How Wind Turbine Blades Get More Lift with Extra Parts

This patent describes adding special front and back parts to a wind turbine blade to create specific air channels, making the blade generate more power from the wind.

What it covers

The patent describes a way to make wind turbine blades catch more wind, generating more lift. It does this by adding two extra pieces, called "extensions," to the main blade. A "forward blade extension" is attached to the top (suction surface) of the main blade, creating a "first airflow channel" (Claim 1). Another "aft blade extension" is attached to the bottom (pressure surface) of the main blade, creating a "second airflow channel" (Claim 1). These channels are designed to have a "substantially constant cross-sectional width" (Claim 1, Claim 4), which helps guide the airflow efficiently. For example, if a wind turbine blade is struggling to generate enough power in lighter winds, adding these extensions could help it capture more energy without needing a larger, heavier main blade.

What it doesn't cover

• —Wind turbine blades that increase lift using only adjustable pitch or angle of attack without additional extensions.
• —Blade designs that use different types of aerodynamic add-ons, like vortex generators or Gurney flaps, instead of the specified forward and aft extensions.
• —Extensions that do not form airflow channels with a "substantially constant cross-sectional width" as claimed.
• —Blade designs where the forward extension does not extend along the suction surface past the centerline towards the trailing edge.
• —Systems where the aft blade extension's suction surface does not extend along the pressure surface of the rotor blade.

The clever bit

The clever part is precisely shaping and positioning two separate extensions on the blade's suction and pressure surfaces to create airflow channels that maintain a "substantially constant cross-sectional width." This specific channel design helps to manage airflow over the blade more effectively, boosting lift without significantly increasing drag.

Why it matters

Increasing the lift on wind turbine blades means they can capture more energy from the wind, even at lower wind speeds. This improves the efficiency of wind farms and allows them to generate more electricity. For companies like General Electric, which manufactures wind turbines, this kind of innovation can lead to more powerful and cost-effective energy solutions.

Real-world examples

• 1.Modern wind turbine blades with passive aerodynamic enhancements
• 2.Multi-element airfoils used in aircraft wings
• 3.Wind turbine designs focused on low-wind speed performance