Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Joint Assembly with Localized Shear Web Boss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint assemblies for segmented wind turbine rotor blades face challenges such as indeterminate edge loading, limited space within the airfoil shape, difficulty in assembling connections in the field, and the need to maximize structural efficiency while minimizing joint mass.
Innovation Solution
A joint assembly for wind turbine rotor blades featuring a male shear web member with a locally increased height at the location of the chord-wise extending pin, which aligns with bore holes in a female structural member to secure adjacent rotor blade segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a chord-wise extending pin is used to join blade segments, then the joint provides structural connection, but the edge loading of the joint becomes indeterminate and the joint mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The male shear web member features a localized height increase (boss) specifically at the pin location, rather than uniformly increasing the entire member height. This local quality change provides the necessary pin accommodation and structural strength only where required, minimizing unnecessary material and joint mass while maintaining adequate edge loading characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces a dimensional variation in the height direction (z-dimension) at the pin location, creating a localized protrusion or boss. This dimensional change allows the pin to be accommodated within the existing airfoil cross-section without requiring a uniform increase in member size throughout, thus reducing overall joint mass while maintaining connection strength
2Ease of manufacture
If the rotor blade is segmented to reduce manufacturing and transportation costs, then assembly becomes more economical, but the joint assembly complexity increases and space within the airfoil is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor blade is divided into multiple segments that can be manufactured separately and transported independently. The joint assembly enables these segments to be connected in the field, combining the benefits of reduced manufacturing/transportation costs with a systematic connection approach that manages complexity through standardized joint design
Solution Approach 2:
The male and female shear web members are designed as universal joint components that can accommodate the pin connection and provide structural load transfer. The male member's localized height increase serves multiple functions: providing pin accommodation, maintaining structural integrity, and enabling alignment, thereby reducing overall joint assembly complexity through multi-functionality
3Strength
If structural materials are added to support loads within the airfoil shape, then joint strength increases, but the available space for assembly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly thickening the shear web member throughout its length, the design applies material only where needed - a localized height increase at the pin location. This provides the necessary load support strength precisely at the connection point while leaving the rest of the member cross-section unchanged, thus preserving assembly space within the airfoil
Solution Approach 2:
The solution applies the 'partial action' principle by providing structural reinforcement only in the specific region where the pin connection requires it, rather than over-reinforcing the entire member. This localized approach achieves adequate load support while minimizing interference with assembly space
Data Source
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AI summary
A joint assembly for joining rotor blade segments of a wind turbine rotor blade includes a female structural member secured within a first rotor blade segment. The female structural member includes first bore holes on opposing sides thereof that are aligned in a chord-wise direction. Further, the joint assembly includes a male structural member extending longitudinally from an end face of a second rotor blade segment. As such, the male structural member is received within the female structural member of the first rotor blade segment such that the first and second rotor blade segments are aligned and connected. The male structural member includes second bore holes on opposing sides thereof. Further, the second bore holes are aligned with the first bore holes. Moreover, the joint assembly includes at least one chord-wise extending pin extending through the first and second bore holes so as to join the first and second rotor blade segments. In addition, the male structural member has a height that increases from a blade root of the rotor blade towards the at least one chord-wise extending pin.