Wind Blade Core Material with Alternating Reinforcements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind generator blade core materials face challenges in achieving high specific strength and modulus while maintaining flexibility and stability, with rigid closed-cell foam alternatives increasing weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A reinforced core material design incorporating first and second reinforcements with differing tensile modulus and strength, made from fibers and resins, is introduced into the core material body, allowing for improved mechanical properties and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid closed-cell foam is used as core material to ensure stable supply and cost control, then material availability and cost stability are improved, but mechanical strength and modulus are significantly reduced compared to balsa wood
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining foam core material with fiber reinforcements (carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, or basalt fibers) embedded in resin matrices. This creates a hybrid structure that merges the stable supply and cost benefits of foam with the high strength and modulus of fiber-reinforced composites, effectively resolving the contradiction between material availability and mechanical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by strategically placing fiber reinforcements only in specific regions where high strength is needed, rather than using uniform high-strength materials throughout. The foam core maintains its advantages in non-critical areas while localized fiber reinforcement provides enhanced mechanical properties where required, optimizing the balance between cost and performance.
2Strength
If foam density is increased to improve mechanical properties, then strength and modulus are improved, but resin absorption amount, blade weight, and material cost are greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating fiber reinforcements only in regions requiring enhanced mechanical properties, rather than uniformly increasing foam density throughout the entire core. This localized reinforcement approach achieves the necessary strength and modulus improvements while minimizing additional weight and resin absorption, as fibers are placed only where structurally critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining foam with strategically placed fiber reinforcements, creating a hybrid structure that achieves high mechanical properties without requiring high foam density. The fiber-composite provides the necessary strength and modulus enhancements while maintaining low overall density and weight compared to solid foam alternatives.
3Strength
If high-strength fiber reinforcements are added to improve specific strength and modulus, then mechanical performance is improved, but material cost and manufacturing complexity are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing reinforcement only in specific regions where high strength is needed, rather than throughout the entire core structure. This selective approach maintains manufacturing simplicity in non-critical areas while providing enhanced performance where required, thus balancing mechanical performance with manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by offering multiple fiber type options (carbon, glass, aramid, basalt) with varying properties, allowing optimization of the strength-to-cost ratio. By selecting appropriate fiber types and reinforcement patterns based on specific application requirements, the patent achieves high specific strength and modulus while controlling material cost and manufacturing complexity through parameter selection rather than universal complexity.
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
The reinforced core material enhances specific strength and modulus, reduces weight and cost, and maintains flexibility, addressing structural instability issues in wind generator blades.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first reinforcements is formed by infiltrating K types of fibers in a same or different forms with resin
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3a
Figure 3b~3d
AI summary
The present invention provides a reinforced core material for a fan blade, comprising a core material and reinforcements distributed inside the core material. The reinforcements comprise one or more first reinforcements and one or more second reinforcements that are spaced apart from each other and alternately distributed, wherein the first reinforcement and the second reinforcement extend transversely to the length direction of the reinforced core material, the tensile modulus and tensile strength of the first reinforcement are greater than the tensile modulus and tensile strength of the second reinforcement respectively, the first reinforcement is formed via resin infiltration on one or more fibers of the same or different shapes, and the second reinforcement is a synthetic high polymer.