Wind turbine blade

US12000372B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Vestas Wind Systems A/S · DK

Inventors

• Preben Kjeldsen · Ringkøbing, DK
• Thomas Schmidt · Braunschweig, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 1, 2021
• Grant date: Jun 4, 2024
• Expiry date: Jul 1, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a wind turbine blade comprising a blade shell that extends in a spanwise direction from a root end to a tip end, and in a chordwise direction from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The blade shell comprises a spar cap formed from a plurality of substantially planar strips of reinforcing material, the strips being arranged in a plurality of stacks extending longitudinally in the spanwise direction and arranged side-by-side in the chordwise direction. In each stack an uppermost strip defines an upper surface of the stack, a lowermost strip defines a lower surface of the stack, and longitudinal edges of the stacked strips define side surfaces of the stack. The blade further comprises a retaining clip comprising a plurality of side-by-side substantially U-shaped sections. The U-shaped sections each comprise a pair of mutually-spaced side portions defining a stack-receiving region therebetween, and the side portions are joined by a bridging portion. At least some of the stacks are located in the stack-receiving regions of the retaining clip, such that the side portions of the U-shaped sections abut side surfaces of the stacks. Each U…