Multi-panel wind turbine blade with improved joints on the trailing edge

Abstract

A multi-panel wind turbine blade with improved joints on the trailing edge, with an aerodynamic profile with a leading edge ( 3 ), a trailing edge ( 5 ) and pressure and suction sides ( 7, 9 ) between the leading edge ( 3 ) and the trailing edge ( 5 ), where the transversal section of the edges of the prefabricated panels ( 31, 41 ) laid out on the pressure and suction side have a variable geometry on the trailing edge area ( 5 ) along the blade, with at least a first section ( 21 ) of the blade including its tip, in which the configuration of the edges of these panels ( 31, 41 ) includes some co-operating flattened surfaces ( 33, 43; 34, 44; 35, 45 ) to facilitate its adhesive bonding along the trailing edge ( 5 ). This variable geometry includes the possibility of using a third panel ( 51 ) on a blade section near to its root.

1 . A wind turbine blade with an aerodynamic profile with a leading edge ( 3 ), a trailing edge ( 5 ) and pressure and suction sides ( 7 ,  9 ) between the leading edge ( 3 ) and the trailing edge ( 5 ), characterised by in at least a first section ( 21 ) of the blade, including its tip, its rear part including at least a first prefabricated panel ( 31 ) and on the pressure side and a second prefabricated panel ( 41 ) on the suction side in which the configuration of the edges of these first and second panels ( 31 ,  41 ) includes some co-operating flattened surfaces ( 33 ,  43 ;  34 ,  44 ;  35 ,  45 ) to facilitate its adhesive bonding along the trailing edge ( 5 ). 
     
     
         2 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of this first section ( 21 ) of the blade ranging from 70% to 100% of the length of the blade from its tip. 
     
     
         3 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 2 , wherein in a first area ( 23 ) of this first section ( 21 ), with a length ranging from 33% to 100% of the length of this first section ( 21 ), the edge of one these two panels ( 31 ,  41 ) having the configuration of the trailing edge ( 5 ) of the blade and its flattened surface ( 33 ,  43 ) situated on an offset notch and by the other panel ( 41 ,  31 ) having its flattened surface ( 43 ,  33 ) situated on its edge. 
     
     
         4 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 2 , wherein in a first area ( 25 ) of this first section ( 21 ), with a length ranging from 33% to 100% of the length of this first section ( 21 ), these co-operating flattened surfaces ( 34 ,  44 ) being situated on the edges of the first and the second panel ( 31 ,  41 ) so that the trailing edge ( 5 ) is configured for connection, with one of the edges thicker than the other. 
     
     
         5 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 2 , wherein in a second area ( 27 ) of this first section ( 21 ), with a length ranging from 65% to 100% of the length of this first section ( 21 ), these co-operating flattened surfaces ( 35 ,  45 ) being situated on the edges of the first and the second panel ( 31 ,  41 ) so that the trailing edge ( 5 ) is configured for connection. 
     
     
         6 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 5 , wherein one of the edges of the first and second panel ( 31 ,  41 ) being thicker than the other. 
     
     
         7 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 2 , wherein in a second section ( 23 ) of the blade next to its root also including a third prefabricated panel ( 51 ) that is joined to the edges of these first and second panels ( 31 ,  41 ) on the trailing edge ( 5 ). 
     
     
         8 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 7 , wherein this third prefabricated panel ( 51 ) being U shaped and by in this second section ( 23 ) of the blade the edges of the first and second panel ( 31 ,  41 ) having some co-operating flattened surfaces ( 37 ,  47 ) with the wings ( 55 ,  57 ) of this third panel ( 51 ) to facilitate an adhesive bonding between them. 
     
     
         9 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 2 , wherein in a second section ( 23 ) of the blade near to its root, the flattened surface ( 39 ,  49 ) of at least one of these two panels ( 31 ,  41 ) being situated on an extension ( 61 ) folded on its edge to be joined to the flattened surface ( 49 ,  39 ) of the other panel ( 41 ,  31 ). 
     
     
         10 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 9 , wherein this extension ( 61 ) being L shaped so that this flattened surface ( 39 ,  49 ) is opposite the flattened surface ( 49 ,  39 ) of the other panel situated on its edge to be able to carry out its adhesive bonding. 
     
     
         11 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 9 , wherein the flattened surface ( 49 ,  39 ) of the other panel also being situated on an extension ( 63 ) folded on its edge, so that both extensions ( 61 ,  63 ) face each other to carry out the adhesive bonding in a transversal direction to the blade profile rope. 
     
     
         12 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 11 , wherein the direction of these extensions ( 61 ,  63 ) forming an angle □, ranging from 0°-30° with the direction perpendicular to the blade rope. 
     
     
         13 . A wind turbine blade according to  claim 7 , wherein the length of this second section ( 23 ) of the blade ranging from 1% to 30% of the its length measured from the blade's root.