Abstract:
There is described a system and apparatus for the manufacture of a wind turbine blade where portions of a blade, preferably blade half shells, are formed in suitable moulds, before transferral to a post-moulding station where post-moulding operations can be performed. The blade shells are formed in the mould to have integrated flanges which facilitate easy handling of the blade shells during subsequent manufacturing operations. There is also described a blade cradle of a post-moulding station to receive a wind turbine blade shell, where a lifting jack apparatus can be located within the blade cradle structure for the application of a lifting force to a surface of a blade shell received in the cradle, to facilitate access to all sections of the surface of the blade shell.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade component in form of a shear web is described. The method comprising the steps of: a) providing a pre-manufactured shear web body having a first side and a second side as well as a first end and a second end; b) providing a first pre-formed web foot flange comprising a fibre-reinforcement material; c) arranging a first fibre layer from the first pre-formed web foot flange and to a part of the first side of the shear web body; d) arranging a second fibre layer from the first pre-formed web foot flange and to a part of the second side of the shear web body; e) supplying a resin to said first fibre layer and second fibre layer simultaneous with or subsequent to steps c) and d); and f) allowing the resin to cure so as to form the shear web.
Abstract:
A hybrid material mat for use in the manufacture of fibre-composite articles, in particular parts for wind turbine blades, is described. The mat comprises a plurality of glass fibre rovings provided on top of a relatively thin planar substrate of carbon fibres. Such a hybrid mat construction provides for an improvement in the structural properties of a component manufactured using the mat, as well as allowing for ease of handling and manufacturing of both the mat itself and the component.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a fibre-reinforced polymer object by means of vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM), wherein fibre material is impregnated with liquid resin in a mould cavity comprising a rigid mould part having a mould surface defining an outer surface of the object, is described. One or more pressure sensors are connected to resin inlets of the VARTM system. A control unit is used for controlling a polymer supply unit based on measured resin pressure and is adapted to adjusting a resin flow rate, if pressure measured by the pressure sensors is below a lower threshold level or above a higher threshold level.
Abstract:
A manufacturing method for a wind turbine blade is described which utilises a post-moulding station in the manufacturing process. A blade shell forming part of a wind turbine blade is initially moulded in a blade mould, the blade shell subsequently transferred to a post-moulding station which allows for various post-moulding operations to be carried out on the blade shell away from the mould, thereby increasing the productivity of the blade mould in the manufacturing process. The post-moulding station may be operable to perform the closing of first and second blade shells to form a wind turbine blade, and may be formed from an adjustable structure which can provide relatively easy access to the contained blade shell for working thereon. Accordingly, the manufacturing equipment may be of reduced cost, combined with an increase in the overall productivity of the manufacturing system.
Abstract:
A blade cart for a wind turbine blade for use during the manufacturing of such a blade is described. The cart presents an adjustable and adaptable support for the tip end of a blade after the blade is removed from the mould. The cart is rotatable, and comprises selectively actuatable and/or removable support surfaces to provided easy access to the surfaces of the moulded blade for the performance of post-moulding operations, e.g. blade surface grinding, coating, etc.
Abstract:
A wind turbine blade is described having a lightning protection system wherein a lightning down conductor is conductively coupled to at least one blade root bushing provided at the root end of the blade. The use of the blade root bushing as part of the conductive path of the lightning protection system allows for a structurally sound and reliable connection of an internal down conductor to an external lightning protection system and/or to a suitable ground connection at the blade root end.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade shell part is described. Fibre mats and a root end insert are laid up in a mould part in a layup procedure by use of an automated layup system. The fibre mats are laid up by use of a buffer so that the fibre mats may continuously be laid up on the mould surface, also during a cutting procedure. The root end insert is prepared in advance and mounted on a mounting plate. The root end insert is lowered onto the mould by use of the mounting plate and a lowering mechanism. After the wind turbine blade shell has been moulded, the mounting plate is removed.
Abstract:
A rotor blade assembly for mitigating stall-induced vibrations of a wind turbine during standstill includes at least one protrusion secured to the leading-edge of a rotor blade and defining an extended leading edge. The protrusion(s) wraps around a portion of the rotor blade from the suction side to the pressure side of the rotor blade. The protrusion(s) has a root-side face and a tip-side face disposed opposite thereof. The root-side face is arranged at an angle relative to a chordwise reference line. The angle is greater than zero degrees and less than or equal to 45 degrees with respect to the chordwise reference line. The protrusion(s) is configured to affect a chordwise airflow and thereby mitigate a stall-induced vibration.