Turbine blades, systems and methods

Abstract

A blade for use in a wind turbine comprises a pressure side and suction side meeting at a trailing edge and leading edge, the pressure side having a pressure side surface and the suction side having a suction side surface, the pressure side surface and suction side surface for providing lift to the turbine blade upon the flow of air from the leading edge to the trailing edge and over the pressure side and suction side surfaces, the pressure side and suction side extending from a root portion to a tip portion of the turbine blade. In some situations, the root portion is non-aerodynamic. The aerodynamics of such a blade is improved with the aid of pneumatic blowing through one or more blown passages for providing pressurized air (or other fluid) to a suction side and/or pressure side of the blade.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A blade for use in a wind turbine, comprising:
 a pressure side and suction side meeting at a trailing edge and leading edge, the pressure side having a pressure side surface and the suction side having a suction side surface, the pressure side surface and suction side surface for providing lift to the blade upon the flow of air from the leading edge to the trailing edge and over the pressure side and suction side surfaces, and   one or more openings at one of the pressure side and the suction side, the one or more openings for providing aerodynamic shaping to the blade,   wherein at least some and at most a portion of the pressure side and the suction side of the blade are substantially non-aerodynamic.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The blade of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more openings at the other of the pressure side and the suction side, wherein the one or more openings provide aerodynamic shaping to the blade. 
     
     
         15 . The blade of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more openings are at the suction side, the one or more openings disposed adjacent to the leading edge and/or trailing edge of the blade. 
     
     
         16 . The blade of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more openings are at the pressure side, the one or more openings disposed adjacent to the leading edge and/or trailing edge of the blade. 
     
     
         17 . The blade of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more openings are at the pressure side, the one or more openings disposed between the leading edge and trailing edge of the blade. 
     
     
         18 . A blade for use in a wind turbine, comprising:
 a pressure side and suction side meeting at a trailing edge and leading edge, the pressure side having a pressure side surface and the suction side having a suction side surface, the pressure side surface and suction side surface for providing lift to the blade upon the flow of air from the leading edge to the trailing edge and over the pressure side and suction side surfaces;   a first opening on the pressure side or suction side surface, the first opening for providing pressurized air to the pressure side or suction side; and   a second opening on the pressure side or suction side surface, the second opening for providing pressurized air to the pressure side or suction side.   
     
     
         19 . The blade of  claim 18 , further comprising a third opening at the pressure side or suction side, the third opening for providing pressurized air to the pressure side or suction side. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The blade of  claim 18 , wherein the first opening is disposed adjacent to the trailing edge of the blade. 
     
     
         22 . The blade of  claim 18 , wherein the second opening is disposed adjacent to the trailing edge of the blade. 
     
     
         23 . The blade of  claim 18 , wherein at most a portion of the blade toward a root of the blade is non-aerodynamic, thereby manifesting a separated flow of gas over the root during the operation of the wind turbine. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The blade of  claim 18 , wherein between about 1% and 60% of a span of the blade, as measured from a root of the blade, has a chord that is substantially constant. 
     
     
         26 . The blade of  claim 18 , wherein up to about 40% of a span of the blade has a chord that is substantially constant. 
     
     
         27 .- 84 . (canceled) 
     
     
         85 . A turbine blade for use in a wind turbine, comprising:
 a pressure side and suction side meeting at a trailing edge and leading edge, the pressure side having a pressure side surface and the suction side having a suction side surface, the pressure side surface and suction side surface for providing lift to the turbine blade upon the flow of air from the leading edge to the trailing edge and over the pressure side and suction side surfaces, the pressure side and suction side extending from a root portion to a tip portion of the turbine blade,   wherein less than substantially all of the turbine blade is non-aerodynamic, and   wherein a portion of the blade toward a root of the blade has a shape that manifests a separated flow of gas over the root.   
     
     
         86 . The turbine blade of  claim 85 , wherein said portion of the blade toward the root operates in a region of poor aerodynamic performance absent aerodynamic shaping. 
     
     
         87 . (canceled) 
     
     
         88 . (canceled) 
     
     
         89 . The turbine blade of  claim 85 , wherein between about 1% and 60% of a span of the turbine blade, as measured from the root, has a chord that is substantially constant. 
     
     
         90 . The turbine blade of  claim 85 , wherein up to about 40% of a span of the turbine blade has a chord that is substantially constant. 
     
     
         91 . The turbine blade of  claim 85 , wherein a chord of the blade toward the root varies by at most 10%. 
     
     
         92 . The turbine blade of  claim 85 , wherein said portion of the blade toward the root has a thickness-to-chord ratio of at least about 45%. 
     
     
         93 . The blade of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more openings are oriented to provide a pressurized fluid to a surface of the suction side or pressure side at an angle between 80° and 170° with respect to the leading edge. 
     
     
         94 . The turbine blade of  claim 85 , further comprising one or more openings for providing pressurized air to said suction side, said one or more openings for providing aerodynamic shaping to the turbine blade.