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Integration of actuators and sensors into composite structures: Author: Ehresman, Jonathan David; Date: 2009-08-15; Program: Mechanical Engineering; Abstract: The need for more efficient wind turbine blades is growing in our society. One step in accomplishing this task would be to make wind turbines blades into smart structures. A smart structure is one that incorporates sensors, complete control systems, and active control devices, in order to shed, or redistribute the load placed on the structure. For wind turbine blades this means changing the shape of the blade profile as it encounters different wind conditions. In order to have active control surfaces functioning on wind turbine blades, the existing blades would have to be retrofitted, and the ...; Download File | View full details