Angled blade root

Abstract

A blade root for a wind turbine rotor blade is disclosed. The blade root may generally comprise a substantially cylindrically shaped member extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis and defining a planar end surface. Additionally, an angle may be defined between the planar end surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The angle may be greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.

1 . A rotor blade for a wind turbine, the rotor blade comprising:
 a blade root defining a planar end surface;   a blade tip;   a body extending between the blade root and the blade tip, the body defining a longitudinal axis and including a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge,   wherein an angle is defined between the planar end surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the angle being greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.   
     
     
         2 . The rotor blade of  claim 1 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The rotor blade of  claim 1 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 3 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The rotor blade of  claim 1 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 2 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The rotor blade of  claim 1 , wherein the angle ranges from about 1 degree to about 2 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The rotor blade of  claim 1 , wherein the planar end surface is angled towards the pressure side of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The rotor blade of  claim 1 , wherein the planar end surface comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein a centerline defined between the first and second edges is aligned with a chord of the rotor blade. 
     
     
         8 . A wind turbine, comprising:
 a plurality of rotor blades, each of the plurality of rotor blades comprising:
 a blade root defining a planar end surface; 
 a blade tip; 
 a body extending between the blade root and the blade tip, the body defining a longitudinal axis and including a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, 
 wherein an angle is defined between the planar end surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the angle being greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees. 
   
     
     
         9 . The wind turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The wind turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 3 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The wind turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 2 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The wind turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the angle ranges from about 1 degree to about 2 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The wind turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the planar end surface is angled towards the pressure side of the body. 
     
     
         14 . The wind turbine of  claim 8 , wherein the planar end surface comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein a centerline defined between the first and second edges is aligned with a chord of the rotor blade. 
     
     
         15 . The wind turbine of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a tower;   a nacelle mounted on the tower; and,   a rotor coupled to the nacelle, the rotor including a rotatable hub,   wherein the blade root of each of the plurality of rotor blades is coupled to the hub such that each rotor blade extends away from the tower.   
     
     
         16 . A blade root for a wind turbine rotor blade, the blade root comprising:
 a substantially cylindrically shaped member extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis and defining a planar end surface,   wherein an angle is defined between the planar end surface and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the angle being greater than 0 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.   
     
     
         17 . The blade root of  claim 16 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The blade root of  claim 16 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 3 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The blade root of  claim 16 , wherein the angle ranges from about 0.5 degrees to about 2 degrees. 
     
     
         20 . The blade root of  claim 16 , wherein the angle ranges from about 1 degree to about 2 degrees.