Abstract:
A fairing body (12) is formed from at least one reinforcing fibre layer set in a cured resin. An erosion resistant pre-form (14) is fixed to an outer surface of the fairing body. The erosion resistant pre-form comprises a thermoplastic film outer layer (20) fused to a fibre substrate (22). The fibre substrate of the erosion resistant pre-form is impregnated with the cured resin of the fairing body which fixes at the preform to the fairing body.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a tip section for a wind turbine blade. The tip section comprises an intermediary blade section comprising a first shell part forming a first side of the intermediary blade section and a second shell part forming a second side of the intermediary blade section, the intermediary blade section having a leading edge and a trailing edge and extending from an intermediary blade section first end to an intermediary blade section second end; a tip part forming an end of the tip section and having been rigidly attached to the intermediary blade section first end, the tip part having an outer surface comprising a metal area; and a number of one or more superficial metal strips extending along an outer surface of the intermediary blade section. A wind turbine blade with such a tip section and the manufacturing of such a wind turbine blade is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A modular fibre reinforced plastic flange for a structural composite beam which compresses a body formed of a plurality of elongate elements arranged in an array, wherein the dimensions of the body are substantially determined by the number and arrangement of the elongate elements in the array, and a skin member at least partially surrounding the array. Also, a structural composite beam comprising the modular fibre reinforced plastic flange and a shear web connected to the skin member of the modular flange. A method of making the modular flange and beams, and a kit of parts for making the modular flange are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade defining a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. Further, the rotor blade assembly includes at least one structural feature secured within the rotor blade and spaced apart from the trailing edge to define a void between the pressure side, the suction side, and the trailing edge. Moreover, the rotor blade assembly includes an adhesive filling the void between the pressure side, the suction side, and the trailing edge to provide an adhesive connection between the pressure side, the suction side, the trailing edge, and the structural feature(s). In addition, the adhesive contacts the structural feature(s) at an interface and defines a fillet profile.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a wind turbine blade comprising first and second sections (1,2) arranged along the length of the blade. Each section (1,2) comprises an aerodynamic fairing (4) with inner and outer surfaces. The fairing (4) extends across the windward and leeward sides of the blade, and a spar extends between the windward and leeward sides. The spar comprises a shear web (6) with a spar cap (7) at either end positioned between the shear web 6 and the inner surface of the fairing (4). The first and second sections (1,2) meet one another at a joint region, wherein, in the vicinity of the joint region, each section has two recesses in the outer surface of the aerodynamic fairing (4). A first recess is above and a second one below the spar such that in the vicinity of each recess the depth of the spar caps (7) is reduced. The first recesses in the respective segments (1,2) is arranged to align with one another and the second recesses in the respective segments are arranged to align with one another when the first and second sections (1,2) are aligned. A first spar cap bridge (22) is moulded onto the outer surface of the fairing (4) in the first pair of aligned recesses and a second spar cap bridge (22) is moulded onto the outer surface of the fairing (4) in the second pair of aligned recesses.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade (10), comprising the steps of: - placing one or more shell fibre layers (95) on a mould surface of a blade mould (91), - placing a plurality of separately provided preforms (60) directly on the one or more shell fibre layers (95) in a stacked arrangement, - infusing and curing the stacked preform arrangement (51), the one or more shell fibre layers (95) together via a resin in mould cavity of the blade mould (91) to form a wind turbine blade (10) part with a spar cap (50) integrated in a shell part providing part of the aerodynamic shape of the wind turbine blade (10).
Abstract:
A sparcap for a spar structure inside a wind turbine blade is provided. A down conductor element is integrated on a side of the sparcap such that after assembly of the sparcap into the spar structure, the down conductor element extends along an outer corner of the spar structure.
Abstract:
A wind turbine rotor comprising a hub (1) from which a plurality of blades (2) project to a radius of at least 50 metres. Each blade comprising a hollow fairing supported by a central spar. Each blade has a thickness t at a radius r; characterised in that when r = 0.5R, t > 0.3T, where R is the radius of the blade and T is the thickness of the blade at the root end. By being thicker for a greater proportion of the blade, the aerodynamic performance of this part of the blade is worse, but this is more than compensated for as it allows better aerodynamic performance where it matters more, namely at the outer part of the blade. It also allows larger blades to be provided.