Abstract: A hybrid turbine blade and method of fabrication, comprising a shank portion and an airfoil portion. The airfoil portion comprising a composite outer structure having a recess formed therein and an alternating stack of at least one composite section and at least two insert sections disposed in the recess. The outer composite structure and the at least one composite section having a first density. The at least two insert sections having a second mass density, which is less than the first mass density. The composite outer structure and the alternating stack of at least one composite section and at least two insert sections together define an airfoil portion that meets all mechanical load carrying requirements of said hybrid turbine blade such that no load transfer needs to occur through said at least two insert sections.

Abstract: An airfoil structure includes a composite core including a triaxial braid, wherein the triaxial braid includes a longitudinal axis, a first bias fiber extending in a first bias direction at a first bias angle to the longitudinal axis, a second bias fiber extending in a second bias direction at a second bias angle to the longitudinal axis, and an axial fiber extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The airfoil structure further includes an outer layer substantially surrounding the composite core, wherein the outer layer includes a plurality of unidirectional prepreg layers.

Abstract: A wind blade includes a self-supporting structural framework, having a span-wise member, a plurality of chord-wise members, a fabric skin, and at least one of a stiffener and a mechanical element. The plurality of chord-wise members is coupled to the span-wise member and each chord-wise member and the span-wise member maintains an aerodynamic contour of the wind blade. Further, the fabric skin is disposed over the self-supporting structural framework. The stiffener and/or the mechanical element are coupled to the self-supporting structural framework, and are operable to provide a relative movement to the self-supporting structural framework for adjusting the aerodynamic contour and provide pretension to the fabric skin.

Abstract: A wind blade with a self-supporting structural framework, having multiple chord-wise members and one or more span-wise members is provided. Each of the multiple chord-wise members and the one or more span-wise members have an aerodynamic contour. The wind blade also comprises a fabric skin located over the self-supporting structural framework in a tensioned state to generate an aerodynamic surface, wherein the fabric skin is attached via multiple tensioning members to both the chord wise members and span wise members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind power plant comprising a vertically disposed shaft (2), a rotor with a number of straight or slightly curved blades (3, 4) which are parallel to the shaft (2); said rotor rotates round the shaft (2) whereby at least, one rotor blade (3, 4) which is disposed on the side facing the shaft (2) has a strip (5), which, in turn, is parallel to the shaft and projects from the surface of the rotor-blade (3, 4).

Abstract: A wind turbine blade is provided. The wind turbine blade includes a first section and a second section adjacent the first section. At least one of the first section and the second section includes a skin segment and a network of support members disposed within the skin segment. The network of support members is configured for expansion.

Abstract: A composite material includes a composite body having a composite surface, and a reinforcing element extending through the composite body in a first plurality of stitches and a second plurality of stitches. The first plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially similarly to each other. The second plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially dissimilarly to each other.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine includes a rotor blade having a pressure side member, a suction side member, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. An electrically conductive band extends longitudinally on either or both of the pressure side member and suction side member along the trailing edge. A plurality of electrically conductive noise reduction features extend from the trailing edge and are configured as individual lightning strike receptors. The noise reduction features are configured in conductive communication with the conductive band.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes an internal support structure extending span-wise from a blade root to a blade tip. A plurality of ribs are fixed to and spaced along the internal support structure, with each rib extending in a generally chord-wise direction and having a generally aerodynamic blade contour. A plurality of chord-wise oriented fabric strips are affixed to the ribs in a tensioned state, wherein the fabric strips define an aerodynamic outer skin of the rotor blade.

Abstract: A wind blade with a self-supporting structural framework, having multiple chord-wise members and one or more span-wise members is provided. Each of the multiple chord-wise members and the one or more span-wise members have an aerodynamic contour. The wind blade also comprises a fabric skin located over the self-supporting structural framework in a tensioned state to generate an aerodynamic surface, wherein the fabric skin is attached via multiple tensioning members to both the chord wise members and span wise members.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes an internal support structure including a plurality of fixed, spaced support members extending in a chord-wise and span-wise direction and defining a generally aerodynamic contour of the rotor blade. A plurality of the support members have an outer surface with a longitudinally extending slot defined therein. A plurality of fabric strips are attached over the internal support structure in a tensioned state and define an aerodynamic outer skin. The fabric strips extend over and are attached to the support members with a longitudinally extending insert member that presses the fabric strips into the slot and lockingly engages within the slot.

Abstract: Frame assemblies, molds, and methods for forming rotor blades are provided. A frame assembly for a rotor blade mold includes a plurality of frames, at least one of the plurality of frames movable relative to the others of the plurality of frames, and a bed supported by the plurality of frames. Movement of the at least one of the plurality of frames causes a modification of the bed along a width-wise axis. A mold for forming a rotor blade includes a frame assembly and a mold material disposed in the bed of the frame assembly.

Abstract: A composite material includes a composite body having a composite surface, and a reinforcing element extending through the composite body in a first plurality of stitches and a second plurality of stitches. The first plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially similarly to each other. The second plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially dissimilarly to each other.

Abstract: A composite structure includes: a core having a pair of opposed exterior surfaces and having a first density; a composite layup surrounding the core, the composite layup comprising a plurality of layers of fibers embedded in a matrix and extending along the exterior surfaces of the core, the composite layup having a second density; and stitching comprising fibers extending through the core and at least a portion of the composite layup.

Abstract: A blade with an aerodynamic blade body having a leading edge and a trailing edge is provided. The blade includes at least one flexible adaptor component having a first side coupled to the trailing edge. Further, the blade includes at least one rigid acoustic segment attached to an opposing second side of the at least one flexible adapter component for mitigating noise during fluid flow over the blade.

Abstract: A noise reducer for a rotor blade of a wind turbine and a rotor blade assembly are disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge each extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade further defines a span and a chord. The rotor blade assembly further includes a noise reducer configured on the rotor blade. The noise reducer includes a plurality of rods each having a body extending between a first end and a second end. The body of each of the plurality of rods contacts and extends parallel to the body of a neighboring rod of the plurality of rods when the noise reducer is in a stable position.

Abstract: Polymer-based materials and processes suitable for producing panels, for example, panels for use in a fan shroud abradable seal of a turbofan engine. Such a process includes introducing constituents of an expandable foam material into a continuous forming apparatus that continuously compounds the constituents into a partially-cured compounded polymeric material, which is then continuously formed with the continuous forming apparatus to produce a continuous form having a constant cross-sectional shape transverse to a continuous forming direction of the continuous forming apparatus. A portion of the continuous form is then deformed to produce a preform, and the preform is cured within a restricted volume to cause the preform to expand and produce the panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind power plant comprising a vertically disposed shaft (2), a rotor with a number of straight or slightly curved blades (3, 4) which are parallel to the shaft (2); said rotor rotates round the shaft (2) whereby at least, one rotor blade (3, 4) which is disposed on the side facing the shaft (2) has a strip (5), which, in turn, is parallel to the shaft and projects from the surface of the rotor-blade (3, 4).

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine includes a rotor blade having a pressure side member, a suction side member, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. An electrically conductive band extends longitudinally on either or both of the pressure side member and suction side member along the trailing edge. A plurality of electrically conductive noise reduction features extend from the trailing edge and are configured as individual lightning strike receptors. The noise reduction features are configured in conductive communication with the conductive band.

Abstract: A noise reducer for a rotor blade of a wind turbine and a rotor blade assembly are disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge each extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade further defines a span and a chord. The rotor blade assembly further includes a noise reducer configured on the rotor blade. The noise reducer includes a plurality of rods each having a body extending between a first end and a second end. The body of each of the plurality of rods contacts and extends parallel to the body of a neighboring rod of the plurality of rods when the noise reducer is in a stable position.