OPTIMIZATION OF PREMIUM FIBER MATERIAL USAGE IN WIND TURBINE SPARS
First Claim
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1. A wind turbine blade, comprising:
- a blade shell; and
a main spar located at least partially within the blade shell, the main spar comprising a first spar cap, a second spar cap, and at least one shear web extending between the first spar cap and the second spar cap, wherein the first spar cap comprises;
a first component comprising a first material, wherein the first component has a substantially constant thickness over a section of the spar cap which extends along at least half the length of the blade shell; and
a second component located adjacent the first component and comprising a second material, wherein the second material is different from the first material.
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Abstract
The use of premium material in the construction of wind turbine blades may provide increases in blade efficiency and enable the use of thinner blades. By providing a spar cap having a section of premium material having a constant thickness, the use of the premium material may be optimized to provide a more effective use of premium material. Additional material, which may be less expensive as well as heavier, may be added near the blade root to provide additional strength and stiffness to the blade.
48 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A wind turbine blade, comprising:
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a blade shell; and a main spar located at least partially within the blade shell, the main spar comprising a first spar cap, a second spar cap, and at least one shear web extending between the first spar cap and the second spar cap, wherein the first spar cap comprises; a first component comprising a first material, wherein the first component has a substantially constant thickness over a section of the spar cap which extends along at least half the length of the blade shell; and a second component located adjacent the first component and comprising a second material, wherein the second material is different from the first material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A wind turbine blade, comprising:
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a blade shell; and a main spar located at least partially within the blade shell, the main spar comprising a first spar cap, a second spar cap, and at least one shear web extending between the first spar cap and the second spar cap, wherein the first spar cap comprises a first component comprising a first material and a second component comprising a second material, the second material being different than the first material, wherein the first component comprises a plurality of plies of said first material extending at least between a first point in an inboard region of the blade and a second point located more than 50% of the blade length away from the first point. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A spar, comprising:
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a first spar cap, wherein the first spar cap comprises a first component comprising a constant thickness section having a substantially constant thickness of a first material, and a second component having thickness which varies over the length of the second component, wherein the length of the substantially constant thickness section of the first component is greater than the length of the second component; a second spar cap; and at least one shear web extending between an inner surface of the first spar cap and an inner surface of the second spar cap. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification