Blade enlargement device for rotor blades in a wind turbine

Abstract

Rotor blade arrangement (100) for a wind turbine, wherein the rotor blade arrangement (100) comprises: a rotor blade (16) with outer surfaces defining a pressure side (22), a suction side (24), a leading edge (26) and a trailing edge (28), each extending substantially in the span direction between a blade tip (32) and a blade root (34); and a blade enlargement device (110) comprising a first panel (112) and an opposing second panel (114), wherein both the first panel (112) and the second panel (114) have an inner surface (116) and an outer surface (118), respectively, extending between a proximal end (120) and a distal end (122), wherein both the first panel (112) and the second panel (114) have a core (140) and a cover (142) wherein the cover (142) comprises the inner surface (116) and the outer surface (118), wherein the distal end of both the first panel (112) and the second panel (114) is substantially spaced in the chord direction from the rotor blade (16) in a standard operating position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates essentially to rotor blades of wind turbines and in particular to blade enlargement devices for the rotor blades.

[0002] Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources currently available, and wind turbines have received increased attention in this regard. A modern wind turbine typically includes a tower, a generator, a gearbox, a nacelle, and one or more rotor blades. The rotor blades capture the kinetic energy of the wind using known wing principles and transfer this kinetic energy as rotational energy to turn a shaft that connects the rotor blades to a gearbox, or, if no gearbox is used, directly to the generator. The generator then converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy, which can be fed into a power grid. Current wind turbine technology has led to rotor blades that are generally increasing in size to capture higher levels of kinetic energy.However, as the size of a rotor blade increases, so does its weight. Such an increased weight can, in principle, negatively affect the operating behavior of a rotor blade and the wind turbine. The publication DE 10 2006 034 831 A1 refers to wind turbines.

[0003] Furthermore, current wind turbine technology has led to the development of flaps and / or other suitable attachments that can be retrofitted to rotor blades. These attachments are typically made of rigid, one-piece structures and are mounted to the rotor blades to increase the blade surface area and thus increase lift. However, such attachments add weight to the rotor blade. As blade enlargement devices increase in size to accommodate increases in rotor blade size, the added weight can negatively affect the behavior of the rotor blade and the wind turbine. Additionally, wind turbines typically require braking systems to slow the rotor blades during certain operating periods of the wind turbine.However, such braking systems can be prohibitively expensive and heavy, especially due to the increasing size of rotor blades.

[0004] Therefore, an improved rotor blade arrangement would be advantageous. For example, a rotor blade arrangement incorporating an improved blade enlargement device would be desirable in this field. In particular, a rotor blade arrangement incorporating a blade enlargement device with lightweight and / or braking features would be advantageous. Brief description of the invention

[0005] Aspects and advantages of the invention are partly presented in the following description or may be apparent from the description or can be recognized through the practical implementation of the invention.

[0006] In one embodiment, a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine is provided. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade with outer surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, each extending substantially in the span direction between a tip and a root. The rotor blade assembly further includes a blade extension device comprising a first panel and an opposing second panel. Both the first panel and the second panel have an inner surface and an outer surface, each extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of both the first panel and the second panel is spaced substantially in the chord direction from the rotor blade in a standard operating position.

[0007] In a further embodiment, a blade enlargement device for a rotor blade in a wind turbine is provided. The blade enlargement device comprises a first panel and an opposing second panel. Both the first panel and the second panel have an inner surface and an outer surface, each extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of both the first panel and the second panel is configured to be spaced substantially chord-wise from the rotor blade in a standard operating position.

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following description and the accompanying claims. The accompanying drawings, which are included in and form part of this patent specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0009] A complete and fundamental disclosure of the present invention, including its best embodiment, to the person skilled in the art, is described below in the patent specification with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 a side view of a wind turbine according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a perspective top view of a rotor blade arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 a perspective top view of a rotor blade arrangement according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a rotor blade arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a rotor blade arrangement according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a rotor blade arrangement according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a rotor blade arrangement in a standard operating position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 8 a cross-sectional view of a rotor blade arrangement of Fig. 7 in an auxiliary position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 9 a cross-sectional view of a rotor blade arrangement in a standard operating position according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 10 a cross-sectional view of a rotor blade arrangement of Fig. 9 in an auxiliary position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 11 a cross-sectional view of a rotor blade arrangement in a standard operating position according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure is: Fig. 12 a cross-sectional view of a rotor blade arrangement of Fig. 11 in an auxiliary position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Detailed description of the invention

[0010] Detailed reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided within the context of an explanation of the invention, not a limitation of the invention. Indeed, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variants of the present invention can be made without deviating from the scope of protection or the inventive concept of the invention. For example, features illustrated and described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to obtain yet another embodiment. Thus, the present invention is intended to cover such modifications and variants, insofar as they fall within the scope of protection of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0011] Fig. Figure 1 depicted a conventional wind turbine 10. The wind turbine 10 comprises a tower 12 with a nacelle 14 attached to it. Several rotor blades 16 are attached to a rotor hub 18, which in turn is attached to a main flange that rotates a main rotor shaft. The energy generation and control components of the wind turbine are housed in the nacelle 14. The view of Fig. Figure 1 is provided for illustrative purposes only, to place the present invention in an exemplary application context. It should be apparent that the invention is not limited to any specific type of wind turbine.

[0012] With reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 12. According to the present disclosure, a rotor blade 16 can have a pressure side 22 and a suction side 24, defining a leading edge 26 and a trailing edge 28. The pressure side 22 and suction side 24 can each extend between the leading edge 26 and the trailing edge 28. The outer surfaces can extend between a blade tip 32 and a blade root 34, substantially in the span direction, as discussed below.

[0013] One or more of the pressure side 22, the suction side 24, the leading edge 26 and / or the trailing edge 28 can be essentially aerodynamic surfaces with essentially aerodynamic contours, as is generally known in the field. For example, Fig. 4 to Fig. Figure 12 shows different embodiments of a rotor blade 16, wherein the pressure side 22, the suction side 24, the leading edge 26 and the trailing edge 28 have essentially aerodynamic surfaces with essentially aerodynamic contours and thus form a typically known wing cross-sectional profile.

[0014] In some embodiments, the rotor blade 16 can comprise several individual blade segments arranged end-to-end from the blade tip 32 to the blade root 34. Each of the individual blade segments can be uniquely designed, such that the multiple blade segments define a complete rotor blade 16 with a designed aerodynamic profile, length, and other desired properties. For example, each blade segment can have an aerodynamic profile that corresponds to the aerodynamic profile of adjacent blade segments. Thus, the aerodynamic profiles of the blade segments can define a continuous profile of the rotor blade 16. Alternatively, the rotor blade 16 can be designed as a single, one-piece blade with the designed aerodynamic profile, length, and other desired properties.

[0015] The rotor blade 16 can be curved in exemplary embodiments. The curvature of the rotor blade 16 can comprise a bending of the rotor blade 16 substantially in the direction of the blade stroke and / or substantially in the edge direction. The direction of the blade stroke can be considered substantially as the direction (or the opposite direction) in which the aerodynamic lift acts on the rotor blade 16. The edge direction is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the blade stroke. The blade stroke curvature of the rotor blade 16 is also known as pre-bending, while the edge curvature is known as sweeping. Thus, the curved rotor blade 16 can be pre-bent and / or swept. The curvature can enable the rotor blade 16 to better withstand loads in the direction of the blade stroke and edge direction during the operation of the wind turbine 10 and can further ensure a clearance between the rotor blade 16 and the tower 12 during the operation of the wind turbine 10.

[0016] The rotor blade 16 can further define a chord 42 and a span 44 extending in the chord and span directions, respectively. As shown in the Fig. 2 to Fig. 5. The chord 42 can vary over the entire span 44 of the rotor blade 16. Thus, as discussed below, a local chord 46 for the rotor blade 16 can be defined at any point along the span 44. Furthermore, the rotor blade can define a maximum chord 48 as shown.

[0017] Additionally, the rotor blade 16 can define an inner region 52 and an outer region 54. The inner region 52 can be a section in the span direction of the rotor blade 16 extending from the blade root 34. For example, in some embodiments, the inner region 52 can comprise approximately 33%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 67%, or any percentage or range of percentages in between, or any other suitable percentage or range of percentages, of the span 44 from the blade root 34. The outer region 54 can be a portion of the rotor blade 16 in the span direction extending from the blade tip 32 and, in some embodiments, can comprise the remaining portion of the rotor blade 16 between the inner region 52 and the blade tip 32.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the outer area 54 may comprise approximately 33%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 67% or any percentage or range of percentages in between or any other suitable percentage or range of percentages of the span 44 from the leaf tip 32.

[0018] One or more load-bearing components may be incorporated into the rotor blade 16 to provide load-bearing support to the rotor blade. For example, the Fig. Figures 4 to 12 represent a shear spar 62 extending between two spar flanges 64. The shear spar 62 and the spar flanges 64 can extend through the rotor blade 16 or any section thereof, substantially in the span direction. The surfaces defining the pressure side 22 and the suction side 24 can contain or cover the spar flanges 64.

[0019] According to the presentation in the Fig. 2 to Fig. The present invention relates to a rotor blade assembly 100. A rotor blade assembly 100 according to the present disclosure can include a rotor blade 16 and a blade enlargement device 110. The blade enlargement device 110 comprises two opposing panels. Each panel 112, 114 has an inner surface 116 and an outer surface 118. The panels 112, 114 are positioned opposite each other such that the inner surfaces 116 of the panels face each other and the outer surfaces 118 face away from each other.

[0020] Each panel 112, 114, or each section thereof, may in some embodiments have a substantially aerodynamic contour. For example, the outer surface 118 may have a substantially aerodynamic contour. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the outer surface 118 may define a substantially continuous aerodynamic surface with an outer surface, such as the pressure side 22 or the suction side 24 of a rotor blade 16. A substantially continuous aerodynamic surface is a surface that has a substantially continuous aerodynamic contour. Thus, when two surfaces define a substantially continuous aerodynamic surface, there is only a slight interruption in the aerodynamic contour at the point of intersection of the two surfaces.Such a continuous aerodynamic contour can occur particularly in embodiments in which the panels 112, 114 are fixed, and / or in embodiments in which the panels 112, 114 are movable and in a normal operating position, and / or in embodiments in which the panels 112, 114 are movable and in an auxiliary position, as discussed below.

[0021] In further embodiments, the panels 112, 114, such as their outer surface 118 or any other sections thereof, can have any other suitable contours, which may be flat, curved flat or otherwise.

[0022] As shown, each panel 112, 114 can extend between a proximal end 120 and a distal end 122. The proximal end 120 can be the end attached to the rotor blade 16 and / or remain relatively closer to the rotor blade 16 when the panel 112, 114 is moved into an auxiliary position as discussed below. The distal end 122 can be the end attached to the rotor blade 16 and / or remain relatively farther away from the rotor blade 16 when the panel 112, 114 is moved into an auxiliary position as described below. The inner surface 116 and the outer surface 118 of each panel 112, 114 can each extend between a proximal end 120 and a distal end 122.

[0023] Each panel 112, 114 can extend over any suitable span section of the rotor blade 16 and thus have a suitable length with respect to the span 44. For example, a panel 112, 114 can extend from the blade root 34 to the blade tip 32 as shown in Fig. 2. Alternatively, the panel 112, 114 can be extended from the leaf base 34 as shown in Fig. 3 are arranged at a distance. Furthermore, a panel 112, 114 can be arranged as shown in Fig. 2 entirely within the interior area 52, both within the interior area 52 and the exterior area 54, or entirely within the exterior area 54, as it is in Fig. The arrangement shown in 3 is as follows.

[0024] Furthermore, a panel 112, 114 can be any suitable section of a rotor blade 16 as shown in the Fig. 4 to Fig. 12 overlap. The overlap can be determined based on any suitable cross-sectional profile of the rotor blade 16 at a point in the span direction where the blade enlargement device 110 is attached to the rotor blade 16, and can be determined with respect to the local chord 46. For example, a panel 112 and / or a panel 114 can overlap approximately 70%, approximately 60%, approximately 50%, approximately 40%, approximately 30%, between 0% and approximately 70%, between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, approximately 0% and approximately 50%, or between approximately 0% and approximately 40%, or any other suitable percentage, area, or partial area of ​​the local chord 46. In some embodiments, as shown in the Fig. 4 to Fig. 10. The proximal end 120 of a panel 112, 114 is attached to the rotor blade 16, for example, to its outer surface. In some embodiments, the proximal end 120 can be attached by using, for example, a suitable adhesive or a suitable brazing or welding technique, or it can be attached by using, for example, suitable mechanical fasteners, such as screws, nails, rivets, screw / bolt combinations, etc. In these embodiments, the panel 112, 114 can be attached to the rotor blade 16 as discussed below and in the Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 shown, be fastened. In further embodiments, the proximal end 120 can be fastened by the use of a pin or other suitable device or apparatus that prevents movement of the panel 112, such as rotation relative to the rotor blade 16 as discussed below and shown in the Fig. 7 to Fig. Figure 10 illustrates this. In further embodiments, the proximal end 120 can be detached from the rotor blade 16 and not attached to it, so that the panel 112, 114 can displace relative to the rotor blade 16, as discussed below and shown in the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 is shown.

[0025] As mentioned, the proximal end 120 of a panel 112, 114 can, in some embodiments, be attached to the rotor blade 16, such as to an outer surface thereof. For example, the first panel 112 can be attached to the suction side 24 as shown in the Fig. 4 to Fig. 11, or can be attached to the printed side 22, the front edge 26, or the rear edge 28. The second panel 114 can be attached to the rear edge 28 as shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 to Fig. 8, on printed page 22 as shown in the Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 or attached to the suction side 24 or the front edge 26.

[0026] The distal end 122 of a panel 112, 114 can be spaced apart from the rotor blade 16 in a standard operating position. For example, as shown in the Fig. 4 to Fig. 7, Fig. 9 and Fig. 11 the distal end 122 may be arranged at a distance in the general tendon direction (along the tendon 42 or local tendon 46). The standard operating position may be the fixed position, or it may be a standard operating position for a movable panel 112, 114 discussed below. In some embodiments, the distal end 122 may be spaced from the rotor blade 16 when it is in an auxiliary position as shown in the Fig. 8, Fig. 10 and Fig. 12 is located, or can be aligned with the rotor blade 16 in the chord direction when it is in the auxiliary position discussed below.

[0027] As shown, a blade enlargement device 110 according to the present disclosure, such as the first panel 112 and its second panel 114, can provide and define enlarged outer surfaces for the rotor blade 16. For example, as shown in the Fig. 4 to Fig. The outer surface 118 of the first panel 112 defines an enlarged suction side 134, and the outer surface 118 of the second panel 114 can define an enlarged pressure side 132. By extending the pressure side 22 and the suction side 24 of the rotor blade 16, the blade enlargement device 110 can increase the lift capacity, reduce drag, and / or increase the lift / drag ratio of the rotor blade 16 in a fixed position or standard operating position.

[0028] Additionally, in some embodiments as shown in the Fig. 4 to Fig. 10 The blade enlargement device 110, such as the first panel 112 and its second panel 114, defines an enlarged trailing edge 138. Thus, in these embodiments, the panels 112, 114 can be spaced apart from the leading edge 26 in the chordal direction. However, one or both panels 112, 114 can still overlap a section of the rotor blade 16. In further embodiments as shown in the Fig. 11 to Fig. In 12, the blade enlargement device 110, such as the first panel 112 and its second panel 114, can define an enlarged leading edge 136. Thus, in these embodiments, the panels 112, 114 can be spaced from the trailing edge 28 in the chord direction. One or both panels 112, 114 can still overlap a section of the rotor blade 16.

[0029] Each panel 112, 114 of a sheet enlargement device 110 according to the present disclosure can be made of any suitable material. According to the invention, both the first and the second panel 112, 114 have a core 140, as is also shown, for example, in the embodiments shown in the illustrations in Fig. 4 to Fig. 12. Furthermore, according to the invention, both the first and the second panel 112, 114 have a cover 142, as also shown, for example, in the embodiment according to the illustration in Fig. 4. The cover 142 can enclose at least a section of the core 140 and thus form the inner surface 116 and / or outer surface 118 of a panel 112, 114 as shown. The core 140 of a panel 112, 114 can, for example, be made of carbon fiber, glass fiber, hardened foam, or any other suitable material. The material used to form a core 140 is preferably lightweight and further preferably sufficiently rigid to maintain its structure during use in a wind turbine 10. The cover 142 of a panel 112, 114 can be made of glass fiber, aluminum, fabric, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the fabric can be reinforced or treated to be sufficiently rigid.Similar to the core 140, the material used to form a cover 142 may preferably be lightweight and preferably sufficiently rigid to maintain its structure during use in a wind turbine 10.

[0030] In some embodiments as shown in Fig. 4. Both the first panel 112 and the second panel 114 can contain a cover 142. Furthermore, in some embodiments as shown, the covers 142 of the panels 112 and 114 can be connected, thus forming only one integrated cover 142. The integrated cover 142 can extend between the first panel 112 and the second panel 114 at any suitable point along the panels 112 and 114. For example, in some embodiments, the cover 142 extends between the distal end 122 of the first panel 112 and the distal end 122 of the second panel 114 and can thus cover the enlarged trailing edge 138 as shown in the illustration. Fig. 4 or form the enlarged front edge 136. In further embodiments, the covers 142 of the first panel 112 and the second panel 114 can be separate from each other.

[0031] As further explained in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a spring 144 can be inserted between the cover 142 and a surface of the rotor blade 16, such as the pressure side 22, the suction side 24, the leading edge 26, or the trailing edge 28. The spring 144 can exert a tensile force on the cover 142 to ensure that the cover 142 remains taut during operation of the wind turbine 100. Additionally, in embodiments in which the blade extension device 110 is movable as discussed herein, the spring 144 can extend and compress as needed to maintain the tension of the cover 142.

[0032] In some embodiments as shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. One or more load-bearing elements can be included in a blade enlargement device 110. The load-bearing elements can be attached to one or both panels 112, 114 and / or the rotor blade 16 to provide load-bearing support for and between the panels 112, 114. A load-bearing element can thus extend between and connect the first panel 112 and the second panel 114, or it can extend between and connect one of the panels 112, 114 and an outer surface of the rotor blade 16. Load-bearing elements can be, for example, rods, wedges, spars as discussed below, or any other suitable elements that provide load-bearing support.

[0033] For example, in some embodiments as shown in Fig. 5. A blade enlargement device 110 comprises one or more rods 152 and / or one or more wedges 154. A rod 152 may extend in any suitable direction and at any suitable location between the first panel 112 and the second panel 114, or between one of the panels 112, 114 and an outer surface of the rotor blade 16. In some embodiments, a rod 152 extending between the first panel 112 and the second panel 114 may be located at or near the distal ends 122 of the panels 112, 114 to provide load-bearing support for the distal ends 122. Furthermore, in some embodiments, several rods 152 may be arranged and spaced apart along the span 44 of the rotor blade 16 or any section thereof. A wedge 154 can extend in any suitable direction and at any suitable location between one of the panels 112, 114 and an outer surface of the rotor blade 16.A wedge 154 can extend along a suitable section of the span 44 of the rotor blade 16 and / or several wedges 154 can be arranged along the span 44 of the rotor blade 16 or any section thereof and spaced apart from it.

[0034] In further embodiments as shown in Fig. 6. A blade enlargement device 110 may include a spar 156. A spar 156 may extend in any suitable direction and at any suitable location between the first panel 112 and the second panel 114, or between one of the panels 112, 114 and an outer surface of the rotor blade 16. In some embodiments, a spar 156 extending between the first panel 112 and the second panel 114 may be located at or near the distal ends 122 of the panels 112, 114 to provide load-bearing support for the distal ends 122. A spar 156 may extend along a suitable section of the span 44 of the rotor blade, and / or several spars 156 may be arranged and spaced apart along the span 44 of the rotor blade 16 of any section thereof.

[0035] As discussed above, in some embodiments one or both of the first panel 112 and the second panel 114 may be fixed, while in other embodiments one or both of the first panel 112 and the second panel 114 may be movable. For example, Fig. 4 to Fig. Six different embodiments are presented in which the first panel 112 and the second panel 114 are stationary. When a panel 112, 114 is stationary, it does not move relative to the rotor blade 16, except due to external forces during the operation of the wind turbine 10. Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, a panel 112, 114 can be stationary in a standard operating position as discussed below.

[0036] Fig. 7 to Fig. Figure 12 represents various embodiments in which the first panel 112 and the second panel 114 are movable relative to the rotor blade 16. Essentially, a movable panel 112, 114 can be positioned between a standard operating position as shown in the figures. Fig. 7, Fig. 9 and Fig. 11 and an auxiliary position as shown in the Fig. 8, Fig. 10 and Fig. 12. A standard operating position is a position that a panel 112, 114 can assume during normal operation of the wind turbine. Such a position can allow the panel 112, 114, for example, to increase lift capacity, reduce drag, and / or increase the lift / drag ratio of the rotor blade 16, or to generate another suitable benefit for the rotor blade 16 during normal operation. An auxiliary position is a position that a panel 112, 114 can assume during specific periods outside the normal operation of the wind turbine 10. For example, an auxiliary position can be a load shedding position, and a panel 112, 114 can be moved into this position during periods of increased load, or an auxiliary position can be a braking position, and a panel 112, 114 can be moved into this position while a wind turbine 10 is braking.

[0037] Fig. 7 to Fig. Figure 10 describes embodiments of movable panels 112, 114 in which the panels 112, 114 are pivotable. In these embodiments, the proximal end 120 of a panel 112, 114 can be pivotably attached to the rotor blade 16, and the distal end 122 can pivot relative to the proximal end 120. Each panel 112, 114 can pivot in a direction from the pressure side 22 to the suction side 24, as indicated by both panels 112, 114 in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 and through the first panel 112 in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 is shown, or can pivot in one direction from the suction side 24 to the pressure side 22, as shown by the second panel in the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 is shown.

[0038] Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 represents embodiments of movable panels 112, 114 in which the panels 112, 114 are displaceable. In these embodiments, both the proximal end 120 and the distal end 122 are separated from the rotor blade 16, and the panel 112, 114 can slide relative to the rotor blade 16. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each panel 112, 114 can slide relative to the rotor blade 16 essentially in the chord direction over the corresponding suction side 24 and pressure side 22.

[0039] According to the presentation in the Fig. 7 to Fig. One or more actuating elements 160 can be included in the sheet enlargement device 110. Each actuating element 160 can be connected to a panel 112, 114 and can be actuated to move the panel 112, 114 between a standard operating position and an auxiliary position. An actuating element can be a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a gear mechanism, or any other suitable device that can be actuated to move a panel 112, 114.

[0040] Thus, the present disclosure is advantageously directed to a blade enlargement device 110 and a rotor blade assembly 100 with improved features. For example, a blade enlargement device 110 with a first panel 112 and a second panel 114 as discussed above can reduce the weight compared to similarly dimensioned and already known blade enlargement devices 110, while simultaneously providing lift enhancement, drag reduction, and / or lift / drag ratio enhancement, and / or other useful features for rotor blades 16. Such blade enlargement devices 110 can also be applied to an existing rotor blade 16 as illustrated in the Fig. 2 to Fig.12 can be retrofitted or used on newly manufactured rotor blades 16. Such blade enlargement devices 110 can also advantageously include braking and / or load shedding features in some embodiments.

[0041] This description uses examples to disclose the invention, including its best embodiment, and to enable anyone skilled in the art to put the invention into practice, including the manufacture and use of all elements and systems and the execution of all processes involved. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include further examples that are obvious to a person skilled in the art. Such further examples shall be included in the scope of the invention if they have structural elements that do not differ from the wording of the claims or if they contain equivalent structural elements with insignificant modifications compared to the wording of the claims.

[0042] A blade enlargement device for a rotor blade and a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine are disclosed. The rotor blade assembly comprises a rotor blade with outer surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, each extending substantially in the span direction between a tip and a root. The rotor blade assembly further comprises a blade enlargement device with a first panel and an opposing second panel. Both the first panel and the second panel have an inner surface and an outer surface, each extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of both the first panel and the second panel is spaced substantially in the chord direction from the rotor blade in a standard operating position. Reference symbol list 10 wind turbines 12 Tower 14 gondolas 16 rotor blades 18 Rotor hub 22 printed page 24 Suction side 26 Leading edge 28 trailing edge 32 Leaf tip 34 leaf base 42 tendon 44 span 46 local tendon 48 maximum tendon 52 Indoor area 54 Outdoor area 62 Shear beam 64 spar belt 100 rotor blade arrangement 110 Sheet Enlargement Device 112 first panel 114 second panel 116 Interior surface 118 Exterior surface 120 proximal end 122 distal end 132 enlarged print page 134 enlarged suction side 136 enlarged leading edge 138 enlarged trailing edge 140 core 142 Cover 144 spring 152 staff 154 wedge 156 Holm 160 Actuating element

Claims

[1] Rotor blade arrangement (100) for a wind turbine, wherein the rotor blade arrangement (100) comprises: a rotor blade (16) with outer surfaces defining a pressure side (22), a suction side (24), a leading edge (26) and a trailing edge (28), each extending substantially in the span direction between a blade tip (32) and a blade root (34); and a blade enlargement device (110) comprising a first panel (112) and an opposing second panel (114), wherein both the first panel (112) and the second panel (114) have an inner surface (116) and an outer surface (118), respectively, extending between a proximal end (120) and a distal end (122), wherein both the first panel (112) and the second panel (114) have a core (140) and a cover (142) wherein the cover (142) comprises the inner surface (116) and the outer surface (118), wherein the distal end of both the first panel (112) and the second panel (114) is spaced substantially in the chord direction from the rotor blade (16) in a standard operating position. [2] Rotor blade arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein the blade enlargement device (110) defines an enlarged trailing edge (138). [3] Rotor blade arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein the blade enlargement device (110) defines an enlarged leading edge (136). [4] Rotor blade arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cover of the first panel (112) and the cover of the second panel (114) are formed in one piece, and wherein the one-piece formed cover (142) extends between the distal end (122) of the first panel (112) and the distal end (122) of the second panel (114). [5] Rotor blade arrangement (100) according to claim 1, which further comprises a supporting element (152, 154, 156) extending between the first and the second panel (112, 114) and connecting them. [6] Rotor blade arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end (120) of the first panel (112) is attached to the suction side (24) of the rotor blade, and the proximal end of the second panel (114) is attached to the trailing edge (28) of the rotor blade. [7] Rotor blade arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end (120) of the first panel (112) is attached to the suction side (24) of the rotor blade and the proximal end (120) of the second panel (114) is attached to the pressure side (22) of the rotor blade. [8] Rotor blade arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first panel (112) or the second panel (114) is stationary. [9] Rotor blade arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first panel (112) or the second panel (114) is movable. [10] Rotor blade arrangement (100) according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first panel (112) or the second panel (114) is pivotable. [11] Wind turbine, comprising: several rotor blades, each of which has outer surfaces, defining a pressure side (22), a suction side (24), a leading edge (26) and a trailing edge (28), each extending substantially in the span direction between a blade tip (32) and a blade root (34); and A blade enlargement device (110) comprising a first panel (112) and an opposing second panel (114), wherein both the first panel and the second panel (114) have an inner surface (116) and an outer surface (118) extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein both the first panel (112) and the second panel (114) have a core (140) and a cover (142), the cover (142) comprising the inner surface (116) and the outer surface (118), wherein the distal end of both the first panel (112) and the second panel (114) is spaced substantially in the chord direction from the rotor blade in a standard operating position. [12] Wind turbine according to claim 11, wherein the blade enlargement device defines an enlarged trailing edge (28). [13] Wind turbine according to claim 11, which further comprises a supporting element (152, 154, 156) extending between the first and the second panel (112, 114) and connecting them. [14] Wind turbine according to claim 11, wherein the proximal end (120) of the first panel (112) is attached to the suction side of the rotor blade, and the proximal end (120) of the second panel (114) is attached to the trailing edge of the rotor blade. [15] Wind turbine according to claim 11, wherein the proximal end (120) of the first panel (112) is attached to the suction side (24) of the rotor blade and the proximal end (120) of the second panel (114) is attached to the pressure side (22) of the rotor blade. [16] Wind power plant according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first panel (112) or the second panel (114) is stationary. [17] Wind power plant according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first panel (112) or the second panel (114) is movable. [18] Blade enlargement device (110) for a rotor blade in a wind turbine, wherein the blade enlargement device (110) comprises: a first panel (112) and an opposing second panel (114), wherein both the first panel (112) and the second panel (114) have an inner surface (116) and a having outer surfaces (118) extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein both the first panel (112) and the second panel (114) have a core (140) and a cover (142), the cover (142) comprising the inner surface (116) and the outer surface (118), the distal end of both the first panel (112) and the second panel (114) being arranged to be spaced at a distance from the rotor blade substantially in a chord direction in a standard operating position.

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