Segmented Wind Turbine Rotor Blade for Transportable High-Load Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing dimensions of wind turbine rotor blades pose challenges for transportation due to incompatibility with existing transport solutions, and the connections between segmented blades must withstand extreme loads while minimizing aerodynamic performance impact and added mass.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine rotor blade design comprising a root section, main section, and tip section with specific cross-sectional shapes and connection methods, including circular cross sections for robust connections near the root and aerodynamic profiles for the tip, allowing for manageable transportation and efficient load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wind turbine rotor blades are manufactured in one piece, then structural integrity is improved, but transportation becomes difficult due to incompatible dimensions with existing transport solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor blade is divided into multiple segments (root section, intermediate section, tip section) that can be transported separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation allows the blade to fit within transportation constraints while maintaining structural integrity through carefully designed connection interfaces between segments.
2Ease of operation
If rotor blades are divided into multiple segments, then transportation becomes feasible, but connection strength must be extremely strong to withstand extreme loads
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the blade have different cross-sectional characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The root section has a circular cross-section for robust connections near the hub, while the tip section has an aerodynamic profile. Connection interfaces are designed with local quality enhancements to withstand extreme loads at critical locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade segments utilize composite material construction with optimized fiber orientations and material properties at different locations. This allows the connection interfaces to achieve extremely strong bond strengths while keeping the overall blade weight manageable for transportation.
3Area of stationary object
If connection position is near the blade tip, then space for connector is reduced, but aerodynamic performance impact is more significant
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interfaces are positioned and designed with local quality considerations - the root section connection accommodates larger connectors with circular cross-sections, while the tip section connection uses streamlined designs that minimize aerodynamic disruption. Each connection location is optimized for its specific operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine rotor blade having a root section includes a blade root, an outer end and a root section length, a main section having an inner end, an outer end and a main section length, a tip section having an inner end, a blade tip and a tip section length. The outer end of the root section and the inner end of the main section are configured to be connected to one another. The outer end of the main section and the inner end of the tip section each have a cross section shaped as an aerodynamic profile and are configured to be connected to one another. The outer end of the root section and the inner end of the main section have a circular cross section.