Abstract:
A hub segment for use on a wind turbine. The hub segment comprises a funnel-like body having a flared end and a stem. The flared end is configured to be coupled to a hub of a wind turbine and includes a rim and a side wall extending away from the rim and a plurality of connecting elements integrated into the flared end and spaced apart from the rim. Each connecting element includes an eye that defines a bore through the side wall of the flared end. The stem is configured to fit within a root end of a wind turbine blade. A hub assembly may include two or more hub segments coupled to the hub and to each other. A method of making a hub segment is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A connecting joint for attaching a wind turbine blade to a rotor hub includes an insert configured to be coupled to the wind turbine blade. The insert includes a main body having an outer surface configured to interface with the blade, a first tubular extension extending from the main body and having inner and outer surfaces configured to interface with the blade, and a second tubular extension extending away from the main body and having inner and outer surfaces configured to interface with the blade. A wind turbine blade having such a connecting joint is also disclosed. Additionally, a method of making a wind turbine blade including the connecting joint is disclosed.
Abstract:
A connecting joint for attaching a wind turbine rotor blade to a rotor hub includes a bolt having a blade end configured to be coupled to the rotor blade and a hub end configured to be coupled to the rotor hub. The bolt includes a neck region adjacent the blade end, wherein the neck region has a cross dimension less than a cross dimension of the blade end of the bolt. A wind turbine blade having such a connecting joint is also disclosed. Additionally, a method of making the connecting joint is disclosed.
Abstract:
An aspect of the invention involves a method of transporting a blade for a wind turbine generator, the method comprising attaching a blade root support frame to a root flange of the blade and attaching a blade spanwise support frame to a spanwise portion of the blade as well as connecting a first wheel base to the spanwise support frame, and connecting a transport unit to the root support frame, where the transport unit includes a carrying structure and a second wheel base with at least one axle and two wheels, and where the transport unit before being connected to the root support frame, is moved into a position partly underneath the blade root, and where the second wheel base is underneath the blade and the carrying structure is underneath the root support frame. As the transport unit is moved into a position underneath the blade, such that the second wheel base is underneath the blade and the carrying structure is underneath the root support frame, the load from the root end of the blade is distributed between a truck or tractor, which is used for the transport, and the second wheel base, which lowers the axle pressure of the truck or tractor. Moreover, as the carrying structure is underneath the root support frame, only vertical load may be applied from the transport unit, such that forces and torque applied on the blade are substantially decreased compared to the known art. A second aspect involves that blades may be stacked by use of the support frames without use of further equipment.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method of providing a tapered edge on a sheet comprising a fibrous material, comprising moving the sheet while carrying out the following steps: -moving the sheet past a freezing device, which sheet is provided with a substance embedding the fibrous material, at least at a first edge of the sheet, which substance is in a non-solid state at room temperature, in particular at 20 degrees Celsius, and cooling the first edge using the freezing device, so that the substance at the first edge becomes solid, -moving the sheet past a machining device while the substance is solid from the cooling using the freezing device, and -machining, during the step of moving the sheet past a machining device, the first edge with the machining device to provide a first tapered edge.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a production facility (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for forming elongated products, in particular wind turbine blades, wherein elongated mould assemblies (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b, 310a, 310b, 410a, 410b, 510a, 510b) may be accessed on the basis of an appropriate transport system (150, 250, 350, 450, 550) comprising at least one support member (251a-h,151, 251, 351, 451, 551) laterally positioned between the elongated mould assemblies. The support member (251a-h,151, 251, 351, 451, 551) is positioned so as to enable a rotational movement of an arm (121a, 121b, 221a) or is configured to change position or comprises a rotatable carrier element (259). For example, an elongated support member (151, 251, 351, 451, 551) may be positioned in a non-interference position, in which one or both mould assemblies can be moved into a position so as to form a composite mould assembly.
Abstract:
A method of tapering an edge (25) of a fibrous reinforcement sheet (18) for a composite structure is described. The method includes supporting at least a portion of the sheet (18) and creating a tapered edge by relative translational movement of a rotary tool (20) with respect to the supported portion of the sheet. Rotation of the tool defines a cutting direction transverse to the tapered edge.
Abstract:
A hub (1) for a wind turbine and a method for fabricating the hub (1)are disclosed. The hub (1) comprises a continuous shell forming a hollow body with a main shaft flange (4) adapted to connect the hub (1) to a main shaft,and one or more blade flanges (5), each blade flange (5) being adapted to connect the hub (1) to a wind turbine blade. The hub (1) further comprises at least two hub parts (2, 3, 7), each hub part (2, 3, 7) being casted separately from a castable material, and each hub part (2, 3, 7) being subsequently connected to at least one other hub part (2, 3, 7) via one or more connecting portions (6), so that at least one blade flange (5) and/or the main shaft flange (4) comprises a section forming part of or being attached to one of the hub parts (2, 3, 7) and a section forming part of or being attached to another hub part (2, 3, 7), thereby ensuring that the casted parts have a size and a weight which are manageable during the manufacture, in particular during the casting. The hub (1)may comprise one or more reinforcement elements arranged at or near the blade flange(s) (5), e.g. comprising an inner wall (8) arranged at a distance to the continuous shell, thereby forming a cavity (9) between the inner wall (8) and the continuous shell. This allows the regions between the blade flanges (5) to be small or narrow, thereby reducing the size and weight of the hub (1), while maintaining a sufficient strength and stiffness of these regions.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method of making a tubular element for a wind turbine blade where at least two sections of the blade are assembled to form the tubular element, e.g. a spar or a blade shell. According to the invention, the sections are prepared individually and assembled by co-curing of uncured resin of one of the sections. Accordingly, the process of applying glue and the glue itself is avoided, and the bonding quality can potentially be increased.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a wind turbine blade (5) comprising one or more oscillation dampers (11) for damping oscillations or vibrations of the wind turbine blade (5). The dampers (11) comprise one or more first damper parts (13) having one or more first damper part surfaces (17). The first damper parts (13) being rigidly connected to the blade (5) and/or being a part of the blade (5). The dampers (11) further comprise one or more second damper parts (12) having one or more second damper part surfaces (18), wherein the first damper part surfaces (17) and the second damper part surfaces (18) are arranged to move relatively to each other during the oscillations. Even further the dampers (11) comprise a load transferring coupling (32), directly or indirectly coupling the first damper part surfaces (17) and the second damper part surfaces (18), so that the relative movement result in a oscillation-damping dissipation of kinetic energy. The invention further relates to a wind turbine (1), an oscillation damper (11), a method for damping oscillations of a wing turbine blade (5) and use hereof.