Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade includes a root portion and an airfoil portion extending from the root portion and defined by a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil portion further includes a main foil section and a trailing edge section that is pivotally connected to the main foil section along a span-wise extending pivot zone. The trailing edge section is biased to a neutral position wherein the trailing edge section is pivoted chord-wise to a low wind speed position relative to the main foil section.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade includes a root portion and an airfoil portion extending from the root portion and defined by a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil portion further includes a main foil section and a trailing edge section that is pivotally connected to the main foil section along a span-wise extending hinge line. A passive torsion element is coupled between the main foil section and the trailing edge section. The torsion element is biased to a neutral position wherein the trailing edge section is pivoted chord-wise to a low wind speed position relative to the main foil section. The trailing edge section is self-actuating from the low wind speed position to an increased wind speed position relative to the main foil section as a function of the biasing force of the torsion element and wind speed over the airfoil section.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade includes a root portion and an airfoil portion extending from the root portion and defined by a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil portion further includes a main foil section and a trailing edge section that is pivotally connected to the main foil section along a span-wise extending hinge line. A passive torsion element is coupled between the main foil section and the trailing edge section. The torsion element is biased to a neutral position wherein the trailing edge section is pivoted chord-wise to a low wind speed position relative to the main foil section. The trailing edge section is self-actuating from the low wind speed position to an increased wind speed position relative to the main foil section against as a function of the biasing force of the torsion element and wind speed over the airfoil section.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade includes a root portion and an airfoil portion extending from the root portion and defined by a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil portion further includes a main foil section and a trailing edge section that is pivotally connected to the main foil section along a span-wise extending hinge line. A passive torsion element is coupled between the main foil section and the trailing edge section. The torsion element is biased to a neutral position wherein the trailing edge section is pivoted chord-wise to a low wind speed position relative to the main foil section. The trailing edge section is self-actuating from the low wind speed position to an increased wind speed position relative to the main foil section against as a function of the biasing force of the torsion element and wind speed over the airfoil section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting areas of distinct wind flow in a region of a wind farm are disclosed. Areas of distinct flow can be identified by a computing tool based at least in part on wind velocity field data. For instance, using wind velocity field data, a finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) field, which measures the rate at which particles are stretching over time relative to each other, can be calculated. The FTLE field can be analyzed to determine the transport barriers in the flow. The maximum transport barriers of the FTLE field describe Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS). The LCS can be used to identify areas of distinct wind flow, which can be used to determine desirable locations for placement of wind measurement data or to identify recirculation zones.