Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a fiber reinforced portion of a wind turbine rotor blade include disposing a continuous fiber mat adjacent a prefabricated layer, wherein the continuous fiber mat comprises randomly arranged reinforcing fibers and wherein the prefabricated layer comprises reinforcing fibers and a cured polymeric resin. The method further includes disposing a structural layer adjacent the continuous fiber mat opposite the prefabricated layer, wherein the structural layer comprises reinforcing fibers. The method then includes infusing a polymeric resin through at least the continuous fiber mat and curing the resin to form the fiber reinforced portion of the wind turbine rotor blade.

Abstract: Methods of assembling rotor blades include providing a first blade segment comprising a first shell portion and at least two first spar cap segments and providing a second blade segment comprising a second shell portion and at least two second spar cap segments. An access region is defined in at least one of the first shell portion and the second shell portion. The second blade segment is then inserted into the first blade segment, such that a spar cap cavity is formed between each set of corresponding first and second spar cap segments, and wherein an access window is defined by the access region at an interface between the first blade segment and the second blade segment, the access window providing access to the spar cap cavities. The method further includes sealing the spar cap cavities and injecting an adhesive into the spar cap cavities to bond the blade segments together, wherein a scarf joint is formed between each set of corresponding first and second spar cap segments.

Abstract: The invention provides a drive coil and measurement probe comprising the drive coil. The measurement probes can be used, for example, in in-situ, non-destructive testing methods, also provided herein.

Abstract: A multi segment wind turbine blade comprises at least two blade segments. A first blade segment comprises an outer skin, a bulkhead, and first alignment brackets removably coupled to the outer skin of the first blade segment. A first portion of a flange of the bulkhead is bonded to the first blade segment and a second portion of the flange of the bulkhead projects out from the first blade segment. A second blade segment comprises an outer skin and second alignment brackets removably coupled to the outer skin of the first blade segment. The first and second alignment brackets are alignable upon the outer side of the second blade segment being inserted over the second portion of the flange of the bulkhead.

Abstract: Composite components fabricated to have shapes with in-plane curvature, for example, a spar cap for an airfoil having a swept configuration. A process for fabricating the component includes forming prepregs to have a laminate architecture containing a fibrous reinforcement material in a matrix of a partially-cured polymer material. The prepregs are stacked and bonded together to form a straight elongate preform. An in-plane curvature is then induced in the preform within a plane containing longitudinal and transverse directions of the preform so as to create a swept configuration. The in-plane curvature is induced by applying forces parallel to the transverse direction of the preform while the preform is at a temperature of less than the melting temperature of the polymer material, such that the polymer material cold flows. The polymer material is then fully cured to yield the composite component.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rotor blade for a turbine is provided that includes forming a rotor blade trailing edge by coupling a suction side terminus to a pressure side terminus and positioning a trailing edge assembly between the suction side terminus and the pressure side terminus, the trailing edge assembly having a varying cross-section.

Abstract: The invention provides a drive coil and measurement probe comprising the drive coil. The measurement probes can be used, for example, in in-situ, non-destructive testing methods, also provided herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modularly constructed rotorblade including a leading and a trailing edge, including a plurality of rotorblade sections in bonded association, and at least one bonding line disposed away from continuous contact with the leading edge and the trailing edge.

Abstract: A multi-segment wind turbine blade comprises at least two blade segments. A first spar cap segment is attached to a first blade segment and a second spar cap segment is attached to a second blade segment. The first and second spar cap segments are configured to form a scarf joint. First and second spar cap brackets are attached in locations of the first and second spar cap segments, respectively, selected to facilitate alignment of the first and second spar cap segments at the scarf joint. At a field site, the first and second spar cap segments are bonded after fastening the first and second spar cap brackets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for forming a blade-section including a transporting frame, at least one transporting support removeably associated with the transporting frame, and a blade-section forming structure receptive of the transporting frame and the at least one transporting support.

Abstract: A multi-segment wind turbine blade comprises at least two blade segments. A first spar cap segment is attached to a first blade segment and a second spar cap segment is attached to a second blade segment. The first and second spar cap segments are configured to form a scarf joint. First and second spar cap brackets are attached in locations of the first and second spar cap segments, respectively, selected to facilitate alignment of the first and second spar cap segments at the scarf joint. At a field site, the first and second spar cap segments are bonded after fastening the first and second spar cap brackets.

Abstract: A multi segment wind turbine blade comprises at least two blade segments. A first blade segment comprises an outer skin, a bulkhead, and first alignment brackets removably coupled to the outer skin of the first blade segment. A first portion of a flange of the bulkhead is bonded to the first blade segment and a second portion of the flange of the bulkhead projects out from the first blade segment. A second blade segment comprises an outer skin and second alignment brackets removably coupled to the outer skin of the first blade segment. The first and second alignment brackets are alignable upon the outer side of the second blade segment being inserted over the second portion of the flange of the bulkhead.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rotor blade for a turbine is provided that includes forming a rotor blade trailing edge by coupling a suction side terminus to a pressure side terminus and positioning a trailing edge assembly between the suction side terminus and the pressure side terminus, the trailing edge assembly having a varying cross-section.