The invention relates to a support structure, in particular for a wind turbine, having at least two segments, which are joined to one another such that their longitudinal axes extend substantially collinearly to one another. At least one of the segments is a pipe section, which has at least two mutually facing abutment surfaces that are joined to one another, at least in parts. A support structure is provided that is producible in less time and is more cost-effective because the join between the abutment surfaces involves at least one welded join, the thickness of the welding join being less than the wall thickness of the pipe section, and/or the join between the abutment surfaces involves at least one retaining clip.

The invention relates to a support structure, in particular for a wind turbine, having at least two segments, which are joined to one another such that their longitudinal axes extend substantially collinearly to one another. At least one of the segments is a pipe section, which has at least two mutually facing abutment surfaces that are joined to one another, at least in parts. A support structure is provided that is producible in less time and is more cost-effective because the join between the abutment surfaces involves at least one welded join, the thickness of the welding join being less than the wall thickness of the pipe section, and/or the join between the abutment surfaces involves at least one retaining clip.

A self-supporting nacelle structure for wind turbines, adapted to house a transmission assembly, includes a first shaft connected to a wind turbine rotor hub and to a gearbox, and a second shaft connected to the gearbox and to a generator. The nacelle structure further includes a tubular outer shell defining delimiting a space for housing the transmission assembly, a vertical tubular extension with an upper end edge connected to the outer shell and a lower end edge secured to a tower, an inner frame secured to the outer shell and having a plurality of transverse ribs and a plurality of longitudinal ribs joining the transverse ribs, each transverse rib extending in a closed path, completely enclosing the transmission assembly. The outer shell has a portion with a closed cross section, with at least one transverse rib secured thereto to provide the structure with high torsional and flexural stiffness.

A water driven power generating system has a frame with a waterwheel carried within the frame in an upright manner having a plurality of water receiving elements for turning the waterwheel. A water discharge manifold is used to discharge water from a supply tank onto the water receiving elements. The water supply tank is supplied with water from an adjacent water reservoir, such as a stock tank. After passing over the water receiving elements of the water wheel, the discharge water is allowed to flow back to the water reservoir by gravity. The water used in the system is pumped from the reservoir to the supply tank by a truck mounted pump which is powered by the power take-off of the truck.

A method of joining first and second blade components of a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes providing corresponding first and second positioning elements at an interface of the first and second blade components. The method also includes aligning and securing the first positioning element of the first blade component with the second positioning element of the second blade component so as to temporarily secure the first and second blade components together. Further, the corresponding first and second positioning elements maintain a desired spacing between the first and second blade components. Moreover, the method includes permanently securing the first and second blade components together such that the desired spacing is maintained between the first and second blade components.

The present disclosure is directed to methods for manufacturing wind turbine rotor blades and components thereof, e.g. using 3D printing. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a rotor blade structure having a first surface and an opposing, second surface, the first and second surfaces being substantially flat. Another step includes printing a leading edge segment of the rotor blade onto the first surface, wherein heat from the printing bonds the leading edge segment to the first surface. The method also includes rotating the rotor blade structure having the leading edge segment attached thereto. A further step includes printing a trailing edge segment of the rotor blade onto the second surface, wherein heat from the printing bonds the trailing edge segment to the second surface. Another step includes securing one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins to the leading and trailing edge segments so as to complete the rotor blade.

Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for manufacturing wind turbine blades which in some instances require using new blade joint designs. The blade joint designs described herein may allow for contact in places where welds will be made, which allows for existing manufacturing tolerances to be used while still enabling the use of thermal welding for wind turbine blades.

A propeller-type runner for a hydraulic turbine or pump has a hub and a plurality of blades. Up to and including two blades are fixed to the hub using bolts. The remaining blades are welded to the hub. Each bolted blade is adjoined by two welded blades.

The present disclosure is directed to methods for joining rotor blade components using thermoplastic welding. The method includes arranging a first thermoplastic component and a second thermoplastic component together at an interface, determining a size of a tolerance gap between the first and second components at the interface, placing a thermoplastic insert between the first and second components at the interface, the insert being larger than the tolerance gap, heating the insert and the first and second components such that the insert begins to flow so as to fill the tolerance gap between the first and second components, applying pressure to the interface such that the insert and the first and second blade components remain substantially in direct contact with each other at the interface, and welding the insert and the first and second components together at the interface, wherein the heat and the applied pressure between the insert and the first and second components at the interface maintain the insert and the first and second substantially in direct contact at the interface during welding.

The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine having a first rotor blade segment with a first spar cap segment and a second rotor blade segment with a second spar cap segment. The first and second spar cap segments are arranged together at an interface and are constructed of a composite material. Further, the rotor blade assembly includes a joint assembly at the interface of the first and second spar cap segments. The joint assembly is constructed of a first metal joint secured to the first spar cap segment and a second metal joint secured to second spar cap segment. Moreover, the first and second metal joints are welded together at a weld area.