Composite Blade Patents (Class 29/889.71)
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Publication number: 20120057984Abstract: A blade for a rotor of a wind turbine is divided into a root region closest to the hub and an airfoil region with a lift generating profile furthest away from the hub and a transition region. A base part of the transition region has an axial induction factor, which without flow altering device deviates at least 5% from a target axial induction factor. A number of first flow altering devices are arranged so as to adjust the aerodynamic properties of a longitudinal segment of the transition region to substantially meet the target axial induction factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/SInventors: Peter Fuglsang, Stefano Bove, Lars Fuglsang
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Patent number: 8123463Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blade is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of first plies, each of the first plies sized to extend substantially the length of a span of the blade and providing a plurality of second plies, each of the second plies sized to extend only partially the length of the span of the blade. The method also includes layering the plurality of first plies and the plurality of second plies in a mold such that the plurality of second plies is interspersed throughout the plurality of first plies to spread apart the plurality of first plies to facilitate increasing a cross-sectional area of the blade and bonding the plurality of first plies to the plurality of second plies to facilitate forming a structural core of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Joseph Kray, Tod Davis, Christopher Lee McAfee, Michael John Franks, Kevin Lee Kirkeng, David Crall
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Publication number: 20120027609Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade comprises a rotor blade body, including a root portion, a leading edge, a trailing edge, and at least one spar cap; a plurality of parallel, elongated elements of a pre-cured composite material, which comprise fibers and a resin, and a resin connecting the plurality of elements. Further, a method for producing a rotor blade is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventors: Prasad Ogde, Afroz Akhtar, Jacob Johannes Nies
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Patent number: 8092187Abstract: A blade for the use in the generation of power has a leading edge and a trailing edge. A first shell portion of the blade extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge. A second shell portion of the blade also extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge. A root portion of the blade is positioned proximate the wind turbine and a tip portion which extends from the root portion away from the wind turbine. A trailing edge insert is positioned between the first shell portion and the second shell portion proximate the root portion. The trailing edge insert has a surface which extends between and separates the first shell portion from the second shell portion at the trailing edge, such that the insert provides a high lift profile for increased blade efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric Bell, Matthew Gann, Jamie Livingston, Mohamad Sultan, Alan Walker
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Patent number: 8092188Abstract: A fan, particularly for cooling internal combustion engines for earth moving machines, whose blades have an elastically deformable composite structure including at least one shape memory alloy foil adapted to be heated by means of electric current to vary the geometry of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Rosati Fratelli S.r.l.Inventors: Guido Rosati, Mattia Merlin
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Publication number: 20120003094Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine blade with a lightning protection system, where the blade comprises a shell body made of a composite material and comprises a longitudinal direction with a root end and a tip end. The blade further comprises a profiled contour including a pressure side and a suction side, as well as a leading edge and a trailing edge with a chord having a chord length extending there between, the profiled contour, when being impacted by an incident airflow, generating a lift. The lightning protection system comprises at least one lightning receptor arranged freely accessible in or on the shell unit surface at or in the immediate vicinity of the tip of the blade. The lightning protection system further comprises a lightning down conductor made of electrically conductive material extending within the shell body from the lightning receptor to the root end of the blade. The lightning receptor and the lightning down conductor are electrically connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/SInventor: Lars Bo Hansen
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Publication number: 20110316285Abstract: A wind turbine electrical generator may include a monopole tower extending upwardly from ground level. The wind turbine electrical generator may also include an electrical power generator carried by an upper end of the monopole tower and may include a horizontally extending drive shaft. The wind turbine electrical generator may further include a plurality of wind-driven blades carried by the horizontally extending drive shaft. The monopole tower may have an outer surface with a vertically extending outer corner therein defining a pair of adjacent vertical facets. The monopole tower may be positioned with the vertically extending outer corner aligned with the land-based radar site so that the pair of adjacent vertical facets reflects radar illumination away from the radar site to reduce an amount of the radar illumination reflected back to the land-based radar site.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: Harris CorporationInventors: Francis Eugene Parsche, John Steven Seybold
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Publication number: 20110318183Abstract: Provided is a two-piece shrouded impeller, and methods for manufacturing and assembling a two-piece shrouded impeller. The two-piece shrouded impeller, in accordance with one embodiment, may have a one-piece partially shrouded impeller having a central hub, a number of blades integrally attached to the hub, and one or more integral partial shroud sections integrally attached to the blades. The two-piece shrouded impeller in this embodiment may also have a separate shroud section that attaches to the one-piece shrouded impeller, so that the separate shroud section and the partial shroud sections combine to form a completed shroud that covers the impeller blades. The separate shroud section may attach to the one-piece shrouded impeller with a snap joint, or with an interference fit, or using a squeeze deformable ring. Once attached, the shroud section may be bonded to the one-piece shrouded impeller by brazing, stick welding, ultrasonic welding, or electron beam welding.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: Turbocam, Inc.Inventors: Marian B. Noronha, Timothy P. Noronha
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Patent number: 8075280Abstract: A method of making a composite blade that is attachable to a rotating shaft using a conventional metal blade attachment. A blade is formed from a composite material with a blade root at one end thereof. A metallic member having an external shape conforming to a conventional metal blade root is shaped with an interior cavity having an opening for receipt of the blade root. Before the composite material is fully cured, a bladder is formed into or is inserted into an end of the blade root and inflated, thereby forcing the composite material into intimate contact with the interior cavity of the metallic member, thereby ensuring a fret-free interface upon final curing of the composite material. The interior cavity of the metallic member may be shaped or surfaced to improve the load carrying capability there between.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventor: William F. Jones
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Publication number: 20110296687Abstract: A method for machining at least one aircraft gas turbine engine rotor (1) blade (2) wear indicator (41, 42, 43), comprising a step of machining the wear indicator (41, 42, 43) using a laser (L) so as to melt part of the blade (2), and a step of collecting the molten material of the blade (2). For preference, the method comprises a step of fitting a plug (8) into said bathtub squealer (23), said plug (8) comprising at least one cavity (81, 82, 83) for receiving the molten blade (2) material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: SNECMAInventors: Damien Hebuterne, Janvier Lecomte
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Publication number: 20110299994Abstract: A section of a turbine blade includes a fiber composite material having a matrix and fibers embedded therein. The matrix includes nanoparticles that are distributed in or on the matrix. The turbine blade can for example be used as a rotor blade in the final stage of a condensing steam turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: Thomas Behnisch, Anett Berndt, Christoph Ebert, René Füssel, Heinrich Kapitza, Albert Langkamp, Markus Mantei, Heinrich Zeininger
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Patent number: 8065799Abstract: A method of fabricating a turbomachine rotor disk is disclosed. In the method, a metal container is defined, made up of a plurality of parts that define between them at least one annular cavity, an insert made of composite material is positioned in the at least one cavity, the assembly is subjected to hot isostatic compacting, and a rotor disk is machined.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: SNECMAInventor: Adrien Fabre
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Publication number: 20110274555Abstract: A production method uses ultrasonic forming but does not leave a bonding face exposed to the exterior in a final product. The production method of a leading edge member of a fan blade comprises the steps of causing superplastic forming by using a combination of a first mold having a flow path for gas and a second mold having a female mold to pressurize a plate member with the gas through the flow path to fit the plate member onto the female mold; bonding a backing with the plate member processed with the superplastic forming; and cutting out a periphery of the plate member to obtain a product shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: IHI CorporationInventor: Takayuki Iwasaki
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Patent number: 8052394Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor blade (60) of a wind energy plant with a top side (suction side) and a bottom side (pressure side) wherein profiles (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) with a front edge and a back edge (62) in cross-section are designed along a longitudinal axis between a rotor blade root and a rotor blade tip, one designed-based direction of air inflow (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) is predetermined for each profile (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) and the profiles (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) in the outer area facing the rotor blade tip are designed with a relative thickness of less than 30%.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Repower Systems AGInventors: Marc Petsche, Urs Bendel
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Publication number: 20110250075Abstract: A rotor blade assembly is disclosed herein. The rotor blade assembly includes a composite blade portion extending a length from a root to a tip. A leading edge of the composite blade portion extends from the tip to an end point along the length between the tip and the root. The rotor blade assembly also includes a base portion fixed to the composite blade portion proximate to the root. The rotor blade assembly also includes a sheath extending around the composite blade portion. The sheath is positioned along the length adjacent to the base portion and between the root and the end point of the leading edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Inventor: Daniel Kent Vetters
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Publication number: 20110211967Abstract: A fan blade is disclosed comprising a lightweight metallic airfoil portion and a high-strength sheath portion. The airfoil portion has a forward airfoil edge, a first airfoil surface, and a second airfoil surface. The sheath portion has a sheath head section, a first sheath flank, and a second sheath flank, both flanks extending chordwise from the forward sheath section. The sheath portion is bonded to the airfoil portion such that the sheath head section covers the forward airfoil edge, defining a blade leading edge. The first sheath flank covers a portion of the first airfoil surface proximate the airfoil forward edge, jointly defining a blade suction surface. The second sheath flank covers a portion of the second airfoil surface proximate the airfoil forward edge, jointly defining a blade pressure surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: James L. Deal, John J. Schirra, Lee Drozdenko, William R. Graves, James O. Hansen
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Publication number: 20110211965Abstract: A blade includes a hollow metal airfoil having an opening to an internal cavity in a first major surface. A metal cover is adhesively bonded to a socket formed around the opening. The cover encloses the cavity and provides a continuous first major surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: James L. Deal, William R. Graves, Michael A. Weisse
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Patent number: 7993103Abstract: A wind turbine blade assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one wind turbine blade. The blade includes a blade root portion. The assembly also includes at least one blade root hub fitting coupled to the blade root portion. The blade root hub fitting is configured to couple to a rotatable hub.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ronald Ralph Cairo
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Publication number: 20110187115Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade and a wind turbine incorporating the rotor blade include a first and second composite skin. A first and a second spar pultrusion having a base and a plurality of integral ribs generally normal to the base are attached to the inside surface of the first and second composite skins and extend the span of the rotor blade. At least one shear web connects a rib of the first spar pultrusion to a corresponding rib of the second spar pultrusion. The width of the spar pultrusions decreases in a step-wise fashion along the span of the rotor blade from the root to the tip. The leading or trailing edge of the rotor blade may be selectably opened for inspection and repair.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventor: Frederick W Piasecki
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Publication number: 20110182743Abstract: A composite blade has a root and a tip in a spanwise direction and a leading edge and a trailing edge in a chordwise direction. The composite blade includes a three-dimensional woven preform having weft yarns and warp yarns. The weft yarns extend in the spanwise direction of the composite blade. The warp yarns interweave the weft yarns and extend in the chordwise direction of the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Rajiv A. Naik
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Publication number: 20110182738Abstract: A turbine bucket that includes a platform and an airfoil extending radially outward from the platform. The airfoil includes a root segment and a tip segment. The root segment includes a first end and a second end. The root first end extends from a radially outer surface of the platform. The root segment extends from the root first end to the root second end. The tip segment includes a tip first end and a tip second end. The tip first end is removably coupled to the root second end. The tip segment extends outward from the root second end to the tip second end.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Inventors: Herbert Chidsey Roberts, John Ellington Greene
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Publication number: 20110182741Abstract: A method of forming a vibration stable airfoil by forming a composite blade having a metallic sheath thereon. The sheath has a head section extending out from the blade by a sufficient distance to permit deformation of the head section. The airfoil is tested to determine the vibrational stability thereof; and the head section is re-cambering to adjust the vibrational stability to a desired level.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Phillip Alexander
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Publication number: 20110176927Abstract: A composite fan blade includes a first filament reinforced airfoil ply section, a second filament reinforced airfoil ply section and a three dimensionally woven core. The woven core is located between the first and second reinforced airfoil ply sections. The woven core includes first yarns extending in a chordwise direction and second yarns extending in a spanwise direction. There are a greater number of second yarns in a first region of the woven core than in a second region of the woven core.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2010Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Phillip Alexander, Rajiv A. Naik
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Patent number: 7980826Abstract: A strengthening structure for a wind turbine blade includes at least one first reinforcement part adapted to be connected to a first blade part of the wind turbine blade, and at least one second reinforcement part adapted to be connected to a second blade part of the wind turbine blade. The strengthening structure is characterized in that the at least one first reinforcement part and/or the at least one second reinforcement part includes an adjusting mechanism enabling that the first reinforcement part and the second reinforcement part are displaceable in relation to each other, at least during the assembly of the wind turbine blade and wherein the adjusting mechanism includes a force mechanism capable of forcing the first reinforcement part and the second reinforcement part away from each other. A wind turbine blade, a method for assembling a wind turbine blade and a use thereof are also contemplated .Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Mark Hancock
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Patent number: 7980827Abstract: Method and connecting piece for assembling a first and a second arm section in extension of one another in order thus to form at least a part of an arm, preferably a windmill arm, where two arm sections are connected to at least one connecting piece for mounting between the two arm sections. The connecting piece is provided with a first flange for attachment to the end of the first arm section and a second flange for attachment to the end of the second arm section, the first and the second flange being firmly interconnected. The first and the second flange are each provided with at least one hole for a bolt which extends through the hole from the connecting piece and into the adjacent arm section, this bolt or these bolts securing each arm section to the adjacent flange.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2005Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Henrik Stiesdal
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Publication number: 20110171032Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a spar (1) for a wind turbine blade steps of providing at least two caps (2a, 2b), each cap forming an intermediate portion (4) between two end portions (5), where the end portions each forms a cap joint surface portion (6) along a longitudinal extending edge of the end portion and the intermediate portion forms an outer surface portion (7) of the spar, providing at least two webs (3a, 3b), each web being provided with web joint surface portions (8) along opposite and longitudinally extending edges, and connecting the joint surface portions of the caps with the joint surface portions of the webs to form a tubular configuration of the spar. The at least two caps are configured for attachment to a blade shell so that the intermediate portion of one of the caps faces towards or forms part of a windward surface of the blade and the other one of the caps faces towards or forms part of a leeward surface of the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2009Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Mark Hancock, Andrew Hedges, Tomas Vronsky
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Publication number: 20110164975Abstract: A wind turbine system is provided. The wind turbine system includes multiple rotor blades operationally coupled to a control system, at least one of the rotor blades including an active surface fabricated on the rotor blades, wherein the control system is configured to generate control signals for formation of one or more depressions at an optimal frequency and at a number of optimal locations on the active surface based upon multiple wind flow parameters, and transmit the control signals to the rotor blades for the formation of the one or more depressions at the optimal frequency and at the number of optimal locations on the active surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Parag Vyas
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Publication number: 20110158820Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique composite gas turbine engine component. In one form, the composite component is an airfoil. Another embodiment is a unique method for manufacturing a composite gas turbine engine component. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations composite gas turbine engine components. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: Adam Lee Chamberlain, Ted Joseph Freeman
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Patent number: 7968144Abstract: A system for forming a surface coating on an outer surface of a foam for use with cooling system of turbine engines. The system may include removing filler from the outer surface of the foam to expose a porous structure of the foam, whereby portions of the porous structure extend outwardly from a newly formed outer surface of the filler. A surface layer may be applied to the outer surface of the filler and exposed portions of the porous structure, whereby the surface layer is attached to the porous structure at least in part due to mechanical interaction with the portions of the porous structure extending outwardly from the newly formed outer surface of the filler. The filler material may then be removed from the porous structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Allister W. James, Douglas J. Arrell
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Publication number: 20110146075Abstract: Methods for making a turbine blade involving casting an internal skeleton having a plurality of internal ribs which form a plurality of open cooling channels, applying a filler material to the open cooling channels, and applying an outer wall about the internal skeleton having the filler material applied to the open cooling channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: BRIAN THOMAS HAZEL, Douglas Gerard Konitzer, Michael Howard Rucker, John Doulgas Evans, SR.
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Publication number: 20110142667Abstract: A rotor blade assembly having an access window and methods for assembling a rotor blade are disclosed. The rotor blade assembly may generally include a first shell component and a second shell component. The first shell component may be secured to the second shell component. Additionally, an access region may be defined in the first shell component and/or the second shell component. The access region may generally be configured such that an access window is defined in the rotor blade assembly. The access window may be configured to provide access to the interior of a portion of the rotor blade assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thomas Miebach, Shu Ching Quek, Waseem Ibrahim Faidi, Chandra Sekher Yerramalli, Peggy Lynn Baehmann, Peter James Fritz
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Publication number: 20110142684Abstract: A turbine airfoil (22A) is formed by a first process using a first material. A platform (30A) is formed by a second process using a second material that may be different from the first material. The platform (30A) is assembled around a shank (23A) of the airfoil. One or more pins (36A) extend from the platform into holes (28) in the shank (23A). The platform may be formed in two portions (32A, 34A) and placed around the shank, enclosing it. The two platform portions may be bonded to each other. Alternately, the platform (30B) may be cast around the shank (23B) using a metal alloy with better castability than that of the blade and shank, which may be specialized for thermal tolerance. The pins (36A-36D) or holes for them do not extend to an outer surface (31) of the platform, avoiding stress concentrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Christian X. Campbell, Allister W. James, Jay A. Morrison
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Publication number: 20110135487Abstract: A method for assembling a rotor blade for use with a wind turbine. The method includes providing a blade sidewall at least partially defining a cavity extending from a blade root towards a blade tip of the rotor blade, the blade sidewall having a leading edge and a trailing edge. A structural support assembly is positioned at least partially within the cavity and extends from the blade root towards the blade tip. The structural support assembly includes a root end and an opposing tip end. At least one support member is coupled to the blade sidewall and to the structural support assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Kavala Venkateswara Rao, Mohamad Sultan
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Publication number: 20110135477Abstract: A lift generating apparatus for a wind turbine rotor blade comprising a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall coupled together at a leading edge and at a trailing edge. The lift generating apparatus includes at least one forward blade extension coupled to the rotor blade to define a first airflow channel between the forward blade extension and the rotor blade. The lift generating apparatus also includes at least one aft blade extension coupled to the rotor blade to define a second airflow channel between the aft blade extension and the rotor blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Omer Mohammed, Stefan Herr
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Publication number: 20110135485Abstract: A spar for a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The spar includes a support member and a spar cap coupled to the support member. The spar cap includes a plurality of pultruded profile segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventor: Jing Wang
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Publication number: 20110135483Abstract: A composite turbine blade and a method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The composite turbine blade comprises a turbine blade portion comprising a first material and a first tip plate comprising a second material. The turbine blade portion has an exterior wall and an interior wall surrounding a hollow interior cavity, and a top surface extending from the exterior wall to the interior wall bounding an orifice that is fluidly connected to the hollow interior cavity. The first tip plate may be attached to the turbine blade along the top surface and extending from proximate the exterior wall of the turbine blade across the orifice to cover the orifice.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mark L. Hunt, Paul Stephen Dimascio, Warren Martin Miglietti, Steve P. Byam, Matthew James O'Connell
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Patent number: 7950147Abstract: A method for producing gas turbine components, in particular blades, blade sections or rotors with integral blades for a jet engine is provided. The method comprises at least the following steps: preparation of at least one metallic powder and at least one expanding agent; mixing of the metallic powder or each metallic powder with the expanding agent or each expanding agent; compression of the resultant mixture to form at least one semi-finished product; expansion of the semi-finished product or each semi-finished product by heating to achieve a defined degree of expansion; termination of the expansion process by cooling, once the defined degree of expansion has been reached.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbHInventors: Reinhold Meier, Erich Steinhardt
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Publication number: 20110110789Abstract: A blade tip for a rotor blade of a wind turbine, and a method of inserting the blade tip into a rotor blade are provided. The blade tip for the rotor blade of a wind turbine simplifies the installation and the replacement of the blade tip as well as a method of inserting such a blade tip. The blade tip can be inserted by means of an adjustable clamping wedge so as to simplify replacement of the tip if necessary. The associated method of inserting the blade tip outside the shell mould removes the likelihood of damage to the shell mould due to sawing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventor: Lutz LUEBBE
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Publication number: 20110103968Abstract: A wear- and oxidation-resistant turbine blade and a method for producing the blade are provided. At least portions of the surface of the main blade section are provided with at least one first protective coating comprised of oxidation-resistant material, the first, oxidation-resistant coating is a metallic coating, which is optionally covered by a ceramic thermal barrier coating. The metallic first protective coating is arranged at least at the inner and outer crown edge of the blade tip, but not at the radially outer blade tip. The radially outer blade tip of the turbine blade is comprised of a second, single- or multi-layer wear- and oxidation-resistant protective coating, which is built up by laser metal forming and is comprised of abrasive and binder materials. The second protective coating on the blade tip overlaps along the outer and/or inner crown edge at least partially with the first, metallic protective coating arranged there.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTDInventors: Matthias HOEBEL, Günter AMBROSY, Felix REINERT, Stephane BARRIL
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Publication number: 20110078903Abstract: A method for preparing a blade of a turbomachine for a spray coating process is provided. The method includes providing a sheet of flexible material which is shaped such that, when the sheet is bent circumferentially around a blade root of the blade along a longitudinal axis of the blade, the sheet forms a circumferential cover on the surface of the blade root, and bending the sheet around the blade root to form the cover. The sheet is positioned on the blade root up to a platform between an airfoil and the blade root. The sheet is placed on the blade root such that the sheet forms a circumferentially closed structure around the blade root. Further, an arrangement for a spray coating process is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: Wolfgang Dorn, Francis-Jurjen Ladru
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Publication number: 20110076149Abstract: A method of assembling a blade extension assembly for use with a wind turbine. The method includes removing a tip end of a tip portion of a rotor blade and coupling a tip wall to the tip portion. The tip wall extends between a first sidewall and a second sidewall and includes a plurality of slots defined therein. A blade extension assembly is coupled to the tip portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: Pedro Luis Benito Santiago, Eugenio Yegro Segovia
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Publication number: 20110070092Abstract: A method for making a hybrid component comprises the steps of placing a lower shell in the lower half of an RTM form tool; placing layers of composite fabric on top of the lower shell to define a composite core; placing an upper shell on top of the layers; closing the RTM form tool; infiltrating the composite fabric with resin; curing the resin. At least one of the lower and upper shells comprises pins projecting generally perpendicularly to its surface, and the pins penetrate the composite fabric.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Robert GERLACH
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Publication number: 20110064584Abstract: A turbine bucket that includes a pressure side, a suction side opposite the pressure side, and a rib extending between the pressure side and the suction side. A tip cap is attached to the pressure side and the suction side and covers the rib. The tip cap includes a precipitation hardened material and a passage aligned with the rib. A method for assembling a turbine bucket having a pressure side and a suction side and a rib extending between the pressure side and suction side. The method includes receiving a tip cap made from a precipitation hardened material and having a passage in the tip cap. The method further includes locating the rib visually through the passage and aligning the passage with the rib. The method also includes welding the tip cap to the turbine bucket and to the rib.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: GITAHI CHARLES MUKIRA, DANIEL ANTHONY NOWAK, MICHAEL DOUGLAS ARNETT, SRIKANTH CHANDRUDU KOTTILINGAM
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Patent number: 7905016Abstract: A turbine airfoil system for forming a turbine airfoil that is usable in a turbine engine. The airfoil may be formed from a porous material shaped into an outer airfoil shape. The porous material may include an inner central spar capable of supporting the turbine airfoil an outer porous region and an outer coating. The porous material facilitates efficient cooling of the turbine airfoil.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Allister W. James, Douglas J. Arrell
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Publication number: 20110058951Abstract: A turbine blade of a gas turbine is disclosed. The turbine blade includes a blade pan, a blade root, and a platform positioned between the blade pan and the blade root. The turbine blade is provided with an anti-corrosion coating at least in regions, in particular on a lower side of the platform and/or in the transition region between the lower side of the platform and the blade root. The anti-corrosion coating is a diffusion coating having a chromium content in the surface region of more than 30% by weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: MTU Aero Engines GmbHInventors: Heinrich WALTER, Horst Pillhoefer, Michael Strasser, Karlheinz Manier, Max Morant, Richard Lange
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Publication number: 20110058948Abstract: A windmill blade which comprises reinforcing fibers in a toughened resin matrix. The resin matrix is made from a composition which comprises (a) one or more epoxy resins and/or one or more epoxy vinyl ester resins, (b) one or more reactive diluents, and (c) at least one amphiphilic block copolymer. The amphiphilic block copolymer comprises at least two different polyether blocks and is present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 10% by volume, based on the total volume of the matrix composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: George Jacob, Ha Q. Pham, Marvin L. Dettloff, Gary A. Hunter, Rajesh Turakhia
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Publication number: 20110058934Abstract: A turbine airfoil (20) fabricated as an assembly of U-channels (22A-E), each U-channel having a closed side formed by a cross wall (25), an open side (26) opposite the cross wall, and two side walls (27) extending from the cross wall to the open side. The U-channels are attached to each other in a parallel, closed-side to open-side sequence, forming a series of cooling channels (23) oriented span-wise (S) in the airfoil. A first of the U-channels (22A) has a curved cross wall forming the leading edge (24) of the airfoil. A last of the U-channels (22E) may have side walls (27) that converge to form a trailing edge (28) of the airfoil. Alternately, a solid trailing edge (22E?) may be attached to a last of the U-channels. Each U-channel may be bonded to an adjacent U-channel using half-lap joints (30).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventor: Allister W. James
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Patent number: 7895745Abstract: The present invention includes a method for fabricating elongated wind turbine blades and wind turbine blades formed by the method. The method includes providing a first shell reinforcing fiber structure. At least one shear web reinforcing fiber structure is positioned adjacent to the first shell reinforcing fiber structure. The method includes infusing the first shell reinforcing fiber structure and shear web reinforcing fiber structure with a matrix material and curing the matrix material to form a unitary composite first shell component. Thereafter a composite second shell component is attached to the composite first shell component to form an elongated composite airfoil suitable for use as a wind turbine blade. The wind turbine blades formed include unitary components providing reduced number of adhesive joints.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Althoff, Amir Riahi, Andrew Billen, Willem Bakhuis
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Patent number: 7895746Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a wind turbine blade or a section of a wind turbine blade. The method includes, establishing a first part having a first wind turbine blade part in a first fixating unit, establishing a second part having a second wind turbine blade part in a second fixating unit, and positioning the first part in contact with, or in close proximity of, the second part. After this, a pressure below atmospheric pressure is established, forcing the first wind turbine blade part and the second wind turbine blade part against each other. The invention further relates to a wind turbine blade manufacturing facility, wind turbine blades as well as uses hereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2005Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Anton Bech, Poul Valsgaard
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Patent number: 7896221Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aerofoil structure to have a portion with an increased erosion resistance, the method comprising: providing one or more titanium elements (2, 4, 6) and a beta-stabilizing material (8); wherein the one or more elements (2, 4, 6) have an alpha-beta microstructure; assembling the one or more elements (2, 4, 6) and the beta-stabilizing material (8) such that the beta-stabilizing material (8) is adjacent to the one or more elements (2, 4, 6); and heating the assembly such that the beta-stabilizing material (8) diffuses into an adjacent portion of the one or more elements (2, 4, 6), causing the adjacent portion of the one or more elements (2, 4, 6) to have a beta microstructure which provides an increased erosion resistance.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Michael J Wallis