EP-4739903-A1 - BLADE FOR A WIND TURBINE, WIND TURBINE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING

Abstract

Blade for a wind turbine, wind turbine and method for manufacturing A blade (3) for a wind turbine (1), comprising: a first and a second blade segment (7, 8) connected to each other using connecting elements (13); and a fairing (18) having an airfoil-shaped cross-section (19) and an opening (39, 40) for accessing the connecting elements (13). The fairing, by way of the opening, gives easy access to the connecting elements. This access can be used by operators during assembly and/or maintenance of the blade.

Inventors

• EYB, ENNO
• VIEIRA DE SOUSA SOARES MATHIAS, Nuno André
• ZELLER, LENZ SIMON

Assignees

• Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Innovation & Technology, S.L.

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240814

Claims (1)

1. Patent claims 1. A blade (3) for a wind turbine (1) , comprising: a first and a second blade segment (7, 8) connected to each other using connecting elements (13) ; and a fairing (18) having an airfoil-shaped cross-section (19) and an opening (39, 40) for accessing the connecting elements ( 13 ) . 2. The blade according to claim 1, wherein the opening (39, 40) is arranged on the suction or pressure side (22, 23) of the airfoil-shaped cross-section (19) . 3. The blade according to one of claims 1 - 2, wherein the airfoil-shaped cross-section (19) has a closed shape along its perimeter (191) . 4. The blade according one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the fairing (18) or airfoil cross-section (19) is formed as a single integral component. 5. The blade according to one of claims 1 - 4, further comprising a hatch (37, 38) , wherein the opening (39, 40) is closed by the hatch (37, 38) , the hatch (37, 38) being preferably fastened to the fairing (18) or a frame (41) , wherein, preferably, a sealing element (44) is arranged between the hatch (37, 38) and the fairing (18) or frame (41) . 6. The blade according to one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the fairing (18) is connected to the first and/or second blade segment ( 7 , 8 ) . 7. The blade according to one of claims 1 - 6, wherein the first and/or second blade segment (7, 8) comprises a shoulder (26, 32) on its outside receiving the fairing (18) at one end (27, 31) thereof. 8. The blade according to one of claims 1 - 7, wherein the first and/or second blade segment (7, 8) is connected to the fairing (18) , preferably at the one end (31) thereof, using a flexible and/or sealing element (33) . 9. The blade according to one of claims 1 - 8, wherein the fairing (18) , in particular its airfoil-shaped cross-section (19) , and/or the hatch (37, 38) is made, partially or fully, of a composite, plastics material and/or metal. 10. The blade according to one of claims 1 - 9, wherein the connecting elements (13) comprise threaded means and the opening (39, 40) is configured to allow access for tightening or untightening the threaded means and/or wherein electronic components (58) connected to or integrated with the first and/or second blade segment (7, 8) or the connecting elements (13) are accessible through the opening (39, 40) . 11. The blade according to one of claims 1 - 10, further comprises a leading-edge protection (56) partially covering the fairing (18) . 12. A wind turbine (1) comprising a blade (3) according to one of claims 1 - 11. 13. A method for manufacturing a blade (3) comprising a first and a second blade segment (7, 8) connected to each other, the method comprising: a) providing (SI) a fairing (18) having an airfoilshaped cross-section (19) and an opening (39, 40) ; and b) connecting (S2) the first and second blade segment (7, 8) using connecting elements (13) by accessing the connecting elements (13) through the opening (39, 40) . 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising connecting the fairing (18) to the first and/or second blade segment (7, 8) followed by step b) . 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, further comprising closing the opening (39, 40) with a hatch (37, 38) after step b) .

Description

Description Blade for a wind turbine, wind turbine and method for manufacturing The present invention relates to a blade, to a wind turbine and to a method for manufacturing a blade. New wind turbines require blade designs with longer span and chord so as to increase the annual engine production. However, larger blades face logistic barriers, both in transportation and manufacturing. Segmented blades, also known as split blades or modular blades, come as a solution. Therein, blade segments are connected to each other using connecting elements. US 2011/0293432 Al, US 2014/0334934 Al, US 2022/0228554 Al disclose examples of known connecting elements. It is worth mentioning that, from an aerodynamic and aero-acoustic standpoint, it is desirable to have the least number of blade segments. Fewer blade segments are also preferred to reduce the complexity of the design and the margin of error. In the region where the connecting elements join two adjacent blade segments, a gap or opening between the two blade segments may be present. This gap may have a width in the longitudinal direction of the blade between, for example, 100-400 mm and larger. The gap, including portions of the connecting elements such as bolts, bushings etc., needs to be covered. A suitable cover must provide an aerodynamic shape during the operation of the blade as well as protection against sand, rain, hail, and other weather conditions. In this regard, EP 4 083 414 Al discloses a fairing divided into at least two separate fairing sections configured to cover the gap including portions of connecting elements arranged inside the gap. In particular, Figs. 22-24 of said document disclose a first fairing portion 172 being arranged on a blade segment 132 before the blade segment 132 is connected to a blade segment 134 . A gap 130 is formed between the connected blade segments 132 and 134 and the first fairing portion 172 is moved in a longitudinal direction of the blade to cover the gap 130 . Then, a second fairing portion 170 is provided to cover the remainder of the gap 130 . The first and second fairing portions 170 , 172 are connected to each other and to the blade segments 132 , 134 . It is one obj ect of the present invention to provide an improved blade for a wind turbine as well as a corresponding method for manufacturing said blade . According to a first aspect , a blade for a wind turbine is provided . The blade comprises : a first and a second blade segment connected to each other using connecting elements ; and a fairing having an airfoil-shaped cross-section and an opening for accessing the connecting elements . The fairing, by way of the opening, gives easy access to the connecting elements . This access can be used by operators during assembly and/or maintenance of the blade . Also , other components such as electrical components may be accessible through the opening . Examples of such electrical components are elements of a lightening protections system, sensors , electric cables etc . For example , the first and second blade segments are connected to each other using the connecting elements in the longitudinal direction of the blade . For example , the first blade segment is an inboard blade segment , and the second blade segment is an outboard blade segment . The inboard blade segment may comprise a root of the blade . The outboard blade segment may comprise a tip of the blade . The connecting elements may comprise bolts , studs , bushings , threads , nuts , studs , and other means to connect the first and second blade segment to each other . In particular, the connecting elements are made , partially or fully, of metal , particularly steel . The opening in the fairing may be of a rectangular, oval , or circular shape , for example . The airfoil-shaped cross-section of the fairing may comprise a leading edge , a trailing edge , a pressure side and/or a suction side . The airfoil-shaped cross-section may be made of a thin-walled material having a thickness of , for example , smaller than 10 mm, 5 mm, or 3 mm . The opening is preferably formed as a through-hole through the thin-walled material . Preferably, a gap (preferably, an air gap ) is formed between the first and second blade segment . At least portions of the connecting elements may be present in the gap . In particular, one or more connecting elements may be connected to the first blade segment at one end thereof and connected to the second blade segment at another end thereof . Thus , a portion of the respective connecting elements extends through the gap . One or more of the connecting elements may, partially or fully, extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the blade . In one example , the longitudinal axis is a pitch access of the blade . The connecting elements may be accessible through the opening in a direction radial with respect to said longitudinal axis . According to an embodiment , the opening is arranged on the suction or pressure side of the airfoil-shap