at least one blade fence and at least one airflow modifying element. The blade fence extends between a proximal end and a distal end in a chord-wise direction. The proximal end is configured to attach to the rotor blade such that the distal end remains free and spaced apart from the rotor blade. The airflow modifying element is configured at the proximal end of the blade fence. As such, the blade root extension is configured to improve aerodynamic performance of the rotor blade.