Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for reducing electrical arcs caused by lightning strikes in a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The rotor blade includes a lightning protection system with at least one lightning receptor connected to at least one conductor and a conduit assembly. The conduit assembly has one or more conduit members configured to route the conductor of the lightning protection system from a first blade location to a second blade location so as to maximize a distance between the conductor and one or more conductive rotor blade components.
Abstract:
A wind turbine rotor blade assembly and associated method include a rotor blade having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root. An edge extension panel is attached along either of the leading edge or trailing edge (or along both edges) in a generally span-wise direction from adjacent the root towards the tip. The edge extension panels include a cured and hardened viscous material continuous core formed onto the leading or trailing edge with a contoured generally aerodynamic outer surface.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for reducing electrical arcs caused by lightning strikes in a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The rotor blade includes a lightning protection system with at least one lightning receptor connected to at least one conductor and a conduit assembly. The conduit assembly has one or more conduit members configured to route the conductor of the lightning protection system from a first blade location to a second blade location so as to maximize a distance between the conductor and one or more conductive rotor blade components.
Abstract:
A spar assembly for a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The spar assembly includes a first spar cap segment and a second spar cap segment. The first spar cap segment is configured on an interior surface of a first blade segment and the second spar cap segment is configured on an interior surface of a second blade segment. Each spar cap segment includes an end having a joint section that is joinable at a chord-wise joint. Each of the first and second joint sections includes a plurality of holes formed therein. Further, the spar assembly includes a plurality of pins inserted into the plurality of holes of the first and second joint sections to join the first and second blade segments so as to improve stiffness of the rotor blade.
Abstract:
A method for retrofitting a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method may generally include cutting the rotor blade at a specified location in order to form a root segment and a tip segment and positioning a blade insert between the root segment and the tip segment
Abstract:
A rotor blade includes an airfoil having an airfoil shape. The airfoil shape has a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in one of Table I, Table II, Table III, Table IV, Table V, Table VI, Table VII, Table VIII, Table IX, Table X, Table XI, or Table XII. The Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z are non-dimensional values from 0% to 100% convertible to dimensional distances expressed in a unit of distance by multiplying the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z by a scaling factor of the airfoil in the unit of distance. The X and Y values, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each Z value. The airfoil profile sections at Z values are joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
Abstract:
A tool for removal of a bushing (such as a bushing of a variable stator vane assembly of a compressor) is provided. The tool includes a cylindrical housing, a lead screw, a threaded nut, and a pulling module with puller arms to engage the bushing. The housing defines a longitudinal axis along which the lead screw extends. The lead screw is rotatably secured within the cylindrical housing by a threaded nut engaged with the lead screw. The pulling module is removably attached to the threaded nut, such that the lead screw passes through the threaded nut before passing through the pulling module. The pulling module is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed puller arms, and each puller arm is provided with a hook portion having an engagement tab configured to engage a respective notch on the bushing. A method of removing the bushing using the tool is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present subject matter is directed to a wind turbine blade alignment method. A sensor provided on the blade at a blade station with a known twist angle is used to measure an installation angle of the blade station. The installation angle is adjusted if the installation angle measured by the sensor is not equal to the known twist angle. A wind turbine with such a sensor for measuring an installation angle used for blade alignment is also provided.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a lifting device for a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The lifting device includes at least one cradle and a vacuum sealing system configured with the cradle. The cradle has a profile that corresponds to at least one of the exterior surfaces of the rotor blade so as to support at least a portion of the rotor blade. The vacuum sealing system is configured to secure the rotor blade to the cradle as the rotor blade is lifted and/or lowered from a hub mounted atop a tower of the wind turbine.
Abstract:
A blade insert for coupling a first blade segment to a second blade segment is disclosed. The blade insert may generally include an aerodynamic body extending between a forward end configured to be coupled to the first blade segment and an aft end configured to be coupled to the second blade segment. The aerodynamic body may include a top side extending between a forward edge and an aft edge. The top side may define a top scarfed section at its forward edge. The aerodynamic body may further include a bottom side extending between a forward edge and an aft edge. The bottom side may define a bottom scarfed section at its forward edge. Additionally, at least a portion of the forward edge of the top side may be configured to be offset relative to the forward edge of the bottom side.