Abstract: An adjustable lift regulating device (30, 32, 40, 50, 52, 56, 60, 68, 72, 76) on an inboard portion of a wind turbine blade (28). The lift regulating device is activated to reduce lift on the inboard portion of the blade by causing flow separation (41) on the suction side (22) of the blade. To compensate for the lost lift, the blade pitch is increased to a running pitch that facilitates stalling on the outer portion of the blade in gusts. This provides passive reduction of fatigue and extreme loads from gusts while allowing full power production under non-gust conditions.

Abstract: A method including: curing a casting (18) of a wind turbine blade in a mold (12); and initiating and then stopping a rotation of the mold during the step of curing. By repositioning the mold, a rate of deformation for any given location can be reduced, and previously formed deformations can be decreased in size. In addition, repositioning the mold may be useful to help distribute a curable material (42), such as epoxy resin, throughout a cavity (20) that defines the blade.

Abstract: An aerodynamic slat (30) mounted over a forward suction side (40) of a wind turbine blade (22) and a mechanism (51A-F) that closes or reduces a gap (31) between slat and blade. The slat may pivot to reduce the gap, or the gap may be reduced by a device such as an extendable gate (58), or butterfly plate (59), or damper plate (60). Control logic (64) activates an actuator (70) of the mechanism to close or reduce the gap when wind conditions meet or exceed a predetermined criterion such as a rated wind condition. This reduces wind loading on the blade by separating airflow (53) over the suction side of the blade downstream of the slat. The blades can then maintain a higher angle of attack during rated wind conditions than in the prior art, allowing them to stall in gusts sooner to limit peak aerodynamic loads.

Abstract: A reverse wind load mitigation device (30) is provided for a wind turbine blade (20). The device (30) comprises a hinge member (32) attachable to a trailing edge (26) of a wind turbine blade (20). The separated flow inducer (34) is associated with the hinge member (32) and is configured to pivot about or with the hinge member (32) toward at least one of the surfaces (40, 42) in response to wind (45) traveling from a direction of the trailing edge (28). The separated flow inducer (34) is effective to induce flow separation (50) over at least one of the surfaces (40, 42).

Abstract: An adjustable lift regulating device (30, 32, 40, 50, 52, 56, 60, 68, 72, 76) on an inboard portion of a wind turbine blade (28). The lift regulating device is activated to reduce lift on the inboard portion of the blade by causing flow separation (41) on the suction side (22) of the blade. To compensate for the lost lift, the blade pitch is increased to a running pitch that facilitates stalling on the outer portion of the blade in gusts. This provides passive reduction of fatigue and extreme loads from gusts while allowing full power production under non-gust conditions.

Abstract: A ridge (28) mounted or defined along a trailing edge (22) of an airfoil (20) for noise reduction. Sides (32, 34) of the ridge converge from respective suction and pressure sides (46, 48) of the trailing edge to a peak (30) of the ridge pointing aft. The sides of the ridge may be concave. The ridge may be hollow (42) or have a core (43) of a sound-absorbing material. The sides of the ridge may be perforated (44A, 44B) for pressure equalization across the ridge. The ridge may be covered with bristles (56) or be defined by the tips (58) of bristles (56A, 56B) of varying length. The peak of the ridge and/or at least one corner (64, 66) of the ridge and/or of the trailing edge (46, 48) may be serrated.