16 patents in this list

Updated:

Wind turbines are a cornerstone of renewable energy, yet optimizing their lift performance remains a complex challenge. The interaction of wind with turbine blades is dynamic, influenced by factors like blade shape, wind speed, and environmental conditions. Enhancing lift can lead to greater energy capture, making it essential for advancing wind energy efficiency.

Professionals in the field face hurdles in maximizing lift without compromising structural integrity or increasing maintenance needs. Turbulence, blade fatigue, and precise control of blade orientation are persistent challenges. These issues require innovative solutions that balance performance with reliability.

This page explores a range of engineering approaches aimed at improving lift performance in wind turbines. From flexible blade attachments and sensor-driven stabilization to aerodynamic devices and vortex generators, these solutions focus on optimizing airflow and blade efficiency. By implementing these strategies, the potential for increased energy capture and operational stability becomes attainable.

1. Triangularly Positioned Flexible Housing Wind Turbine Blade Attachments with Integrated Flow-Guiding Devices

LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S, 2023

Wind turbine blade attachments to improve aerodynamics and power generation. The attachments are flow-guiding devices like spoilers or Gurney flaps. The devices are attached to the blade surface with flexible housings filled with adhesive. This allows bonding without grinding or complex prep steps. The attachments are also positioned in triangles to distribute loads, curved to accommodate blade bending, and reinforced with ribs for stiffness.

2. Lifting Device with Sensor-Driven Blade Orientation Stabilization for Wind Turbine Installation

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S, 2022

A lifting device for wind turbine blades during installation that automatically stabilizes the blade orientation in windy conditions. The device uses sensors on the lifting yoke to measure blade position and rotation. A controller analyzes the sensor data and commands a pitching device on the yoke to rotate the blade if it starts moving too much due to wind forces.

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3. Wind Turbine Blade with Flow-Modifying Devices in Flexible Adhesive-Filled Housings

LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S, 2022

Wind turbine blade design to improve aerodynamics and energy production. The design includes attaching flow-modifying devices like spoilers or Gurney flaps to the surface of the blade. The devices are attached with flexible housings filled with adhesive to bond them to the blade surface. This allows the devices to modify airflow and increase lift without compromising blade structural integrity.

US11274651B2-patent-drawing

4. Flexible Trailing Edge Extender with Slitted Configuration for Wind Turbine Blades

LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S, 2021

A flexible trailing edge extender for wind turbine blades that improves aerodynamic performance without adding weight and cost. The extender is a flexible aeroshell piece that can be attached to the trailing edge of a wind turbine blade section. The extender piece has slits cut into it that allow it to bend and flex. This configuration allows the extender to withstand operational stresses and strains better than a rigid extender.

5. Wind Turbine Rotor Blade with Flat-Back Trailing Edge Extension and Adjustable Actuator

STICHTING ENERGIEONDERZOEK CENTRUM NEDERLAND, 2021

A wind turbine rotor blade with improved aerodynamics to increase lift and reduce drag, noise, and vibration. The blade has an airfoil shape with a flat-back trailing edge extension that attaches to the suction side surface. This extension modifies the flow around the blade to improve its performance. The trailing edge extension is flush with the airfoil surface and can be adjustable using an actuator.

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6. Wind Power Generation System with Clutch and Brake Mechanisms and Coanda Effect Rotor Blades

NTN CORPORATION, 2021

A wind power generation system with increased efficiency. It has a clutch to disconnect the generator when wind speed is low to prevent rotor stalling. A brake is used to stop the rotor when wind speed is too high. An anemometer, speed detector, and control device manage these actions. The rotor blades are designed with tilted parts to increase lift using the Coanda effect.

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7. Aerodynamic Device-Integrated Rotor Blade with Pressure-Responsive Protrusion Mechanism

SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S, 2021

A rotor blade for a wind turbine that reduces lift and load in emergency situations through a fail-safe aerodynamic device. The blade includes an aerodynamic device mounted on the blade surface that protrudes when not pressurized but collapses when pressurized. A control system adjusts the pressure to activate the device. The protruding device configuration reduces lift compared to the collapsed configuration. This fail-safe design prevents loss of control from causing lift increases in emergencies.

8. Multi-Rotor Wind Turbine System with Individual Blade Pitch Control Mechanism

VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S, 2021

A wind turbine system with multiple rotors that mitigates dynamic loads using individual pitch control of each rotor blade. This allows optimizing blade pitching to counteract gravity forces and reduce dynamic loads. The pitch adjustment system can receive lift commands from a control system that calculates the required blade pitching to generate lift opposite to gravity on each rotor module. This balances the forces and reduces vibration. The control system can use load estimates to optimize blade pitching and reduce loads further.

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9. Paired Vortex Generator Configuration on Wind Turbine Blade with Defined Ratio

Ines Wurth, Jesper Madsen, Rolf Hansen, 2021

Arrangement of vortex generators on a wind turbine blade that improves aerodynamic performance over the state of the art. The vortex generators are arranged in pairs with specific ratios.

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10. Wind Turbine Blades with Pneumatic Aerodynamic Control via Suction Side Blowing Slots

KOHANA TECHNOLOGIES INC., 2021

Wind turbine blades with pneumatic aerodynamic control to improve efficiency and simplify design. The blades have slots on the suction side through which pressurized air can be blown to adjust lift, drag, and moments. This allows control of blade forces and performance without mechanical pitch adjustment. The blades also have slots to induce flow separation and braking when needed. The pneumatic control provides load, power, and safety regulation from low to high wind speeds. The blowing slots can be supplied with air from internal cavities using centrifugal pumping.

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11. Transport Frames with Corner Post Locking Mechanisms and Lifting Yoke Engagement for Wind Turbine Blades

Vestas Wind Systems A/S, 2021

Transport frames for wind turbine blades that enable efficient lifting of stacked frames containing blades. The frames have corner posts with locking mechanisms that engage locating fingers on the frame shoulders. A lifting yoke aligns with and engages the fingers to securely lift the frame. This allows lifting stacks of frames by just connecting to the top frame. The yoke provides a lifting connection that is secure enough for all frames in a stack.

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12. Wind Turbine Blade with Dual-Section Trailing Edge Flap Forming Concave Profile

Vestas Wind Systems A/S, 2020

Wind turbine blade with a trailing edge flap to increase lift without significantly increasing drag. The flap has two sections with an angled orientation. The first section extends from the trailing edge with an obtuse angle between its upstream surface and a plane parallel to the blade chord. The second section extends from the first section and together they form a concave profile.

13. Morphable Tethered Drones for Energy Generation from High Altitude Winds and Deep Sea Currents

Yik Hei Sia, 2020

Using drones to generate renewable energy from high altitude winds and deep sea currents. The method involves deploying specialized drones that morph their shape to maximize lift and tethering them to ground-based generators. As the drones ascend at an angle into the wind or water flow, the tension in the tether powers the generator to produce electricity. The drones can be remotely controlled and equipped with systems like radar to avoid collisions.

14. Chassis-Based Wind Turbine Blade Lifting Device with Pivoting Arms and Load Balancing Mechanism

Envision Energy (Denmark) ApS, 2018

A device for lifting and handling wind turbine blades without damaging the aerodynamic surfaces. The lifting device has a chassis with connection points for attaching to cranes. It also has adjustable features like pivoting arms, tracks with weights, and load cells to balance the weight of the blade being lifted. This allows precise control of the lifting point and center of gravity to prevent imbalance and blade damage during installation. The device can be adjusted while suspended from the crane using hydraulic actuators, power packs, and remote controls.

15. Internal Heat Reservoir with Vented Hot Air Distribution for Wind Turbine Blade Ice Removal

VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S, 2018

Heating assembly for wind turbine blades to remove ice build-up during freezing conditions and improve performance. A heat reservoir inside the blade cavity is connected to a heat source and has vents to release hot air onto the blade surface. The hot air heats the blade to melt ice and prevent re-freezing. Hot air is directed at the leading edge where ice accumulates, and also at the trailing edge to prevent migrating ice from re-forming.

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16. Tethered Morphing Aerial Vehicles for High-Altitude Wind Energy Conversion

Yik Hei SIA, 2018

Using drones and drone technologies to harness high-altitude wind energy to generate renewable energy by converting the kinetic energy of wind into useful mechanical energy through tethered hybrid aerial vehicles. The drones are remotely navigated vehicles that morph their shape to maximize lift from winds at high altitudes. The lifting force powers onboard generators to produce electricity as the drones move vertically upwards along tethers.

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The technology range of wind turbine lift performance optimization is demonstrated by the patents showcased. Adhesive-mounted aerodynamic attachments, automatic stabilization of the blades during installation, and flexible trailing edge extenders are a few examples of these that increase lift without adding bulk or expense.