Wind turbine rotor blade with in-plane sweep and devices using same, and method for making same
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorKyle Wetzel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wind turbine includes a rotor having a hub and at least one blade having a torsionally rigid root, an inboard section, and an outboard section. The inboard section has a forward sweep relative to an elastic axis of the blade and the outboard section has an aft sweep.
Claims22
A blade having a torsionally rigid root, a forward sweep relative to an elastic axis in an inboard section of said blade and an aft sweep in an outboard section of said blade.
A rotor for a wind turbine, said rotor having a hub and at least one blade having a torsionally rigid root, an inboard section, and an outboard section, said inboard section having a forward sweep relative to an elastic axis of said blade and said outboard section having an aft sweep.
A wind turbine comprising a rotor having a hub and at least one blade having a torsionally rigid root, an inboard section, and an outboard section, said inboard section having a forward sweep relative to an elastic axis of said blade and said outboard section having an aft sweep.
A method for making a blade for a wind turbine, said method comprising:
- determining a blade shape by selecting sweep angles for elements of said blade so as to (a) increase or maximize an amount of twist induced and the distribution of said twist in such a manner as to create a reduction loads, (b) reduce or minimize an increase in blade material necessary to maintain tip deflection, (c) reduce or minimize negative effects on aerodynamics, and (d) maintain structural integrity;
- and
- fabricating a blade in accordance with the determined blade shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.