System And Method Of Manipulating A Boundary Layer Across A Rotor Blade Of A Wind Turbine

Abstract: An air distribution system (30) for manipulating a boundary layer (76) of air across a wind turbine rotor blade (28), the wind turbine rotor blade having at least one sidewall (54) defining a cavity (60) therein, the sidewall extending between a leading edge (66) and an axially spaced trailing edge (68) and defining a chordwise axis (44) between the leading edge and the trailing edge is provided. The air distribution system includes a plurality of bleed flow assemblies (84) positioned within the rotor blade and configured to discharge air into the boundary layer to reduce a separation of the boundary layer from the rotor blade. Each bleed flow assembly of the plurality of bleed flow assemblies include a bleed flow conduit (90) coupled to an inner surface (92) of the sidewall and oriented with respect to the chordwise axis between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the bleed flow conduit configured to channel air through the rotor blade, an inlet aperture (86) defined through the bleed flow conduit and through the sidewall to channel air into the bleed flow conduit, and an outlet aperture (88) defined through the bleed flow conduit and through the sidewall to discharge air from the bleed flow conduit and into the boundary layer.

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