Patent ID: 8061986
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: F03D,F05B,F05D,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A wind turbine blade, said blade comprising: a suction side surface and a pressure side surface; a plurality of dynamic vortex elements formed on at least one of said suction side or said pressure side surfaces between leading and trailing edges of said blade; said vortex elements activatable to either of a first retracted position that is inwardly recessed relative to a neutral plane of said surface or a second extended position that is outwardly protruding relative to said neutral plane of said surface; a depression in said surface at the location of each of said vortex elements, said vortex elements comprising a flexible material sheet disposed completely over said depression, wherein said material sheet conforms into said depression in said first retracted position and expands outwardly over said depression in said second extended position; and an activating mechanism configured with said material sheet to move said material sheet between said first retracted position and said second extended position.