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US 8,075,275 B2Granted
Wind turbine spars with jointed shear webs
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsNicholas K. Althoff, Eric M. Jacobsen, Jan W. Bakhuis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spar for a wind turbine blade includes at least one shear web extending between pressure and suction sides of the blade; and a joint, arranged substantially midway between ends of the shear web, for sizing the shear web. The joint may include a resilient and/or expandable spacer.
Claims16
A spar for a wind turbine blade, comprising:
- at least one shear web extending between pressure and suction sides of the blade;
- a joint, arranged substantially midway between ends of the shear web, for sizing the shear web;
- and
- a resilient spacer, including an expandable bladder, arranged in the shear web.
1 more element
A wind generator, comprising:
- a tower supporting a rotor that is connected to a gearbox and a generator;
- at least one hollow blade, extending radially from the rotor, with a at least one shear web extending between pressure and suction sides of the blade;
- and
- the shear web having a gap that is at least partially filled with a resilient spacer, including an expandable bladder, for sizing the shear web.
1 more element
A method of assembling a wind turbine blade, comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a first shell having a first shear web segment extending therefrom;
- obtaining a second shell having a second shear web segment extending therefrom;
- and
- joining the first shear web segment with the second shear web segment;
- wherein said joining step comprises at least partially filling a gap with a resilient spacer including an expandable bladder.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.