Segmented Wind Turbine Blade Spar Structure Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing and transportation of large wind turbine blades become increasingly challenging and costly as their size increases, and existing segmented designs face issues with the manufacturing and joining of shell segments and internal reinforcing structures.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing wind turbine blades involves creating pressure and suction side shell halves over the entire length, arranging a spar structure within one half, closing and joining them, cutting along a spanwise direction to create segments, uncoupling and re-coupling the spar structure for efficient assembly and re-assembly, and sealing the segments at the site of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If wind turbine blades are manufactured as single large pieces, then structural integrity is maintained, but manufacturing complexity and transportation difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine blade is divided into multiple segments that can be manufactured separately and then joined together. This segmentation allows each segment to be manufactured using standard techniques while maintaining the overall structural integrity when assembled, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and reducing manufacturing complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If wind turbine blades are segmented for easier manufacturing and transportation, then manufacturing and transportation costs decrease, but the complexity of joining segments and maintaining structural integrity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is segmented into manageable sections that can be manufactured separately, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. The segmentation is designed to allow for straightforward joining procedures while maintaining structural integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and joining complexity.
3Strength
If spar structure is integrated within shell halves before segmentation, then structural strength is maintained, but the ability to transport and assemble segments efficiently is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spar structure is segmented to match the blade segments, allowing each segment to be manufactured and transported independently. The spar structure is designed with coupling mechanisms that enable efficient reassembly at the installation site, thus maintaining structural strength while improving assembly efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The spar structure incorporates dynamic coupling mechanisms that allow for easy assembly and disassembly. The coupling elements can be quickly connected or disconnected to join or separate segments, providing the flexibility needed for efficient transport and assembly while maintaining the required structural strength during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade comprising the steps of manufacturing a pressure shell halves and arranging a spar structure (62) within one of the shell halves. The spar structure (62) comprises two parts releasably coupled to each other. The method results in a segmented wind turbine blade for easy transportation and re-assembly.