Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A turbine blade assembly with a spar and shell construction. The shell is held in place between a tip edge of the spar and an airfoil shaped groove on the platform surface. A segmented seal assembly is held within the groove between the shell bottom surface. The segmented seal has a top face slanted inward toward the spar to engage with a similar slanted surface formed on the bottom face of the shell. The seal segments fit within the groove to engage both side walls to form a tight seal interface between the shell bottom surface and the outer wall of the groove. The seal segments are forced upward against the slanted underside of the shell due to centrifugal forces from rotation. A cooling air passage to supply pressurized cooling air to the groove and the underside surface of the seal segments also can be used to force the seal segments up against the slanted underside of the shell.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a spar (1) for a wind turbine blade. The method comprises 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 intermediate portions and the end portions are provided so that they comprise different materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine blade having at least one component formed of a fibrous composite material including two or more different types of carbon fibres having a different elastic modulus to each other. The proportions of the different types of fibres vary in the longitudinal direction of the blade such that the elastic modulus of the fibrous composite material increases towards the tip end of the blade. The two or more different types of carbon fibres may be incorporated in an inner beam and/or in the outer shell portions of the blade.

Abstract: A blade (20) for a wind turbine (10) generally includes a shell body (26) extending between a leading edge (30) and a trailing edge (32), an inner spar (36) supporting at least a portion of the shell body (26), and a damping element (42) coupled to the inner spar (36). The damping element (42) is configured to adjust the structural pitch of the blade (20) to dissipate edgewise vibrations of the blade (20). The damping element (42) may be incorporated into the spar (36) upon manufacture of the blade (20) or installed as a retro-fit modification to existing blades (20).

Abstract: 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 .

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade including outer skin materials made of fiber-reinforced plastic, a crossbeam material, and a trailing edge sandwich material disposed closer to a trailing edge than a trailing edge end of the crossbeam material, wherein a reinforcing material is provided on an inner surface of the outer skin material on a front side located closer to the trailing edge than a trailing edge end of the trailing edge sandwich material.

Abstract: A spar cap for a wind turbine rotor blade. The spar cap may include multiple preform components. The multiple preform components may be planar sheets having a swept shape with a first end and a second end. The multiple preform components may be joined by mating the first end of a first preform component to the second end of a next preform component, forming the spar cap.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A spar of a rotor blade having moderate depth transitions to a relatively much deeper shank over a relatively short distance. This rapid transition enables a low-weight blade root that is structurally efficient, offers a high moment capability, and enables high Mach number axial flow. A transition could advantageously reduce section depth by at least 15%, 20%, 30%, or even 40% over at most 5%, 6%, 10%, or 12% of a total length of the rotor blade. Such a transition could advantageously be accomplished using a cuff, which has interfaces with each of the spar and the shank. The rotor blade shank has a generally circular cross-section which allows for a rotary attachment to a hub, where the attachment may advantageously comprise a mechanical or elastomeric bearing. Preferred embodiments have a spar with a generally rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: A resin infusion apparatus and system, layup system comprising the same, and methods of using these are provided. The resin infusion apparatus comprises a hollow cylinder having a plurality of pores perforating an arcuate surface thereof. The interior of the cylinder is provided with one or more flow restrictors that assist in controlling the flow out of the pores of the cylinder. Laminates made of prepregs prepared using the apparatus and/or system may thus be essentially free of voids.

Abstract: The invention provides a sectional blade for a wind turbine. The blade comprises at least a first blade portion and a second blade portion extending in opposite directions from a joint. The first blade portion and the second blade portion are structurally connected by at least one spar bridge extending into both blade portions to facilitate joining of said blade portions.

Abstract: A blade for a wind turbine and a method for making same are provided. The blade includes a skin having a braided fiber sock. One or more stiffeners are attached to the braided fiber sock.

Abstract: A composite turbine blade for use in a gas turbine engine under high gas flow temperature. The blade includes a root and platform portion formed out of the standard high temperature resistant metallic material of the prior art blades and with a near wall cooled metallic spar extending along the suction side wall of the blade and wrapping around the leading edge and the trailing edge portions of the blade. The wrap around spar forms a concave opening in which a ceramic or carbon fiber mid chord section of the blade is secured to form the composite blade. The solid ceramic or carbon fiber mid-chord blade is exposed to the pressure side hot gas flow and requires no cooling. Radial cooling channels with pin fins extend along the blade spar on the leading and trailing edges and on the suction side wall to provide cooling for the metallic portions of the composite blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing an assembly, comprising providing a first structure; providing a second structure; providing at least one flexible adhesive limiting member extending between said structures; and providing an adhesive between said structures to bind said structures to each other; wherein the adhesive is limited by the flexible adhesive limiting member such that a concave front line surface of the adhesive is defined. The invention also relates to such an assembly as well as to a wind turbine rotor blade, and to a wind turbine, comprising such an assembly.

Abstract: A spar cap assembly for a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. In general, the spar cap assembly may include a tensile spar cap formed from a composite material and configured to engage an inner surface of the rotor blade. The tensile spar cap may generally have a first thickness and a first cross-sectional area. Additionally, the spar cap assembly may include a compressive spar cap formed from the same composite material and configured to engage an opposing inner surface of the rotor blade. The compressive spar cap may generally have a second thickness and a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area. Additionally, the composite material is generally selected so that at least one of a strength and a modulus of elasticity of the composite material differs depending on whether the material is in tension or in compression.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A fluid turbine blade is 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 rib assembly affixed to said longitudinal spar. The fluid turbine blade further includes a skin attached to the at least one rib.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade is provided with a core that has a plurality of sections, and a spar that has a plurality of sections and which is centrally positioned in the core. The exterior of the core is covered with a resin impregnated fabric cover that is cured. The spar and core sections of the blade may be sized to facilitate the assembly of the blade at a field construction site.

Abstract: A sparcap for a wind turbine rotor blade. The sparcap includes a first carbon material layer coupled to an inner surface of the wind turbine rotor blade. The first carbon material layer extends along at least a portion of a length of the wind turbine rotor blade. A core material is coupled to the first carbon material layer. The core material is positioned with respect to a buckling prone region of the wind turbine rotor blade. A second carbon material layer covers the core material and is coupled to the first carbon material layer and/or the core material. The second carbon material layer extends along at least a portion of the length of the wind turbine rotor blade.

Abstract: An inflatable rotor blade for a wind turbine includes a flexible skin. The flexible skin assumes, when inflated by means of an inflation medium, the shape of an airfoil which has an inner cavity. When the inner cavity is formed, at least one stiffener unit is arranged in the inner cavity of the rotor blade and maintains the airfoil shape of the flexible skin.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade comprising an elongate spar (6). A first plurality of skin panels (1) are attached in an upper high pressure row to the spar to form a substantial proportion of the external profile of one surface of the blade. A second plurality of skin panels (1) are attached in a lower low pressure row to the spar to form a substantial proportion of the external profile of the opposite lower surface of the blade. A plurality of the skin panels in each row are each integrally provided with a bulkhead (2) which supports the skin panel on the spar.

Abstract: The invention provides a sectional blade for a wind turbine. The blade comprises at least a first blade portion and a second blade portion extending in opposite directions from a joint. Further each blade portion comprises a spar section forming a structural member of the blade and running lengthways. The first blade portion and the second blade portion are structurally connected by at least one spar bridge extending into both blade portions to facilitate joining of said blade portions and the spar bridge joins the spar sections.

Abstract: A blade segment of a rotor blade assembly formed from two or more blade segments is disclosed. The blade segment may generally include a body shell and a shear web extending longitudinally within the body shell. The shear web may be disposed between opposed spar caps. The blade segment may also include an attachment member and a spar member. The attachment member may be at least partially disposed within the body shell. The spar member may generally extend outwardly from the spar caps along an inner surface of the body shell and may be configured to support the attachment member within the body shell.

Abstract: A sectional blade for a wind turbine comprising a first and a second blade section extending in opposite directions from a blade joint, and each blade section comprising a spar section forming a structural member of the blade. The blade sections are structurally connected by a spar bridge over a spar joint, which comprises a center beam of two extending beam caps joined by one or more extending beam webs. The spar joint further comprises at least two extending spar caps and one or more extending spar webs connecting the spar caps to opposite sides of the center beam. A method of manufacturing such a sectional blade is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sectional blade for a wind turbine comprising a first and a second blade section extending in opposite directions from a blade joint, and each blade section comprising a spar section forming a structural member of the blade. The blade sections are structurally connected by a spar bridge extending into the first and second blade sections to facilitate joining of the blade sections. The spar bridge comprises a stiffening member protruding from the spar bridge in a chord wise direction of the blade for increasing the edgewise stiffness of the blade, and wherein a part of the surface of the stiffening member is shaped to follow an inner surface contour of the blade. A method of manufacturing such a sectional blade is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for actively controlling the span-wise rotational twist of a hollow beam along its longitudinal axis, including a hollow beam structure having a leading edge and a trailing edge region, the beam being split along its length, an actuator arranged between split surfaces of the beam, the actuator adapted to move the split surfaces in a longitudinal direction relative to each other, inducing a twist in the beam. In one embodiment, the actuator is a plurality of thermal expansion material blocks alternating with mechanical compression blocks, the thermal expansion material blocks being heated to cause expansion in the spanwise longitudinal direction. Other alternative actuators include a rotary actuators such as a threaded screw, piezoelectric or magnetostrictive blocks, a hydraulic actuator, or a pneumatic actuator. In an embodiment, the beam is an airfoil shape.

Abstract: A turbine blade of a spar and shell construction with multiple impingement cooling of the shell and cooling air channels formed in the platform to provide cooling for the platform and to provide purge air at the blade fillet to prevent ingestion of hot gas flow. The spar includes a plurality of radial extending cooling air supply channels that function as support members for the shell. The shell includes ribs extending between the walls that define cavities in which the spar cooling air supply channels fit to form the impingement cavities. The shell includes lower ledges that extend outward and abut the platforms extending from the spar to form spent air cooling channels to pass the impingement cooling air through the platform for cooling. A C-shaped clamp member secures the shell to the platform of the spar and form cooling air channels to discharge the spent cooling air into the fillet region of the blade.

Abstract: A wind-turbine blade that prevents foreign matter from entering the inside thereof during transportation and that can be efficiently assembled in good condition is provided. A wind-turbine blade includes a skin that forms a long and hollow shape, and a main spar that extends in the longitudinal direction and reinforces the skin from the inside thereof. The main spar is divided into a blade-root-side main spar and a blade-tip-side main spar in the longitudinal direction; the blade-root-side main spar and the blade-tip-side main spar have connection sections that are connected to each other; the skin is divided into a connection-section skin, located at a position corresponding to the connection sections, a blade-root-side skin, and a blade-tip-side skin; and openings formed in the blade-root-side skin and the blade-tip-side skin are blocked off by blanking plates.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A turbine blade is provided for a gas turbine comprising: a support structure comprising a base defining a root of the blade and a framework extending radially outwardly from the base, and an outer skin coupled to the support structure framework. The skin has a generally constant thickness along substantially the entire radial extent thereof. The framework and the skin define an airfoil of the blade.

Abstract: Within the field of wind turbine generators (WTG), to provide a consistent way of manufacturing a WT blade there is disclosed a blade mould and a blade spar fixture to support the spar in the mould so as to provide a fixed predetermined relative position, and preferably also orientation, between at least a root end, such as a bushing in the root end of the blade spar, and a root end of the mould. Overall consistency is also obtained in that hereby a blade with anticipated aerodynamic and strength characteristics is provided, among others in that at least adjacent to the root of the spar there is substantially the same distance for a cured adhesive between an innermost surface of each of blade shells and an outermost surface of the spar.

Abstract: A blade for a wind turbine includes a spar having a shear web, and at least one cross web extending from the spar.

Abstract: A turbine blade for use in a gas turbine engine, where the turbine blade is made from a spar and shell construction in which a thin walled shell is held in place between the blade tip and the platform by only a mechanical fastener without using any bonding, welding or brazing. The spar is connected to an attachment by a tie bolt, and a separate platform is secured, over the attachment t in which the shell is held against. This provides for a thermally free platform and shell connection. With this arrangement, the shell is held under compression within the 2% yield stress range such that the turbine blade shell can have an infinite life. Also, the turbine blade is much lighter than prior art blades. As a result, the spar and shell blade produces less stress on the rotor disk during engine operation.

Abstract: A method of producing a shear web for a wind turbine blade includes providing a mold generally conforming to a shape of at least a portion of a shear web; and filling the mold with a closed cell structural foam.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes a plurality of individual blade segments, with each blade segment defining an internal passage extending between the longitudinal ends of the blade segment. A rigid spar member extends longitudinally through the internal passages of the individual blade segments such that the blade segments are aligned and connected end-to-end on said spar member to define a complete rotor blade from a root to a blade tip. The spar member has a cross-sectional profile that is keyed to the cross-sectional profile of the internal passage in the blade segments. The spar member includes oppositely facing spar caps that engage against the inside surfaces of the blade segments within the internal passages.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The rotor blade comprises a root portion located in a proximal region of the rotor blade and a tip portion connected to the root portion and located in a distal region of the rotor blade. A spar extends from the root portion to the tip portion. The spar is a unitary member at the root portion and separates into a primary spar and a sub-spar towards the tip region of the rotor blade. Each spar and sub-spar has a respective lifting surface of the rotor blade associated therewith, each lifting surface being distinct from each other lifting surface.

Abstract: A blade of a wind turbine is provided having an improved spar cap. The spar cap includes at least one trench extending in a substantially span-wise direction in at least a portion of the spar cap. At least one shear web is connected to the spar cap. At least a portion of the shear web is positioned within the trench of the spar cap.

Abstract: The use of premium material in the construction of wind turbine blades may provide increases in blade efficiency and enable the use of thinner blades. By providing a spar cap having a section of premium material having a constant thickness, the use of the premium material may be optimized to provide a more effective use of premium material. Additional material, which may be less expensive as well as heavier, may be added near the blade root to provide additional strength and stiffness to the blade.

Abstract: The torsional rigidity of a wind turbine blade affects the twist response of the blade induced by bending moments within the blade. By including regions having a lower modulus of rigidity than the remainder of the blade shell, the torsional rigidity of the blade shell can be decreased, and the twist response thereby increased. In blades having a single shear web, this twist response may be more pronounced. The regions of low modulus may comprise additional shell panels, or thick regions of low modulus joining material.

Abstract: A turbine rotor blade with a spar and shell construction, where the shell has an airfoil shape and is formed of two shell segments with an upper shell half and a lower shell half. The upper shell half is radially supported by a tip of the spar while the lower shell half is radially loaded by an attachment so that its load is not carried by the upper shell half and the tip of the spar in order to reduce overall stress levels.

Abstract: A fan blade for a turbine engine includes an exterior surface defining an airfoil that is provided by leading and trailing edges, opposing generally chord-wise surfaces interconnecting the leading and trailing edges, and a tip. The airfoil extends from a root. A fan rotor includes a slot that receives the root. A spar is constructed from a first material and includes opposing sides. The spar provides at least a portion of the exterior surface. A sheath is constructed from a second material different than the first material. The sheath is arranged on both of the opposing sides to provide at least a portion of the exterior surface at the opposing surfaces.

Abstract: A turbine airfoil, such as a rotor blade or a stator vane, for a gas turbine engine, the airfoil formed as a shell and spar construction with a plurality of hook shaped struts each mounted within channels extending in a spanwise direction of the spar and the shell to allow for relative motion between the spar and shell in the airfoil chordwise direction while also fanning a seal between adjacent cooling channels. The struts provide the seal as well as prevent bulging of the shell from the spar due to the cooling air pressure. The hook struts have a hooked shaped end and a rounded shaped end in order to insert the struts into the spar.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade includes first and second shell components joined together at a trailing edge of the blade. Each shell component includes a forward edge. At least one leading edge segment is joined to the shell components and aligned along a longitudinal length of the blade. The leading edge segment has an open-ended cross-sectional profile defined by an arcuate skin having first and second longitudinal edges and first and second end faces. The longitudinal edges of the leading edge segment are joined to the forward edge of the first shell component at a first bond line, and joined to the forward edge of the second shell component at a second bond line. The leading edge of the blade between the first and second bond lines is a continuous unbroken surface between the bond lines.

Abstract: A turbine airfoil, such as a rotor blade or a stator vane, for a gas turbine engine, the airfoil formed as a shell and spar construction with a plurality of dog bone struts each mounted within openings formed within the shell and spar to allow for relative motion between the spar and shell in the airfoil chordwise direction while also forming a seal between adjacent cooling channels. The struts provide the seal as well as prevent bulging of the shell from the spar due to the cooling air pressure.

Abstract: A system including a dual cure composite structure is disclosed. The system also includes a first layer comprising a resin having a first and a second functional group. The system further includes a second layer comprising the resin having the first and the second functional group. The system also includes a third layer comprising the resin having the first and the second functional group. The system further includes a first covalent bond across an interface of the first and the second layer and a second covalent bond across another interface of the second and the third layer. The system further includes more than two layers comprising the resin having the first and second functional group. A method of manufacturing a system including a dual cure composite structure is also disclosed. The method includes providing a first layer comprising a resin having a first functional group and a second functional group. The method also includes applying a first curing source to partially cure the first layer.

Abstract: A helicopter rotor blade includes a structural composite skin defining a cavity therein; a composite spar disposed within the cavity and adhesively bonded to the skin, a portion of the spar exhibiting a C-shape in cross section; and a foam core disposed within the cavity and adhesively bonded to the skin. The structural composite skin forms an external, closed box structure configured to transmit mechanical loads encountered by the rotor blade.

Abstract: A hybrid fan blade for a gas turbine engine is provided that includes an airfoil and a composite panel. The airfoil has a first side and a second side orientated opposite the first side. The first and second sides extend between a tip, a base, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil includes a plurality of cavities disposed in the first side of the airfoil, which cavities extend inwardly toward the second side. The cavities collectively form an opening. At least one rib is disposed between the cavities. A shelf is disposed around the opening. The composite panel is attached to the shelf first mounting surface and to the rib, and is sized to enclose the opening. The first composite panel is a load bearing structure operable to transfer loads to the airfoil and receive loads from the airfoil.

Abstract: A guide vane for a gas turbine aircraft engine includes an aerodynamic shell for turning a flow of working fluid and an internal spar spaced from the aerodynamic shell by an air gap and reinforced by stiffeners.

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.