Rectangular Trailing-Edge Girder for Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotor blades for wind turbines require excessive material for back edge reinforcement to achieve Beul stability, leading to increased costs due to the need for additional fiber layers, which are inefficiently used given the narrow distance between the aerodynamic pressure and suction sides.

Innovation Solution

The rotor blade design features two half-shells with rectangular cross-sectional back edge belts that are strategically positioned further from the back edge, maintaining a minimum distance to reduce material usage while enhancing Beul stability through a higher moment of inertia, and connected by a stringer for improved mass ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional layers of fiber semi-finished products are incorporated in the trailing edge to achieve buckling resistance, then safety against beulin stability is improved, but material consumption increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against beulin stabilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the trailing edge rib by giving it a rectangular cross-section with specific dimensions (width and height) and positioning it at an optimized distance from the trailing edge. This parameter optimization allows achieving the required moment of inertia with less material compared to conventional designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from conventional trailing edge reinforcement to a three-dimensional rectangular cross-section rib structure. By adding the dimension of height perpendicular to the trailing edge surface and optimizing the distance from the trailing edge, the design achieves higher moment of inertia with reduced material consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If additional layers of fiber semi-finished products are incorporated in the trailing edge to achieve buckling resistance, then safety against beulin stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against beulin stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes geometric parameters (rectangular cross-section dimensions and position) to reduce the number of fiber layers required, directly reducing material cost while maintaining structural integrity and buckling resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The rectangular cross-section rib provides localized reinforcement exactly where needed at the trailing edge, concentrating material efficiently in the most critical area rather than distributing material uniformly, thus reducing overall material consumption and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If trailing edge ribs are positioned closer to the trailing edge, then material usage is reduced, but Beul stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidBeul stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the third dimension (height of the rib perpendicular to the trailing edge) to compensate for the reduced distance from the trailing edge. By increasing the height dimension, the moment of inertia is maintained even when the rib is positioned closer to the trailing edge, achieving both material reduction and stability maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design reduces material usage while maintaining Beul stability, making the rotor blade more cost-effective by optimizing the placement and thickness of back edge belts, achieving the same stability with less material.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing Beul stability through a higher moment of inertia

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoment of inertia: Moment of Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP3260697B1Trailing-edge girder with rectangular cross section
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY SERVICE GMBH
  • EP3260697B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3260697B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3260697B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a rotor blade of a wind turbine with two rotor blade half-shells (1, 21) each having a leading and a trailing edge (8a, 22a) which are bonded together along the leading and trailing edge edges (8a, 22a) and which each have a trailing edge strap (3, 25) and each of the trailing edge straps (3, 25) is at least partially rectangular in cross-section along its longitudinal extent.