CPC F03D 1/0675 (2013.01) [B29D 99/0028 (2013.01); F03D 1/0641 (2013.01); F03D 1/0677 (2023.08); F03D 1/0681 (2023.08); F03D 1/0682 (2023.08); F03D 1/0684 (2023.08); F03D 1/0685 (2023.08); F05B 2220/705 (2020.08); F05B 2230/60 (2013.01); F05B 2240/21 (2013.01); F05B 2260/30 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
1. A wind turbine blade comprising:
a blade shell that extends in a spanwise direction from a root end to a tip end, and in a chordwise direction from a leading edge to a trailing edge, the blade shell comprising:
a spar cap formed from a plurality of substantially planar strips of reinforcing material, the strips being arranged in a plurality of stacks extending longitudinally in the spanwise direction and arranged side-by-side in the chordwise direction, whereby in each stack an uppermost strip defines an upper surface of the stack, a lowermost strip defines a lower surface of the stack, and longitudinal edges of the stacked strips define side surfaces of the stack;
a retaining clip comprising a series of substantially U-shaped sections each having a pair of mutually-spaced side portions defining a stack-receiving region therebetween, wherein the side portions are joined by a bridging portion, and wherein each U-shaped section is inverted with respect to its neighbouring U-shaped section;
wherein at least some of the stacks are located in the stack-receiving regions of the retaining clip, such that the side portions of the U-shaped sections abut side surfaces of the stacks, and each U-shaped section of the retaining clip is inverted with respect to its neighbouring U-shaped section(s) such that the bridging portions of the respective U-shaped sections extend alternately across the upper and lower surfaces of the stacks in the chordwise direction.
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