Toothed Trailing Edge Retrofitting for Wind Turbine Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retrofitting serrated trailing edges on older wind turbine rotor blades is complex and costly, especially when existing methods require modifications like sawing open cavities or milling profiles, which may not be feasible for all scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a toothed trailing edge with a fastening section and a toothed section, where the trailing edge is attached to the rotor blade using adhesive, specifically double-sided adhesive tape, and a covering strip on the pressure side for additional stabilization, forming a V-shaped structure, which simplifies the retrofitting process and enhances stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing methods like sawing open cavities or milling profiles are used to retrofit serrated trailing edges, then the serrated edge can be attached to the rotor blade, but the retrofitting process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The serrated trailing edge is divided into multiple individual teeth that can be attached separately to the rotor blade. Each tooth is a discrete component with a fastening section and a tooth section, allowing for simplified attachment without requiring complex modifications to the entire trailing edge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A mounting section acts as an intermediary component between the tooth sections and the rotor blade surface. This mounting section provides a standardized interface for attachment, eliminating the need for complex custom fittings or modifications to the blade structure itself.
2Reliability
If existing methods like sawing open cavities or milling profiles are used to retrofit serrated trailing edges, then the serrated edge can be attached to the rotor blade, but the retrofitting process becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The tooth sections are pre-assembled into a complete serrated trailing edge component before attachment to the rotor blade. The mounting section is prepared in advance with attachment surfaces, allowing for quick installation as a single unit without requiring time-consuming on-site fabrication or assembly during the retrofitting process.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical attachment methods requiring complex fastening systems are replaced with adhesive bonding. The adhesive application process is simpler and faster than mechanical fastening, reducing both the time and cost of the retrofitting operation while maintaining reliable attachment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a V-shaped profile is milled onto the pressure and suction sides to create a match for the serrated trailing edge, then the serrated edge can be fitted onto the existing trailing edge, but the effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the entire trailing edge structure with V-shaped profiling, the solution applies local attachment only at specific mounting locations. The mounting section makes contact with the blade surface at discrete points or areas, leaving the rest of the trailing edge structure unchanged and avoiding extensive milling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than modifying the rotor blade to accommodate the serrated trailing edge (milling V-shapes into the blade), the approach is inverted: the serrated trailing edge component is designed with a mounting section that adapts to the existing blade surface. This reverses the modification burden from the blade to the attachable component.
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 method provides a simple, cost-effective way to attach a serrated trailing edge, improving aerodynamic performance and reducing vibration, while also allowing for the serrated edge to be adapted to flow conditions on the suction side, extending the surface area and enhancing stability.
Implementation Method 1
The serration trailing edge is attached to the rotor blade in the area of this mounting section using adhesive
Implementation Method 2
a covering strip of material is placed on the pressure side to further secure the serrations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for attaching a toothed rear edge (6) to a blade rear edge (2) of a wind turbine rotor blade (1) which has a pressure side (14) and a suction side (12). The method has the following steps: arranging a securing portion of the toothed rear edge (6) on a surface (10) of the blade rear edge (2) and securing the region of the securing section of the toothed rear edge (6) on the rotor blade (1) using an adhesive. The toothed rear edge (6) is arranged on the suction side (12) and additionally fixed to the pressure side (14) by attaching a covering material strip (18), and the material strip (18) is arranged on the pressure side (14) and on the toothed rear edge (6) so as to cover a transition between the blade rear edge (2) and the toothed rear edge (6); or the toothed rear edge (6) is arranged on the pressure side (14) and additionally fixed on the suction side (12) by attaching a covering material strip (18), and the material strip (18) is arranged on the suction side (12) and on the rear edge (6) so as to cover a transition between the blade rear edge (2) and the toothed rear edge (6).