Variable diameter wind turbine rotor blades
US6972498B2 · kind B2 · utility
71Cited by
9References
26Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/72
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for changing wind turbine rotor diameters to meet changing wind speeds and control system loads is disclosed. The rotor blades on the wind turbine are able to adjust length by extensions nested within or containing the base blade. The blades can have more than one extension in a variety of configurations. A cable winching system, a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, inflatable or elastic extensions, and a spring-loaded jack knife deployment are some of the methods of adjustment. The extension is also protected from lightning by a grounding system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.