Compliant structures for jointed rotor blades

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotor blade, which includes a first blade segment and a second blade segment extending in opposite directions from a chord-wise joint. Each of the first blade segment and the second blade segment has at least one shell member defining an airfoil surface. The first blade segment includes a beam structure having a receiving end, the receiving end having at least one span-wise extending pin extending therefrom. The second blade segment includes a receiving section, which receives the beam structure. The receiving section includes a chord-wise component, the chord-wise component having a pin joint slot defined therethrough. The pin joint slot receives the span-wise extending pin at the receiving end of the beam structure so as to fix the first blade segment and the second blade segment together. Moreover, the chord-wise component, the pin joint slot and / or the span-wise extending pin include at least one compliant structure formed of a compliant material, which allows it to deform to follow the shear deformation of the rotor blade.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wind turbines, and more particularly to a compliant structure for a jointed rotor blade for a wind turbine. Background Art

[0002] Wind power is considered to be one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources currently available, and wind turbines have gained increasing attention in this regard. Modern wind turbines typically include a tower, a generator, a gearbox, a nacelle, and a rotor having a rotatable hub with one or more rotor blades. The rotor blades capture the kinetic energy of the wind using the known airfoil principle. The rotor blades transmit the kinetic energy in the form of rotational energy in order to turn a shaft that couples the rotor blades to a gearbox (or directly to a generator if a gearbox is not used). The generator then converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy, which can be deployed to a utility grid.

[0003] The rotor blade generally includes a suction side shell and a pressure side shell formed using a molding process, and the suction side shell and the pressure side shell are joined together at a joint line along the leading edge and the trailing edge of the blade. In addition, the pressure shell and the suction shell are relatively lightweight and have structural properties (e.g., stiffness, deflection resistance, and strength) that are not configured to withstand bending moments and other loads imposed on the rotor blade during operation. Therefore, in order to increase the stiffness, deflection resistance, and strength of the rotor blade, the body shell is typically reinforced using one or more structural members (e.g., opposing spar caps with a shear web configured therebetween) that join the inner pressure side and suction side surfaces of the shell halves. The spar caps and / or the shear webs may be constructed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to glass fiber laminate composites and / or carbon fiber laminate composites.

[0004] As wind turbines continue to increase in size, rotor blades also increase in size. Therefore, larger rotor blades can be constructed in segments that can be assembled on site via one or more pin joints. The increase in blade length requires additional blade support because gravity pulls along the increased length to create a greater bending moment than in a shorter rotor blade. The pin joint is configured to allow the blade tip to flex to withstand some of this load.

[0005] Wind turbine rotor blades often deflect under load. This deflection causes internal shear deformation of the shear web of the blade. Therefore, certain joint-type rotor blades include a first blade segment having a beam structure, which is received in a receiving section of a second blade segment, and the second blade segment is further fixed together via one or more span-wise and chord-wise extension pins, and the one or more span-wise and chord-wise extension pins transfer the blade bending moment from one segment to another segment. The receiving section of such a joint also has a chord-wise partition, which tends to follow the shear deformation of the blade, causing local peeling stresses between the partition and the blade shell, thereby applying stress to the bonding paste between the receiving section and the blade shell. In addition, as the chord-wise extension pins bend, the beam structure of the first blade segment also bends relative to the receiving section. Such bending causes high peak stresses on the bushing holes of the pins, as well as uneven loading of the bond line.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure is directed to an improved wind turbine jointed rotor blade having one or more compliant structures at the pin locations to address the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the invention

[0007] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a rotor blade for a wind turbine. The rotor blade includes a first blade segment and a second blade segment extending in opposite directions from a chord-wise joint. Each of the first blade segment and the second blade segment has at least one shell member defining an airfoil surface. The first blade segment includes a beam structure having a receiving end. The receiving end includes at least one span-wise extending pin extending therefrom. The second blade segment includes a receiving section that receives the beam structure of the first blade segment. In addition, the receiving section includes a chord-wise member having a pin joint slot defined therethrough. As such, the pin joint slot receives the span-wise extending pin at the receiving end of the beam structure so as to secure the first blade segment and the second blade segment together. Moreover, at least one of the chord-wise member, the pin joint slot, or the span-wise extending pin includes at least one compliant structure formed of a compliant material that allows it to deform to follow shear deformation of the rotor blade.

[0009] More specifically, in one embodiment, the chord-wise member and / or the body of the span-wise extending pin may be constructed of a compliant material. In another embodiment, the rotor blade may further include a bearing assembly having a bearing received in a bearing retaining housing. In such an embodiment, the bearing assembly may be received in the pin joint slot. Thus, the compliant structure may be a bearing and / or a bearing retaining housing.

[0010] In further embodiments, the bearing retaining housing may be axially secured in the pin joint slot of the chord-wise member at least in part via the first flange. Additionally, the bearing retaining housing may further include a second flange for limiting rotation of the bearing within the bearing retaining housing. In such embodiments, the second flange may be located on a side of the bearing retaining housing opposite the first flange. In several embodiments, the bearing retaining housing may be further axially secured in the pin joint slot of the chord-wise member at least in part via a retaining ring. In further embodiments, the bearing comprises a spherical bearing.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the rotor blade may further include at least one sleeve positioned circumferentially around at least one of the bearing and / or the bearing retaining housing. In such embodiments, the compliant structure(s) may be the sleeve(s).

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, the rotor blade may include a bushing that is received within a pin joint slot of the chord-wise member. In such an embodiment, the compliant structure(s) may be a bushing.

[0013] In further embodiments, the compliant material may include, for example, an elastomeric material, a resin material, a laminate material, a graphene material, a cellulose material, or any other suitable compliant material.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the chord-wise member may further include one or more grooves to support bending loads of the chord-wise joint. In another embodiment, the chord-wise member may have a butterfly-shaped cross-section.

[0015] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of connecting a first blade segment and a second blade segment of a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The method includes providing a first blade segment having a beam structure extending in a generally spanwise direction. The beam structure has a receiving end having at least one spanwise extending pin extending therefrom. The method also includes providing a second blade segment having a receiving section extending in a generally spanwise direction. The receiving section includes a chord-wise member having a pin joint slot defined therethrough. In addition, the method includes inserting the beam structure of the first blade segment into the receiving section of the second blade segment such that the pin joint slot receives the spanwise extending pin of the beam structure so as to secure the first blade segment and the second blade segment together at the chord-wise joint. Moreover, at least one of the chord-wise member, the pin joint slot and / or the spanwise extending pin includes at least one compliant structure formed of a compliant material that allows it to deform to follow shear deformation of the rotor blade. It should be understood that the method may also include any additional features and / or steps as described herein.

[0016] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, to those skilled in the art is set forth in the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine according to the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 shows a plan view of one embodiment of a rotor blade having a first blade segment and a second blade segment according to the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 3 showing a perspective view of a section of one embodiment of a first blade segment according to the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4 showing a perspective view of one embodiment of a section of a second blade segment at a chord-wise joint according to the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 5 An assembly of one embodiment of a rotor blade for a wind turbine having a first blade segment joined to a second blade segment according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0023] Figure 6 An exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of a plurality of support structures of an assembly of rotor blades of a wind turbine according to the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a chord-wise joint 34 according to the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 8 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a chord-wise member according to the present disclosure;

[0026] Fig. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a chord-wise member according to the present disclosure, particularly showing a bearing and a bearing retaining housing constructed of a compliant material;

[0027] Fig.10 shows a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chord-wise member according to the present disclosure, particularly showing a plurality of sleeves composed of a compliant material disposed at a chord-wise joint;

[0028] Fig.11shows a partial cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of a chord-wise member according to the present disclosure, and in particular shows a bushing composed of a compliant material received within a pin joint slot of the chord-wise member;

[0029] Fig.12 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a chord-wise member according to the present disclosure;

[0030] Fig.13 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a chord-wise member according to the present disclosure, particularly showing a groove formed into the chord-wise member; and

[0031] Fig.14 A flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method of joining a first blade segment and a second blade segment of a rotor blade of a wind turbine according to the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of illustration of the present invention without limiting the present invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. For example, a feature shown or described as a part of an embodiment may be used in conjunction with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0033] Now referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 A perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine 10 according to the present invention is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the wind turbine 10 is a horizontal axis wind turbine. Alternatively, the wind turbine 10 may be a vertical axis wind turbine. In addition, as shown, the wind turbine 10 may include a tower 12 extending from a support surface 14, a nacelle 16 mounted on the tower 12, a generator 18 located within the nacelle 16, a gearbox 20 coupled to the generator 18, and a rotor 22 rotatably coupled to the gearbox 20 using a rotor shaft 24. In addition, as shown, the rotor 22 includes a rotatable hub 26 and at least one rotor blade 28 coupled to the rotatable hub 26 and extending outwardly therefrom. As shown, the rotor blade 28 includes a blade tip 17 and a blade root 19.

[0034] View now Figure 2 , showing Figure 130 is a plan view of one of the rotor blades 28 of FIG. As shown, the rotor blade 28 may include a first blade segment 30 and a second blade segment 32. In addition, as shown, the first blade segment 30 and the second blade segment 32 may each extend from a chord-wise joint 34 in opposite directions. In addition, as shown, each blade segment 30, 32 may include at least one shell member, such as a pressure side shell member, a suction side shell member, a leading edge shell member, a trailing edge shell member, etc. The first blade segment 30 and the second blade segment 32 are connected at least by an internal support structure 36 extending into the two blade segments 30, 32 to facilitate the connection of the blade segments 30, 32. Arrow 38 shows that the segmented rotor blade 28 in the illustrated example includes two blade segments 30, 32, and these blade segments 30, 32 are connected by inserting the internal support structure 36 into the second blade segment 32. In addition, as shown in the figure, the second blade segment includes a plurality of spar structures 66 (also referred to herein as spar caps) extending longitudinally for connection with the beam structure 40 of the first blade segment 30 (this is in Figure 3 and 5 ).

[0035] View now Figure 3 , a perspective view of a section of a first blade segment 30 according to the present disclosure is shown. As shown, the first blade segment 30 includes a beam structure 40 that forms a portion of the internal support structure 36 and extends longitudinally for structural connection with the second blade segment 32. In addition, as shown, the beam structure 40 forms at least a portion of a shear web 42 connected to the suction side spar cap 44 and the pressure side spar cap 46. Moreover, as shown, the first blade segment 30 may include one or more first pin joints at a receiving end 54 of the beam structure 40. In one embodiment, the pin joint may include a pin that has a tight interference fit with a bushing. More specifically, as shown, the pin joint (one or more) may include a pin tube 52 located on the receiving end 54 of the beam structure 40. Therefore, as shown, the pin tube 52 may be oriented in a spanwise direction, that is, along the span or length of the rotor blade 28, which is defined along an axis extending from the blade root to the blade tip of the rotor blade 28. In addition, the first blade segment 30 may also include a pin joint slot 50 located on the beam structure 40. Furthermore, as shown, the pin joint slot 50 may be oriented in a chord-wise direction, ie, along a chord of the rotor blade 28 , which is defined along an axis extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the rotor blade 28 .

[0036] View now Figure 4, shows a perspective view of a section of a second blade segment 32 according to the present disclosure. As shown, the second blade segment 32 includes a receiving segment 60 extending longitudinally within the second blade segment 32 for receiving the beam structure 40 of the first blade segment 30. Further, as shown, the receiving segment 60 may include a longitudinally extending spar structure 66 for connection with the beam structure 40 of the first blade segment 30. In addition, as shown, the receiving segment 60 may include a chord-wise member 48 having a span-wise pin joint slot 56 defined therethrough. Further, as shown, the receiving segment 60 may include a chord-wise pin joint slot 58 defined therethrough that is aligned with the pin joint slot 50 of the beam structure 40.

[0037] View now Figure 5 , an assembly 70 of a rotor blade 28 according to the present disclosure is shown having a first blade segment 30 coupled to a second blade segment 32. As shown, the assembly 70 shows a plurality of support structures beneath a shell component of the rotor blade 28 having the first blade segment 30 coupled to the second blade segment 32. More specifically, as shown, the span-wise extending pins 52 of the receiving end 54 of the beam structure 40 are received within the span-wise pin joint slots 56 of the receiving section 60 to secure the first blade segment 30 and the second blade segment 32 together.

[0038] View now Figure 6 , shows an exploded perspective view of the multiple support structures of the assembly 70 toward the receiving section 60 of the rotor blade 28. As shown, the spar structure 66 is configured to receive the beam structure 40 and may include chord-wise pin joint slots 58 aligned with the pin joint slots 50 of the beam structure 40, and the chord-wise extension pins 62 can be inserted through the pin joint slots of the beam structure. In addition, as shown, the chord-wise extension pins 62 can be configured to maintain a tight interference fit within the aligned pin joint slots 50, 58 so that the spar structure 66 and the beam structure 40 are connected together during assembly. In addition, Figure 6 Also shown is the chord-wise member 48, which includes a pin joint slot 56 configured to receive a pin tube 52 of the beam structure 40. As such, the pin tube 52 is configured to form a tight interference fit joint.

[0039] View now Figure 7 , shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the chord-wise joint 34 according to the present disclosure. As shown, the span-wise extending pin 52 extending from the beam structure 40 of the first blade segment is received in the receiving section 60 of the second blade segment 32 through the chord-wise member 48. In addition, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 and 8As shown in the figure, the chord-wise member 48 may include a span-wise pin joint slot 56. More specifically, as shown, the chord-wise member 48 may include a bearing assembly 64 that is received within the pin joint slot 56. Further, as shown, the bearing assembly 64 includes a bearing 68 received within a bearing retaining housing 72. As such, the span-wise extension pin 52 may be received within the bearing 68 of the bearing assembly 64. In further embodiments, the bearing 68 may include a spherical bearing.

[0040] See also Figure 9-13 , illustrates multiple views of various embodiments of components of the chord-wise joint 34 of the rotor blade 28. More specifically, as will be discussed in greater detail herein, the chord-wise member 48, the pin joint slots 50, 56, and / or the span-wise extending pins 52 may include or may be constructed of a compliant structure / material that allows it to deform to follow shear deformation of the rotor blade 28. As used herein, a compliant structure generally refers to a flexible mechanism or material that transfers input forces and displacements at one location to output forces and displacements at another location through elastic body deformation. Example compliant materials as used herein may include, for example, an elastomeric material, a resin material, a laminate material, a graphene material, a cellulose material, or any other suitable compliant material.

[0041] See specifically Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a chord-wise member 48 according to the present disclosure to illustrate possible locations of (one or more) compliant structures / materials. Fig. 9 As shown in , the chord-wise member 48, the bearing retaining housing 72, and / or the bearing 68 may be constructed of a compliant material 74. In certain embodiments, portions of the chord-wise member 48, the bearing retaining housing 72, and / or the bearing 68 include the compliant material 74, however, it should be understood that the entire chord-wise member 48, the entire bearing retaining housing 72, and / or the entire bearing 68 may be formed of the compliant material. Additionally, it should be understood that the span-wise extension pins 52 may also be constructed of the compliant material 74.

[0042] See specifically Fig.10 , the compliant structure(s) may include one or more sleeves 82, 84 constructed of the compliant material 74. More specifically, as shown, the chord-wise joint 34 may include a sleeve 82 positioned circumferentially about the bearing 68. Additionally, as shown, the chord-wise joint 34 may include a sleeve 84 positioned circumferentially about the bearing retaining housing 72. Thus, the sleeves 82, 84 are configured to support a more uniform transfer of loads / stresses and deflections to the chord-wise member 48. Additionally, the sleeves 82, 84 are configured to allow smaller bearings to be used with the same chord-wise member 48 pin joint slot 56 and bearing retaining housing 72.

[0043] See also Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the bearing retaining housing 72 can be axially secured within the pin joint slot 56 of the chord-wise member 48 at least in part via a first flange 76. For example, as shown, the first flange 76 is a radial flange that extends around the circumference of the pin joint slot 56. Additionally, as shown, the bearing retaining housing 72 can also include a second flange 78, for example, to limit the rotation of the bearing 68 within the bearing retaining housing 72 to, for example, approximately 4-5 degrees. In such an embodiment, as shown, the second flange 78 can be located on a side of the bearing retaining housing 72 opposite the first flange 76. In other embodiments, as shown, the bearing retaining housing 72 can be further axially secured within the pin joint slot 56 of the chord-wise member 48 at least in part via a retaining ring 86 positioned in a radial recess 80 of the bearing retaining housing 72.

[0044] View now Fig.11 In an alternative embodiment, the chord-wise member 48 may include a bushing 88 received within its pin joint slot 56. In such an embodiment, as shown, the bushing 88 may be constructed of the compliant material 74 to transfer loads / stresses at the chord-wise joint 34.

[0045] View now Fig.12 and 13 Additional features may be provided in the chordal member 48 to further support various loads / stresses of the joint 4. For example, Fig.12 As shown in , the chord-wise member 48 may have a generally butterfly-shaped cross-section to improve its flexibility to allow the shape to follow blade shear deformation. Fig.13 As shown in FIG. , the chord-wise member 48 may further include one or more grooves 90 to support bending loads of the chord-wise joint 34 .

[0046] View now Fig.14 , a flow chart showing a method of coupling a first blade segment and a second blade segment of a rotor blade of a wind turbine according to the present disclosure. Figure 1-13 The method 100 is described with reference to the wind turbine 10 and rotor blade 28 shown in FIG. However, it should be understood that the disclosed method 100 may be implemented using rotor blades having any other suitable configuration. Fig.14 The steps performed in a particular order are depicted for purposes of illustration and discussion, but the methods described herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. Those skilled in the art using the disclosure provided herein will recognize that the various steps of the methods disclosed herein may be omitted, rearranged, combined and / or adapted in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] As shown at (102), the method 100 may include providing a first blade segment 30 having a beam structure 40 extending in a generally span-wise direction. As mentioned, the beam structure 40 has a receiving end 54 with at least one span-wise extending pin 52 extending therefrom. As such, as shown at (104), the method 100 may include providing a second blade segment 32 having a receiving section 60 extending in a generally span-wise direction. As mentioned, the receiving section 60 includes a chord-wise member 48 having a pin joint slot 56 defined therethrough. Thus, as shown at (106), the method 100 may include inserting the beam structure 40 of the first blade segment 30 into the receiving section 60 of the second blade segment 32 such that the pin joint slot 56 receives the span-wise extending pin 52 of the beam structure 40 to secure the first blade segment 30 and the second blade segment 32 together at the chord-wise joint 34. Furthermore, the chord-wise members 48 , the pin joint slots 56 , and / or the span-wise extending pins 52 include at least one compliant structure formed of a compliant material that allows the compliant structure to deform to follow shear deformation of the rotor blade 28 .

[0048] The skilled person will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments. Similarly, the various method steps and features described, as well as other known equivalents of each such method and feature, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in the art to construct additional systems and techniques in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Of course, it will be understood that all such objects or advantages described herein may not necessarily be achieved according to any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, one skilled in the art will recognize that the systems and techniques described herein can be embodied or performed in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or combination of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as taught or suggested herein.

[0049] While only certain features of the invention have been shown and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It will therefore be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.

[0050] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any device or system, and performing any incorporated method. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. If such other embodiments include structural elements that are not different from the written language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the written language of the claims, it is intended that such other examples fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A rotor blade for a wind turbine, comprising: a first blade segment and a second blade segment extending in opposite directions from a chord-wise joint, each of the first blade segment and the second blade segment including at least one shell member defining an airfoil surface, the first blade segment including a beam structure having a receiving end, the receiving end including at least one span-wise extending pin extending therefrom, the second blade segment including a receiving section receiving the beam structure of the first blade segment, the receiving section including a chord-wise member having a pin joint slot defined therethrough, the pin joint slot receiving the span-wise extending pin at the receiving end of the beam structure to secure the first blade segment and the second blade segment together, wherein at least one of the chord-wise member, the pin joint slot or the span-wise extending pin comprises at least one compliant structure formed of a compliant material, the compliant structure allowing it to deform to follow shear deformation of the rotor blade, the rotor blade further comprising a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly comprising a bearing received in a bearing retaining housing, the bearing assembly being received in the pin joint slot, the at least one compliant structure comprising at least one of the bearing or the bearing retaining housing, the rotor blade further comprising at least one sleeve, the at least one sleeve being circumferentially positioned around at least one of the bearing and / or the bearing retaining housing, the at least one compliant structure comprising the at least one sleeve.

2. The rotor blade according to claim 1, characterized in that A body of at least one of the chord-wise members or the span-wise extending pins is comprised of the compliant material.

3. The rotor blade according to claim 1, characterized in that The bearing retaining housing is axially secured within the pin joint slot of the chord-wise member at least partially via a first flange.

4. The rotor blade according to claim 3, characterized in that The bearing retaining housing also includes a second flange for limiting rotation of the bearing within the bearing retaining housing, the second flange being on a side of the bearing retaining housing opposite the first flange.

5. The rotor blade according to claim 3, characterized in that The bearing retaining housing is further axially secured within the pin joint slot of the chord-wise member at least in part via a retaining ring.

6. The rotor blade according to claim 1, characterized in that The bearing comprises a spherical bearing.

7. The rotor blade according to claim 1, characterized in that The compliant material includes at least one of an elastomeric material, a resin material, a laminate material, a graphene material, or a cellulose material.

8. The rotor blade according to claim 1, characterized in that The chord-wise member includes a butterfly-shaped cross-section.

9. A method of joining a first blade segment and a second blade segment of a rotor blade of a wind turbine, the method comprising: providing a first blade segment having a beam structure extending in a generally span-wise direction, the beam structure having a receiving end with at least one span-wise extending pin extending therefrom; providing a second blade segment having a receiving section extending in the generally span-wise direction, the receiving section including a chord-wise member having a pin joint slot defined therethrough; as well as inserting the beam structure of the first blade segment into the receiving section of the second blade segment such that the pin joint slot receives a span-wise extending pin of the beam structure to secure the first blade segment and the second blade segment together at a chord-wise joint, wherein at least one of the chord-wise member, the pin joint slot or the span-wise extending pin comprises at least one compliant structure formed of a compliant material, the compliant structure allowing it to deform to follow shear deformation of the rotor blade, the rotor blade further comprising a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly comprising a bearing received in a bearing retaining housing, the bearing assembly being received in the pin joint slot, the at least one compliant structure comprising at least one of the bearing or the bearing retaining housing, the rotor blade further comprising at least one sleeve, the at least one sleeve being circumferentially positioned around at least one of the bearing and / or the bearing retaining housing, the at least one compliant structure comprising the at least one sleeve.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that At least one of the chord-wise members or the span-wise extending pins are constructed from the compliant material.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The bearing comprises a spherical bearing.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The compliant material includes at least one of an elastomeric material, a resin material, a laminate material, a graphene material, or a cellulose material.

13. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further includes forming one or more grooves in the chord-wise member to support bending loads of the chord-wise joint.

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