Vestas Wind Systems A/s

Mark Folsom

Jonathan Smith

James Smith

Robert Ernst

An insert () for a wind turbine blade root. The insert () has a bushing () and an outer surface with circumferential annular grooves (). A transition layer () is built up around the bushing (). The transition layer () has fibrous material sheet layers and filamentary material windings () in the grooves which alternate with fibrous plies () covering the grooves (). Each fibrous ply () is anchored into the grooves () by the windings (). Fibrous battens () are fitted around the transition layer () to form an insert body (). Each batten () has a deltoid cross-section so that the battens give the insert a quadrilateral or trapezoidal cross-section.

Insert for a wind turbine blade root

A composite material blank comprising an elongate blank body extending between a first end face and a second end face; said blank body extending in a longitudinal direction, parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof, and having four peripheral sides; each said first and second end face having edges which define a trapezoid shape; wherein the peripheral sides of said blank body connect the edges of said first end face with the edges of said second end face; and wherein said first trapezoid end face is inverted in relation to said second trapezoid end face. A method of manufacturing a composite blank, and a wind turbine blade root insert which may be formed from a blank.

Insert and blank for a wind turbine blade root

An insert () for a wind turbine blade root. The insert () has a bushing () and an outer surface with circumferential annular grooves (). A transition layer() is built up around the bushing (). The transition layer () has fibrous material sheet layers and filamentary material windings () in the grooves which alternate with fibrous plies () covering the grooves (). Each fibrous ply () is anchored into the grooves () by the windings (). Fibrous battens () are fitted around the transition layer () to form an insert body (). Each batten ()has a deltoid cross-section so that the battens give the insert a quadrilateral or trapezoidal cross-section.

A composite material blank () comprising an elongate blank body () extending between a first end face () and a second end face (); said blank body () extending in a longitudinal direction, parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof, and having four peripheral sides (); each said first and second end face () having edges (--) which define a trapezoid shape; wherein the peripheral sides () of said blank body () connect the edges (-) of said first end face () with the edges (-) of said second end face (); and wherein said first trapezoid end face () is inverted in relation to said second trapezoid end face (). A method of manufacturing a composite blank (), and a wind turbine blade root insert () which may be formed from a blank ().

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

Mark Folsom