Modular Wind Turbine

Sep 2024 – Dec 2024 · University of Southern Denmark

A Foldable Wind Turbine Blade Concept for Efficient Transport and Assembly

Project Overview

Transporting long wind turbine blades is costly and logistically complex. This project proposes a modular segmented blade design where each blade is divided into four aerodynamic parts. The assembly mechanism is housed in the hub and driven by a pull-string + ratchet system, allowing for quick deployment and disassembly.

My Role

• Designed the full blade geometry and inner mechanism using Siemens NX

• Optimized aerodynamic parameters using QBlade

  • Twist angle

  • Chord length

  • Blade thickness

  • Tip loss evaluation

• Engineered the central ratchet mechanism to pull and lock the blade segments together from inside the hub

Design Process

• Aerodynamic analysis in QBlade to derive optimal blade profiles

• Segmented each blade into four parts for modularity and transportability

• Designed a ratchet locking mechanism inside the hub to ensure tension and secure fit

• Simulated segment alignment and stress points for deployment phase

Tools & Skills

• Tools: Siemens NX, QBlade

• Skills: Aerodynamic Profiling, Modular System Design, CAD Parametric Modeling

Optimal Airfoil Parameters (SG6043)

Surface Modeling (Through Curves)

• Modeled blade surfaces using curve-based surface modeling for smooth aerodynamic profiles