Wind Turbine Blade Flange Bonding Non-Parallel Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of wind turbine blades with a flatback trailing edge is challenging due to difficulties in bonding the pressure side and suction side blade shells, particularly when the contact surfaces are not parallel, which affects the mechanical properties and manufacturing convenience of the blades.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a flange element with a flexible part, allowing a primary and secondary flange surface to be angled, is used to facilitate bonding between the blade components. Different types of adhesive substances with varying curing times are applied to ensure strong and accurate bonding, even at non-parallel interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a flatback trailing edge profile is used to increase aerodynamic efficiency, then the blade efficiency is improved, but the bonding difficulty at the trailing edge interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding process is divided into multiple stages: first bonding one half-shell to the mold, then bonding the second half-shell to complete the blade. The flange element is also segmented into multiple bonding surfaces (first bonding surface, second bonding surface, third bonding surface) that are bonded at different stages, allowing complex non-parallel interfaces to be managed in manageable steps
Solution Approach 2:
A flange element is introduced as an intermediary component between the two half-shells at the trailing edge. This flange element with its multiple bonding surfaces facilitates the bonding of non-parallel contact surfaces by providing intermediate bonding interfaces that can accommodate the geometric complexity of the flatback profile
2Strength
If different types of adhesive substances with varying curing times are used to ensure strong bonding at non-parallel interfaces, then the bonding strength is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different adhesive substances with different properties (curing times, viscosity, strength characteristics) are applied at different locations and stages of the bonding process. Fast-curing adhesive is used for initial positioning and temporary bonding, while slow-curing adhesive is used for final structural bonding, matching the adhesive properties to the specific requirements of each bonding stage and location
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enhances the mechanical properties and manufacturing efficiency of wind turbine blades by ensuring strong bonding at non-parallel interfaces, reducing production time and the need for service and repair.
Implementation Method 1
The flange element comprises a flexible part along the first flange surface allowing a first primary flange surface of the first flange surface to be angled relative to a first secondary flange surface of the first flange surface
Implementation Method 2
bonding the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface with a first adhesive substance; bonding the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface with a second adhesive substance
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for assembling a wind turbine blade comprising a first blade component, e.g. a first blade half shell, and a second blade component, e.g. a second blade half shell, the first blade component comprising a first contact area configured to be connected to a second contact area of the second blade component, the first contact area having a first contact surface, the second contact area having a second contact surface.