Segmented Stiffening Structure for Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Twist
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotor blade constructions for wind turbines are cumbersome and costly in creating an inherent twist or torque under external loads, which is necessary to reduce mechanical loads and weight.
Innovation Solution
The rotor blade features an axially segmented stiffening structure with segments having different positions and orientations relative to each other and the longitudinal axis, allowing for localized adjustments in mechanical behavior to generate twist or torque, thereby reducing the angle of attack and load on the blade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rotor blade construction uses more material to withstand high mechanical loads, then the strength and stability are improved, but the weight of the rotor blade increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening structure is divided into multiple axially adjacent segments (first stiffening structure segment, second stiffening structure segment, etc.) that can independently deform. This segmentation allows the rotor blade to create inherent twist through differential segment deformation, reducing mechanical loads without requiring additional material, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening structure segments are designed with different positions and orientations relative to the longitudinal axis, enabling dynamic twist creation under external loads. This dynamic response allows the rotor blade to automatically adjust its geometry to reduce loads, maintaining strength while minimizing weight.
2Ease of manufacture
If the stiffening structure is made as a single continuous piece, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the ability to create inherent twist is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening structure is segmented into multiple axially adjacent segments with different positions and orientations. Each segment can be manufactured separately and then assembled, which maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling the creation of inherent twist through the differential arrangement of segments, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adaptability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the stiffening structure segments are all oriented the same way, then the structural symmetry is maintained, but the inherent twist creation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening structure segments are deliberately arranged with different positions and orientations relative to the longitudinal axis of the base body. This asymmetric arrangement allows the structure to create inherent twist under external loads while maintaining overall structural stability, resolving the contradiction between symmetry and adaptability.
4Strength
If axially adjacent stiffening structure segments overlap each other, then the structural connection is strengthened, but the complexity of assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Axially adjacent stiffening structure segments are designed to overlap each other, merging their structural functions to create stronger connections. This overlap design strengthens the segmental structure while the standardized segment interfaces keep assembly complexity manageable, resolving the contradiction between connection strength and assembly complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~10
AI summary
Rotor blade (4) for a wind turbine (1), comprising a longitudinal rotor blade base body (5), whereby a stiffening structure (6) is disposed within the base body (5), wherein the stiffening structure (6) is divided in at least two, axially adjacently disposed stiffening structure segments (6a, 6b), whereby at least one first stiffening structure segment (6a) is disposed with a different position and/or orientation relative to at least one further stiffening structure segment (6b) and/or relative to the longitudinal axis (A) of the base body (5).