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 stator vane 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: A system and method for mounting a component to an internal web of a wind turbine blade includes, at a first mounting location on the internal web, at least one through-hole defined through the internal web. A bushing is located within the through-hole and is encased within an adhesive applied between the bushing and a wall of the through-hole. A plate is attached to each of the opposite panels of the internal web at the mounting location against an end face of the bushing, with each plate having a hole therein that is aligned with the through-hole. For mounting the component at the mounting location, a bolt is passed completely through the plates and bushing for attachment of a frame of the component to one of the plates.

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 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: 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 rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine has a rotor blade. A strip-member blade accessory is mounted to one of the rotor blade surfaces that stretches under normal operating conditions of the wind turbine. The blade accessory has a base portion. An attachment layer connects the base portion to the rotor blade surface and has a lower shear modulus than the base portion to allow for shear slippage between the base portion and the underlying rotor blade surface.

Abstract: A system and method for mounting a component to an internal web of a wind turbine blade includes, at a first mounting location on the internal web, at least one through-hole defined through the internal web. A bushing is located within the through-hole and is encased within an adhesive applied between the bushing and a wall of the through-hole. A plate is attached to each of the opposite panels of the internal web at the mounting location against an end face of the bushing, with each plate having a hole therein that is aligned with the through-hole. For mounting the component at the mounting location, a bolt is passed completely through the plates and bushing for attachment of a frame of the component to one of the plates.

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 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.

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: A system for installing a blade insert between a root portion and a tip portion of a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The system may include a root cradle assembly configured to support the root portion of the rotor blade and a tip cradle assembly configured to support the tip portion of the rotor blade. At least one of the tip cradle assembly or the root cradle assembly may be movable relative to the other of the tip cradle assembly or the root cradle assembly to allow the tip portion to be spaced apart from the root portion after the rotor blade has been divided between the root and tip portions. In addition, the system may include an insert cradle assembly configured to support a blade insert for the rotor blade. The insert cradle assembly may be configured to be positioned between the root cradle assembly and the tip cradle assembly so as to position the blade insert between the root portion and the tip portion.

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: In one aspect, a rotor blade for a wind turbine may include a body extending between a root end and a tip end. The body may include a root portion extending from the root end. The root portion may include an inner surface defining an inner circumference. In addition, the rotor blade may include a root stiffener assembly disposed within the root portion of the body. The root stiffener assembly may include a plurality of stiffening ribs coupled to the root portion so as to extend along the inner surface.