On wind turbines VForce® patented blade morphing technology can generate an estimated 8-20% additional electricity generation (Lindenberg et al. 2008) by operating in low wind situations.

The technology is suitable for tapered blades and is of light weight construction.

New and replacement blades will have titanium surfaces on the leading and trailing surfaces (morphed sections) for strength and longer blade use. Materials will be Titanium and Aluminium.

The morphing will be controlled by the existing turbines pitch control system. Morphing technology will improve the force applied giving more sustained and greater rotation speeds in low winds. This will be accomplished with the more efficient blade profile that includes morphing.

All other blade morphing research found so far has only the trailing edge morphed where VForce® has leading edge as well for true morphing.

Benefits

• Lower Noise
• Higher aerodynamic efficiency with increased generation force
• Centre of force remains the same during morphing
• No additional torsion during morphing
• Retracted and feathered for dangerous wind situations
• Estimated life is forty years plus with component materials recyclable
• Robust, rigid, light weight and sophisticated (simplicity)
• Higher aerodynamic lift requiring lower blade angle of attack
• Higher lift coefficient can result in a reduced blade chord length and overall weight
• Zero torsion on blade during morphing
• Quicker start up
• Prevent torque spikes
• Prevent blade stall
• Feathered to prevent over speed
• Passive pitch control for rotor speeds
• Sealed joints with no surface discontinuities
• Blades can be retrofitted to existing turbines
• Mechanism ideally suited to tapered blades

VForce® Technology is award winning with the winner of the Sikorsky Innovation award in 2013 and being in the top 100 in two previous Create the Future Contests in the Aerospace category.

The VForce® mechanism is the same patented Compound Motion Structure as used to morph Aircraft wings, Rotorcraft blades and Marinecraft rigid sails.

The mechanisms can be actuated by electric motors, hydraulic motors and hydraulic pistons or can be linked into the pitching of the blades.

Control can be by computer functions linked to wind speed sensors or manual override. Blade profile and morphing extension and deflection are designed to suit the specific blade aerodynamic requirements.

Proof of the fuel and emission reduction benefits for morphing of wind turbine aerofoils can readily be found on the internet in professional and scientific papers.