Patent · US Active

Method of joining blade sections using thermoplastics

US10961982B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
50References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 7, 2017
Grant dateMar 30, 2021
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 22, 2039

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A segmented rotor blade for a wind turbine includes a first rotor blade segment, a second rotor blade segment, at least one thermoplastic material, and an internal pressure source. The first rotor blade segment includes a first joint end. The second rotor blade segment includes a second joint end. The first and second joint ends are arranged together in an end-to-end orientation so as to form at least one scarf joint. The at least one thermoplastic material is arranged at each of the first and second joint ends. The first and second joint ends of the first and second rotor blade segments are bonded together via thermoplastic welding of the at least one thermoplastic material. The internal pressure source provides pressure to the scarf joint during the thermoplastic welding. The internal pressure source remains within the rotor blade after thermoplastic welding is complete.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.