Wind turbine blade with aerodynamic device attached thereto

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10697426-B2
Application number	US-201615777256-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 22, 2016
Priority date	Nov 24, 2015
Publication date	Jun 30, 2020
Grant date	Jun 30, 2020

Abstract

An aerodynamic device is described for mounting to an outer surface of a wind turbine blade. The aerodynamic device includes a baseplate having an inner surface defining a mounting region and a sealing region at least partially surrounds the mounting region. The mounting region is bonded to the outer surface of the blade by an adhesive. A seal is provided between the sealing region of the baseplate and the outer surface of the blade. The seal at least partially surrounds the mounting region. A barrier is provided between the seal and the adhesive. The barrier is arranged substantially to prevent contact between the seal and the adhesive.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A wind turbine blade comprising an aerodynamic device mounted to an outer surface of the blade, the aerodynamic device comprising a baseplate having an inner surface defining a mounting region and a sealing region at least partially surrounding the mounting region, wherein:
the mounting region is bonded to the outer surface of the blade by an adhesive;
a seal is provided between the sealing region of the baseplate and the outer surface of the blade, the seal at least partially surrounding the mounting region; and
a barrier is provided between the seal and the adhesive, the barrier being arranged substantially to prevent contact between the seal and the adhesive,
wherein the sealing region comprises a skirt at least partially surrounding the mounting region, the skirt being arranged to cover the seal.

2. The wind turbine blade of claim 1 , wherein the barrier is integral with the baseplate.

3. The wind turbine blade of claim 1 , wherein the barrier forms a second seal around the adhesive.

4. The wind turbine blade of claim 1 , wherein the barrier includes one or more features protruding from the inner surface of the baseplate.

5. The wind turbine blade of claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a ridge.

6. The wind turbine blade of claim 1 , wherein the barrier is configured to define a tortuous path between the seal and the adhesive.

7. The wind turbine blade of claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises sealant or a gasket.

8. The wind turbine blade of claim 1 , wherein the skirt is inclined relative to the mounting region and a peripheral edge of the skirt is substantially in contact with the outer surface of the blade.

9. The wind turbine blade of claim 8 , wherein the peripheral edge of the skirt forms a seal against the outer surface of the blade.

10. The wind turbine blade of claim 1 , wherein the aerodynamic device is mounted to a trailing edge of the blade.

11. The wind turbine blade of claim 10 , wherein the aerodynamic device includes a plurality of serrations extending from the baseplate.

12. The wind turbine blade of claim 1 , wherein the baseplate is bonded to a pressure surface of the blade and the aerodynamic device further comprises one or more anti-peel features extending from the baseplate and overlapping a suction surface of the blade.

13. The wind turbine blade of claim 12 , wherein the anti-peel features comprise one or more fingers.

14. A wind turbine comprising the wind turbine blade of claim 1 .

15. A wind turbine blade comprising an aerodynamic device mounted to an outer surface of the blade, the aerodynamic device comprising a baseplate having an inner surface defining a mounting region and a sealing region at least partially surrounding the mounting region, wherein:
the mounting region is bonded to the outer surface of the blade by an adhesive;
a seal is provided between the sealing region of the baseplate and the outer surface of the blade, the seal at least partially surrounding the mounting region; and
a barrier is provided between the seal and the adhesive, the barrier being arranged substantially to prevent contact between the seal and the adhesive,
wherein the barrier comprises a plurality of ridges that are spaced apart such that channels are defined between adjacent ridges.

16. The wind turbine blade of claim 15 , wherein the seal comprises sealant and at least some of the sealant is located in at least one of the channels.

17. The wind turbine blade of claim 15 , wherein a gap is defined between a tip of each of the plurality of ridges and the outer surface of the blade.

18. A wind turbine blade comprising an aerodynamic device mounted to an outer surface of the blade, the aerodynamic device comprising a baseplate having an inner surface defining a mounting region and a sealing region at least partially surrounding the mounting region, wherein:
the mounting region is bonded to the outer surface of the blade by an adhesive;
a seal is provided between the sealing region of the baseplate and the outer surface of the blade, the seal at least partially surrounding the mounting region; and
a barrier is provided between the seal and the adhesive, the barrier being arranged substantially to prevent contact between the seal and the adhesive,
wherein the barrier comprises a lip that forms a further seal against the outer surface of the blade.

19. The wind turbine blade of claim 18 , wherein the lip is flexible and is angled towards an outer perimeter of the baseplate.

Assignees

• Vestas Wind Sys As

Inventors

• Hurault Jeremy
• Sajous Raphael

Classifications

• F05B2240/3042

  Serrated trailing edge · CPC title

• F05B2240/3062

  Vortex generators · CPC title

• Y02E10/72

  Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction · CPC title

• F05B2260/96

  Preventing, counteracting or reducing vibration or noise · CPC title

• F05B2240/2211

  of the multibladed, low speed, e.g. "American farm" type · CPC title