Various embodiments of a tire, and other objects, having an aerodynamic and/or hydrodynamic surface treatment are disclosed.

A method of coating an area of a wind turbine rotor blade comprises: defining an area to be coated on a surface of the blade, applying a first plurality of strips of masking tape to the surface of the blade proximate a first edge region of the defined area such that each strip is arranged adjacent to at least one other strip of said first plurality of strips, spraying a coating layer onto the defined area up to an innermost strip such that the innermost strip defines an edge of the coating layer, removing the innermost strip(s) to expose an uncoated region of the defined area between the edge of the coating layer and an innermost remaining strip and spraying a further coating layer over the previous coating layer and over the uncoated region up to said innermost remaining strip.

A wind turbine blade includes a base member formed of FRP and having a blade shape, an intermediate layer arranged on the base member and formed of metal, cermet, ceramic, or a mixture of at least one thereof and resin as a major constituent, and an erosion-resistant overcoat arranged on the intermediate layer and formed of a spray film having a porosity of 5% or lower.

This invention relates to a method and a wind turbine blade, wherein one or more airflow modifying devices are attached to a wind turbine blade having a base aerodynamic profile. The base aerodynamic profile is configured to substantially carry the structural loading of this modified wind turbine blade. The airflow modifying device is manufactured via 3D-printing and/or via 3D-machining and optionally coated or laminated before attachment. Once attached, the airflow modifying device may further be coated or laminated before working the outer surfaces into their finished shape.

The present subject matter is directed to methods for manufacturing rotor blades and/or components thereof of a wind turbine. In one embodiment, the method includes forming the rotor blade component and covering at least a portion of the rotor blade component with at least one coating material. In addition, the coating material includes at least one additive having a changeable pigment. After the component is formed, the method includes inspecting the rotor blade component for defects. After inspection, the method further includes activating the additive to change the pigment from a transparent finish to a colored finish.

A Vortex-shedding-arrangement, which is prepared to be arranged on a tower of a wind turbine, is provided. Embodiments of the invention even relate to a tower, which is equipped with the Vortex-shedding-arrangement and to a method to equip the tower with the Vortex-shedding-arrangement.

The Vortex-shedding-arrangement according to embodiments of the invention is arranged and prepared to be connected to a surface of a tower. The Vortex-shedding-arrangement is prepared to reduce Vortex-induced-vibrations, acting on the tower and its structure, during the tower-transportation. The vortex shedding arrangement comprises vortex shedding elements and at least one shrink foil. The at least one shrink foil is prepared to fix and to position the vortex shedding elements at specific positions at the tower surface by heat applied to the shrink foil.

A wind turbine blade includes: a blade body portion; and an anti-erosion layer disposed so as to cover a surface of the blade body portion partially. A center point of the anti-erosion layer in a circumferential length direction along a blade profile in a cross section orthogonal to a blade spanwise direction is shifted toward a pressure side from a leading edge of the blade body portion, at least in a part of an extension range of the anti-erosion layer in the blade spanwise direction.

Provided is a method of shaping an initial edge seal along a longitudinal edge step of an add-on part mounted on the outer surface of a rotor blade, which method includes the steps of providing an initial edge seal along a longitudinal edge step of an add-on part mounted on an outer surface of a rotor blade, and removing a top layer of the initial edge seal. Further provided is wind turbine rotor blade.

The invention relates to a grinding tool for grinding a leading edge of a wind turbine blade. It comprises two parallel shafts of which at least one is rotationally driven and a frame for holding the two shafts in a fixed mutual relationship. An annular abrasive belt is arranged around a tension device mounted to the frame and guides of which there is one on each of the two shafts. The abrasive belt runs in a plane perpendicular to the shafts and has a longer length than an imaginary curve formed by outer surfaces of the tension device and of the guides. The grinding tool further comprises two abrasive belt retainers movably mounted to the frame. They are shaped and arranged to move between a retaining position in which they retain the abrasive belt along at least parts of the abrasive belt which is in contact with the guides, and a release position in which they are out of contact with the abrasive belt.

A wind turbine blade includes a base member formed of FRP and having a blade shape, an intermediate layer arranged on the base member and formed of metal, cermet, ceramic, or a mixture of at least one thereof and resin as a major constituent, and an erosion-resistant overcoat arranged on the intermediate layer and formed of a spray film having a porosity of 5% or lower.