Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A wind turbine blade internal structure system is disclosed herein. A representative system includes span wise spar elements, thru thickness web elements, and an aerodynamic shell. In particular embodiments, the spars may be constructed of pre-cured planks and either adhesively bonded together or assembled using layers of laminates between planks. The laminate layers may be used for structural purposes either to increase the stiffness of the spar, increase the effective bond area of the spar to the shell, or to form a transition region at the plank termination. The spars can be incorporated into the shell assembly layup. The shear web may contain segmentation along the span wise axis of the blade, splitting the shear web into pressure and suction halves that are joined by a connector element that allows for alignment between the web halves in the span wise, chord wise, and thickens directions. The spar and web design elements discussed herein can be applied to either a segments or monolithic blade assembly.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim