Wind Turbine Blade Reinforcement Layout for Trailing Edge Buckling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional wind turbine blades face challenges in maintaining structural integrity, particularly at the trailing edge, due to varying load distributions along the blade length, which can lead to buckling and increased strain levels.

Innovation Solution

The blade design incorporates a rear reinforcement structure with a second windward reinforcement structure that is longer than the leeward reinforcement structure, positioned closer to the trailing edge, and a main reinforcement structure with opposing first windward and leeward structures forming an I-beam structure, along with shear webs to distribute loads effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional wind turbine blades use a simple hollow spar structure, then manufacturing is easier and material usage is reduced, but structural integrity deteriorates leading to buckling and increased strain levels at the trailing edge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidblade structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is segmented into multiple reinforcement structures along its length. The first reinforcement structure is positioned at a first location and the second reinforcement structure at a second location, dividing the structural support function into discrete segments rather than using a continuous complex structure throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Reinforcement structures are applied locally at specific positions along the blade rather than uniformly throughout. The first and second reinforcement structures are strategically placed at locations where structural support is most needed, allowing the blade to have varying structural properties at different locations - stronger where required, simpler where not needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If reinforcement structures are added to prevent buckling at the trailing edge, then structural strength is improved, but material usage increases and mass is added

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailing edge strengthVSAvoidblade mass

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing uniform reinforcement throughout the entire blade, the invention applies reinforcement structures only at specific partial locations where needed. The first and second reinforcement structures are positioned at discrete locations rather than continuously, providing sufficient structural support to prevent buckling while avoiding unnecessary material addition in areas where reinforcement is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The blade structure has non-uniform properties - reinforced at specific locations with reinforcement structures and simpler at other locations. This local differentiation allows the blade to achieve adequate strength at the trailing edge without increasing overall mass, as material is added only where structurally necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If uniform reinforcement structures are applied along the blade length, then structural consistency is improved, but material usage increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural consistencyVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement is segmented into discrete first and second reinforcement structures at specific locations rather than applying uniform reinforcement continuously. This segmentation maintains structural stability at critical points while reducing overall material consumption compared to uniform reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than applying reinforcement uniformly throughout the entire blade length, the invention uses partial action by placing reinforcement structures only at specific locations where structural support is needed. This achieves adequate structural consistency at critical points without the material overhead of continuous uniform reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12503996B2Wind turbine blade with leeward reinforcement structures and windward reinforcement structures

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a blade for a wind turbine, where the blade extends in a lengthwise direction between a root end and a tip end of the blade. The blade comprises a leeward shell portion and a windward shell portion, each of the shell portions defining respective inner and outer surfaces extending in a chordwise direction between a leading edge of the blade and a trailing edge of the blade. The blade further comprises a first windward reinforcement structure, a first leeward reinforcement structure, a second windward reinforcement structure, and a second leeward reinforcement structure, the reinforcement structures being arranged internally within the blade and extending in the lengthwise direction of the blade. The second windward and second leeward reinforcement structures are arranged closer to the trailing edge than the first windward reinforcement structure and the first leeward reinforcement structure, respectively, and the second windward reinforcement structure is longer than the second leeward reinforcement structure in the lengthwise direction.