Wind turbine rotor assembly and blade having acoustic flap
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A blade for a wind turbine, said blade comprising:
- a blade body defining a leading edge and a trailing edge and adapted for movement in response to a wind flow over the body, the body further defining a high pressure side and a low pressure side joined along the trailing edge; and
a rigid acoustic flap comprising a first substantially planar surface, a second substantially planar surface, and a substantially smooth distal end, the flap having a substantially constant thickness measured between the first and second surfaces, the flap coupled to and extending outward from at least one of the high pressure side and the low pressure side and extending along the body trailing edge, a first portion of the first planar surface extending along the respective side, a second portion of the first planar surface extending outward from the trailing edge substantially parallel to the respective side, said second substantially planar surface extending outwardly from one of the high pressure side and low pressure side a distance approximately equal to the flap thickness.
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Abstract
A wind turbine includes a rotor assembly having at least one blade with a blade body defining a leading edge and a trailing edge and adapted for movement in response to a wind flow over the body to produce electricity. A rigid acoustic flap extends outward from the trailing edge, and a distal end of the acoustic flap is substantially smooth and continuous. The flap reduces acoustic noise generated by the blade in use.
65 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A blade for a wind turbine, said blade comprising:
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a blade body defining a leading edge and a trailing edge and adapted for movement in response to a wind flow over the body, the body further defining a high pressure side and a low pressure side joined along the trailing edge; and a rigid acoustic flap comprising a first substantially planar surface, a second substantially planar surface, and a substantially smooth distal end, the flap having a substantially constant thickness measured between the first and second surfaces, the flap coupled to and extending outward from at least one of the high pressure side and the low pressure side and extending along the body trailing edge, a first portion of the first planar surface extending along the respective side, a second portion of the first planar surface extending outward from the trailing edge substantially parallel to the respective side, said second substantially planar surface extending outwardly from one of the high pressure side and low pressure side a distance approximately equal to the flap thickness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7)
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4. The blade of claim I wherein the blade body defines a chord distance between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the acoustic flap having a thickness about 0.3% or less of the chord distance.
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8. A rotor assembly for a wind turbine, said rotor assembly comprising:
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a plurality of blades rotatable about an axis in response to wind impinging upon the blades, wherein at least one of the blades comprises; a blade body defining a leading edge. a trailing edge and a chord distance therebetween, the body further defining a high pressure side and a low pressure side joined along the trailing edge; and a rigid acoustic flap comprising a first substantially planar surface, a second substantially planar surface, the flap having a substantially constant thickness measured between the first and second surfaces, the flap coupled to and extending outward from at least one of the high pressure side and the low pressure side and extending along the body trailing edge, a first portion of the first planar surface extending along the respective side, a second portion of the first planar surface extending outward from the trailing edge substantially parallel to the respective side, said second substantially planar surface extending outwardly from one of the high pressure side and low pressure side a distance approximately equal to the flap thickness. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A wind turbine comprising:
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a rotatable shaft coupled to a generator; and
at least one blade coupled to the shaft and movable by wind for the generation of electricity, the at least one blade comprising;a body defining a leading edge, a trailing edge and a chord distance therebetween, the body having a high pressure side and a low pressure side joined along the trailing edge; and a rigid acoustic flap comprising a first substantially planar surface, a second substantially planar surface, the flap having a substantially constant thickness measured between the first and second surfaces, the flap coupled to and extending outward from at least one of the high pressure side and the low pressure side and extending along the body trailing edge, a first portion of the first planar surface extending along the respective side, a second portion of the first planar surface extending outward from the trailing edge substantially parallel to the respective side, said second substantially planar surface extending outwardly from one of the high pressure side and low pressure side a distance approximately equal to the flap thickness. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification