Rotor blade trailing edge assemby and method of use

1. A method of assembling a rotor blade for a turbine, said method comprising:

forming a rotor blade trailing edge by coupling a trailing edge assembly to a suction sidewall and a pressure sidewall in a hollow portion of the rotor blade;

coupling the trailing edge assembly to the suction sidewall and the pressure sidewall using at least one of an adhesive and a mechanical fastener; and

positioning the trailing edge assembly with respect to a suction side terminus and a pressure side terminus, such that a first leg of the trailing edge assembly contacts an interior surface of the suction sidewall of the rotor blade and a second leg of the trailing edge assembly contacts an interior surface of the pressure sidewall of the rotor blade, or such that the first leg of the trailing edge assembly contacts an exterior surface of the suction sidewall of the rotor blade and the second leg of the trailing edge assembly contacts an exterior surface of the pressure sidewall of the rotor blade, the trailing edge assembly having a varying cross-section.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising coupling the first leg to the suction sidewall and the second leg to the pressure sidewall, wherein an opposing end of the trailing edge assembly extends away from suction sidewall and pressure sidewall trailing edges to define a rotor blade trailing edge.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 further comprising beveling the rotor blade trailing edge.

4. A method in accordance with claim 2 further comprising disposing bristles on the rotor blade trailing edge.

5. A method in accordance with claim 2 further comprising forming a plurality of teeth in the opposing end.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising extending the trailing edge assembly along a portion of a length of the rotor blade.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the trailing edge assembly comprises a conducting metal.

8. A rotor blade assembly comprising:

a rotor blade including a suction sidewall and a pressure sidewall forming a trailing edge portion in a hollow portion of the rotor blade; and

a trailing edge assembly coupled to said trailing edge portion, said trailing edge assembly comprising a first leg contacting an interior surface of the suction sidewall and a second leg contacting an interior surface of the pressure sidewall, or comprising a first leg contacting an exterior surface of the suction sidewall and a second leg contacting an exterior surface of the pressure sidewall, the trailing edge assembly having a varying cross-section and comprising a trailing edge, said trailing edge assembly further comprising a plurality of teeth, each said tooth separated from an adjacent said tooth by a gap.

9. A rotor blade assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein said trailing edge assembly further comprises one of a sharp edge, a truncated edge, and a discrete edge.

10. A rotor blade assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein at least one bristle is disposed in the gap.

11. A rotor blade assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein said trailing edge assembly further comprises a plurality of bristles.

12. A rotor blade assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein said suction sidewall has a varying exterior contour, and said pressure sidewall has a varying exterior contour.

13. A rotor blade assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein said trailing edge assembly further comprises a top side surface and a bottom side surface, wherein said top side surface is flush with said suction sidewall varying exterior contour and is configured to extend said suction sidewall varying exterior contour, and wherein said bottom side surface is flush with said pressure sidewall varying exterior contour and is configured to extend said pressure sidewall varying exterior contour.

14. A trailing edge assembly for a rotor blade, said trailing edge assembly comprising a body configured to couple to a hollow portion of said rotor blade, said body fabricated from an electrically conductive material, said body including a first leg configured to contact an interior surface of a suction sidewall of said rotor blade and a second leg configured to contact an interior surface of a pressure sidewall of said rotor blade, or said body including a first leg configured to contact an exterior surface of the suction sidewall of said rotor blade and a second leg configured to contact an exterior surface of the pressure sidewall of said rotor blade, said trailing edge assembly having a varying cross-section.

15. A trailing edge assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein said rotor blade trailing edge is one of a continuous profile, a saw tooth profile and a discrete profile.

16. A trailing edge assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein said rotor blade trailing edge is one of a sharp edge and a truncated edge.

17. A trailing edge assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein a plurality of bristles is disposed on said rotor blade trailing edge.