A multilayer protective covering can protect a surface from lightning strikes. The covering includes a bottom conductive layer affixed to the surface and having a first opening that is aligned with a grounding connection so that the grounding connection is exposed through first opening and not in contact with the bottom conductive layer. The covering also includes a dielectric layer affixed to the bottom conductive layer and having second opening aligned with the grounding connection so that the grounding connection is exposed through second opening and not in contact with the dielectric layer. The covering additionally includes a top conductive layer affixed to the dielectric layer and covering the grounding connection. The top conductive layer directs electrical current from a lightning strike on the surface to the grounding connection.

A winglet is provided for retrofitting to a wind turbine. Aerodynamic and centrifugal forces for winglets having a range of configurations including winglet height, taper ratio, twist, and cant angle are modeled, wherein the winglet height, taper ratio, twist, and cant angle are used to define a grid in a Vector Lattice. An increase in a coefficient of power C.sub.p of each winglet design when applied to a predetermined main blade of the wind turbine can be determined. A winglet configuration can then be selected wherein the coefficient of power C.sub.p of the main blade and winglet is at least 2% greater than the coefficient of power C.sub.p of the main blade alone, and wherein a ratio of normal aerodynamic force generated by the winglet to centrifugal force generated by the winglet during rotation at a nominal rated speed is in a range between 0.75 and 2.

A method for manufacturing a wind turbine blade that is pre-staged for subsequent retrofitting with a replacement blade tip segment includes providing the wind turbine blade with a continuous spar structure from a root end to a tip end of the wind turbine blade. At a pre-defined span-wise location, one of a span-wise extending beam structure or span-wise extending receiver section is configured with the spar structure.

The invention relates to a rotor blade (100) for a wind turbine, having a rotor blade root (102), a rotor blade outer edge (104), a leading edge (106) and a trailing edge (108), The leading edge (106) and the trailing edge (108) define a chord (110), the length of which increases from the rotor blade root (102) to the rotor blade outer edge (104), Chord centre points (112) define a rotor wing centre line (114) running from the rotor blade root (0.102) to the rotor blade outer edge (104) and the rotor wing centre line (114) divides the rotor blade outer edge (104) into a leading edge portion (116) and a trailing edge portion (118), a winglet (120) that extends only along the trailing edge portion (118) being arranged on the rotor blade outer edge (104).

Provided is a blade for a wind turbine including a trailing edge and a leading edge, a lightning protection system with at least one lightning receptor on the blade tip for receiving lightning and at least one lightning down conductor for conducting a lightning current received by the lightning receptor to the blade root, and an ice formation prevention system with a conductive layer arranged along the leading edge, and a first connection terminal on the first end and a second connection terminal on the second end for connecting the layer with a power supply unit, the first connection terminal is connected with the lightning down conductor, wherein the first connection terminal partially contacts the layer and have a rear section connected to the layer and a front section that longitudinally extends towards the blade tip.

Disclosed is a wind turbine blade comprising a first blade section and a second blade section connected to the first blade section. The wind turbine blade comprises a first down conductor for conducting lightning current to ground. The blade further comprises one or more lightning receptors at or in proximity of an external surface of the wind turbine blade. A smallest distance from a first lightning receptor of the one or more lightning receptors to an interface between the first blade section and the second blade section may be less than or equal to a chord length of a chord of the wind turbine blade at the interface between the first blade section and the second blade section.

Provided is a wind turbine rotor blade with a length, a rotor blade root, a rotor blade tip, a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a rotor blade depth, a rotor blade thickness and an air guide for heated air for guiding heated air along a longitudinal direction of the rotor blade from the rotor blade root in the direction of the rotor blade tip. The wind turbine rotor blade further has a deflection section, which is arranged in the area of the rotor blade tip and has a cross sectional surface that at least sectionally is at least constant toward the rotor blade tip or that at least sectionally enlarges toward the rotor blade tip.

The present invention is directed to wind turbine blades that include an additive manufactured system-integrated tip. The disclosed wind turbine blades reduce the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for both new and existing wind turbines.

A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes a first blade segment and a second blade segment extending in opposite directions from a chord-wise joint. Each of the first and second blade segments includes at least one shell member defining an airfoil surface. The rotor blade also includes one or more pin joints for connecting the first and second blade segments at the chord-wise joint. The pin joint(s) includes one or more pin joint tubes received within the pin joint slot(s). The pin joint slot(s) are secured within a bearing block. Further, a gap is defined between the pin joint slot(s) and the bearing block. Moreover, the rotor blade includes a shim within the gap between the pin joint slot(s) and the bearing block so as to retain the pin joint slot(s) within the bearing block. In addition, the shim is constructed of a liquid material that hardens after being poured into the gap.

Wind turbine blade comprising a lightning protection system, said lightning protection system comprising a first lightning receptor mounted near the tip of the blade and an electrical conductor electrically connecting the first lightning receptor and the base of the wind turbine blade. The lightning protection system further comprises a first aerodynamic fence attached to the wind turbine blade between the lightning receptor and the tip of the blade. In this way, a zone of smoother airflow is provided which makes a more effective target for lightning to strike, thereby avoiding damage to other parts of the blade.