Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Section Connector with Sealed Mould
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of long wind turbine rotor blades is hindered by the challenges of manufacturing, transporting, and connecting blade sections due to issues with air pockets in high-viscosity adhesives and the complexity and cost of vacuum infusion processes for low-viscosity resins.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mould formed by the inner and outer connecting parts with a seal to contain a low-viscosity adhesive, preventing air pockets and allowing for a robust and reliable connection between blade sections, which can be assembled directly at the wind turbine site using a combination of high- and low-viscosity adhesives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a high-viscosity adhesive is used to bond interface elements, then the adhesive remains between interface elements without spreading, but air pockets are trapped in the adhesive reducing bond effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the adhesive from high to low, allowing the adhesive to flow freely and expel air pockets while still achieving effective bonding through the mold containment system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mold as an intermediary containment structure that enables the use of low-viscosity adhesive while preventing its escape, thereby resolving the contradiction between adhesive flowability and containment
2Reliability
If a low-viscosity resin is used with vacuum infusion process, then air pockets are avoided, but the process becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mold acts as an intermediary containment structure that allows low-viscosity adhesive to be used without requiring complex vacuum infusion equipment, simplifying the overall process while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a relatively simple, disposable mold structure that can be easily assembled and removed, replacing the need for expensive and complex vacuum infusion systems
3Ease of manufacture
If rotor blade sections are assembled using traditional connection methods, then manufacturing and transport is simplified, but assembly time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting parts are pre-formed with integrated mold structures during blade section manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly procedures and accelerating the overall assembly process
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 approach enables a straightforward, cost-effective, and reliable connection of rotor blade sections without air pockets, enhancing the structural stability and aerodynamic performance while reducing assembly time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a low-viscosity adhesive can be introduced into this space to fill the mould. The mould contains the adhesive without danger of its escaping, and the adhesive can harden gradually.
Implementation Method 2
a low-viscosity adhesive can be introduced into this space to fill the mould. The mould contains the adhesive without danger of its escaping, and the adhesive can harden gradually.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention describes a wind turbine rotor blade (2) comprising at least two blade sections (20, 21) and a connector (1) for connecting adjacent blade sections (20, 21), which connector (1) comprises an inner connecting part (10) of a first blade section (20) and an outer connecting part (11) of a second blade section (20), wherein the outer connecting part (11) is realised to enclose the inner connecting part (10); and a first seal (12) arranged about a connecting part (10, 10', 11, 11') such that an outer surface of the inner connecting part (10), an inner surface of the outer connecting part (11), and the first seal (12) form a mould (14); and an adhesive layer (3) introduced to fill the mould (14). The invention further comprises a wind turbine comprising a number of such rotor blades (2); and a method of constructing such a wind turbine rotor blade (2).