Wind turbine blades with cap-assisted bond configuration and associated bonding method
US9702339B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/108
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A wind turbine blade (16) includes an upper shell member (20) and a lower shell member (22) with an internal cavity (25) therebetween. The shell members are joined with a bond paste (34) at respective bond lines (36, 37) along leading and trailing edges (24, 26) of the blade. A cap (50) is disposed within the internal cavity between the upper and lower shell members along at least one of the leading or trailing edge bond lines. The cap includes a head (52) oriented towards the blade edge and trailing leg portions (56) that span rearward from the head in biased engagement the upper and lower shell members. The cap defines a dam at the bond line against migration of excess bond paste further into the internal cavity. A method is also provided for forming bond lines at the leading or trailing edge with the bond paste caps.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.