Joint design for rotor blade segments of a wind turbine
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorScott Gabell Riddell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A blade segment of a rotor blade assembly formed from two or more blade segments is disclosed. The blade segment may generally include a body shell and a shear web extending longitudinally within the body shell. The shear web may be disposed between opposed spar caps. The blade segment may also include an attachment member and a spar member. The attachment member may be at least partially disposed within the body shell. The spar member may generally extend outwardly from the spar caps along an inner surface of the body shell and may be configured to support the attachment member within the body shell.
Claims20
A blade segment of a rotor blade assembly formed from two or more blade segments, the blade segment comprising:
- a body shell defining a generally aerodynamic profile;
- a shear web extending longitudinally within the body shell, the shear web being disposed between opposed spar caps;
- an attachment member at least partially disposed within the body shell, the attachment member configured to mate with a corresponding attachment member of a secondary blade segment;
- and,
- a spar member extending outwardly from the spar caps, the spar member being configured to support the attachment member within the body shell,
- wherein a chordwise width of the spar member diverges as the spar member extends from the spar caps such that the spar member engages at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the attachment member.
A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine, the rotor blade assembly comprising:
- a first blade segment comprising:
- a body shell defining a generally aerodynamic profile;
- a shear web extending longitudinally within the body shell, the shear web being disposed between opposed spar caps;
- a post member having a first portion extending outwardly from the body shell and a second portion disposed within the body shell;
- and;
- a spar member extending outwardly from the spar caps, the spar member defining a diverging chordwise width such that the spar member engages at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the second portion of the post member;
- and,
- a second blade segment comprising:
- a body shell defining a generally aerodynamic profile;
- a shear web extending longitudinally within the body shell, the shear web being disposed between opposed spar caps;
- a recess member disposed within the body shell, the recess member defining a cavity configured to receive the first portion of the post member;
- and,
- a spar member extending outwardly from the spar caps, the spar member defining a diverging chordwise width such that the spar member engages at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the recess member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.