General Electric Company
Misaligned spar cap scarf joint connection

Abstract:

Structures and methods for joining misaligned or dissimilar width spar caps are disclosed as having a connecting structure in a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine, wherein a first blade segment defines a first joint end, the first blade segment having at least one spar cap. A second blade segment defines a forward end coupled to the first blade segment, the second blade segment having at least one spar cap offset from the spar cap of the adjoining first blade segment. At least one connecting structure is coupled between the adjoining spar caps of the first blade segment and the second blade segment, the connecting structure having a plurality of sequentially stacked plies configured for parallel fiber alignment with the adjoining spar caps and cross-sectional area continuity with the adjoining spar caps.