Rotor Blade Ground Anchoring With Recycled Composite Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction methods for land or marine retaining structures using reinforced concrete and steel components are economically unviable due to rising material and installation costs, and existing methods fail to address environmental preservation and durability in marine environments.
Innovation Solution
A device using a linear recess for a wind turbine blade or blade section, sealed with concrete, and a coupler for securing structures, reduces material costs and enhances durability by utilizing recycled materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforced concrete and steel components are used for retaining structures, then structural strength and durability are improved, but manufacturing costs and installation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and reuses wind turbine blades that have reached the end of their operational life for electricity generation. These blades are discarded from their original function but recovered for a new purpose as anchoring elements for marine structures, thereby reducing the need for new materials and lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs wind turbine blades as disposable anchoring elements that are embedded in concrete foundations. These blades serve as permanent structural components rather than being designed for reuse, converting a waste material into a cost-effective one-time use structural element that eliminates the need for expensive steel reinforcement
2Strength
If traditional steel reinforcement is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but corrosion resistance in marine environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional steel reinforcement with composite material wind turbine blades made of fiber-reinforced polymers. These composite blades inherently resist corrosion from saltwater and marine environments, eliminating the corrosion issues that plague steel reinforcement while maintaining the necessary structural strength through the fiber-composite construction
3Strength
If new construction materials are used, then structural performance is improved, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses environmental impact by recovering wind turbine blades that would otherwise be discarded as waste. By giving these blades a second life as anchoring elements, the patent prevents them from entering landfills or being incinerated, thereby reducing environmental pollution and the need for virgin material extraction while still achieving required structural performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the existing structural properties of wind turbine blades without requiring additional processing or treatment. The blades' inherent strength-to-weight ratio and dimensional stability are directly leveraged for their anchoring function, eliminating the need for energy-intensive material processing and reducing the environmental footprint of construction activities
Data Source
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AI summary
Device and method for anchoring a structure to the ground. A device 1 for securing a structure 2 to the ground 4 comprises a recess 3 in the ground, a used wind turbine blade 6 arranged longitudinally in the recess, a material 9 for sealing the blade in the recess, and gripping means 7, 8 for connecting this device to the structure. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a device.