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Sommaire du brevet 2818201 

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Disponibilité de l'Abrégé et des Revendications

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  • lorsque la demande peut être examinée par le public;
  • lorsque le brevet est émis (délivrance).
(12) Brevet: (11) CA 2818201
(54) Titre français: REDUCTEUR DE BRUIT POUR PALE DE ROTOR DANS UNE TURBINE EOLIENNE
(54) Titre anglais: NOISE REDUCER FOR ROTOR BLADE IN WIND TURBINE
Statut: Réputé périmé
Données bibliographiques
Abrégés

Abrégé français

L'invention porte sur un ensemble pale de rotor pour une turbine éolienne. L'ensemble pale de rotor comprend une pale de rotor ayant des surfaces qui définissent un côté pression, un côté aspiration, un bord d'attaque et un bord de fuite s'étendant entre une extrémité et un pied. L'ensemble pale de rotor comprend en outre une plaque de montage et un réducteur de bruit. La plaque de montage est conçue sur une surface de la pale de rotor. Le réducteur de bruit peut comprendre une plaque de base et une pluralité de formations de réduction de bruit. La plaque de base est montée sur la plaque de montage. La pluralité de formations de réduction de bruit s'étendent à partir de la plaque de base.


Abrégé anglais

A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade assembly further includes a mounting plate and a noise reducer. The mounting plate is configured on a surface of the rotor blade. The noise reducer may include a base plate and a plurality of noise reduction features. The base plate is mounted to the mounting plate. The plurality of noise reduction features extend from the base plate.

Revendications

Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine, comprising:
a rotor blade having surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a
leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root;
a mounting plate configured on a surface of the rotor blade; and,
a noise reducer, the noise reducer comprising a base plate and a plurality of
noise reduction features, the base plate fastened to the mounting plate, the
plurality of
noise reduction features extending from the base plate.
2. The rotor blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate
extends through a surface of the rotor blade.
3. The rotor blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate
and one of the pressure side and the suction side are co-infused.
4. The rotor blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is
disposed between the pressure side and the suction side.
5. The rotor blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is
configured on the trailing edge.
6. The rotor blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the
rotor blade further define a rotor blade interior, wherein the rotor blade
further
comprises a lightning protection device disposed at least partially in the
rotor blade
interior, and wherein the mounting plate is operatively connected to the
lighting
protection device.
7. The rotor blade assembly of claim 6, further comprising a
conduction cable operatively connecting the mounting plate to the lightning
protection
device.
8. The rotor blade assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one
mechanical fastener mounting the base plate to the mounting plate.
12

9. The rotor blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate
includes one of a male fastening device or a female fastening device, wherein
the base
plate includes the other of the male fastening device or the female fastening
device,
and wherein the male fastening device and female fastening device are
configured to
couple the base plate and the mounting plate together.
10. The rotor blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of noise
reduction features are a plurality of serrations.
11. The rotor blade assembly of claim 6, wherein the mounting plate
extends through a surface of the rotor blade.
12. The rotor blade assembly of claim 6, wherein the mounting plate
and one of the pressure side and the suction side are co-infused.
13. The rotor blade assembly of claim 6, wherein the mounting plate is
disposed between the pressure side and the suction side.
14. The rotor blade assembly of claim 6, wherein the mounting plate is
configured on the trailing edge.
15. The rotor blade assembly of claim 6, further comprising at least one
mechanical fastener mounting the noise reducer to the mounting plate.
16. The rotor blade assembly of claim 6, wherein the mounting plate
includes one of a male fastening device or a female fastening device, wherein
the
noise reducer includes the other of the male fastening device or the female
fastening
device, and wherein the male fastening device and female fastening device are
configured to couple the noise reducer and the mounting plate together.
17. The rotor blade assembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of noise
reduction features are a plurality of serrations.
13

Description

Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


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NOISE REDUCER FOR ROTOR BLADE IN WIND TURBINE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates in general to wind turbine rotor
blades, and
more particularly to noise reducers mounted to the rotor blades.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally
friendly energy sources presently available, and wind turbines have gained
increased
attention in this regard. A modern wind turbine typically includes a tower,
generator,
gearbox, nacelle, and one or more rotor blades. The rotor blades capture
kinetic
energy of wind using known foil principles. The rotor blades transmit the
kinetic
energy in the form of rotational energy so as to turn a shaft coupling the
rotor blades
to a gearbox, or if a gearbox is not used, directly to the generator. The
generator then
converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy that may be deployed to a
utility
grid.
[0003] In many cases, various components are attached to the rotor blades
of wind
turbines to perform various functions during operation of the wind turbines.
These
components may frequently be attached adjacent to the trailing edges of the
rotor
blades. For example, noise reducers may be attached to the trailing edges of
the rotor
blades to reduce the noise and increase the efficiency associated with the
rotor blade.
[0004] Typical prior art noise reducers are mounted directly to a surface
of the
rotor blade using glue or another suitable adhesive. These noise reducers may
have a
variety of disadvantages. For example, the noise reducers are generally
mounted to
rotor blades during manufacturing before the rotor blades are transported to
the wind
turbine site. The noise reducers are thus easily susceptible to damage during
transportation. Additionally, the adhesives used to mount the noise reducers
make
replacement of the noise reducers difficult, expensive, and time consuming.
Further,
during operation of a wind turbine, the noise reducers are particularly
vulnerable to
damage from lightning strikes. The lightning strikes may additionally damage
the
rotor blade as a result of contact with the noise reducers.
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[0005] Thus, an improved noise reducer for a rotor blade would be desired.
For
example, a noise reducer that allows for on-site mounting to a rotor blade
would be
advantageous. Further, a noise reducer that allows for relatively easy, cost-
effective,
and efficient replacement would be advantageous. Additionally, a noise reducer
that
reduces the vulnerability of the noise reducer and rotor blade to damage from
lightning strikes would be desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in
the
following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be
learned
through practice of the invention.
[0007] In one embodiment, a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine is
disclosed.
The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having surfaces defining a
pressure
side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a
tip and a
root. The rotor blade assembly further includes a mounting plate and a noise
reducer.
The mounting plate is configured on a surface of the rotor blade. The noise
reducer
includes a base plate and a plurality of noise reduction features. The base
plate is
mounted to the mounting plate. The plurality of noise reduction features
extend from
the base plate.
[0008] In another embodiment, a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine is
disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having surfaces
defining a
pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending
between a
tip and a root, the surfaces further defining a rotor blade interior. The
rotor blade
assembly further includes a lightning protection device, a mounting plate and
a noise
reducer. The lightning protection device is disposed at least partially in the
rotor
blade interior. The mounting plate is configured on a surface of the rotor
blade and is
operatively connected to the lighting protection device. The noise reducer is
mounted
to the mounting plate.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present
invention
will become better understood with reference to the following description and
appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
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constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the
invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including
the best
mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in
the
specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine of
the
present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rotor blade
assembly
of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view of one embodiment of a rotor
blade
assembly of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a rotor
blade
assembly of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a rotor
blade
assembly of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a rotor
blade
assembly of the present disclosure; and,
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a rotor
blade
assembly of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one
or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is
provided
by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In
fact, it will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be
made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the
invention
described. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one
embodiment
can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus,
it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations
as come
within the scope of the invention.
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[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a wind turbine 10 of conventional construction.
The
wind turbine 10 includes a tower 12 with a nacelle 14 mounted thereon. A
plurality
of rotor blades 16 are mounted to a rotor hub 18, which is in turn connected
to a main
flange that turns a main rotor shaft. The wind turbine power generation and
control
components are housed within the nacelle 14. The view of FIG. 1 is provided
for
illustrative purposes only to place the present invention in an exemplary
field of use.
It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to any particular
type of wind
turbine configuration.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, a rotor blade 16 according to the present
disclosure
may include surfaces defining a pressure side 22 (see FIGS. 3 through 7) and a

suction side 24 extending between a leading edge 26 and a trailing edge 28.
The rotor
blade 16 may extend from a blade tip 32 to a blade root 34. The surfaces
defining the
pressure side 22, suction side 24, leading edge 26, and trailing edge 28
further define
a rotor blade interior 40.
[0021] In some embodiments, the rotor blade 16 may include a plurality of
individual blade segments aligned in an end-to-end order from the blade tip 32
to the
blade root 34. Each of the individual blade segments may be uniquely
configured so
that the plurality of blade segments define a complete rotor blade 16 having a
designed aerodynamic profile, length, and other desired characteristics. For
example,
each of the blade segments may have an aerodynamic profile that corresponds to
the
aerodynamic profile of adjacent blade segments. Thus, the aerodynamic profiles
of
the blade segments may form a continuous aerodynamic profile of the rotor
blade 16.
Alternatively, the rotor blade 16 may be formed as a singular, unitary blade
having the
designed aerodynamic profile, length, and other desired characteristics.
[0022] The rotor blade 16 may, in exemplary embodiments, be curved. Curving
of the rotor blade 16 may entail bending the rotor blade 16 in a generally
flapwise
direction and/or in a generally edgewise direction. The flapwise direction may

generally be construed as the direction (or the opposite direction) in which
the
aerodynamic lift acts on the rotor blade 16. The edgewise direction is
generally
perpendicular to the flapwise direction. Flapwise curvature of the rotor blade
16 is
also known as pre-bend, while edgewise curvature is also known as sweep. Thus,
a
curved rotor blade 16 may be pre-bent and/or swept. Curving may enable the
rotor
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blade 16 to better withstand flapwise and edgewise loads during operation of
the wind
turbine 10, and may further provide clearance for the rotor blade 16 from the
tower 12
during operation of the wind turbine 10.
[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 7, the present disclosure may
further be
directed to a rotor blade assembly 100. The rotor blade assembly 100 may
include a
rotor blade 16, a mounting plate 110, and a noise reducer 112. In general, the

mounting plate 110 may be configured to couple the noise reducer 112 to the
rotor
blade 16. The noise reducer 110 may be configured to reduce the aerodynamic
noise
being emitted from the rotor blade 16 during operation of the wind turbine 10
and/or
may increase the efficiency of the rotor blade 16.
[0024] As mentioned, the mounting plate 110 may be configured to couple the
noise reducer 112 to the rotor blade 16. In exemplary embodiments, the
mounting
plate 110 may be formed from a metal or metal alloy. For example, the mounting

plate 110 may be formed from aluminum. Alternatively, however, the mounting
plate
110 may be formed from any suitable material. For example, in some
embodiments,
the mounting plate 110 may be formed from a material suitable to conduct the
electrical current from lightning strikes, as discussed below. Alternatively,
the
mounting plate 110 may be formed from any material suitable for coupling the
noise
reducer 112 to the rotor blade 16.
[0025] The mounting plate 110 may be configured on a surface of the rotor
blade
16. For example, in some embodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 6, the
mounting plate 110 may extend from a surface of the rotor blade 16. As shown,
the
mounting plate 110 may be configured on, and extend from, the trailing edge 28
of
the rotor blade 16.
[0026] In exemplary embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2 through 6, the mounting
plate 110 may be disposed between the pressure side 22 and the suction side 24
of the
rotor blade 16. In these embodiments, the rotor blade 16 may be formed from
one or
more shell portions. For example, one shell portion may include the pressure
side 22
and extend between the leading edge 26 and the trailing edge 28, while another
shell
portion may include the suction side 24 and extend between the leading edge 26
and
the trailing edge 28. The mounting plate 110 may be disposed between these
shell
portions such that a portion of the mounting plate 110 is disposed in the
interior 40 of

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the rotor blade 16, while another portion extends from the rotor blade 16. In
exemplary embodiments, the mounting plate 110 may be disposed between the
pressure side 22 and the suction side 24 at the trailing edge 28, such that
the mounting
plate 110 is configured on the trailing edge 28. A suitable adhesive 113 or,
alternatively, suitable mechanical fasteners, may be utilized to secure the
mounting
plate 110 as required.
[0027] In alternative embodiments, the mounting plate 110 may extend
through a
surface of the rotor blade 16. For example, the mounting plate 110 may extend
through a shell portion of the rotor blade 16 at a desired location, such as
at the
trailing edge 28, such that a portion of the mounting plate 110 is disposed in
the
interior 40 of the rotor blade 16, while another portion extends from the
rotor blade 16.
A suitable adhesive 113 or, alternatively, suitable mechanical fasteners, may
be
utilized to secure the mounting plate 110 as required.
[0028] In further alternative embodiments, the mounting plate 110 may be
mounted directly to the exterior of the rotor blade 16 through the use of, for
example,
a suitable adhesive 113 or suitable mechanical fasteners. For example, the
mounting
plate 110 may be mounted between the pressure side 22 and the suction side 24,
such
as, for example, mounted directly to the trailing edge 28.
[0029] In other alternative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the mounting
plate
110 may be co-infused with a surface of the rotor blade 16. For example, the
mounting plate 110 may be co-infused with the pressure side 22, as shown in
FIG. 7,
or the suction side 24. To be co-infused with a surface of the rotor blade 16,
the
mounting plate 110 is formed into the surface. For example, the blade skin 114

forming the exterior of, for example, the pressure side 22 or suction side 24
of the
rotor blade 16 may be formed around both the mounting plate 110 and the
material
116 forming the interior of the pressure side 22 or suction side 24, such that
the
mounting plate 110 is formed into the pressure side 22 or suction side 24. The
blade
skin 114 may further be infused together with the interior material 116 and/or
the
mounting plate 110 to form, for example, the pressure side 22 or the suction
side 24.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 7, the rotor blade assembly 100 of the
present disclosure may further include a lightning protection device 120. In
general,
the lightning protection device 120 protects the rotor blade 16 and wind
turbine 10 in
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general from lightning strikes. In exemplary embodiments, the lightning
protection
device 120 is a cable, such as a copper cable. The lighting protection device
120 may
be disposed at least partially in the interior 40 of the rotor blade 16. For
example, the
lightning protection device 120 may extend in the interior 40 through at least
a portion
of the length of the rotor blade 16. Further, the lightning protection device
120 may
be connected at various locations along the length of the rotor blade 16 to
one or more
electrically conducting lightning receptors (not shown) disposed on one or
more of the
surfaces of the rotor blade 16. The lightning protection device 120 may
further be in
conductive communication with a grounding system in the wind turbine 10, such
as in
the tower 12 of the wind turbine 10. Thus, in general, when lightning strikes
the rotor
blade 16, the electrical current flows from the lightning receptors through
the
lightning protection device 120 to the ground, thereby preventing damage to
the wind
turbine 10.
[0031] In exemplary embodiments, the mounting plate 110 may be operatively
connected to the lightning protection device 120. When the mounting plate 110
and
lightning protection device 120 are operatively connected, the lightning
protection
device 120 may protect the mounting plate 110 and noise reducer 112 from
lightning
strikes. Thus, for example, the electrical current from lightning striking the
mounting
plate 110 or the noise reducer 112, discussed below, may flow through the
mounting
plate 110 to the lightning protection device 120. In some embodiments, a
conduction
cable 122 or a plurality of conduction cables 122 may be provided to
operatively
connect the mounting plate 110 to the lightning protection device 120. The
conduction cable 122 is connected at one end to the mounting plate 110 and at
the
other end to the lightning protection device 120. Electrical current from
lightning
strikes to the mounting plate 110 or the noise reducer 112 may thus flow from
the
mounting plate 110 through the conduction cable 122 to the lightning
protection
device 120.
[0032] As discussed above, the mounting plate 110 couples the noise reducer
112
to the rotor blade 16. Thus, the noise reducer 112 may be mounted to the
mounting
plate 110. The noise reducer 112 may be formed from any suitable material for
reducing the noise and/or increasing the efficiency associated with the rotor
blade 16
and wind turbine 10. In some embodiments, the noise reducer may be formed from
a
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metal or metal alloy, such as aluminum, or from any material suitable to
conduct the
electrical current from lighting strikes, as discussed above. In alternative
embodiments, the noise reducer may be formed from any suitable non-conductive
materials, such as from a glass-reinforced plastic composite.
[0033] The noise reducer 112 may further include a plurality of noise
reduction
features 130. As described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the noise
reduction
features 130 in exemplary embodiments are serrations 132. However, it should
be
understood that the noise reduction features 130 are not limited to serrations
132. For
example, in some alternative embodiments the noise reduction features 130 may
be
bristles. Further, any suitable noise reduction features 130 are within the
scope and
spirit of the present disclosure.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 7, the noise reduction features 130,
such as
the serrations 132, may extend generally from the mounting plate 110. While in

exemplary embodiments the serrations 132 are generally V-shaped, as shown in
FIGS.
2 and 3, in alternative embodiments the serrations 132 may be U-shaped, or may
have
any other shape or configuration suitable for reducing the noise being emitted
from
and/or increasing the efficiency of the rotor blade 16 during operation of the
wind
turbine 10.
[0035] It should be understood that the noise reduction features 130
according to
the present disclosure may have any suitable characteristics, such as widths,
lengths,
shapes, or orientations, depending on the desired noise reduction
characteristics for
the noise reducer 110. Further, individual noise reduction features 130 may
have
individual characteristics, or various groups of noise reduction features 130
may have
similar characteristics, or all noise reduction features 130 may have similar
characteristics, depending on the desired noise reduction characteristics for
the noise
reducer 110.
[0036] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 through 7, the
noise reducer 112 may include a base plate 134. The base plate 134 in these
embodiments may generally be that portion of the noise reducer 110 that is
mounted
to the mounting plate 110, and the noise reduction features 130 may extend
from the
base plate 134. Alternatively, the noise reduction features 130 may be mounted

directly to the mounting plate 110, and extend directly from the mounting
plate 110.
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[0037] FIGS. 2 through 7 illustrate various apparatus for mounting the
noise
reducer 112 to the mounting plate 110. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS.
2, 3,
and 7, for example, at least one mechanical fastener 140 or a plurality of
mechanical
fasteners 140 may be provided to mount the noise reducer 112 to the mounting
plate
110. The mechanical fasteners may be, for example, nut/bolt combinations,
rivets,
screws, nails, or any other suitable mechanical fasteners. The mechanical
fasteners
may extend through the noise reducer 112 and mounting plate 110 to secure the
noise
reducer 112 and mounting plate 110 together.
[0038] In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, a male
fastening
device 142 and a female fastening device 144 may be provided to mount the
noise
reducer 112 to the mounting plate 110. In general, the male fastening device
142 and
the female fastening device 144 may be configured to couple the noise reducer
112
and the mounting plate 110 together. The mounting plate 110 may include one of
the
male fastening device 142 and the female fastening device 144, and the noise
reducer
may include the other of the male fastening device 142 and the female
fastening
device 144.
[0039] For example, FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the male fastening
device 142 and the female fastening device 144. In this embodiment, the male
fastening device 142 is included on the mounting plate 110 and the female
fastening
device 144 is included on the noise reducer 112. It should be understood,
however,
that in other embodiments, the male fastening device 142 may be include on the
noise
reducer 112 and the female fastening device 144 included on the mounting plate
110.
As shown, the male fastening device 142 is an end portion 152 of the mounting
plate
110 configured to protrude into the female fastening device 144. The female
fastening device 144 is a bracketed portion 154 of the noise reducer 112
configured to
accept the male fastening device 144. As shown, the bracketed portion 154 is a

generally U-shaped bracket. However, it should be understood that the
bracketed
portion 154 may have any shape suitable for accepting a male fastening device
144
therein. In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, various mechanical

fasteners 140 may further be included to mount the noise reducer 112 to the
mounting
plate 110.
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[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the male fastening device
142
and the female fastening device 144. In this embodiment, the male fastening
device
142 is included on the mounting plate 110 and the female fastening device 144
is
included on the noise reducer 112. It should be understood, however, that in
other
embodiments, the male fastening device 142 may be include on the noise reducer
112
and the female fastening device 144 included on the mounting plate 110. As
shown,
the male fastening device 142 is a head portion 162 of the mounting plate 110
configured to protrude into the female fastening device 144. The female
fastening
device 144 is a socket portion 164 of the noise reducer 112 configured to
accept the
male fastening device 144. As shown, the head portion 162 and socket portion
164
are generally spherically-shaped. However, it should be understood that the
head
portion 162 and socket portion 164 may have any shapes suitable for engaging
each
other. In some embodiments, the socket portion 164 may be a snap-fit socket
portion
164, such that the head portion 162 may be snap-fit into the socket portion
164. Thus,
the head portion 162 and socket portion 164 may be engaged in the generally
chord-
wise direction relative to the rotor blade 16. Additionally or alternatively,
the head
portion 162 and socket portion 164 may be engaged in the generally span-wise
direction relative to the rotor blade 16 by sliding the head portion 162
through the
socket portion 164 in the generally span-wise direction. Further, in some
embodiments, various mechanical fasteners 140 may be included to mount the
noise
reducer 112 to the mounting plate 110.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the male fastening device
142
and the female fastening device 144. In this embodiment, the male fastening
device
142 is included on the noise reducer 112 and the female fastening device 144
is
included on the mounting plate 110. It should be understood, however, that in
other
embodiments, the male fastening device 142 may be include on the mounting
plate
110 and the female fastening device 144 included on the noise reducer 112. As
shown, the male fastening device 142 is an offset end portion 172 of the
mounting
plate 110 configured to protrude into the female fastening device 144. The
offset end
portion 172 defines an engagement wall 173. The female fastening device 144 is
a
bracketed portion 174 of the noise reducer 112 configured to accept the male
fastening device 144. As shown, the bracketed portion 174 is a generally U-
shaped

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bracket. However, it should be understood that the bracketed portion 174 may
have
any shape suitable for accepting a male fastening device 144 therein. The
bracketed
portion 174 may include an engagement lip 175. When the male fastening device
142
and the female fastening device 144 are coupled together, the engagement wall
173
and engagement lip 175 may engage each other. Advantageously, when the wind
turbine 10 is in operation and the rotor blade 16 is moving, the engagement
lip 175
may thus accept the centrifugal load of the noise reducer 112 as transmitted
through
the engagement wall 173. In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6,
various mechanical fasteners 140 may further be included to mount the noise
reducer
112 to the mounting plate 110.
[0042] The embodiments as disclosed above for mounting the noise reducer
112 to
the mounting plate 110 may, advantageously, allow for the noise reducers 112
to be
efficiently and cost-effectively mounted to rotor blades 16 on-site. Further,
the above
embodiments may allow for efficient and cost-effective replacement of the
noise
reducers 112 as required.
[0043] It should be understood that, while FIGS. 2 through 7 illustrate
various
embodiments of apparatus for mounting the noise reducer 112 to the mounting
plate
110, any suitable apparatus for mounting the noise reducer 112 to the mounting
plate
110 are within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0044] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,
including
the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice
the
invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing
any
incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims,
and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art in view
of the
teachings of the description.
11

Dessin représentatif
Une figure unique qui représente un dessin illustrant l'invention.
États administratifs

Pour une meilleure compréhension de l'état de la demande ou brevet qui figure sur cette page, la rubrique Mise en garde , et les descriptions de Brevet , États administratifs , Taxes périodiques et Historique des paiements devraient être consultées.

États administratifs

Titre Date
Date de délivrance prévu 2014-11-18
(86) Date de dépôt PCT 2010-11-30
(87) Date de publication PCT 2012-06-07
(85) Entrée nationale 2013-05-16
Requête d'examen 2013-09-12
(45) Délivré 2014-11-18
Réputé périmé 2017-11-30

Historique d'abandonnement

Il n'y a pas d'historique d'abandonnement

Historique des paiements

Type de taxes Anniversaire Échéance Montant payé Date payée
Le dépôt d'une demande de brevet 400,00 $ 2013-05-16
Taxe de maintien en état - Demande - nouvelle loi 2 2012-11-30 100,00 $ 2013-05-16
Requête d'examen 800,00 $ 2013-09-12
Taxe de maintien en état - Demande - nouvelle loi 3 2013-12-02 100,00 $ 2013-10-31
Enregistrement de documents 100,00 $ 2014-04-10
Taxe finale 300,00 $ 2014-08-27
Taxe de maintien en état - Demande - nouvelle loi 4 2014-12-01 100,00 $ 2014-10-31
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 5 2015-11-30 200,00 $ 2015-11-23
Titulaires au dossier

Les titulaires actuels et antérieures au dossier sont affichés en ordre alphabétique.

Titulaires actuels au dossier
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Titulaires antérieures au dossier
S.O.
Les propriétaires antérieurs qui ne figurent pas dans la liste des « Propriétaires au dossier » apparaîtront dans d'autres documents au dossier.
Documents

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Description du
Document 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Nombre de pages   Taille de l'image (Ko) 
Description 2013-11-12 11 577
Description 2013-09-12 11 577
Abrégé 2013-05-16 1 58
Revendications 2013-05-16 2 95
Dessins 2013-05-16 7 96
Description 2013-05-16 11 584
Dessins représentatifs 2013-05-16 1 14
Page couverture 2013-08-09 1 39
Revendications 2014-02-28 2 70
Dessins représentatifs 2014-10-24 1 10
Page couverture 2014-10-24 1 40
Poursuite-Amendment 2013-09-19 1 19
Cession 2014-04-10 7 298
PCT 2013-05-16 3 77
Cession 2013-05-16 2 93
Correspondance 2013-06-20 1 22
Correspondance 2013-07-18 2 50
Poursuite-Amendment 2013-09-12 6 189
Poursuite-Amendment 2013-10-02 3 108
Poursuite-Amendment 2013-11-12 5 215
Poursuite-Amendment 2013-12-06 4 191
Poursuite-Amendment 2014-02-28 5 157
Correspondance 2014-08-27 1 28