Abstract: A wind turbine for generating electrical energy may include a wind turbine blade including a plurality of vortex generators integrally formed in the outer surface of the blade. The vortex generator includes a first component that defines a portion of the outer surface of the blade and a second component defining the shape of the vortex generator and at least partially surrounded by the first component. A method of manufacturing the wind turbine blade includes disposing a first plurality of layers of structural material over a mold main body and a removable insert member with a shaped cavity. A shaped plug is then pressed into the shaped cavity, and a second plurality of layers of structural material is disposed over the plug and the mold main body to complete manufacture of a wind turbine blade with a vortex generator.

Abstract: A wind turbine for generating electrical energy may include a wind turbine blade including a plurality of vortex generators integrally formed in the outer surface of the blade. The vortex generator includes a first component that defines a portion of the outer surface of the blade and a second component defining the shape of the vortex generator and at least partially surrounded by the first component. A method of manufacturing the wind turbine blade includes disposing a first plurality of layers of structural material over a mold main body and a removable insert member with a shaped cavity. A shaped plug is then pressed into the shaped cavity, and a second plurality of layers of structural material is disposed over the plug and the mold main body to complete manufacture of a wind turbine blade with a vortex generator.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a tower, a nacelle located adjacent a top of the tower, a rotor coupled to the nacelle, and a dynamic vibration damper coupled to the tower and configured to dampen vibrations induced in the tower in a torsional direction while negligibly effecting vibrations induced in the tower in bending directions. The dynamic vibration damper may be tuned to a resonant frequency of the wind turbine in the torsional direction. A method of retrofitting a wind turbine with a vibration damper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a tower, a nacelle located adjacent a top of the tower, a rotor coupled to the nacelle, and a dynamic vibration damper coupled to the tower and configured to dampen vibrations induced in the tower in a torsional direction while negligibly effecting vibrations induced in the tower in bending directions. The dynamic vibration damper may be tuned to a resonant frequency of the wind turbine in the torsional direction. A method of retrofitting a wind turbine with a vibration damper is also disclosed.