US 12,031,518 B2
Connection for split wind turbine blade
Andrew Hedges, London (GB); James Smith, Ryde (GB); Peter Bøttcher, Egå (DK); and Jens-Jørgen Hansen, Højbjerg (DK)
Assigned to Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Aarhus (DK)
Appl. No. 17/630,694
Filed by Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Aarhus N. (DK)
PCT Filed Jul. 28, 2020, PCT No. PCT/DK2020/050220
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 27, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/018362, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 4, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. PA 2019 70485 (DK), filed on Jul. 30, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0260051 A1, Aug. 18, 2022
Int. Cl. F03D 80/00 (2016.01); F03D 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC F03D 1/0675 (2013.01) [F05B 2230/60 (2013.01); F05B 2240/302 (2013.01); F05B 2260/301 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wind turbine blade comprising:
a first blade portion having a shell that defines a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge of the blade, the first blade portion further including a first blade portion end surface at one end of the first blade portion;
a second blade portion having a shell that defines a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge of the blade, the second blade portion further including a second blade portion end surface at one end of the second blade portion, wherein the first blade portion and the second blade portion are configured to be coupled together at the first and second blade portion end surfaces; and
a connection joint for coupling the first and second blade portions together, wherein the connection joint includes:
a first insert embedded in the first blade portion;
a fitting integral with the first insert and projecting from the first blade portion end surface toward the second blade portion end surface;
a second insert embedded in the second blade portion;
a fastener including a threaded shaft extending from the second insert and within the fitting; and
a nut disposed within in the fitting, wherein the nut engages the fastener to fasten the second insert to the fitting.