System and method for root loss reduction in wind turbine blades

摘要

A wind turbine blade includes a root region. A first extension (LEX) is attached to the leading edge side of the root region while a trailing edge strake (TES) is attached to the trailing edge side of the root region. The LEX and TES each include an outer profile that becomes more pronounced relative to their respective locations in the root region as the root region of the wind turbine blade morphs from a substantially cylindrical shape to a substantially airfoil shape. The LEX provides both optimal angle of attack and lift generation in the root region, while the TES mitigates airflow separation and enhances airfoil lift in the root region.

主权项

1. A wind turbine blade comprising:
a root region comprising a circular portion, a leading edge side and a trailing edge side; an extension attached to the leading edge side of the root; and a strake retractably attached to the trailing edge side of the root region, wherein the strake is separate and distinct from the leading edge side extension (LEX), and further wherein the LEX provides both optimal angle of attack and lift generation in the root region, and further wherein the strake mitigates airflow separation and enhances airfoil lift in the root region, and further wherein the circular portion of the root region of the wind turbine blade comprises at least one opening for receiving at least a portion of the strake.