Computer-aided design of horizontal axis turbine blades

This paper presents a computer-based method for modelling the blades of horizontal axis turbines using B-spline surfaces. The method uses common design parameters for the geometry of this type of turbine and produces a final set of B-spline surfaces for the geometry of the blades that can be used for the visualisation, calculations and construction of the rotor surface. The method begins with the creation of a 3D set of offsets that constitute the rotor blades based on a 2D definition of the airfoils, which is normally used in the design of different stations along the rotor blade. It also uses geometrical parameters such as the skew and rake or coning distribution. The method stresses the fitting of the blade’s leading edge, which has a significant impact on the properties of the rotor and separately models the trailing edge of the blades. B-spline curves and surfaces are used in this method because they are widely used in CAD-CAM software products and can be easily exported to other programs.

► A computer-based method for modelling the blades of HAWT using B-spline surfaces.
► The method stresses the fitting of the blade’s leading and trailing edges.
► Works with tolerances and with B-spline curves and surfaces widely used in CAD-CAM.