US20120027618A1 - Angled blade root - Google Patents
Angled blade root Download PDFInfo
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- US20120027618A1 US20120027618A1 US13/210,695 US201113210695A US2012027618A1 US 20120027618 A1 US20120027618 A1 US 20120027618A1 US 201113210695 A US201113210695 A US 201113210695A US 2012027618 A1 US2012027618 A1 US 2012027618A1
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- blade
- rotor blade
- rotor
- end surface
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- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D1/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor
- F03D1/06—Rotors
- F03D1/065—Rotors characterised by their construction elements
- F03D1/0658—Arrangements for fixing wind-engaging parts to a hub
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/20—Rotors
- F05B2240/202—Rotors with adjustable area of intercepted fluid
- F05B2240/2022—Rotors with adjustable area of intercepted fluid by means of teetering or coning blades
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2250/00—Geometry
- F05B2250/30—Arrangement of components
- F05B2250/31—Arrangement of components according to the direction of their main axis or their axis of rotation
- F05B2250/314—Arrangement of components according to the direction of their main axis or their axis of rotation the axes being inclined in relation to each other
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/70—Wind energy
- Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
Definitions
- the present subject matter relates generally to wind turbines and, more particularly, to an angled blade root for a wind turbine rotor blade.
- Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources presently available, and wind turbines have gained increased attention in this regard.
- a modern wind turbine typically includes a tower, generator, gearbox, nacelle, and one or more rotor blades.
- the rotor blades capture kinetic energy from the wind using known airfoil principles and transmit the kinetic energy through rotational energy to turn a shaft coupling the rotor blades to a gearbox, or if a gearbox is not used, directly to the generator.
- the generator then converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy that may be deployed to a utility grid.
- the present subject matter discloses a rotor blade for a wind turbine.
- the rotor blade may generally include a blade root defining a planar surface, a blade tip and a body extending between the blade root and the blade tip.
- the body may define a longitudinal axis and may include a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge.
- an angle may be defined between the planar surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The angle may be greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.
- the wind turbine may include a plurality of rotor blades.
- Each rotor blade may include a blade root defining a planar surface, a blade tip and a body extending between the blade root and the blade tip.
- the body may define a longitudinal axis and may include a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge.
- an angle may be defined between the planar surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The angle may be greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.
- the present subject matter discloses a blade root for a wind turbine rotor blade.
- the blade root may generally comprise a substantially cylindrically shaped member extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis and defining a planar end surface. Additionally, an angle may be defined between the planar end surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The angle may be greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine
- FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment a rotor blade in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter
- FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an outboard portion of the rotor blade shown FIG. 2 , particularly illustrating a blade root of the rotor blade;
- FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the blade root shown in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 illustrates a partial side view of a wind turbine having the rotor blade shown in FIGS. 2-4 installed thereon.
- the present subject matter is directed to a rotor blade for a wind turbine having an angled blade root.
- the blade root of the rotor blade may define a planar end surface oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. Accordingly, when the rotor blade is installed onto a wind turbine hub, an increase in the amount of tower clearance defined between the rotor blade and the wind turbine tower may be achieved. Such increased tower clearance may allow for longer and/or lighter rotor blades to be utilized on a wind turbine, thereby increasing the efficiency and/or output of the wind turbine and/or decreasing the costs required to manufacture each rotor blade.
- FIG. 1 illustrates perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine 10 .
- the wind turbine 10 includes a tower 12 extending from a support surface 14 , a nacelle 16 mounted on the tower 12 , and a rotor 18 coupled to the nacelle 16 .
- the rotor 18 includes a rotatable hub 20 and at least one rotor blade 22 coupled to and extending outwardly from the hub 20 .
- the rotor 18 includes three rotor blades 22 .
- the rotor 18 may include more or less than three rotor blades 22 .
- Each rotor blade 22 may be spaced about the hub 20 to facilitate rotating the rotor 18 to enable kinetic energy to be transferred from the wind into usable mechanical energy, and subsequently, electrical energy.
- the hub 20 may be rotatably coupled to an electric generator (not shown) positioned within the nacelle 16 to permit electrical energy to be produced.
- FIGS. 2-4 one embodiment of a rotor blade 100 having an angled blade root 102 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the rotor blade 100 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an inboard portion of the rotor blade 100 shown in FIG. 2 , particularly illustrating the blade root 102 of the rotor blade 100 .
- FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the blade root 102 shown in FIG. 3 .
- the rotor blade 100 generally includes a blade root 102 and a blade tip 104 disposed opposite the blade root 102 .
- a body 106 of the rotor blade 100 extends lengthwise along a longitudinal axis 108 between the blade root 102 and the blade tip 104 and generally serves as the outer shell of the rotor blade 100 .
- the body 106 may define an aerodynamic profile to enable the rotor blade 100 to capture kinetic energy from the wind using known aerodynamic principles.
- the body 106 may generally include a pressure side 110 and a suction side 112 extending between a leading edge 114 and a trailing edge 116 .
- the rotor blade 100 may have a span 118 defining the total length of the blade 100 between the blade root 102 and the blade tip 104 and a chord 120 defining the total length of the body 106 between the leading edge 114 and the trailing edge 116 .
- the chord 120 may vary in length with respect to the span 118 as the rotor blade 100 extends from the blade root 102 to the blade tip 104 . It should be readily appreciated that the longitudinal axis 108 of the rotor blade 100 may extend parallel to the span 118 .
- the body 106 of the rotor blade 100 may generally define an aerodynamic profile or shape.
- the body 106 may define an airfoil shaped cross-section, such as by defining a symmetrical or cambered airfoil-shaped cross-section.
- the rotor blade 100 may also be aeroelastically tailored. Aeroelastic tailoring of the rotor blade 100 may entail bending of the blade 100 in a generally chordwise direction and/or in a generally spanwise direction.
- the chordwise direction generally corresponds to a direction parallel to the chord 120 of the rotor blade 100 .
- the spanwise direction generally corresponds to a direction parallel to the span 118 or longitudinal axis 108 of the rotor blade 100 .
- Aeroelastic tailoring may further entail twisting of the rotor blade 100 , such as twisting the blade 100 in a generally chordwise and/or spanwise direction.
- the blade root 102 of the rotor blade 100 may generally comprise a substantially cylindrically shaped member extending outwardly from the aerodynamically shaped body 106 of the rotor blade 100 .
- the blade root 102 may extend from the body 106 along a longitudinal axis 122 oriented parallel to and/or coaxial with the longitudinal axis 108 of the rotor blade 100 .
- the blade root 102 may be configured to be mounted or otherwise attached to the hub 20 of a wind turbine 10 .
- FIG. 1 As shown in FIG.
- a plurality of stud or bolt holes 124 may be defined through a planar end surface 126 of the blade root 102 for receiving a corresponding number of studs or bolts (not shown).
- the studs or bolts may be used to attach the blade root 102 to a pitch bearing 128 ( FIG. 5 ) disposed within and/or coupled to the hub 20 .
- the blade root 102 may be configured to be rigidly attached to the pitch bearing 128 such that the end surface 126 contacts against and extends parallel to a corresponding surface of the pitch bearing 128 .
- the blade root 102 may be attached to the hub 20 using any other suitable means and/or attachment method known in the art.
- the blade root 102 may be formed integrally with the body 106 of the rotor blade 100 .
- the blade root 102 may comprise a separate component configured to be separately attached to the body 106 .
- the end surface 126 of the blade root 102 may be oriented at an at an angle 130 relative to the rotor blade 100 .
- the end surface 126 may be configured such that an angle 130 is defined between the end surface 126 and a reference plane 132 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 108 of the rotor blade 100 and/or the longitudinal axis 122 of the blade root 102 .
- the longitudinal axis 108 , 122 of the rotor blade 100 and/or the blade root 102 may be oriented at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the interface defined between the end surface 126 and the pitch bearing 128 .
- the term “reference plane” corresponds to an imaginary plane defined perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 108 , 122 of the rotor blade 100 and/or the blade root 102 and extending parallel to the chord 120 of the rotor blade 100 .
- the angle 130 defined between the end surface 126 of the blade root 102 and the reference plane 132 may comprise any suitable angle greater than 0 degrees. However, in several embodiments, the angle 130 may range from greater than 0 degrees to less than about 10 degrees, such as from about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees or from about 0.5 degrees to about 3 degrees or from about 0.5 degrees to about 2 degrees or from about 1 degree to about 2 degrees and all other subranges therebetween.
- the planer end surface 126 may be defined in the blade root 102 such that the end surface 126 is angled towards the pressure side 110 of the rotor blade 100 .
- the plane defined by the end surface 126 may be angled inwardly between a first edge 134 defined on the suction side 112 of the rotor blade 100 and a second edge 136 defined on the pressure side 110 of the rotor blade 100 , with the first edge 134 generally corresponding to the point on the end surface 126 disposed furthest away from the blade tip 104 of the rotor blade 100 and the second edge 136 generally corresponding to the point on the end surface 126 disposed closest to the blade tip 104 .
- the rotor blade 100 when the rotor blade 100 is installed on a wind turbine hub 20 , the rotor blade 100 may be angled away from the tower 12 .
- the end surface 126 may be defined in the blade root 102 such a centerline 138 defined halfway between the first and second edges 134 , 136 is generally aligned with and extends parallel to the chord 120 of the rotor blade 100 . Accordingly, the tower clearance defined between the rotor blade 100 and the tower 12 may be maximized when the blade 100 is pitched to its power position during operation (i.e., a position at which the pressure side 110 of the rotor blade 100 faces directly into the wind).
- the end surface 126 of the blade root 102 may be formed using any suitable manufacturing method and/or means known in the art.
- the blade root 102 may be initially formed having an end surface oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 108 , 122 of the rotor blade 100 and/or the blade root 102 (i.e., substantially parallel to the reference plane 132 ).
- the angled end surface 126 may be formed by cutting, grinding or otherwise removing portions of the blade root 102 using any suitable cutting, grinding and/or machining equipment.
- the blade root 102 may be initially formed having the angled end surface 126 .
- FIG. 5 there is illustrated one embodiment of the rotor blade 100 shown in FIGS. 2-4 installed on a wind turbine hub 20 .
- FIG. 5 illustrates the difference in tower clearance 144 , 146 achieved through the use of the disclosed rotor blade 100 as compared to a conventional rotor blade 22 (indicated by dashed lines).
- the interface defined between the end surface 126 and the hub 20 is oriented at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis 108 of the rotor blade 100 .
- the rotor blade 100 may be configured to extend outwardly away from the tower 12 .
- the interface defined between the rotor blade 22 and the hub 20 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 142 of the blade 22 and, thus, the rotor blade 22 extends generally parallel to the tower 12 .
- the tower clearance 144 defined between the disclosed rotor blade 100 and the tower 12 may be significantly higher than the tower clearance 146 defined between the conventional blade 22 and the tower 12 .
Abstract
A blade root for a wind turbine rotor blade is disclosed. The blade root may generally comprise a substantially cylindrically shaped member extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis and defining a planar end surface. Additionally, an angle may be defined between the planar end surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The angle may be greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.
Description
- The present subject matter relates generally to wind turbines and, more particularly, to an angled blade root for a wind turbine rotor blade.
- Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources presently available, and wind turbines have gained increased attention in this regard. A modern wind turbine typically includes a tower, generator, gearbox, nacelle, and one or more rotor blades. The rotor blades capture kinetic energy from the wind using known airfoil principles and transmit the kinetic energy through rotational energy to turn a shaft coupling the rotor blades to a gearbox, or if a gearbox is not used, directly to the generator. The generator then converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy that may be deployed to a utility grid.
- To ensure that wind power remains a viable energy source, efforts have been made to increase energy outputs by modifying the size and capacity of wind turbines. One such modification has been to increase the length and surface area of the rotor blades. However, the magnitude of deflection forces and loading of a rotor blade is generally a function of blade length, along with wind speed, turbine operating states, blade stiffness, and other variables. This increased loading not only produces fatigue on the rotor blades and other wind turbine components but may also increase the risk of a sudden catastrophic failure of the rotor blades, for example, when excess loading causes deflection of a blade resulting in a tower strike.
- Accordingly, a rotor blade configuration that allows for the use of longer rotor blades without increasing the likelihood of a tower strike would be welcomed in the technology.
- Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
- In one aspect, the present subject matter discloses a rotor blade for a wind turbine. The rotor blade may generally include a blade root defining a planar surface, a blade tip and a body extending between the blade root and the blade tip. The body may define a longitudinal axis and may include a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. Additionally, an angle may be defined between the planar surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The angle may be greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.
- In another aspect, the present subject matter discloses a wind turbine. The wind turbine may include a plurality of rotor blades. Each rotor blade may include a blade root defining a planar surface, a blade tip and a body extending between the blade root and the blade tip. The body may define a longitudinal axis and may include a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. Additionally, an angle may be defined between the planar surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The angle may be greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.
- In another aspect, the present subject matter discloses a blade root for a wind turbine rotor blade. The blade root may generally comprise a substantially cylindrically shaped member extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis and defining a planar end surface. Additionally, an angle may be defined between the planar end surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The angle may be greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.
- These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
- A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine; -
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment a rotor blade in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an outboard portion of the rotor blade shownFIG. 2 , particularly illustrating a blade root of the rotor blade; -
FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the blade root shown inFIG. 3 ; and, -
FIG. 5 illustrates a partial side view of a wind turbine having the rotor blade shown inFIGS. 2-4 installed thereon. - Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
- In general, the present subject matter is directed to a rotor blade for a wind turbine having an angled blade root. In particular, the blade root of the rotor blade may define a planar end surface oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. Accordingly, when the rotor blade is installed onto a wind turbine hub, an increase in the amount of tower clearance defined between the rotor blade and the wind turbine tower may be achieved. Such increased tower clearance may allow for longer and/or lighter rotor blades to be utilized on a wind turbine, thereby increasing the efficiency and/or output of the wind turbine and/or decreasing the costs required to manufacture each rotor blade.
- Referring now to the drawings,
FIG. 1 illustrates perspective view of one embodiment of awind turbine 10. As shown, thewind turbine 10 includes atower 12 extending from asupport surface 14, anacelle 16 mounted on thetower 12, and arotor 18 coupled to thenacelle 16. Therotor 18 includes arotatable hub 20 and at least onerotor blade 22 coupled to and extending outwardly from thehub 20. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, therotor 18 includes threerotor blades 22. However, in an alternative embodiment, therotor 18 may include more or less than threerotor blades 22. Eachrotor blade 22 may be spaced about thehub 20 to facilitate rotating therotor 18 to enable kinetic energy to be transferred from the wind into usable mechanical energy, and subsequently, electrical energy. For instance, thehub 20 may be rotatably coupled to an electric generator (not shown) positioned within thenacelle 16 to permit electrical energy to be produced. - Referring now to
FIGS. 2-4 , one embodiment of arotor blade 100 having anangled blade root 102 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In particular,FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of therotor blade 100.FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an inboard portion of therotor blade 100 shown inFIG. 2 , particularly illustrating theblade root 102 of therotor blade 100. Additionally,FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of theblade root 102 shown inFIG. 3 . - As shown, the
rotor blade 100 generally includes ablade root 102 and ablade tip 104 disposed opposite theblade root 102. Abody 106 of therotor blade 100 extends lengthwise along alongitudinal axis 108 between theblade root 102 and theblade tip 104 and generally serves as the outer shell of therotor blade 100. As is generally understood, thebody 106 may define an aerodynamic profile to enable therotor blade 100 to capture kinetic energy from the wind using known aerodynamic principles. Thus, thebody 106 may generally include apressure side 110 and asuction side 112 extending between a leadingedge 114 and atrailing edge 116. Additionally, therotor blade 100 may have aspan 118 defining the total length of theblade 100 between theblade root 102 and theblade tip 104 and achord 120 defining the total length of thebody 106 between the leadingedge 114 and thetrailing edge 116. As is generally understood, thechord 120 may vary in length with respect to thespan 118 as therotor blade 100 extends from theblade root 102 to theblade tip 104. It should be readily appreciated that thelongitudinal axis 108 of therotor blade 100 may extend parallel to thespan 118. - As indicated above, the
body 106 of therotor blade 100 may generally define an aerodynamic profile or shape. For example, in several embodiments, thebody 106 may define an airfoil shaped cross-section, such as by defining a symmetrical or cambered airfoil-shaped cross-section. In addition, therotor blade 100 may also be aeroelastically tailored. Aeroelastic tailoring of therotor blade 100 may entail bending of theblade 100 in a generally chordwise direction and/or in a generally spanwise direction. The chordwise direction generally corresponds to a direction parallel to thechord 120 of therotor blade 100. The spanwise direction generally corresponds to a direction parallel to thespan 118 orlongitudinal axis 108 of therotor blade 100. Aeroelastic tailoring may further entail twisting of therotor blade 100, such as twisting theblade 100 in a generally chordwise and/or spanwise direction. - Referring particularly to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , theblade root 102 of therotor blade 100 may generally comprise a substantially cylindrically shaped member extending outwardly from the aerodynamicallyshaped body 106 of therotor blade 100. For example, as shown inFIG. 3 , theblade root 102 may extend from thebody 106 along alongitudinal axis 122 oriented parallel to and/or coaxial with thelongitudinal axis 108 of therotor blade 100. In general, theblade root 102 may be configured to be mounted or otherwise attached to thehub 20 of awind turbine 10. For example, as shown inFIG. 4 , a plurality of stud or boltholes 124 may be defined through aplanar end surface 126 of theblade root 102 for receiving a corresponding number of studs or bolts (not shown). As is generally understood, the studs or bolts may be used to attach theblade root 102 to a pitch bearing 128 (FIG. 5 ) disposed within and/or coupled to thehub 20. For instance, theblade root 102 may be configured to be rigidly attached to the pitch bearing 128 such that theend surface 126 contacts against and extends parallel to a corresponding surface of thepitch bearing 128. However, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that theblade root 102 may be attached to thehub 20 using any other suitable means and/or attachment method known in the art. - It should be appreciated that, several embodiments, the
blade root 102 may be formed integrally with thebody 106 of therotor blade 100. Alternatively, theblade root 102 may comprise a separate component configured to be separately attached to thebody 106. - As particularly shown in
FIG. 3 , in accordance with several embodiments of the present subject matter, theend surface 126 of theblade root 102 may be oriented at an at anangle 130 relative to therotor blade 100. Specifically, theend surface 126 may be configured such that anangle 130 is defined between theend surface 126 and areference plane 132 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 108 of therotor blade 100 and/or thelongitudinal axis 122 of theblade root 102. As such, when theblade root 102 is attached to thehub 20 of awind turbine 10, thelongitudinal axis rotor blade 100 and/or theblade root 102 may be oriented at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the interface defined between theend surface 126 and thepitch bearing 128. It should be appreciated that, as used herein, the term “reference plane” corresponds to an imaginary plane defined perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis rotor blade 100 and/or theblade root 102 and extending parallel to thechord 120 of therotor blade 100. - In general, the
angle 130 defined between theend surface 126 of theblade root 102 and thereference plane 132 may comprise any suitable angle greater than 0 degrees. However, in several embodiments, theangle 130 may range from greater than 0 degrees to less than about 10 degrees, such as from about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees or from about 0.5 degrees to about 3 degrees or from about 0.5 degrees to about 2 degrees or from about 1 degree to about 2 degrees and all other subranges therebetween. - In several embodiments, the
planer end surface 126 may be defined in theblade root 102 such that theend surface 126 is angled towards thepressure side 110 of therotor blade 100. For example, as shown inFIG. 3 , the plane defined by theend surface 126 may be angled inwardly between afirst edge 134 defined on thesuction side 112 of therotor blade 100 and asecond edge 136 defined on thepressure side 110 of therotor blade 100, with thefirst edge 134 generally corresponding to the point on theend surface 126 disposed furthest away from theblade tip 104 of therotor blade 100 and thesecond edge 136 generally corresponding to the point on theend surface 126 disposed closest to theblade tip 104. As such, when therotor blade 100 is installed on awind turbine hub 20, therotor blade 100 may be angled away from thetower 12. Moreover, in one embodiment, theend surface 126 may be defined in theblade root 102 such a centerline 138 defined halfway between the first andsecond edges chord 120 of therotor blade 100. Accordingly, the tower clearance defined between therotor blade 100 and thetower 12 may be maximized when theblade 100 is pitched to its power position during operation (i.e., a position at which thepressure side 110 of therotor blade 100 faces directly into the wind). - It should be appreciated that the
end surface 126 of theblade root 102 may be formed using any suitable manufacturing method and/or means known in the art. For instance, in several embodiments, theblade root 102 may be initially formed having an end surface oriented substantially perpendicularly to thelongitudinal axis rotor blade 100 and/or the blade root 102 (i.e., substantially parallel to the reference plane 132). In such embodiment, theangled end surface 126 may be formed by cutting, grinding or otherwise removing portions of theblade root 102 using any suitable cutting, grinding and/or machining equipment. Alternatively, theblade root 102 may be initially formed having theangled end surface 126. - Referring now to
FIG. 5 , there is illustrated one embodiment of therotor blade 100 shown inFIGS. 2-4 installed on awind turbine hub 20. Specifically,FIG. 5 illustrates the difference intower clearance rotor blade 100 as compared to a conventional rotor blade 22 (indicated by dashed lines). As shown, when theblade root 102 of the disclosedrotor blade 100 is secured to the hub 20 (e.g., by securing theend surface 126 to a portion of the pitch bearing 128), the interface defined between theend surface 126 and thehub 20 is oriented at a non-perpendicular angle relative to thelongitudinal axis 108 of therotor blade 100. Thus, due to the angled interface, therotor blade 100 may be configured to extend outwardly away from thetower 12. In contrast, when theblade root 140 of aconventional rotor blade 22 is secured to thehub 20, the interface defined between therotor blade 22 and thehub 20 is oriented perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 142 of theblade 22 and, thus, therotor blade 22 extends generally parallel to thetower 12. Accordingly, thetower clearance 144 defined between the disclosedrotor blade 100 and thetower 12 may be significantly higher than thetower clearance 146 defined between theconventional blade 22 and thetower 12. - This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Claims (20)
1. A rotor blade for a wind turbine, the rotor blade comprising:
a blade root defining a planar end surface;
a blade tip;
a body extending between the blade root and the blade tip, the body defining a longitudinal axis and including a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge,
wherein an angle is defined between the planar end surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the angle being greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.
2. The rotor blade of claim 1 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees.
3. The rotor blade of claim 1 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 3 degrees.
4. The rotor blade of claim 1 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 2 degrees.
5. The rotor blade of claim 1 , wherein the angle ranges from about 1 degree to about 2 degrees.
6. The rotor blade of claim 1 , wherein the planar end surface is angled towards the pressure side of the body.
7. The rotor blade of claim 1 , wherein the planar end surface comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein a centerline defined between the first and second edges is aligned with a chord of the rotor blade.
8. A wind turbine, comprising:
a plurality of rotor blades, each of the plurality of rotor blades comprising:
a blade root defining a planar end surface;
a blade tip;
a body extending between the blade root and the blade tip, the body defining a longitudinal axis and including a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge,
wherein an angle is defined between the planar end surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the angle being greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.
9. The wind turbine of claim 8 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees.
10. The wind turbine of claim 8 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 3 degrees.
11. The wind turbine of claim 8 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 2 degrees.
12. The wind turbine of claim 8 , wherein the angle ranges from about 1 degree to about 2 degrees.
13. The wind turbine of claim 8 , wherein the planar end surface is angled towards the pressure side of the body.
14. The wind turbine of claim 8 , wherein the planar end surface comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein a centerline defined between the first and second edges is aligned with a chord of the rotor blade.
15. The wind turbine of claim 8 , further comprising:
a tower;
a nacelle mounted on the tower; and,
a rotor coupled to the nacelle, the rotor including a rotatable hub,
wherein the blade root of each of the plurality of rotor blades is coupled to the hub such that each rotor blade extends away from the tower.
16. A blade root for a wind turbine rotor blade, the blade root comprising:
a substantially cylindrically shaped member extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis and defining a planar end surface,
wherein an angle is defined between the planar end surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the angle being greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.
17. The blade root of claim 16 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees.
18. The blade root of claim 16 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 3 degrees.
19. The blade root of claim 16 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 2 degrees.
20. The blade root of claim 16 , wherein the angle ranges from about 1 degree to about 2 degrees.
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/210,695 US20120027618A1 (en) | 2011-08-16 | 2011-08-16 | Angled blade root |
DE102012107137A DE102012107137A1 (en) | 2011-08-16 | 2012-08-03 | Angled leaf root |
DKPA201270471A DK201270471A (en) | 2011-08-16 | 2012-08-10 | Angled blade root |
CN201210293194XA CN102953925A (en) | 2011-08-16 | 2012-08-16 | Wind turbine rotor and rotor blade of wind turbine rotor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/210,695 US20120027618A1 (en) | 2011-08-16 | 2011-08-16 | Angled blade root |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120027618A1 true US20120027618A1 (en) | 2012-02-02 |
Family
ID=45526939
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/210,695 Abandoned US20120027618A1 (en) | 2011-08-16 | 2011-08-16 | Angled blade root |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120027618A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102953925A (en) |
DE (1) | DE102012107137A1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK201270471A (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130315746A1 (en) * | 2012-05-26 | 2013-11-28 | Sinomatech Wind Power Blade Co., Ltd. | Wind blades and producing method thereof |
US20160199351A1 (en) * | 2015-01-12 | 2016-07-14 | Arno Therapeutics, Inc. | Compositions and methods for inhibiting fungal infections |
GB2564370A (en) * | 2016-05-05 | 2019-01-09 | Wazer Inc | Waterjet systems and methods |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3781807B1 (en) * | 2018-04-17 | 2022-03-02 | Envision Energy Co., Ltd. | Method of tip clearance control of a wind turbine generator and corresponding computer program product, control system and generator |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2863318A1 (en) * | 2003-12-09 | 2005-06-10 | Ocea Sa | Wind generator for power plant, has offset unit offsetting leading edge such that main axis extended between center of root base of blades and opposite ends of blades does not pass through rotational axis of hub |
-
2011
- 2011-08-16 US US13/210,695 patent/US20120027618A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2012
- 2012-08-03 DE DE102012107137A patent/DE102012107137A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2012-08-10 DK DKPA201270471A patent/DK201270471A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2012-08-16 CN CN201210293194XA patent/CN102953925A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2863318A1 (en) * | 2003-12-09 | 2005-06-10 | Ocea Sa | Wind generator for power plant, has offset unit offsetting leading edge such that main axis extended between center of root base of blades and opposite ends of blades does not pass through rotational axis of hub |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130315746A1 (en) * | 2012-05-26 | 2013-11-28 | Sinomatech Wind Power Blade Co., Ltd. | Wind blades and producing method thereof |
US20160199351A1 (en) * | 2015-01-12 | 2016-07-14 | Arno Therapeutics, Inc. | Compositions and methods for inhibiting fungal infections |
GB2564370A (en) * | 2016-05-05 | 2019-01-09 | Wazer Inc | Waterjet systems and methods |
GB2564370B (en) * | 2016-05-05 | 2019-06-26 | Wazer Inc | Waterjet systems and methods |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE102012107137A1 (en) | 2013-02-21 |
DK201270471A (en) | 2013-02-17 |
CN102953925A (en) | 2013-03-06 |
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Legal Events
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Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, NEW YORK Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ZALAR, JONATHAN;MOORE, BRADLEY GRAHAM;SIGNING DATES FROM 20110812 TO 20110815;REEL/FRAME:026757/0289 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |