Patents Assigned to LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
  • Patent number: 9651028
    Abstract: A system and method of mounting a wind turbine blade is described, designed to aid in the guiding and alignment of wind turbine blade roots with hub-side components, e.g. a blade pitch system. Furthermore, the system is operable to reduce the effect of blade root ovalization. At least one circular collar is provided which can bear against at least a section of the mounting elements, e.g. blade root bushings, projecting from the root end of a wind turbine blade. The collar acts to absorb the forces pushing the blade root towards an oval shape, thereby providing for improved handling of blade root ovalization and ensuring accurate radial alignment of mounting elements, e.g. stay bolt bores and blade root bushings. Such an improved alignment system reduces the likelihood of bolt failure as a result of component misalignments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: LM WP PATENT HOLDINGS A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Møller
  • Patent number: 9617974
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade is described having noise reduction features. The blade has a plurality of projecting serrations provided at the blade trailing edge to reduce the scattering noise produced during operation of the blade, wherein the serrations have a plurality of through-going apertures defined in the serration body. The apertures act to provide a pressure equalization effect at the serrations between the suction and pressure sides. This pressure equalization provides for improved noise reduction performance, as well as a reduction in mechanical stresses and strains which may be experienced by the serrations, increasing serration lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: LM WP Patent Holding A/S
    Inventor: Ashish Singh
  • Patent number: 9610739
    Abstract: A repair solution for a wind turbine blade is described. The repair solution includes the application of a layer of viscous coating material to the section of the blade to be repaired, which is cured to form a repaired surface. The layer of viscous coating material may be temporarily covered during the curing process using a film of Low Surface Energy material, to prevent defects in the repaired surface from dust, insects, etc. Additionally or alternatively, a temporary shield may be erected adjacent the curing layer of coating material, to allow for the control of the temperature and/or humidity levels of the region adjacent the curing material, to provide for more effective control of the curing process and to allow for repairs to be carried out for a wider process window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Michael Drachmann Haag, Martin Dahl
  • Patent number: 9599094
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aerodynamic shell part for a wind turbine blade is described. The aerodynamic she part comprises a recess for arrangement and connection of a spar cap within said recess. The method comprising the steps of: a) providing a first mold part having a first forming surface that defines a part of an exterior of the aerodynamic shell part, b) laying up fiber-reinforcement material and optionally also sandwich core material in the first mold on the first forming surface, c) arranging one or more inserts having an exterior shape corresponding to at least sides of the recess of the aerodynamic shell part, d) supplying resin to said fiber-reinforcement material and optional sandwich core material, e) curing or preconsolidating the resin, and f) removing the one or more inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Martin Dahl, Lars Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9574457
    Abstract: Method and blade monitoring system for monitoring bending moment of a wind turbine blade. The method comprises obtaining a first sensor set signal indicative of a first bending moment at a first sensor position different from the tip end along the longitudinal axis of the wind turbine blade, and estimating a bending moment at a first estimation position along the longitudinal axis based on the first sensor set signal, wherein the first sensor position is different from the first estimation position along the longitudinal axis. The blade monitoring system comprises a processing unit and an interface connected to the processing unit, the processing unit being configured for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: LM WP PATENT HOLDINGS A/S
    Inventor: Casper Skovby
  • Patent number: 9551317
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade for a wind turbine is a shell structure of a fiber-reinforced composite and comprises a root region and an airfoil region. The root region has a ring-shaped cross section and comprises a plurality of elongated bushings 7 with an inner thread 22 and embedded interspaced in the fiber-reinforced polymer so as to substantially follow the circumference of the root region and allow access from the outside to the inner threads. Each fastening member 7 is provided with a notch 60? in the periphery 11 thereof. A rod-shaped locking element 61 passes through the notch 60? in engagement therewith. The locking element 61 is fixedly and tightly fitting arranged in a through-going circular bore 65 extending through the wall of the root region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: LM WP PATENTS HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Martin Dahl
  • Patent number: 9539759
    Abstract: A blade support cradle is described, which can be used to support a section of a wind turbine blade using an array of vacuum clamps. The cradle provides a secure and reliable system for the support of a blade section during and after blade manufacture, allowing for various operations to be easily carried out on the surface of the blade section. A method for receiving a blade section in the cradle is further described. In addition, the cradle may be used as part of a blade post-molding station in a method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Bernard Willem De Waal Malefijt, Rasmus Duegaard Jensen
  • Publication number: 20170001387
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a portion of a wind turbine blade is described. The method comprising the steps of: laying up a primary fibre material in a mould; infusing said primary fibre material with a primary resin; substantially curing said primary resin in said primary fibre material to form a cured blade element; laying up a secondary fibre material on top of at least a portion of said cured blade element; infusing said secondary fibre material with a secondary resin different to said primary resin, wherein said secondary resin has a higher strength level than said primary resin; and curing said secondary resin in said secondary fibre material to form an integrated reinforced section on said cured blade element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: LM WP Patent Holdings A/S
    Inventors: Rasmus C OSTERGAARD, Lars NIELSEN, Klavs JESPERSEN
  • Publication number: 20160341178
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade having a transition between two reinforcement fibre types is described. A gradual transition is provided by a combined double-tapered thickness section with first type reinforcement fibres sandwiched between second type reinforcement fibres or vice versa. The double-tapering is provided during layup and that the reinforcement material is impregnated with a polymer resin and then cured or hardened so that the two types of reinforcement fibres are embedded in a common polymer matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: LM WP Patent Holding A/S
    Inventors: Jeppe Bjorn JORGENSEN, Casper KILDEGAARD, Klavs JESPERSEN
  • Patent number: 9399983
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade extending along a longitudinal axis from a root end to a tip end and in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane having a main axis extending through an elastic center point, wherein the wind turbine blade comprises a sensor system including a first sensor set for measuring a first bending moment in a first sensor position at a first distance from the root end, the first sensor set comprising a first primary sensor for measuring a primary component and a first secondary sensor for measuring a secondary component, wherein a first primary sensor axis in the transverse plane is oriented in a direction defined by the first primary sensor and the elastic center point, and a first secondary sensor axis in the transverse plane is oriented in a direction defined by the first secondary sensor and the elastic center point, and wherein an angle between the first primary sensor axis and the first secondary sensor axis is in the range from 50° to 130°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Torben Lindby, Ivan Engmark Mortensen
  • Patent number: 9358996
    Abstract: A blade cart for a wind turbine blade for use during the manufacturing of such a blade is described. The cart presents an adjustable and adaptable support for the tip end of a blade after the blade is removed from the mold. The cart is rotatable, and comprises selectively actuatable and/or removable support surfaces to provided easy access to the surfaces of the molded blade for the performance of post-molding operations, e.g. blade surface grinding, coating, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Jacobus Van Der Zee
  • Publication number: 20150300314
    Abstract: A transportation and storage system for at least two wind turbine blades include a first wind turbine blade and a second wind turbine blade is described. The wind turbine blades each have a root end and a tip end. The system includes a packaging system adapted to place the first wind turbine blade so that the tip end of the first wind turbine blade points in a first direction, with the tip end of the second wind turbine blade pointing in a second direction, which is substantially opposite to the first direction. The tip end of the second wind turbine blade extends beyond the root end of the first wind turbine blade, and the tip end of the first wind turbine blade extends beyond the root end of the second wind turbine blade, when the first and the second wind turbine blades are arranged in the packaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Jacobus VAN DER ZEE, Anders NIELSEN, Kenth SKIPPER-MORTENSEN
  • Publication number: 20150292522
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the operational noise of a blunt trailing edge of a wind turbine blade is described. The system involves increasing the trailing edge solid angle at the blade trailing edge by providing a wedge element or projection adjacent the trailing edge of the blade, the wedge element acting to provide improved mixing of the suction side and pressure side flows at the blunt trailing edge, thereby reducing the strength of vortex shedding at the trailing edge and the associated operational noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Ashish Singh, Ganesh Ramanathan, Jitendra Bijlani, Naveen Parihar
  • Publication number: 20150285216
    Abstract: A transportation and storage system for at least two wind turbine blades and comprising a first wind turbine blade and a second wind turbine blade is described. The wind turbine blades each having a root end and a tip end, said system comprising a packaging system that is adapted to placing the first wind turbine blade so that the tip end of the first wind turbine blade points in a first direction, and placing the second wind turbine blade so that the tip end of the second wind turbine blade points in a second direction, which is substantially opposite to the first direction. The tip end of the second wind turbine blade extends beyond the root end of the first wind turbine blade, and the tip end of the first wind turbine blade extends beyond the root end of the second wind turbine blade, when the first and the second wind turbine blades are arranged in the packaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Jacobus Van Der Zee
  • Patent number: 8983243
    Abstract: Wind turbine blade comprising a sensor system with an optical path comprising a first optical sensor fiber, a second optical sensor fiber and a patch optical fiber, the first optical sensor fiber including a first core with a first core diameter wherein the first optical sensor fiber extends from a first end to a second end and comprising at least one sensor, the second optical sensor fiber including a second core with a second core diameter, wherein the second optical sensor fiber extends from a first end to a second end and comprising at least one sensor, the patch optical fiber including a patch core with a patch core diameter, wherein the patch optical fiber extends from a first end to a second end and connects the first optical sensor fiber and the second optical sensor fiber, wherein the first core diameter is the same as the patch core diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: LM WP Patent Holding A/S
    Inventors: Morten Philipsen, Lars Erik Jensen
  • Publication number: 20140286784
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade is described having noise reduction features. The blade has a plurality of projecting serrations provided at the blade trailing edge to reduce the scattering noise produced during operation of the blade, wherein the serrations have a plurality of through-going apertures defined in the serration body. The apertures act to provide a pressure equalisation effect at the serrations between the suction and pressure sides. This pressure equalisation provides for improved noise reduction performance, as well as a reduction in mechanical stresses and strains which may be experienced by the serrations, increasing serration lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Ashish Singh
  • Publication number: 20140271190
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade is described having a lightning protection system wherein a lightning down conductor is conductively coupled to at least one blade root bushing provided at the root end of the blade. The use of the blade root bushing as part of the conductive path of the lightning protection system allows for a structurally sound and reliable connection of an internal down conductor to an external lightning protection system and/or to a suitable ground connection at the blade root end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: LM WP Patent Holding A/S
    Inventor: Lars Bo Hansen
  • Publication number: 20140241880
    Abstract: A method of retrofitting vortex generators on a wind turbine blade is disclosed, the wind turbine blade being mounted on a wind turbine hub and extending in a longitudinal direction and having a tip end and a root end, the wind turbine blade further comprising a profiled contour including a pressure side and a suction side, as well as a leading edge and a trailing edge with a chord having a chord length extending there between, the profiled contour, when being impacted by an incident airflow, generating a lift. The method comprises identifying a separation line on the suction side of the wind turbine blade, and mounting one or more vortex panels including a first vortex panel comprising at least one vortex generator on the suction side of the wind turbine blade between the separation line and the leading edge of the wind turbine blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Jesper Madsen
  • Publication number: 20140241896
    Abstract: The wind turbine blade (1) includes a structure made of a fibre reinforced polymer material including a polymer matrix and fibre reinforcement material embedded in the polymer matrix. The fibre reinforcement material includes carbon fibres that have been produced by carbonisation of a precursor to a carbonisation degree of 60% to 80%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Wenting Zhang, Morten Olesen, Torben Krogsdal Jacobsen
  • Publication number: 20140227101
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wind turbine blade, in particular a wind turbine blade having devices or structures for reducing noise generated by the wind turbine blade during use and related method. The wind turbine blade comprises at least a first longitudinal section having a cross section perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction, the cross section having a plurality of flow modulating devices including a first primary flow modulating device and a secondary flow modulating device for modulating noise spectra, wherein the first primary flow modulating device and the first secondary flow modulating device are spaced perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. Also disclosed is a method of retrofitting a wind turbine blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Qingshan Yao