Turbine blade
OwnerKhalil Abu Al-Rubbinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention relate to blades for turbines, such as wind turbines, including a structural frame with a sail mounted on the frame. In certain embodiments, a portion of the frame contributes to the buoyancy of the blade. In further embodiments, the frame includes strengthening cords. In further embodiments, the frame includes a reinforced tip. In further embodiments, the blade has a tip arranged to articulate relative to a body portion to alter the aerodynamic profile of the blade as the blade rotates to assist up-strokes of the blade.
Claims14
A blade arrangement comprising:
- a plurality of blades for a turbine, the blades each including a structural frame and a sail mounted on the structural frame, the structural frame including a body portion, a tip and a hinge connecting the tip to the body portion, the hinge defining a hinge axis in a plane of the blade and inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the blade, wherein the tip is rotatable relative to the body portion to vary the aerodynamic properties of the blade, wherein the plurality of blades are arranged to rotate about an axis;
- a sensor for determining a rotational position of a selected one of said blades relative to the axis and, in dependence on said position, rotating the tip of the selected blade relative to the body portion of the selected blade;
- further comprising an actuator for moving the tip relative to the body portion, wherein the actuator comprises a motor and pulley system;
- and,
- wherein the motor and pulley system controls the tension of corresponding cords, by which the motor and pulley system cause the tip to articulate relative to the body portion.
A method of operating a blade arrangement including a plurality of blades for a turbine, the blades each having a structural frame and a sail mounted on the structural frame, the structural frame including a body portion, a tip and a hinge connecting the tip to the body portion, the method comprising:
- rotating the tip relative to the body portion at the hinge to vary the aerodynamic properties of the blade, the hinge defining a hinge axis in a plane of the blade and inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the blade, wherein the blades are arranged to rotate about an axis;
- providing an actuator for moving the tip relative to the body portion, wherein the actuator comprises a motor and pulley system, configured to control the tension of corresponding cords, by which the motor and pulley system cause the tip to articulate relative to the body portion;
- providing a sensor for determining a rotational position of a selected one of said blades relative to the axis;
- and,
- rotating the tip of the selected blade relative to the body portion of the selected blade in dependence on the position of the selected blade about the axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.