Segmented Wind Turbine Blade Clamping Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing length of wind turbine blades poses challenges for manufacturing and transportation, as existing methods either increase weight or compromise reliability.
Innovation Solution
A segmented blade design featuring a first blade segment with a decreasing clamping portion near the root and a second segment with an increasing clamping portion near the tip, clamp-fitted together, with an outer shell encasing the clearance between them, allowing for a lightweight and reliable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If blade length is increased to achieve higher power output, then wind energy conversion capability is improved, but manufacturing and transportation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into multiple segments (first blade segment, second blade segment, etc.) that can be manufactured separately and assembled later. Each segment contains its own main spar structure, allowing independent fabrication and transport, then connected through clamping portions to form the complete long-blade structure capable of high power output.
2Ease of manufacture
If blade is segmented for easier manufacturing and transport, then ease of manufacture is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The second clamping portion is inserted into the first clamping portion, creating a nested configuration where one structural element fits within another. This nested arrangement provides inherent mechanical interlocking and stability, enhancing connection reliability while maintaining the segmented design for ease of manufacture and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping portions utilize composite material structures with varying heights and configurations to create a robust connection interface. The differentiated heights of clamping portions allow for optimized stress distribution and mechanical interlocking, ensuring high connection reliability in the segmented blade assembly.
3Strength
If traditional connection methods are used to join blade segments, then connection strength is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design replaces traditional heavy mechanical connection systems (such as bolting or welding with metal fasteners) with a streamlined clamping portion structure that achieves equivalent or superior connection strength through optimized composite material geometry and nested configuration, thereby reducing overall blade weight.
4Strength
If metal materials are used for connection components, then connection strength is improved, but susceptibility to lightning strikes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping portions and connection components are constructed from composite materials instead of metal, maintaining necessary mechanical strength while eliminating the conductivity that attracts lightning strikes. The composite material structure provides both structural integrity and electrical insulation, resolving the contradiction between strength and lightning susceptibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A segmented blade, which comprises: a first blade segment (100) which has a first main beam (150), wherein the first blade segment (100) is at a side close to a blade root, and the first main beam (150) comprises a first body portion (130) disposed within the first blade segment (100) and a first engaging portion (140) extending from an end portion of the first body portion (130) toward a direction (D1) which is away from the blade root, the height of the first engaging portion (140) gradually decreasing along the direction (D1) away from the blade root; a second blade segment (200) which has a second main beam (250), wherein the second blade segment (200) is at a side close to a blade tip, and the second main beam (250) comprises a second body portion (230) disposed within the second blade segment (200) and a second engaging portion (240) extending from an end portion of the second body portion (230) toward a direction (D3) which approaches the blade root, the height of the second engaging portion (240) gradually increasing along the direction (D3) which approaches the blade root, wherein, and the second engaging portion (240) being engaged in the first engaging portion (140); and an outer skin (400), which covers a gap (G) between the first blade segment (100) and the second blade segment (200). The segmented blade fundamentally does not increase the weight of the blade and provides a highly reliable connection. Also provided are a method for connecting segmented blades and a wind power generator set.