ROOT SEGMENT FOR A SEGMENTED ROTOR BLADE OF A WIND TURBINE INSTALLATION AND A SEGMENTED ROTOR BLADE WITH THE ROOT SEGMENT

Abstract

Root segment for a segmented rotor blade of a wind turbine installation, the root segment extending along a longitudinal axis A, having a second axial end which is arranged to be mechanically connected with a rotor hub of the wind turbine installation, wherein a cross section through the root segment perpendicular to axis A has an aerofoil shape.

Claims

1. Root segment (101) arranged for being a segment of a segmented rotor blade of a wind turbine installation, the root segment extending along a longitudinal axis A and having a second axial end (101A), which is arranged to be mechanically connected with a rotor hub of the wind turbine installation, wherein a cross section through the root segment perpendicular to axis A has an aerofoil shape.

2. Root segment according to claim 1, comprising a first support structure (101C) inside a cavity of the root segment, wherein the first support structure is arranged for supporting and for being mechanically connected with at least one bearing (601) of a blade pitch mechanism (600).

3. Root segment according to claim 2, comprising a second support structure (101B) inside the cavity, wherein the second support structure is arranged for supporting and for being mechanically connected with a pitch motor (604) of the pitch mechanism (600).

4. Root segment according to claim 1, wherein the root segment comprises an aerofoil first profile at a first axial position along axis A and an aerofoil second profile at a second axial position, wherein the first profile is different from the second profile.

5. Root segment according to claim 4, wherein a thickness of the first profile perpendicular to a chord of the first profile is greater than a thickness of the second profile perpendicular to a chord of the second profile.

6. Root segment according to claim 1, wherein an elongated fastening element, arranged for connecting with the rotor hub, extends from the second axial end, preferably along axis A, preferably into a wall section of the root segment.

7. Segmented rotor blade (100), comprising the root segment (101) according to claim 1 and the blade pitch mechanism (600), which is arranged for changing a pitch angle of a second blade segment (102), wherein the at least one bearing (601) of the pitch mechanism is supported by and mechanically connected with the first support structure (101C) of the root segment, wherein a shaft (603) of the pitch mechanism is rotatably held and supported by the at least one bearing, and a rotational axis B of the shaft aligns with axis A, wherein the shaft is arranged for being mechanically connected with the second blade segment (102), wherein a pitch motor (604) of the pitch mechanism is mechanically connected with the shaft (603) for driving the shaft to rotate in the bearing (601) about axis B.

8. Segmented rotor blade according to claim 7, wherein the pitch motor (604) is supported by and mechanically connected with the second support structure (101B) of the root segment.

9. Segmented rotor blade according to claim 7, wherein a first shaft end (603B) of the shaft (603) perpendicular to axis B has an aerofoil shape, wherein the first shaft end is arranged for being mechanically connected with the second blade segment (102).

10. Segmented rotor blade according to claim 7, wherein the shaft comprises a shaft section (603C) including the first shaft end (603B), wherein the shaft section is made with a metal, steel, resin, a fabric, fibres and/or rovings.

11. Segmented rotor blade according to claim 7, comprising the second blade segment (102), which is mechanically connected to the first end (603B) of the shaft (603), wherein a cross section through the second blade segment and perpendicular to axis A has an aerofoil shape.

12. Segmented rotor blade according to claim 11, wherein the second blade segment comprises an aerofoil third profile at a first axial position of the second blade segment along axis A and an aerofoil fourth profile at a second axial position of the second blade segment, wherein the third profile is different from the fourth profile.

13. Segmented rotor blade according to claim 11, comprising a third blade segment (103) mechanically connected with an end of the second blade segment (102) and aligned with axis A, wherein a cross section through the third blade segment and perpendicular to axis A has an aerofoil shape.

14. Segmented rotor blade according to claim 11, comprising a tip segment or winglet (104) which is mechanically connected with an end of the second blade segment or with an end of the third blade segment.

Description

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Further advantages of the invention become apparent from the following figures showing exemplary embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a root segment 101 which is arranged for being a segment of a segmented rotor blade of a wind turbine installation. The root segment extends along a longitudinal axis A and has a second axial end 101A which is arranged to be mechanically connected with a rotor hub (not shown) of a superordinate wind turbine installation. A cross section through the root segment 101 perpendicular to axis A has an aerofoil shape.

[0031] The root segment 101 comprises a first support structure 101C for supporting at least one bearing 601 of a pitch mechanism. The first support structure is materially connected with the segment wall of the root segment. Further, the root segment comprises a second support structure 101B for supporting a pitch motor 604 of the pitch mechanism. The root segment has an aerofoil first profile near its second axial end 101A and the thickness of the first profile perpendicular to a chord of the first profile is greater than the outer diameter of the bearing 601. So, there is sufficient space inside the root segment to accept and support the at least one bearing.

[0032] Further, FIG. 1 shows a part of a segmented rotor blade having the root segment 101, the pitch mechanism 601, 602, 603, 604 and a second blade segment 102, which is mechanically connected to the first shaft end 603B, also for pitching the second blade segment.

[0033] The pitch mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 comprises the bearing 601, the shaft 603 and the pitch motor 604. The bearing 601 is supported by the first support structure 101C and the pitch motor, which is mechanically connected with the shaft 602, is supported by the second support structure 101B. The second support structure 101C is arranged and dimensioned to absorb a counter torque at least while the pitch motor is active. The shaft is supported rotatably by the bearing 601 to rotate about its axis B and extend beyond the root segment's end opposite of the second axial end. The shaft has a first shaft end 603B the cross section of which resembles the cross section of the second blade segment 102. The second blade segment is mechanically connected with the first end 603B of the shaft. Axis B, axis A and the longitudinal axis of the second blade segment are aligned.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a shaft section 603C of the shaft of FIG. 2. The shaft section is tapered from a circular end (on the left) towards the first shaft end 603B having an aerofoil shape. The first shaft end is arranged to be connected with a second blade segment of the same rotor blade. FIG. 3 shows the shaft section 603C from a different perspective.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the segmented rotor blade 100 comprising the root segment as shown in FIG. 1. The bearing 601 supported by and held in the root segment 101 is visible through the opening at the second axial end 101A of the root segment. The aerofoil profile at the second axial end 101A is dimensioned such that the cavity inside the root segment 101 is larger than the bearing 601. The second blade segment 102 can rotate relative to the root segment 101 for improved exploitation of the wind.

[0036] The segmented rotor blade further comprises a third blade segment 103 and a winglet 104. An end of the third blade segment is mechanically connected with the second blade segment 102 and can rotate with it. The winglet is mechanically connected with another end of the third blade segment. The blade segments 101, 102, 103 have aerofoil profiles at several of its respective axial positions along axis A.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the second blade segment 102 having a supporting device 200 that is mechanically or materially connected inside the second blade 3o segment 102 adjacent to the end of the facing second blade segment the third blade segment 103. The supporting device 200 has a recess arranged for accepting a protrusion 300 extending from the third blade segment. The protrusion can be materially or mechanically connected with the third blade segment. The protrusion can extend into the third blade segment for improved absorption of forces and torques.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows the supporting device 200 of FIG. 5 in detail. The supporting device 200 has two panels 200-1, 200-2 which are mechanically connected with each other and spaced apart from each other by struts 200-3. The first panel 200-1 has the recess for accepting the protrusion. The second panel 200-2 has a projection extending towards the first panel and arranged for engaging with the protrusion. Both panels are arranged for being materially or mechanically connected with the second blade segment inside its cavity.