Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090074585 | WIND TURBINE BLADES WITH TRAILING EDGE SERRATIONS - A wind generator and turbine blade includes a trailing edge having several serrations, a length of the serrations in each of a plurality of sections of the trailing edge is between approximately 10% and 40% of a mean chord for the corresponding section; and a length to width ratio of each of the serrations is between approximately 1:1 to 4:1. | 03-19-2009 |
20090097976 | ACTIVE DAMPING OF WIND TURBINE BLADES - A wind turbine blade, includes a sensor, arranged upstream from a trailing edge of the blade for measuring an airflow characteristic near a surface of the blade; and an actuator, arranged downstream from the sensor, for adjusting the airflow in response to the measured characteristic. | 04-16-2009 |
20090148291 | MULTI-SECTION WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADES AND WIND TURBINES INCORPORATING SAME - A multi-section blade for a wind turbine comprising a hub extender connected to a hub of the wind turbine is provided. The blade includes at least one pitchable outboard section. The hub extender can have a pitch bearing located near the interface between the hub and hub extender, or the hub extender and outboard blade section. The hub extender can be configured to pitch or not pitch with the outboard blade sections. An aerodynamic fairing is configured to mount over the hub extender and is configured to not pitch with the outboard blade sections. | 06-11-2009 |
20090191064 | SPINNER OF A WIND TURBINE - The present patent application relates to a spinner for a wind turbine adapted to be mounted on a hub of said wind turbine, wherein at least one rotor blade is connected to said hub, wherein the rotor blade has an inner portion and a profiled outer portion, wherein the spinner is adapted to cover a substantial portion of the inner portion in wind direction, the spinner having a front portion, wherein the front portion is adapted to be positioned in front of the inner portion of the rotor blade of the at least one rotor blade of the wind turbine in operation. Further, the present patent application concerns a wind turbine comprising a hub and at least one rotor blade connected to the hub, the rotor blade having an inner portion and a profiled outer portion, the wind turbine further comprising a spinner mounted on the hub, wherein the spinner is adapted to cover a substantial portion of the inner portion in wind direction, the spinner having a front portion, wherein the front portion is adapted to be positioned in front of the inner portion of the at least one rotor blade of the wind turbine in operation. Finally, the present patent application relates to a method for increasing the efficiency of an existing wind turbine with at least one rotor blade being connected to a hub, the at least one rotor blade having an inner portion and a profiled outer portion, the method comprising: Mounting a spinner on the hub, wherein the spinner is adapted to cover a substantial portion of the inner portion in wind direction, the spinner having a front portion, wherein the front portion is positioned in front of the inner portion of the at least one rotor blade of the wind turbine in operation, wherein a back end of the front portion has a substantial smooth circumference. | 07-30-2009 |
20090220340 | VARIABLE TIP SPEED RATIO TRACKING CONTROL FOR WIND TURBINES - The present invention relates to a method of controlling the aerodynamic load of a wind turbine blade by controlling the tip speed ratio (TSR) and/or blade pitch setting of the wind turbine blade so as to optimize power production. A wind turbine blade undergoes an aero-elastic response including deflection and twist that is a function of the blade loading. The blade loading is dependent on the wind speed, TSR, and pitch setting. The aero-elastic response requires a different TSR and/or pitch to be selected throughout the power curve in order to maintain the optimum power production and to improve energy capture. | 09-03-2009 |
20090297353 | WIND TURBINE BLADES WITH TWISTED TIPS - A blade for a wind turbine includes a total backward twist of between approximately 6 degrees and approximately 15 degrees between an outer approximately 1 percent to approximately 10 percent of a rotor radius of the blade. | 12-03-2009 |
20090297354 | WIND TURBINE BLADES WITH TWISTED AND TAPERED TIPS - A blade for a wind turbine includes a total backward twist of between approximately 6 degrees and approximately 15 degrees between an outer approximately 1 percent to approximately 10 percent of a rotor radius of the blade; and a total normalized chord change of between approximately one percent and approximately two percent between the outer approximately 1 percent to approximately 10 percent of the rotor radius of the blade. | 12-03-2009 |
20090297355 | WIND TURBINE BLADE PLANFORMS WITH TWISTED AND TAPERED TIPS - A blade for a wind turbine includes a total backward twist of between approximately 6 degrees and approximately 15 degrees between an outer approximately 1 percent to 10 percent of a rotor radius of the blade; and an approximate planform distribution within the following ranges | 12-03-2009 |
20090309359 | WIND TURBINE SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME - A sensor assembly for use with a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The sensor assembly includes an air data probe including a base shaft, a tip, and a rod portion extending therebetween, wherein the rod portion is fabricated from a composite material. The sensor assembly includes a receptacle configured to couple within the leading edge of the rotor blade for receiving the base shaft therein such that the tip extends a distance from the leading edge when the base shaft is received within the receptacle. | 12-17-2009 |
20090311096 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AIR FLOW CONDITION AT A WIND TURBINE BLADE - A method and an apparatus for measuring an air flow at an airfoil surface are provided, wherein at least one pressure sensor adapted to detect an air flow associated with a rotor blade surface and a pressure transducer which converts the detected air flow into an electrical signal indicating the air flow are provided. The pressure sensor is arranged within the boundary layer of the air flow at the airfoil surface such that the boundary layer profile may be determined from the electrical signal. The air flow sensor is adapted for rotor blades of a wind turbine to assist in adjusting a pitch angle of the rotor blades. | 12-17-2009 |
20090311097 | WIND TURBINE INFLOW ANGLE MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM - A wind turbine including a control system and at least one wind turbine blade having a pressure measurement system is disclosed. The pressure measurement system includes a pressure probe that provides a measurement of inflow angle to the control system. The control system adjusts the blade pitch angle of the at least one turbine blade in response to the inflow angle measurement to improve energy capture. The pressure probe is mounted by a probe support structure at a predetermined position from the leading edge of the at least one wind turbine blade. | 12-17-2009 |
20100104436 | ACTIVE CURCILATION CONTROL OF AERODYNAMIC STRUCTURES - Active Circulation Control (ACC) of aerodynamic structures, such as a turbine blade, uses unsteady or oscillatory flow from either synthetic jets or pulsed jets to modify a velocity profile of the blade. The blade includes an opening disposed in a surface of the blade at a location proximate to a trailing edge, a leading edge, or both the trailing edge and the leading edge of the blade. An active flow control device in fluid communication with the opening produces a wall-jet of pulsed fluid that flows over the trailing edge, the leading edge, or both the trailing and leading edges of the blade and modify the velocity profile of the blade. | 04-29-2010 |
20100133817 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE TIP SPEED OF A BLADE OF A WIND TURBINE - A method for controlling a tip speed of a blade of a wind turbine. The method includes determining the wind speed proximate the wind turbine; maintaining a first substantially constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade during variable wind speeds above a first predetermined nominal wind speed and below the second predetermined nominal wind speed; maintaining a second substantially constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade during variable wind speeds above a second predetermined nominal wind speed. The noise generated by wind at the second predetermined nominal wind speed is greater than noise generated by the blade at the second constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade. | 06-03-2010 |
20100133818 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NOISE CONTROLLED OPERATION OF A WIND TURBINE - A method for controlling noise generated from a wind turbine. The method including providing a blade attached to a hub having a rotor shaft, and a generator in communication with the rotor shaft. The at least one blade includes an adjustable pitch angle. The method further includes providing a wind turbine acoustical profile and a wind turbine power profile. The wind turbine acoustical profile and the wind turbine power profile are compared to determine a noise reduced operational condition. The wind turbine is controlled to provide a rotor speed and the pitch angle of the blade corresponding to the noise reduced operational condition. | 06-03-2010 |
20100133819 | WIND TURBINE ACOUSTIC EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for controlling noise generated from a wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes selectively adjusting the angle of pitch of the blade in response to an amount of noise generated being above a predetermined amount and maintaining the amount of noise generated at or below the predetermined amount of noise. | 06-03-2010 |
20100135811 | ROOT SLEEVE FOR WIND TURBINE BLADE - A sleeve for a wind turbine blade includes an opening for receiving a root end of the wind turbine blade; and an inboard edge for substantially abutting a hub of a wind turbine. | 06-03-2010 |
20100143144 | BOUNDARY LAYER FINS FOR WIND TURBINE BLADE - A wind turbine blade includes a plurality of boundary layer fins, aligned substantially parallel to a direction of flow over the blade, for reducing boundary layer separation from the blade. | 06-10-2010 |
20110006527 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING NOISE LEVELS OF A TURBINE WITH MINIMAL LOSS IN ENERGY YIELD - A method for controlling a tip speed of a blade of a wind turbine. The method includes determining the wind speed proximate the wind turbine; maintaining a first substantially constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade during variable wind speeds above a first predetermined nominal wind speed and below the second predetermined nominal wind speed; maintaining a second substantially constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade during variable wind speeds above a second predetermined nominal wind speed. The noise generated by wind at the second predetermined nominal wind speed is greater than noise generated by the blade at the second constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade. | 01-13-2011 |
20110142638 | WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE WITH ACTUATABLE AIRFOIL PASSAGES - A wind turbine rotor blade includes a pressure side and a suction side. At least one airfoil passage is defined through the blade between the pressure side and suction side. A respective cover is configured over the airfoil passage at each of the pressure and suction sides. The covers are actuatable between a closed position wherein the cover is flush with the respective pressure or suction side and an open position wherein the cover moves to open the airfoil passage. | 06-16-2011 |
20110142664 | VORTEX GENERATOR ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH A WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE - A method of manipulating a boundary layer across a wind turbine rotor blade. The method includes coupling at least one vortex generator to the rotor blade. The vortex generator includes at least one sidewall that extends outwardly a radial distance from an outer surface of the rotor blade. The vortex generator is selectively positionable between a first position and a second position. A control system calculates a condition of the boundary layer. The vortex generator is positioned at one of the first position and the second position based on the calculated condition of the boundary layer for moving the vortex generator between the first position and the second position. | 06-16-2011 |
20110142673 | WIND TURBINE BLADES WITH AERODYNAMIC VORTEX ELEMENTS - A wind turbine blade had a suction side surface and a pressure side surface. A plurality of vortex elements are formed on at least one of the suction side or the pressure side surfaces. The vortex elements have an upwardly inclined wind face and a downwardly inclined slip face, with the wind face and slip face meeting at a generally open-ended U-shaped ridge that defines side horns. The side horns decrease in height from a forward most portion of the ridge to the suction side surface or pressure side surface. | 06-16-2011 |
20110142676 | ROTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY HAVING AN AUXILIARY BLADE - A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade assembly may generally include a primary rotor blade and an auxiliary rotor blade disposed on a suction side of the primary rotor blade. The auxiliary blade may generally include an upstream edge and a downstream edge, with the upstream edge being positioned downstream of a leading edge of the primary rotor blade. | 06-16-2011 |
20110142681 | ROTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY - A rotor blade assembly is disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a main rotor blade, the main rotor blade including a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, and an auxiliary rotor blade associated with the main rotor blade, the auxiliary rotor blade including a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The rotor blade assembly further includes a support member connecting the auxiliary rotor blade to the main rotor blade. The auxiliary rotor blade is configured to modify a lift force associated with the rotor blade assembly. | 06-16-2011 |
20110189024 | Wind Turbine Airfoil Family - Airfoils are provided for a wind turbine blade that is associated with a wind turbine hub. Each airfoil includes a blunt trailing edge, a substantially oval shaped suction side, and a substantially S-shaped pressure side. The airfoils decrease in cross-sectional area along the turbine blade in a direction extending away from the wind turbine hub. | 08-04-2011 |
20120027587 | WIND TURBINE TORQUE-SPEED CONTROL - The present subject matter relates to methods and systems for operating a wind turbine that, in some embodiments may include a gearbox. The wind turbine is provided with a blade having an adjustable pitch angle and the tip speed ratio (TSR) of the blade is monitored. In operation, the method and system is configured to increase the pitch angle of the blade concurrently with an increase in TSR to maintain turbine operation within an identified high power coefficient (Cp) operational region for the blade. TSR may be monitored by monitoring one of the velocity of the tip of the blade, wind speed, the rotational speed of the blade, or the rotational speed of a component within the gearbox. | 02-02-2012 |
20120027592 | METHODS FOR CONTROLLING THE AMPLITUDE MODULATION OF NOISE GENERATED BY WIND TURBINES - In one aspect, a method for controlling the amplitude modulation of noise generated by a wind turbine is disclosed. The method may generally include determining an angle of attack of a rotor blade of a wind turbine and maintaining the angle of attack at a substantially constant value during rotation of the rotor blade in order to reduce the amplitude modulation of the noise generated by the wind turbine. | 02-02-2012 |
20120134812 | APERTURE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM - An active flow control system for use with a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes at least one blade. The active flow control system includes an air distribution system at least partially defined within said at least one blade. The air distribution system includes at least one aperture defined through the at least one blade. An aperture control system is in operational control communication with the air distribution system. The aperture control system includes an actuator at least partially positioned within the at least one blade and configured to control a flow of air discharged through the at least one aperture. | 05-31-2012 |
20120134815 | BLADE EXTENSION FOR ROTOR BLADE IN WIND TURBINE - A blade extension for a rotor blade and a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine are disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge each extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root. The rotor blade assembly further includes a blade extension including a first panel and an opposed second panel. Each of the first panel and the second panel includes an interior surface and an exterior surface each extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of each of the first panel and the second panel is spaced apart from the rotor blade in a generally chord-wise direction in a standard operation position. | 05-31-2012 |
20120134817 | WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE WITH TRAILING EDGE EXTENSION AND METHOD OF ATTACHMENT - A wind turbine rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root. An edge extension is attached along the trailing edge and includes a first strip member having a span-wise attachment section attached to pressure side, and a second strip member having a span-wise attachment section attached to the suction side. Each of the first and second strip members has an outboard edge and an extension section that projects chord-wise beyond the trailing edge. The extension sections are adhesively attached to each other outboard of the trailing edge along a span-wise length of the first and second strip members and define an adhesively bonded closure edge of the edge extension. A method is also provided for forming an edge extension on a wind turbine rotor blade. | 05-31-2012 |
20120134836 | BLADE EXTENSION FOR ROTOR BLADE IN WIND TURBINE - A blade extension for a rotor blade and a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine are disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge each extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root. At least one of the leading edge or the trailing edge has a modified aerodynamic contour. The rotor blade assembly further includes a blade extension including a first panel and an opposed second panel. Each of the first panel and the second panel includes an interior surface and an exterior surface each extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of each of the first panel and the second panel is spaced apart from the rotor blade in a generally chord-wise direction in a standard operation position. | 05-31-2012 |
20120141250 | WIND TURBINE SHROUD - A shroud for a wind turbine and a method for modifying performance of a wind turbine are disclosed. The wind turbine includes a rotor mounted to a nacelle, the rotor including a plurality of rotor blades and defining an outer diameter. The shroud is positioned downstream of the rotor in an air flow direction, and has an inner diameter of less than the outer diameter of the rotor. | 06-07-2012 |
20120141269 | EXTENSION FOR ROTOR BLADE IN WIND TURBINE - A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine and a method for increasing a loading capability of a rotor blade within a maximum load limit for a wind turbine are disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade assembly further includes an extension connected to a surface of the rotor blade, the extension having at least one design characteristic configured for increasing a loading capability of the rotor blade within a maximum load limit for the wind turbine. The design characteristic is one of extension length, extension width, extension curvature, span-wise extension location, chord-wise extension location, or extension angle with respect to a chord line of the rotor blade. | 06-07-2012 |
20120141281 | WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY WITH ROOT CURTAIN - A wind turbine rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root. An edge extension is attached along either or both of the leading edge or trailing edge in a generally span-wise direction from adjacent the root towards the blade tip, with the edge extension having a contoured outer surface that defines a generally continuous aerodynamic surface. The edge extension has a terminal end that is spaced from root. A curtain is attached to the edge extension and extends in a span-wise direction from the terminal end t to the root. The curtain is formed from a pliant, flexible material that accommodates connection of the root to a rotor hub, as well as pitch movement of the rotor blade relative to the hub. | 06-07-2012 |
20120275925 | WINGLET FOR A WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE - A winglet for a rotor blade is disclosed. The winglet may generally include a winglet body extending between a first end and a second end. The winglet body may define a sweep and may have a curvature defined by a curve fit including a first radius of curvature and a second radius of curvature. The sweep between the first end and the second end may range from about 580 millimeters to about 970 millimeters. Additionally, the first radius of curvature may range from about 1500 millimeters to about 2500 millimeters and the second radius of curvature may range from about 1200 millimeters to about 2000 millimeters. | 11-01-2012 |
20130219718 | BLADE INSERT FOR A WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE AND RELATED METHODS - A method for retrofitting a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method may generally include cutting the rotor blade at a specified location in order to form a root segment and a tip segment and positioning a blade insert between the root segment and the tip segment | 08-29-2013 |
20130224032 | BLADE INSERT FOR A WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE AND RELATED METHODS - A blade insert for coupling a first blade segment to a second blade segment is disclosed. The blade insert may include an aerodynamic body extending between a first end configured to be coupled to the first blade segment and a second end configured to be coupled to the second blade segment. The aerodynamic body may include a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. In addition, the aerodynamic body may define a chord, wherein the chord at the first end is substantially equal to the chord at the second end. | 08-29-2013 |
20140271213 | AIRFOIL MODIFIERS FOR WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADES - In one aspect, a rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade may include a body extending between a blade root and a blade tip. The body may define a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. In addition, the body may define a chord line extending between the leading and trailing edges. The rotor blade may also include an airfoil modifier coupled to at least one of the pressure side or the suction side of the body. The airfoil modifier may define an end surface disposed adjacent to the trailing edge. At least a portion of the end surface may extend at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the chord. | 09-18-2014 |
20140294595 | ROTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY FOR WIND TURBINE HAVING LOAD REDUCTION FEATURES - Rotor blade assemblies for wind turbines are provided. In one embodiment, a rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge each extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade further defines a span and a chord. A span-wise portion of the pressure side includes along a chord-wise cross-section a plurality of inflection points. The plurality of inflection points include a first inflection point and a second inflection point, the first and second inflections points positioned within approximately 50% of the chord from the leading edge. | 10-02-2014 |
20140328688 | ROTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY HAVING VORTEX GENERATORS FOR WIND TURBINE - Rotor blade assemblies for wind turbines are provided. In one embodiment, a rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade, and a plurality of vortex generators configured on at least one of a suction side or a pressure side and disposed within an inboard area of the rotor blade. The plurality of vortex generators include a row of vortex generators extending in a generally span-wise direction, the row comprising a first portion of vortex generators and a second portion of vortex generators, the second portion of vortex generators spaced apart from the first portion of vortex generators in the span-wise direction. Each first portion vortex generator is disposed at a first chord-wise location, and each second portion vortex generator is disposed at a second chord-wise location different from the first chord-wise location. | 11-06-2014 |
20140328693 | ROTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY HAVING VORTEX GENERATORS FOR WIND TURBINE - Rotor blade assemblies for wind turbines are provided. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge each extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade further defines a span and a chord. The rotor blade assembly further includes at least one vortex generator configured on at least one of the suction side or the pressure side of the rotor blade, the at least one vortex generator having an aspect ratio between approximately 4 and approximately 10. In another embodiments, the rotor blade assembly further includes at least one vortex generator configured on at least one of the suction side or the pressure side of the rotor blade, the at least one vortex generator having a length between approximately 4% and approximately 20% of a local chord. | 11-06-2014 |