Segmented rotor blade extension portion
A wind turbine rotor blade extension portion having a plurality of segments, located adjacent one another in a span-wise sense. An interface between adjacent segments is configured to minimize disruption to fluid passing thereover and to inhibit transmission of longitudinal loads between segments. Each segment has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is spaced from the second surface at a proximal region of the extension portion and the first surface is connected to the second surface at a distal region of the extension portion to thereby generate a fair surface for a rotor blade to which the extension portion is connected, in use.
1. A wind turbine rotor blade, comprising:
a structurally coherent blade portion, the blade portion comprising:
a leading portion configured to receive fluid incident on the rotor blade; and
a trailing portion located downstream of the leading portion and configured to smoothly convey fluid passing thereover from the leading portion,
wherein a root region of the blade portion is configured to be connectable to a hub of a wind turbine and the blade portion is configured to smoothly transfer loads experienced thereby to the root region of the blade portion for transfer to the hub; and
an extension portion appended to an outer surface of the trailing portion, the extension portion comprising a plurality of segments located adjacent one another in a span-wise sense, an interface between adjacent segments being configured to inhibit transmission of loads between the segments, wherein each segment comprises a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being spaced from the second surface at a proximal region of the extension portion and the first surface being connected to the second surface at a distal region of the extension portion.
2. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein each segment comprises one of the group of a fibre reinforced plastic material, a thermoplastic material, wood and a laminate material.
3. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second surfaces of each segment are formed from a single, folded piece of material.
4. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second surfaces of each segment are bonded to one another such that a fixed relative position between the two surfaces is achieved.
5. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second surfaces of each segment are joined to one another using a hinged joint, such that relative rotation between the two surfaces is enabled.
6. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein lateral edges of adjacent segments, extending in a substantially chord-wise direction, comprise cooperating, protruding sections configured to slideably interconnect with one another to permit longitudinal relative movement between the adjacent segments.
7. The rotor blade according to claim 6 , comprising sealing means located between adjacent segments to inhibit leakage of fluid therethrough.
8. The rotor blade according to claim 7 , wherein the sealing means comprises one of the group of a brush seal and a lip seal, wherein said seal is located between the cooperating, protruding sections of adjacent segments.
9. The rotor blade according to claim 7 , wherein a sealing member of the sealing means comprises an elastomeric material.
10. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein lateral edges of adjacent segments, extending in a substantially chord-wise direction, comprise a planar, or substantially planar, profile and the segments are spaced from one another.
11. The rotor blade according to claim 10 , comprising sealing means located between adjacent segments, to inhibit leakage of fluid therethrough.
12. The rotor blade according to claim 11 , wherein the sealing member is one of the group of an elastomeric seal, an inflatable seal and a labyrinth seal.
13. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein the extension portion is appended to a root region of the trailing portion.
14. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein an interface between the extension portion and the trailing portion comprises a longitudinally extending protrusion, formed on one of the extension portion and the trailing portion and a cooperating, longitudinally extending retaining recess, formed on the other of the extension portion and the trailing portion.
15. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein an interface between the extension portion and the trailing portion comprises a longitudinally extending pad, connected to each of the extension portion and the trailing portion, wherein the pad comprises a material having a greater compliance than respective materials of the extension portion and the trailing portion.
16. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein an interface between the extension portion and the trailing portion comprises a bolt, or similar fixing mechanism, configured to pass through a guide hole formed in one portion and be retained relative to the other portion, wherein the guide hole is elongated in the span-wise direction.
17. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein the blade portion comprises a truncated profile, whereby the root region of the trailing portion is configured to receive the extension portion.
18. The rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein the blade portion is a wind turbine rotor blade.
19. A wind turbine rotor blade, comprising:
a structurally coherent blade portion, the blade portion comprising:
a root portion configured to be connectable to a hub of a wind turbine;
a tip portion located remotely from the root portion; and
a longitudinal structural member extending between the root portion and the tip portion, wherein the blade portion is configured to provide a continuous load bearing path along a rearmost surface thereof, from tip to root, along which longitudinal loads are transmitted, in use; and
an extension portion appended to the outer, rearmost surface of the root portion, wherein the extension portion is configured to provide a streamlined extension surface to the blade portion whilst inhibiting span-wise transmission of loads therewithin and from the blade portion.
20. A wind turbine installation comprising a rotor hub supported by a tower, comprising a rotor blade according to claim 1 , wherein the, or each rotor blade is appended to the rotor hub.
21. A wind turbine installation comprising a rotor hub supported by a tower, comprising a rotor blade according to claim 19 , wherein the, or each rotor blade is appended to the rotor hub.
22. A wind turbine rotor blade, comprising:
a structurally coherent blade portion, the blade portion comprising:
a leading portion configured to receive fluid incident on the rotor blade; and
a trailing portion located downstream of the leading portion and configured to smoothly convey fluid passing thereover from the leading portion,
wherein a root region of the blade portion is configured to be connectable to a hub of a wind turbine and the blade portion is configured to smoothly transfer loads experienced thereby to the root region of the blade portion for transfer to the hub; and
an extension portion comprising a plurality of segments located adjacent one another in a span-wise sense, an interface between adjacent segments being configured to inhibit transmission of loads between the segments, wherein each segment comprises a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being spaced from the second surface at a proximal region of the extension portion and the first surface being connected to the second surface at a distal region of the extension portion, and wherein the first and second surfaces engage an outer surface of the trailing portion at the proximal region of the extension portion.
23. A wind turbine rotor blade, comprising:
a structurally coherent blade portion, the blade portion comprising:
a leading portion configured to receive fluid incident on the rotor blade; and
a trailing portion located downstream of the leading portion and configured to smoothly convey fluid passing thereover from the leading portion,
wherein a root region of the blade portion is configured to be connectable to a hub of a wind turbine and the blade portion is configured to smoothly transfer loads experienced thereby to the root region of the blade portion for transfer to the hub; and
an extension portion comprising a plurality of segments located adjacent one another in a span-wise sense, an interface between adjacent segments being configured to inhibit transmission of loads between the segments, wherein each segment comprises a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being spaced from the second surface at a proximal region of the extension portion and the first surface being connected to the second surface at a distal region of the extension portion, and wherein an outer surface of the trailing portion underlies the extension portion for a full span-wise length of the extension portion.