Abstract: A rotorcraft may include an airframe and a rotor connected to the airframe. The rotor may include a hub and a rotor blade connected to the hub to extend radially away therefrom. The rotor blade may include biasing fibers, oriented to increase the twist of the rotor blade in response to an increase in the speed of rotation of the rotor corresponding to a mission, task, or maneuver.

Abstract: Disclosed is an engineered structure which includes pultrusions usable for resisting a bending load.

Abstract: A method provides for assembling a wind turbine blade from at least two blade segments, with each of the blade segments having a pressure side shell member, a suction side shell member, internal support structure, and ends with joint sections that are offset span-wise from the pressure side shell member to the suction side shell member. The blade segments are aligned in an end-to-end orientation and moved into a mating configuration with relative movement that includes overlapping the respective joint sections of adjacent blade segments. The overlapped joint sections are subsequently moved into engagement with each other and joined along respective joint profiles at a chord-wise joint.

Abstract: A joint assembly is provided. The joint assembly includes a first component formed from a first material and a second component including a portion that extends at least partially into the first component and that has an uneven outer profile. The first material is configured to form the first component into a shape that is substantially complementary to a shape of the portion to facilitate restricting movement of the second component in an axial direction.

Abstract: A hybrid turbine blade having a box beam assembly structure and method of designing such a hybrid turbine blade are disclosed. The box beam assembly provides the primary structure for supporting loads on the blade, and comprises oppositely positioned spar caps joined by oppositely positioned shear webs. For a portion of the blade, the box beam assembly further comprises a root buildup. In one embodiment, the shear webs comprise foam core sandwiched between two biaxial fiber-reinforced plastic laminates (FRP), the spar caps comprise uniaxial FRP laminates, and the root buildup comprises triaxial FRP laminates. The blades are designed using a novel inside-out method, wherein the box beam is first designed to support expected loads, and an aerodynamic surface is then designed to be supported by the box beam. The blade may be constructed in segments that are joined with connectors that engage the box beam structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a spar for a wind turbine blade. The method includes providing at least two caps, each cap forming an intermediate portion between two end portions, where the end portions each forms a cap joint surface portion along a longitudinal extending edge of the end portion and the intermediate portion forms an outer surface portion of the spar, providing at least two webs, each web being provided with web joint surface portions 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 caps are provided so that the end portions extend transversely to the intermediate portion and the caps are arranged relative to each other so that the end portions of one cap extend from the intermediate portion towards the end portions of another cap.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blade spar for a wind turbine blade includes positioning a first spar segment having a first adhering portion; positioning a second spar segment having a second adhering portion at the first spar segment such that the first adhering portion and the second adhering portion are at least partially overlapping, wherein an adhesive is at least partially provided between the overlapping adhering portions; providing at least one fiber layer impregnated with an uncured resin on the outer surfaces of the first and second spar segments at least in the joint region of the first and second spar segments; and simultaneously curing the adhesive and the resin, thereby fixating the first and the second spar segments to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reinforced blade for a wind turbine, particularly to a blade having at least one elongated reinforcing member connected inside the shell for increasing the strength of the blade, each of the at least one elongated reinforcing member having a first end and a second end and extending in a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end and wherein the first end is connected to the upper part of the shell and the second end is connected to the lower part of the shell thereby decreasing peeling and shear stresses in the trailing edge of the blade.

Abstract: A main rotor blade assembly is provided including a spar which comprises a main section. A main core is positioned adjacent a trailing side of the main section of the spar. A tip assembly includes a main tip core and a tip end pocket core. The tip assembly is positioned adjacent an outboard end of the main core and the spar such that the main tip core is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the main core and the tip end pocket core is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the spar. At least a portion of both the main tip core and the tip end pocket core comprises a high density core. An upper composite skin and a lower composite skin extend over the spar, the main core, the main tip core, and the tip end pocket core. A portion of the upper composite skin and the lower composite skin has a thickness sufficient to be load bearing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor blade for wind energy installation, comprising at least one flange running in a longitudinal direction from a rotor blade root to a rotor blade tip, whereby a width of the flange decreases along the longitudinal direction. The invention also relates to a method for producing a rotor blade in that at least one flange with a width decreasing in the longitudinal direction is applied to a rotor blade inner wall, and to a laying assistance device for positioning strips of the flange.

Abstract: A blade (10) for a rotor of a wind turbine (2) is disclosed. The blade is assembled from an inboard blade part (50) closest to the hub and an outboard blade part (110) farthest from the hub of the wind turbine. The inboard part (50) comprises a load carrying structure (60) with a first aerodynamic shell (70) fitted to the load carrying structure (60), and the outboard part (110) comprises a blade shell (141, 143) with a load carrying structure (142, 144) integrated in the blade shell (141, 143).

Abstract: The present invention provides a structural element, in particular for an aircraft or spacecraft, comprising a core, the material density of which varies, at least in portions, in order to optimize the natural vibration behavior of the structural element. The present invention further provides a method for producing a structural element, in particular for an aircraft or spacecraft, comprising the following steps: providing a structural element which has a core; determining the natural vibration behavior of the structural element; and varying the material density of the core of the structural element, at least in portions, in such a way that the natural vibration behavior of the structural element is optimized. The present invention provides still further an aircraft or spacecraft and a rotor blade, in particular for a wind turbine, comprising such a structural element.

Abstract: Edgewise stiffness of a wind turbine blade is enhanced by arranging a tension element between anchor points at the ends of a load bearing member in the turbine blade such as a spar or a beam. The tension element is spaced away from the load bearing member on the trailing edge side of the load bearing member by struts and acts as a suspension cable. Several tension elements may be used and a similar tension element may be arranged on the leading edge side of the load bearing member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structural element, in particular for an aircraft and spacecraft, comprising a core, the rigidity of which varies at least in portions for optimising the aeroelastic characteristics of the structural element The present invention also provides a method for producing a structural element, in particular for an aircraft and spacecraft, which comprises the following steps: provision of a structural element comprising a core; determination of the aeroelastic behavior of the structural element; and variation, at least in portions, of the rigidity of the core of the structural element such that the aeroelastic behavior of the structural element is optimised. The present invention further provides an aircraft and spacecraft comprising a structural element of this type, and a rotor blade, in particular for a wind turbine, comprising a structural element of this type.

Abstract: A rotor wing in a fiber-reinforced composite design including fiber layers, in particular for a tail rotor of a rotary wing aircraft, with a rotor blade (1) that includes a blade skin (40, 50) and a blade body (41-57) that includes an aerodynamically effective profile, with a tension-torque-transmission element (3) connected to it, which is designed in one piece with the rotor blade (1), and with fiber layers (42-47) that extend through the tension-torque-transmission element (3) and are scarf-join in the rotor blade (1), is improved in that the fiber layers (42-47) extend right through from the tension-torque-transmission element (3) to the blade body (41-57). Furthermore, a method for producing the rotor wing is described.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a rotary-wing aircraft includes a core member having a first end that extends to a second end, and a spar member positioned about the core member. The spar member includes a first end section that extends to a second end section. A tip core assembly is mounted at the second end section of the spar member. The tip core assembly is formed from a honeycombed material. The rotor blade also includes a rotor blade skin mounted about the spar member and the tip core assembly.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade has upper and lower shell members with a respective spar cap configured on an internal face of the shell members. A shear web extends between the spar caps along a longitudinal length of the blade. A connection assembly is configured between the transverse ends of the shear web and the spar caps and includes a channel structure configured on the spar cap. The channel structure includes side walls that extend from the spar cap along the longitudinal sides of the shear web. A pliant actuation line is attached between the side walls of the channel structure and bond paste is deposited in the channel structure. Movement of the transverse end of the shear web into the channel structure results in the actuation line pulling the side walls of the channel structure against the longitudinal sides of the shear web.

Abstract: Polymer foams incorporating fibrous ingredients are disclosed. The fibrous ingredients act as service temperature enhancing agents, increasing the maximum service temperature of the polymer foams as compared to comparable polymer foams that do not incorporate fibrous ingredients. Particularly useful fibrous ingredients include glass fibers and polyaramides having a branched fibrous structure, an example of which is poly para-phenyleneterephthalamide pulp.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade internal structure system is disclosed herein. A representative system includes span wise spar elements, thru thickness web elements, and an aerodynamic shell. In particular embodiments, the spars may be constructed of pre-cured planks and either adhesively bonded together or assembled using layers of laminates between planks. The laminate layers may be used for structural purposes either to increase the stiffness of the spar, increase the effective bond area of the spar to the shell, or to form a transition region at the plank termination. The spars can be incorporated into the shell assembly layup. The shear web may contain segmentation along the span wise axis of the blade, splitting the shear web into pressure and suction halves that are joined by a connector element that allows for alignment between the web halves in the span wise, chord wise, and thickens directions. The spar and web design elements discussed herein can be applied to either a segments or monolithic blade assembly.

Abstract: A method for making a rib for an aerofoil structure, the aerofoil structure including a skin component, the method including the steps of scanning the inner surface of the skin component to determine the surface profile thereof, providing a rib having a rib body and a rib foot protruding from the body, machining a foot surface profile into the rib foot, the foot surface profile being arranged to complement the skin inner surface profile where the rib foot is intended to abut the skin component.

Abstract: A rotor blade (1) with adaptive twisting, the blade being provided with an outer covering (2) extending along a pitch variation axis (AY) from a first end zone (3) to a second end zone (4), the outer covering (2) defining an internal cavity (8). The blade includes a strip (10) extending inside said cavity (8) along said pitch variation axis (AY), said strip (10) comprising a composite material that is anisotropic so as to be suitable for twisting under the effect of centrifugal forces (F) directed parallel to said pitch variation axis (AY) when the blade (1) is in rotation, said strip (10) being fastened to said outer covering (2) via first and second fastener means (11, 12) in order to be capable of twisting said outer covering (2).

Abstract: A fluid turbine blade and method of fabrication are provided. The fluid turbine blade includes a centrally disposed longitudinal spar having a substantially circumferential cross section. The fluid turbine blade also includes at least one chord stiffener coupled to the longitudinal spar. The fluid turbine blade further includes a torsionally compliant segmented skin coupled to the at least one chord stiffener. The centrally disposed longitudinal spar and the torsionally compliant segmented skin are functionally decoupled to relieve the torsionally compliant segmented skin of one or more of a flapwise load condition, an edgewise load condition and a torsional load condition.

Abstract: A device for connecting sections of wings such as wind turbine blades, which has, at the ends of adjacent sections, central box structures that are placed end-to-end and are clamped together by clamping rods, and a method for producing sections of wings such as wind turbine blades, which includes a step of producing devices for connecting the sections in the form of central joining box structures

Abstract: A wind turbine blade (10) with asymmetric spar caps (36,38). The blade includes a pressure side spar cap (36) having pressure side fibers (56) having a pressure side fiber diameter (54), the pressure side fibers configured to resist a first flap deflection (20) in a first direction via tensile strength; and a suction side spar cap (38) having suction side fibers (50) having a suction side fiber diameter (52), the suction side fibers configured to resist the first flap deflection via a compressive strength. At a radial cross section, the suction side spar cap exhibits a greater compressive strength and the pressure side spar cap, for example, by the suction side fibers having a different compressive strength than the pressure side fibers.

Abstract: A radially twisted wind turbine blade (10), including a radially twisted spar web (122), wherein a center (78) of a radial cross section of a base (12) of the blade rotates within a plane of rotation (80), and wherein at a base (12), a radial cross section of the spar web forms a first angle (82) with the plane of rotation, and at a tip (32) a radial cross section of the spar web forms a second angle (130) with the plane of rotation different than the first angle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reinforced blade for a wind turbine, particularly to a blade having at least one elongated reinforcing member connected inside the shell for increasing the strength of the blade, each of the at least one elongated reinforcing member having a first end and a second end and extending in a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end and wherein the first end is connected to the upper part of the shell and the second end is connected to the lower part of the shell thereby decreasing peeling and shear stresses in the trailing edge of the blade.

Abstract: Wind turbine blade comprising two or more blade sections each of which defines a non-joint zone and, at one or each of its ends, a joint zone. The blade sections are connected in pairs such that the joint zones of each pair are connected at a joint, whereby the joint is positioned between two non-joint zones. At least one of the joints have an increased thickness and a wider chord relative to the thickness and the chord of the two non-joint zone between which the joint is positioned so as to increase the second moment of inertia in the area of the joint.

Abstract: With a hybrid fan blade, the supporting structure (1) in fiber-composite material is enclosed by an enveloping structure (2) only in an area of the airfoil, with a suction-side sheet-metal cover of the enveloping structure being pre-stressed in tension and a pressure-side sheet-metal cover of the enveloping structure being pre-stressed in compression. This reduces the hazard of delamination between the enveloping structure and the supporting structure.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade comprising an aerodynamic fairing supported along at least a portion of its axial length by a spar (12). The spar comprises at least two spar segments (12) joined end-to-end at an interface (9), each spar segment comprising a shear web (3) with a spar cap (4) on each side. The outer face (6) of each spar cap tapers inwardly towards the interface such that its depth is reduced towards the interface creating a recess on each side of the interface formed by the tapered faces of adjacent spar caps. A respective connection piece (8) is sized to fit into each recess. Each connection piece (8) is sized to fit into each recess. Each connection piece (8) being fixed to the tapered faces of adjacent spar caps to form a double scarf joint.

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: A wind turbine blade may include a plurality of longitudinal composite members each having a fiber and resin layer around a predetermined cross-sectional shape and each comprising at least one longitudinal outer surface and at least one longitudinal mounting surface, each of the outer surfaces of the plurality of longitudinal composite members corresponding to a different portion of a desired airfoil shape, the plurality of longitudinal composite members assembled such that the outer surfaces of the composite members form at least a majority of the airfoil shape. An outer skin may be provided. The composite members may be made up of transportable segments. A method of assembly may include transporting the segments to a desired location such as an installation site for assembly of the wind turbine blade at the installation site.

Abstract: A composite article including composite component mounted on a spar including a shank extending heightwise from below component base up into composite component. Tab at an upper end of shank substantially or fully embedded in the composite component and at least one ply surface pattern of the composite component contacting and generally conforming to at least one spar surface pattern on the tab. Spar surface pattern may include spaced apart spar surface protrusions with spar surface spaces therebetween and spar surface protrusions extending outwardly from spar and disposed between tows in ply surface pattern. Tows may be layed up in spar surface spaces. Spar surface pattern may include continuous or segmented spaced spar surface protrusions and spar surface spaces therebetween with tows in ply surface pattern disposed in spar surface spaces. The composite article may be a composite blade or vane including a composite airfoil.

Abstract: A fan assembly is disclosed that includes one or more fan blades, each fan blade having a flexible airfoil wing. A curved, flexible wing is connected to a main spar element located between the upper and lower portions of the curved, flexible wing element. The curved, flexible wing forms the entire upper surface of the wing, the entire leading edge of the wing, and a portion of the lower surface of the wing.

Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.

Abstract: A propeller blade includes a foam core, a structural layer formed of multiple layers that surrounds at least a portion of the foam core and at least one section of fibers formed separately from the structural layer located between two of the multiple layers.

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: A rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade includes a blade root, a blade tip and a body extending between the blade root and the blade tip. The body has a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The body also defines an inner surface. The rotor blade also includes a spar member extending between a portion of the inner surface defined on the pressure side of the body and a portion of the inner surface defined on the suction side of the body. In addition, the rotor blade includes a plurality of structural members extending adjacent to the inner surface. The structural members are configured to intersect one another along the inner surface.

Abstract: Wind turbine having a wind turbine tower, a nacelle provided on the wind turbine tower, a rotor hub rotatably mounted to the nacelle, and one or more wind turbine blades having a root end to be mounted to the rotor hub, a tip end, and pressure and suction sides connected to each other via a leading edge and a trailing edge. The wind turbine blade has a plurality of cross-sectional profiles arranged according to the surface of the suction side so that the surface of the suction side forms a line having a predetermined curvature which curves towards the pressure side of the wind turbine blade and/or forms an approximately straight line along at least part of the relative length. The line crosses each cross-sectional profile in that point on the pressure side where the maximum relative thickness of that profile perpendicular relative to its chord line is measured.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine composite blade includes an airfoil having pressure and suction sides extending outwardly in a spanwise direction from a blade root along a span to a blade tip. A core section of the blade including composite quasi-isotropic plies extends spanwise outwardly through the blade. One or more spars including a stack of uni-tape plies having predominately a 0 degree fiber orientation with respect to the span and extending spanwise outwardly through the root and a portion of the airfoil towards the tip. Spars may include pressure and suction side spars sandwiching a chordwise extending portion of the core section in the airfoil and which be located near or along the pressure and suction sides respectively. Chordwise extending portion may be centered about a maximum thickness location of the airfoil. Spars may have height, width, and thickness that avoids flexural airfoil modes.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rotor blade for use with a wind turbine. The method includes coupling a first sparcap to at least one first panel wall to form a first blade section, wherein the first sparcap has a first chordwise width. A second sparcap is coupled to at least one second panel wall to form a second blade section. The second sparcap has a second chordwise width that is larger than the first chordwise width. The first blade section is coupled to the second blade section to form the rotor blade.

Abstract: Provided is a separative tidal current rotor blade including: a hub constituting a body of a rotor; a blade formed by coupling a plurality of blade blocks together; a connecting member for connecting the hub and the blade; and a coupling unit for coupling one end of the connecting member to the hub. The blade can be mass produced and has excellent compactibility by dividing a body unit of the blade into a plurality of blocks and assembling the blocks. Also, manufacturing and maintenance costs and time can be reduced since the body unit of the blade is divided into the blocks. In addition, the blade can be prevented from being damaged since a shock absorbing member is disposed between blade blocks to absorb a sudden shock.

Abstract: A spar (30) for a wind turbine blade. The spar comprises a plurality (typically three or more) beams (33) arranged side-by-side. Each beam has a longitudinal web (32), a flange (31) at either longitudinal edge. The spar may be made up of a number of modules connected to one another primarily via overlapping shear webs.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine and vertical axis wind turbine assembly comprising a rotary body and a plurality of blades. A cross section through each blade of the plurality of blades transverse to the rotary axis comprises an inner camber line, an outer camber line, and a chord line. The outer camber line comprises a first portion, a transition portion and a second portion. The second portion is longer, in the lengthwise direction, than a combined length of the first portion and the transition portion. The average second portion thickness is less than half an average first portion thickness. A magnitude of an average rate of change in a transition portion thickness is at least twice a magnitude of an average rate of change in a first portion thickness, and a magnitude of an average rate of change in a second portion thickness.

Abstract: A cooled turbine blade having a base and an airfoil, the base including cooling air inlet and an internal cooling air passageway, and the airfoil including an internal heat exchange path beginning at the base and ending at a cooling air outlet at the trailing edge of the airfoil. The airfoil also includes a “skin” that encompasses a tip wall, an inner spar, a leading edge rib, and a leading edge air deflector. The leading edge rib is configured to form a leading edge chamber in conjunction with the leading edge of the skin. The leading edge air deflector is at least partially intersected by the inner spar.

Abstract: A cooled turbine blade having a base and an airfoil, the base including cooling air inlet and an internal cooling air passageway, and the airfoil including an internal heat exchange path beginning at the base and ending at a cooling air outlet at the trailing edge of the airfoil. The airfoil also includes a “skin” that encompasses a tip wall, an inner spar, a leading edge rib, and a leading edge air deflector. The leading edge rib is configured to form a leading edge chamber in conjunction with the leading edge of the skin. The leading edge air deflector is shaped and positioned such that cooling air leaving the leading edge chamber is both turned and diffused.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor comprising a hub (1) from which a plurality of blades (2) project to a radius of at least 50 metres. Each blade comprising a hollow fairing supported by a central spar. Each blade has a thickness t at a radius r; characterised in that when r=0.5 R, t>0.3 T, where R is the radius of the blade and T is the thickness of the blade at the root end. By being thicker for a greater proportion of the blade, the aerodynamic performance of this part of the blade is worse, but this is more than compensated for as it allows better aerodynamic performance where it matters more, namely at the outer part of the blade. It also allows larger blades to be provided.

Abstract: A fan system includes a motor, a rotatable hub, and a plurality of fan blades. Each of the fan blades includes a substantially rigid spine member, a resilient leading edge member, and a resilient trailing edge member. The leading edge member and trailing edge members are removably coupled with the spine member, such that different leading edge members and different trailing edge members may be chosen to customize the leading and trailing edges of the fan blades. Each fan blade may have more than one type of leading edge member or more than one type of trailing edge member. The leading edge member and trailing edge member may each be coupled with the spine member by urging the leading edge member and trailing edge member in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined by the spine member.

Abstract: Rotor blades include a first shell reinforcing fiber structure, a prefabricated shear web reinforcing fiber structure having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is infused with the first shell reinforcing fiber structure at a resin infused joint, and, a second shell reinforcing fiber structure attached to the first shell reinforcing fiber structure and the second end of the prefabricated shear web reinforcing fiber structure.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade including a number of segments attached together end-to-end in a predetermined arrangement so that the respective covering subassemblies of the segments cooperate to form a substantially smooth surface of the wind turbine blade. Each segment includes a number of fiber tubes extending along preselected lengths of the segment respectively, the fiber tubes being laterally spaced apart from each other respectively to define gaps therebetween. The segment also includes a covering subassembly at least partially supported by the fiber tubes and at least partially defining an internal cavity.