Wind turbine blade with prefabricated leading edge segments
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorSteven Alan Kyriakides
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wind turbine rotor blade includes first and second shell components joined together at a trailing edge of the blade. Each shell component includes a forward edge. At least one leading edge segment is joined to the shell components and aligned along a longitudinal length of the blade. The leading edge segment has an open-ended cross-sectional profile defined by an arcuate skin having first and second longitudinal edges and first and second end faces. The longitudinal edges of the leading edge segment are joined to the forward edge of the first shell component at a first bond line, and joined to the forward edge of the second shell component at a second bond line. The leading edge of the blade between the first and second bond lines is a continuous unbroken surface between the bond lines.
Claims21
A wind turbine rotor blade, comprising:
- a first shell component, and a second shell component, said shell components joined together at a trailing edge of said blade, each of said shell components further comprising a forward edge;
- at least one leading edge segment joined to said shell components and aligned along a longitudinal length of said blade, said at least one leading edge segment defining a continuous leading edge of said blade;
- said at least one leading edge segment comprising an arcuate cross-sectional profile defined by a skin having first and second longitudinal edges and first and second end faces;
- said longitudinal edges of said at least one leading edge segment joined to said forward edge of said first shell component at a first bond line, and joined to said forward edge of said second shell component at a second bond line;
- and
- whereby said leading edge of said blade between said first and second bond lines comprises a continuous unbroken surface defined by said at least one leading edge segment.
A kit for forming a wind turbine rotor blade used on a wind turbine, comprising:
- a first shell component, and a second shell component, said shell components having a forward edge and a trailing edge;
- at least one leading edge segment having an open-ended cross-sectional profile defined by an arcuate skin having first and second longitudinal edges and first and second end faces;
- said at least one leading edge segment and said first and second shell components configured relative to each other such that when assembled, said shell components define a bonded trailing edge of the blade, and said longitudinal edges of said at least one leading edge segment are joined to said forward edge of said first shell component at a first bond line, and joined to said forward edge of said second shell component at a second bond line;
- and
- whereby a leading edge of said blade is a continuous unbroken surface defined by said skin of said leading edge segment between said first and second bond lines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.