Patent · US Active

Wind turbine blade having a bond line adjacent a sandwich panel of the blade

US9739260B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
4References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 23, 2014
Grant dateAug 22, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 23, 2034

Classification

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

Abstract

A wind turbine blade and an associated method of manufacture is described, wherein a structural bond line of the blade is positioned to be adjacent to a sandwich panel construction of the blade. By locating the structural bond line nest to a sandwich region of the blade, the buckling strength of the joint is improved and the risk of crack initiation in the adhesive joint is reduced considerably. This allows for a reduction in the amount of structural adhesive used in the blade, and/or a reduction in the amount of core material which is required in the sandwich panel to maintain the required blade stiffness. A particular advantage is provided in the region of the trailing edge of the blade, wherein the relocated structural joint considerably reduces the risk of buckling in the trailing edge side of the blade.

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