Designing Connector for Wind Turbine Blade Root

[valley]

Hi Guys,
I have a project to hand in before xmas. Basically I have to design a
connector for a Wind turbine Blade. ie the Blade root, the one that connects to the hub. for this I have to come up with original ideas, so I cannot use another current of previous blade root connector. I have to come up with a few designs and work from their.

so far I have the light bulb connector.( the one with the threads), but I don't want to use this as it some others are using it already.Here are a few things that I am trying to take into account with each design

Interaction with other parts
Tightness(play)
Cohesion
Slippage
Dry Friction
Shear
Cost

Any inputs is really appreciated, even if you think it is silly! I am trying to
brainstorm. so every little helps

thanks you.

 

[gmax137]

how about a dovetail type connection where the shape of the blade root sort of slots into the hub. that's how steam turbine blades attach to their hub

 

[valley]

how about a dovetail type connection where the shape of the blade root sort of slots into the hub. that's how steam turbine blades attach to their hub

Good work mate. keep them coming if you have anymore ideas. Going to look
into that connection now.

thank you

 

[valley]

On second thought i probably won't be able to use it, although it is not directly used in wind turbines, it is used in another type of turbine, which my lecturer might see it as using a connector type from a turbine.

thanks anyway

 

[valley]

Hi Guys,
I have a project to hand in before xmas. Basically I have to design a
connector for a Wind turbine Blade. ie the Blade root, the one that connects to the hub. for this I have to come up with original ideas, so I cannot use another current of previous blade root connector. I have to come up with a few designs and work from their.

so far I have the light bulb connector.( the one with the threads), but I don't want to use this as it some others are using it already.Here are a few things that I am trying to take into account with each design

Interaction with other parts
Tightness(play)
Cohesion
Slippage
Dry Friction
Shear
Cost

Any inputs is really appreciated, even if you think it is silly! I am trying to
brainstorm. so every little helps

thanks you.

Anyone please?

 

[minger]

Right, in gas turbines, the turbine blades are connected using a dovetail arrangement that's commonly called a Christmas tree or some other clever variant.

What are some methods that you have thought up?

 

[Topher925]

How about something from a Osprey or helicopter? Both have similar mechanisms since both have to pitch.

 

[chayced]

This seems like a foolish project so I will give a foolish answer. Make the blades of configuration where each blade locks into its surrounding blades causing the blades themselves to form the hub when all were assembled. Then you could put a simple band around the outside that holds them together.

Yup, after the first bird strike or over speed it will cause horrible projectiles everywhere, but hey he asked for something new that had never been done before.

No offense to you, but asking from something that has never been done before in a field that has been around for hundreds of years is foolish. If it has truly never been done before then there is a reason why.

Sadly, even my idea has probably been done.

 

[Cyrus]

how about a dovetail type connection where the shape of the blade root sort of slots into the hub. that's how steam turbine blades attach to their hub

Ah, so that's what that connection type is called. Learn something new 'ary day!

 

[FredGarvin]

Right, in gas turbines, the turbine blades are connected using a dovetail arrangement that's commonly called a Christmas tree or some other clever variant.

We call them fir trees.

http://www.codesmiths.com/shed/materials/scrap/feb2003/turbine_root.jpg

 

[valley]

thanks guys for all your help, I have gone with a few designs now

thanks again