IP Library Granted Patent US 7,998,303
Granted Patent B2
US 7,998,303 · App. 12/474,261 · Granted Aug 16, 2011

Method for assembling jointed wind turbine blade

Assignee: General Electric Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,998,303
App. No.
12/474,261
Granted
Aug 16, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of assembling a wind turbine blade comprises providing a first blade segment comprising at least two first spar cap segments; providing a second blade segment comprising at least two second spar cap segments; inserting the second blade segment into the first blade segment wherein a spar cap cavity is formed between each set of corresponding first and second spar cap segments; injecting an adhesive into the spar cap cavities to bond the blade segments together, wherein a scarf joint is formed between each set of corresponding first and second spar cap segments.

Claims (49)

1. A method of assembling a wind turbine blade, comprising:

providing a first blade segment comprising at least two first spar cap segments;

providing a second blade segment comprising at least two second spar cap segments;

attaching at least one sealing pad to the first blade segment, wherein the sealing pad is attached adjacent to a first spar cap segment;

inserting the second blade segment into the first blade segment wherein a spar cap cavity is formed between each set of corresponding first and second spar cap segments and wherein an inner skin of the second blade segment abuts against the sealing pad, thereby sealing an interior surface of the spar cap cavity; and

injecting an adhesive into the spar cap cavities to bond the blade segments together, wherein a scarf joint is formed between each set of corresponding first and second spar cap segments.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

curing the adhesive.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second blade segments each comprise an outer skin, skin core, and inner skin and wherein a skin joint is formed between the first blade segment skin and the second blade segment skin when the first blade is inserted into the second blade, and the method further comprises:

sealing the skin joint.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the skin joint is sealed by attaching foam or tape to the joint.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

attaching at least one sealing clip to an inner skin of the first blade segment; and

attaching at least one sealing clip pad to an inner skin of the second blade segment;

wherein the at least one sealing clip abuts against a corresponding sealing clip pad when the second blade segment is inserted into the first blade segment, thereby sealing an interior surface of the spar cap cavity.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the sealing clip pad is comprised of foam.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

attaching at least one shear web doubler plate to the second blade segment; and

attaching at least one shear web sealing pad to the first blade segment;

wherein the at least one shear web doubler plate abuts against a shear web sealing pad when the second blade segment is inserted into the first blade segment.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is injected into the spar cap cavities through at least one spar cap injection port located in the first blade segment.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

attaching at least one skin joint doubler plate to an inner skin of the second blade segment; and

attaching at least one doubler plate sealing pad to an inner skin of the first blade segment;

wherein the at least one skin joint doubler plate abuts against a doubler plate sealing pad when the second blade segment is inserted into the first blade segment to form a skin joint cavity.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

injecting an adhesive into the skin joint cavity.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive comprises a material selected from the group consisting of epoxies, urethanes, cyclopentadienes, methylmethacrylates, vinylesters, and polyesters.

12. A kit for assembly of a wind turbine blade, comprising:

a first blade segment comprising at least two first spar cap segments;

at least one sealing pad attached to the first blade segment and located adjacent to each first spar cap segment;

a second blade segment comprising at least two second spar cap segments, wherein the second blade segment can be inserted into the first blade segment to form a spar cap cavity and a scarf joint between each set of corresponding first and second spar cap segments, wherein an inner skin of the second blade segment abuts against the at least one sealing pad, thereby sealing an interior surface of the spar cap cavity; and

an adhesive for filling the spar cap cavities and bonding the first blade segment to the second blade segment.

13. The kit of claim 12 , further comprising:

at least one sealing clip attached to an inner skin of the first blade segment; and

at least one sealing clip pad attached to an inner skin of the second blade segment;

wherein the at least one sealing clip abuts against a corresponding sealing clip pad when the second blade segment is inserted into the first blade segment.

14. The kit of claim 13 , wherein the sealing pad is comprised of foam.

15. The kit of claim 12 , further comprising:

at least one shear web doubler plate attached to the second blade segment; and

at least one shear web sealing pad attached to the first blade segment;

wherein the at least one shear web doubler plate abuts against a shear web sealing pad when the second blade segment is inserted into the first blade segment.

16. The kit of claim 12 , further comprising:

at least one spar cap injection port located in the first blade segment.

17. The kit of claim 12 , further comprising

at least one skin joint doubler plate attached to an inner skin of the second blade segment; and

at least one doubler plate sealing pad attached to an inner skin of the first blade segment;

wherein the at least one skin joint doubler plate abuts against a doubler plate sealing pad when the second blade segment is inserted into the first blade segment to form a skin joint cavity.

18. The kit of claim 12 , wherein the adhesive comprises a material selected from the group consisting of epoxies, urethanes, cyclopentadienes, methylmethacrylates, vinylesters, and polyesters.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 22, 2024
From: LM WIND POWER US TECHNOLOGY APS
To: GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 066869/0770 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2023
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: LM WIND POWER US TECHNOLOGY APS
Reel/Frame 065531/0160 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2009
From: BAEHMANN, PEGGY; MIEBACH, THOMAS; TELFEYAN, ERIC; LIN, WENDY; YERRAMALLI, CHANDRA; QUEK, SHU
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 022758/0895 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100132884A1 · Jun 3, 2010