Wind Turbine Blades with Noise-Reducing Serrated Edges

This patent describes a wind turbine blade design that reduces noise by attaching a special serrated plate to its trailing edge, integrated directly into one of the blade's outer surfaces.

What it covers

The patent describes a wind turbine blade made from a "back skin" and a "front skin" bonded together. To reduce noise, a "serrated plate" is attached to the "trailing edge" (the back edge) of the blade. This plate has a wavy, saw-tooth-like "serrated portion" on its rear side. A key part of the design is how this plate is attached: it's formed as a single piece with either the back or front skin (Claim 1 specifies it's part of the back skin). The other skin then has a "fitting portion" (a semicircular bump) that locks into a "fitting groove" (a semicircular dip) on the serrated plate, securing the plate firmly. This specific attachment method ensures the serrated plate is precisely positioned to smooth airflow and suppress noise. For example, a wind turbine blade could have this serrated plate integrated directly into its back surface, with the front surface snapping into place to complete the blade and secure the noise-reducing feature.

What it doesn't cover

• —Serrated plates that are simply glued or bolted onto the trailing edge without the specific "fitting groove" and "fitting portion" described in Claim 1.
• —Serrated plates that are separate components and not formed integrally with one of the blade skins.
• —Noise reduction methods for wind turbines that do not involve a serrated plate at the trailing edge.
• —Serrated plates that do not have a serrated portion on their rear side.
• —Blades where the serrated plate is not disposed along the wind flow at the trailing edge.

The clever bit

The novelty lies in the specific, integrated attachment mechanism for the serrated plate. By forming the serrated plate integrally with one blade skin and using a precise fitting groove and portion for the other skin, the patent ensures robust attachment and accurate positioning of the noise-reducing feature, which is critical for aerodynamic performance and durability.

Why it matters

Wind turbine noise, especially from the blade tips, is a significant concern for communities near wind farms. This patent addresses that issue by proposing a specific design for noise reduction. Quieter turbines can lead to broader acceptance and allow wind farms to be built closer to populated areas, increasing renewable energy capacity.

Real-world examples

• 1.Modern large-scale wind turbine blades
• 2.Offshore wind farm turbines
• 3.Wind turbines designed for urban or suburban areas
• 4.Turbine blades from manufacturers like Siemens Gamesa, Vestas, GE Renewable Energy