Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Root Connecting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal and mounting of rotor blades for wind turbines are challenging due to ovalisation at the blade root caused by self-weight, making them difficult to machine and attach to the rotor hub.
Innovation Solution
A rotor blade design featuring circumferentially connected ring-shaped connecting elements at the blade root, providing mechanical stability and eliminating ovalisation effects, with optional radially extending connecting means for additional stability and a sandwich construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the blade root is strengthened by inserting metal rings or providing bulky circular plates, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is divided into multiple functional parts: a ring-shaped body for structural stability, axially extending connecting portions for hub attachment, and circumferential connecting means for joining multiple elements. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into a single connecting element: structural reinforcement, hub connection, and inter-element connection. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate metal rings or bulky plates, reducing device complexity while maintaining mechanical stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If axial spacer bars are inserted between connecting elements, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing function previously requiring separate axial spacer bars is merged into the ring-shaped body itself. The geometry of the ring body inherently provides the necessary spacing and positioning, eliminating additional manufacturing steps and components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element's own structure provides the spacing and positioning functions that would otherwise require separate components. The ring-shaped body's geometry self-regulates the spacing between elements during assembly without needing external spacer bars.
3Ease of manufacture
If the blade root is left without additional strengthening, then the manufacturing is simpler, but ovalisation occurs due to self-weight
Solution Approach 1:
The ring-shaped connecting element is segmented circumferentially into discrete elements that are joined together. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of individual elements while the assembled ring structure collectively prevents ovalisation through distributed structural support.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor blade for a wind turbine has an elongate blade base body with a plurality of connecting elements. Each connecting element comprises at least one axially extending connecting portion adapted to be connected with corresponding connecting portions of a rotor hub of the wind turbine. The connecting elements are connected in a circumferential direction so as to build a closed ring-shape.