Wind Turbine Blade Root Portion Multi-Row Bolt Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbine blades experience high compressive stress and reduced service life due to limited design options and failure risks in the root portion connection to the bearing or hub flange, which restricts the size and type of blades that can be manufactured.
Innovation Solution
The root portion of the wind turbine blade features multiple first bolts and connection means arranged in two rows along the circumference, with the first row closer to the attachment face than the second row, distributing compressive stress and loads across a larger area, allowing for increased design options and improved service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connection means are arranged in a single row within the root portion, then the structure is simple, but the compressive stress is concentrated on a small area leading to reduced service life and failure risks
Solution Approach 1:
The connection means are segmented into multiple rows (first row and second row) along the root portion, distributing the connection points across different locations. This segmentation of the connection structure allows compressive stress to be distributed across a larger area rather than concentrated in a single row, thereby improving reliability and service life while managing the complexity through systematic arrangement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the root portion is designed with limited connection options, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the design options for wind turbine blade size and type are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The connection means are arranged in multiple rows along the longitudinal extent of the root portion, adding a dimensional aspect to the connection structure. This multi-row arrangement provides additional design flexibility and adaptability for different wind turbine blade sizes and types, while the systematic organization along the root portion manages the structural complexity.
3Stress or pressure
If multiple connection means are arranged in two rows, then the compressive stress is distributed across a larger area, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection means are divided into multiple rows (first row and second row) positioned at different locations along the root portion. This segmentation distributes the compressive stress across a larger area by spreading the connection points, while the systematic arrangement in rows maintains reasonable structural organization.
Solution Approach 2:
Different rows of connection means are positioned at specific locations along the root portion to optimize stress distribution in different areas. This local quality approach ensures that compressive stress is distributed effectively across the root portion structure, with each row serving a specific functional purpose in the overall stress management.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a root portion of a wind turbine blade for a wind turbine, whereby the root portion includes multiple first bolts arranged within the root portion and extending out of a root attachment face of the root portion for attachment of the root attachment face to a bearing or a hub flange, and whereby the root portion includes multiple first connectors fixedly arranged within the root portion, wherein the multiple first bolts are connected to the root portion by the first connectors for transmission of force from the multiple first bolts to the root portion via the multiple first connectors, whereby the first connectors are arranged in a first row along the root portion and each of a multiple of second connectors is fixedly arranged within the root portion and in a second row along root portion.