Wind Turbine Trailing Edge Assembly for Reversible Load Shedding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wind turbine blades face challenges in balancing aerodynamic efficiency and structural integrity, particularly under extreme weather conditions, leading to increased structural stress and fatigue due to rapid changes in wind speed and direction, which traditional load management methods struggle to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

A passive trailing edge assembly for wind turbine blades is constructed using composite materials with flexible structural elements that allow controlled buckling and deflection under extreme loads, returning to a nominal shape once the load is reduced, without requiring active actuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional rigid blade designs are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates due to inability to respond to gust loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidaerodynamic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade incorporates flexible trailing edge sections that can dynamically deform in response to aerodynamic loads. These sections transition from a rigid state during normal operation to a flexible state during gust events, allowing the blade to adapt its aerodynamic shape passively without active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The blade design changes the flexibility parameter of the trailing edge sections, allowing them to exhibit different mechanical properties under different load conditions. The flexible sections have reduced stiffness compared to conventional blades, enabling controlled deformation that improves aerodynamic performance during extreme events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If blade length is increased to capture more energy, then productivity improves, but structural stress worsens due to increased exposure to gust loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy captureVSAvoidstructural stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is segmented into rigid root sections and flexible trailing edge sections. This segmentation allows the majority of the blade structure to remain stiff for structural integrity, while specific trailing edge segments provide flexibility to reduce stress concentrations during gust events, enabling longer blade designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trailing edge incorporates flexible shell structures that can deform under aerodynamic loads. These flexible sections act as stress-relief mechanisms, allowing the blade to accommodate gust-induced deformations without developing excessive stresses that would limit blade length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If active load control systems are implemented, then response to gust loads improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to gust loadsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible trailing edge sections provide passive load control through their inherent flexibility, eliminating the need for external sensors, actuators, or control algorithms. The structure automatically responds to aerodynamic loads through elastic deformation, providing reliable gust response without adding control system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The design converts the potential harm of blade flexibility (which could lead to excessive deformation) into a beneficial active load control mechanism. The controlled flexibility of the trailing edge sections allows the blade to passively shed loads during gust events, transforming what could be a structural weakness into an aerodynamic advantage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 approach reduces peak loads and enhances aerodynamic performance, enabling longer blades and increased energy capture while minimizing structural stress and fatigue, thus lowering material costs and improving efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

flexible structural elements that allow controlled buckling and deflection under extreme loads, returning to a nominal shape once the load is reduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250327438A1Passive trailing edge including load-shedding assembly

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 GULF WIND TECHNOLOGY

AI summary

A wind turbine rotor blade that includes a blade body having a shape that generates a lift when impacted by an incident airflow. The blade body includes a pressure side and a suction side shell joining at a leading and a trailing edge, and a load-shedding assembly mechanically coupled with the trailing edge and configured to move from an original position to a reversibly deformed position under an application of an external load, and back to the original position on withdrawal of the external load. The load-shedding assembly includes the pressure and suction side shells, and a number of flexible structural elements mechanically coupled with the shells and configured to cause the load-shedding assembly to move from the original position to the deformed position under the external load and back to the original position on withdrawal of the external load, and thereby, reduce an overall load on the blade body.