Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090191063 | LIGHTWEIGHT COMPOSITE TRUSS WIND TURBINE BLADE - A lightweight wind turbine blade formed with a truss support structure assembly of composite truss joints including composite spar and cross members attached to and supporting in spaced relation a spine of lightweight rib panels. The rib panels are oriented in parallel spaced relation from one another and individually molded with perimeters defining individual areas of curvature for the finished blade assembly. The truss support structure is covered with a lightweight fiberglass or hardened fabric skin attached to and fitted on respective rib panel edges forming an airfoil structure. | 07-30-2009 |
20090196758 | LIGHTWEIGHT COMPOSITE TRUSS WIND TURBINE BLADE - A lightweight wind turbine blade formed with a truss support structure assembly of composite truss joints including composite spar and cross members attached to and supporting in spaced relation a spine of lightweight rib panels. The rib panels are oriented in parallel spaced relation from one another and individually molded with perimeters defining individual areas of curvature for the finished blade assembly. The truss support structure is covered with a lightweight fiberglass or hardened fabric skin attached to and fitted on respective rib panel edges forming an airfoil structure. | 08-06-2009 |
20110091321 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING WIND TURBINE OPERATION - Systems and methods for monitoring wind turbine operation are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes processing sensor data received from at least one strain gauge located on a wind turbine shaft, with a processor located on the wind turbine shaft. In particular embodiments, the method can further include providing power for the at least one strain gauge and the processor via a non-contact link between a first component located on the wind turbine shaft and second component off the wind turbine shaft. In further particular embodiments, the method can still further include receiving data from the processor corresponding to bending moments at the wind turbine shaft, and automatically identifying load remediation solutions for the wind turbine, based at least in part on the data received from the processor. | 04-21-2011 |
20120082547 | EFFICIENT WIND TURBINE BLADES, WIND TURBINE BLADE STRUCTURES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY AND USE - Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates. | 04-05-2012 |
20120082554 | EFFICIENT WIND TURBINE BLADES, WIND TURBINE BLADE STRUCTURES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY AND USE - Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates. | 04-05-2012 |
20120082555 | EFFICIENT WIND TURBINE BLADES, WIND TURBINE BLADE STRUCTURES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY AND USE - Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates. | 04-05-2012 |
20120082557 | EFFICIENT WIND TURBINE BLADES, WIND TURBINE BLADE STRUCTURES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY AND USE - Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates. | 04-05-2012 |
20120082558 | EFFICIENT WIND TURBINE BLADES, WIND TURBINE BLADE STRUCTURES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY AND USE - Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates. | 04-05-2012 |
20120124833 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSPORTING AND ASSEMBLING SEGMENTED WIND TURBINE BLADES - Systems and methods for transporting and assembling segmented wind turbine blades are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes multiple transport devices that are each moveable as a unit from a blade fabrication site to a blade assembly site, and that have corresponding carriers positioned to carry corresponding spanwise segments of a wind turbine blade. The system can still further include a guide structure carried by at least one of the transport devices and coupled to a corresponding one of the carriers, with a motion path aligned with a corresponding blade axis. The guide structure can be positioned to guide the corresponding carrier along the motion path toward the other transport devices, e.g., to facilitate assembly of the blade segments. | 05-24-2012 |
20120195765 | EFFICIENT WIND TURBINE BLADES, WIND TURBINE BLADE STRUCTURES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY AND USE - Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates. | 08-02-2012 |
20130061683 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING STRUCTURAL TESTS ON WIND TURBINE BLADES - Systems and methods for performing structural tests on wind turbine blades are disclosed herein. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a test stand positioned to carry a test article that includes at least a portion of a wind turbine blade. The system can further include first and second reaction anchors movably positioned relative to the test stand. A first generally horizontal force link is attached to the first reaction anchor and coupleable to the test article to apply a first horizontal load to the test article. A second generally horizontal force link is attached to the second reaction anchor and is coupleable to the test article to apply a second horizontal load to the test article. The test stand can be positioned to apply a test stand force to the test article equal and opposite to the sum of the first and second horizontal loads. | 03-14-2013 |
20130108453 | LIGHTWEIGHT COMPOSITE TRUSS WIND TURBINE BLADE | 05-02-2013 |
20140140855 | SEGMENTED WIND TURBINE BLADES WITH TRUSS CONNECTION REGIONS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Segmented wind turbine blades with truss connection regions, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A wind turbine system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a wind turbine with a first segment having a first position along the longitudinal axis and having a first internal load-bearing structure for which non-truss structure elements carry at least 90% of the shear loads in the first segment. The blade further includes a second segment having a second position along the longitudinal axis and having a second internal load-bearing structure for which non-truss structure elements carry at least 90% of the shear loads in the first segment. A connection region between the first and second segments includes an internal load-bearing truss structure connected between the first internal load-bearing structure and the second internal load-bearing structure. | 05-22-2014 |
20140154091 | EFFICIENT WIND TURBINE BLADES, WIND TURBINE BLADE STRUCTURES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY AND USE - Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates. | 06-05-2014 |