公开(公告)号：US12031518B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-09

申请号：US17630694

申请日：2020-07-28

Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Inventor： Andrew Hedges ,  James Smith ,  Peter Bøttcher ,  Jens-Jørgen Hansen

IPC: F03D80/00 ,  F03D1/06

CPC classification number: F03D1/0675 ,  F05B2230/60 ,  F05B2240/302 ,  F05B2260/301

Abstract: A wind turbine blade comprising: a first blade portion having a shell that defines a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge of the blade, the first blade portion further including a first blade portion end surface at one end of the first blade portion; a second blade portion having a shell that defines a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge of the blade, the second blade portion further including a second blade portion end surface at one end of the second blade portion, wherein the first blade portion and the second blade portion are configured to be coupled together at the first and second blade portion end surfaces; and a connection joint for coupling the first and second blade portions together, wherein the connection joint includes: a first insert embedded in the first blade portion; a fitting integral with the first insert and projecting from the first blade portion end surface toward the second blade portion end surface; a second insert embedded in the second blade portion; and a fastener arranged to fasten the second insert to the fitting.

公开(公告)号：US11448182B2

公开(公告)日：2022-09-20

申请号：US16498107

申请日：2018-04-04

Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Inventor： Jonathan Smith ,  Andrew Hedges

IPC: B32B41/00 ,  F03D1/06 ,  B29C65/48 ,  B29C65/78 ,  B29C65/00 ,  B29D99/00 ,  B29C65/02 ,  B29L31/08

Abstract: A method of making a wind turbine blade is described. The wind turbine blade comprises first and second half shells joined together and a shear web bonded between inner surfaces of the respective half shells. The blade is made in a one-stage join up process, which involves supporting the half shells in respective mould halves, and arranging one of the half shells on top of the other half shell with the shear web arranged between the two half shells. Adhesive is provided between the shear web and the inner surfaces of the respective half shells. During the join-up process, the shear web is supported by stabilisers. The use of stabilisers avoids the need for a jig to support the shear web. Stabilisers attached to an inboard end of the shear web may remain accessible after the join-up and can be removed.

公开(公告)号：US20210115892A1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-22

申请号：US16498078

申请日：2018-04-04

Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Inventor： Arne Haahr ,  Andrew Hedges ,  Morten Taulbjerg

IPC: F03D1/06 ,  B29C65/48 ,  B29C65/78 ,  B29C65/00

Abstract: A wind turbine blade and associated method of manufacture is described. The blade comprises an outer shell formed of first and second half shells joined together. A shear web is arranged inside the outer shell. The shear web has a web panel disposed between first and second longitudinally-extending mounting flanges. The shear web is bonded to inner surfaces of the respective half shells via a first adhesive bond line between the first mounting flange and the inner surface of the first half shell and a second adhesive bond line between the second mounting flange and the inner surface of the second half shell. One or more bond spacers are provided in the second bond line, and optionally in the first bond line. The bond spacers are compressed between a shear web mounting flange and an inner surface of a half shell and are plastically deformed. The method of making the shear web involves compressing and the one or bond spacers in the bond line(s) such that they undergo plastic deformation. This results in high quality bond lines.

公开(公告)号：US09969133B2

公开(公告)日：2018-05-15

申请号：US14654087

申请日：2013-12-19

Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Inventor： Andrew Hedges ,  Byungwoo Lee

IPC: B29C70/38 ,  B29C70/34 ,  B29C70/54 ,  B29C31/08 ,  B66C19/00 ,  B29L31/08

CPC classification number: B29C70/541 ,  B29C31/085 ,  B29C70/34 ,  B29C70/38 ,  B29L2031/085 ,  B66C19/00 ,  Y02P70/523

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning sheets of material in a wind turbine blade mold to form a shell of a wind turbine blade, the mold having a mold surface defining the profile of a portion of the shell, the apparatus comprising: a rail that, in use, is mounted proximate to the mold and follows a path in a direction along the longitudinal length of the mold; and a sheet mounting apparatus coupled to the rail, the mounting apparatus configured to releasably hold a sheet of material and to move along the rail.

公开(公告)号：US09944024B2

公开(公告)日：2018-04-17

申请号：US14678033

申请日：2013-09-30

Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Inventor： Andrew Hedges ,  Damien Rajasingam

IPC: B29C70/38 ,  B29C31/08 ,  B29D99/00 ,  F03D1/06 ,  B29L31/08

CPC classification number: B29C70/382 ,  B29C70/38 ,  B29D99/0025 ,  B29L2031/085 ,  F03D1/0675 ,  F05B2230/00 ,  F05B2230/31 ,  Y02E10/721 ,  Y02P70/523

Abstract: A production system for a wind turbine component is described. The system includes an elongate mold assembly extending in a longitudinal direction, the mold assembly comprising a mold surface and having a width that varies in the longitudinal direction. First and second tracks are defined respectively on opposite longitudinal sides of the mold surface. The perpendicular distance between the respective tracks varies along the length of the track. A transport assembly is moveable relative the mold assembly in the longitudinal direction. The transport assembly includes a pair of side supports arranged to move along the respective tracks, and a gantry supported above the mold assembly by the side supports. The gantry extends transverse to the longitudinal direction. The transport assembly is configured such that the side supports move relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction in accordance with the varying distance between the tracks as the transport assembly moves in the longitudinal direction.

公开(公告)号：US09895856B2

公开(公告)日：2018-02-20

申请号：US13969166

申请日：2013-08-16

Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Inventor： Andrew Hedges ,  Tomas Vronsky

IPC: B32B7/08 ,  B29C70/52 ,  B29C65/00 ,  C09J5/00 ,  B32B37/00 ,  B63H1/26 ,  B63H7/02 ,  B64C11/16 ,  B64C27/46 ,  F01D5/14 ,  F03B7/00 ,  F03D11/02 ,  F04D29/38 ,  B29D99/00 ,  B29C70/08 ,  B29C70/34 ,  B29C70/44 ,  B29C70/54 ,  D04H3/002 ,  D04H3/004 ,  D04H3/115 ,  D04H3/12 ,  B32B5/06 ,  B29C65/62 ,  B29C70/86 ,  B29L31/08

CPC classification number: B29D99/0025 ,  B29C65/62 ,  B29C66/721 ,  B29C70/083 ,  B29C70/342 ,  B29C70/443 ,  B29C70/52 ,  B29C70/543 ,  B29C70/865 ,  B29D99/0028 ,  B29L2031/082 ,  B29L2031/085 ,  B32B5/06 ,  B32B7/08 ,  D04H3/002 ,  D04H3/004 ,  D04H3/115 ,  D04H3/12 ,  Y02P70/523

Abstract: The invention relates to a structural mat for reinforcing a wind turbine blade structure. The structural mat comprises two or more groups of bonded fibers, the fibers being bonded by a matrix substantially preventing relative movement of said fibers and wherein said groups are connected to each other by connection means limiting the relative movement of said groups. The invention further relates to a wind turbine blade and a method for manufacturing a wind turbine blade.

公开(公告)号：US20210276286A1

公开(公告)日：2021-09-09

申请号：US16479720

申请日：2018-01-16

Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Inventor： Andrew Hedges ,  Dennis Vigsø Jensen

IPC: B29C70/54 ,  B29C70/44 ,  B29C70/86

Abstract: A method and apparatus (14) for assembling a reinforcement web (12) for use with a wind turbine blade (10) are provided. A pre-formed flange structure (20) to be integrated with laminate layers (58, 60) to form the reinforcement web (12) is clamped into position against a mould end surface (76) using one or more locating clamps (16). The locating clamps (16) include first and second clamp blocks (80, 82) that are shaped to provide an external profile that avoids resin collection and bridging during resin injection molding, while allowing for clamping to be applied to the flange structure (20) with an easily assembled and disassembled removable engagement of the clamp blocks (80, 82). The locating clamp (16) prevents undesirable dislodgment of the flange structure (20) during the assembly process for the reinforcement web (12), and without necessitating the use of complex or expensive molding equipment or processes.

公开(公告)号：US11072129B2

公开(公告)日：2021-07-27

申请号：US16477281

申请日：2018-01-10

Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Inventor： Andrew Hedges ,  Arne Haahr

IPC: B32B41/00 ,  B29C65/48 ,  B29C65/78 ,  B29C65/00 ,  F03D1/06 ,  B29L31/08

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a wind turbine blade (10) including first and second outer shell portions (16, 18) and an internal web (12) are provided. An adhesive material (42) is applied to a top end (30) of the internal web (12) as well as the edges (62, 64) of the first outer shell portion (16) for connection to the second outer shell portion (18). Localized heat energy is applied to pre-cure the adhesive material (42) at the top end (30) of the internal web (12) before applying heat energy to fully cure all of the adhesive material (42) in the wind turbine blade (10). The pre-curing is performed by a removable localized heater device (72), and it assures that the integrity of the bond between the internal web (12) and the second outer shell portion (18) is maintained during the full curing of the blade (10), when temporary thermal deformation of the outer shell (14) sometimes occurs.

公开(公告)号：US11041477B2

公开(公告)日：2021-06-22

申请号：US15570491

申请日：2016-04-29

Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Inventor： Steve Wardropper ,  Jonathan Smith ,  Andrew Hedges ,  Stephen Randall

IPC: B29C70/34 ,  F03D1/06 ,  B29D99/00 ,  B29L31/08 ,  B29K63/00 ,  B29K105/08

Abstract: A method of making an elongate reinforcing structure, such as a shear web, for a wind turbine blade is described. The reinforcing structure comprises a longitudinally-extending web and a longitudinally-extending flange. The flange extends along a longitudinal edge of the web and is arranged transversely to the web. The method involves providing a flange structure comprising a flange portion, and a projecting portion that extends along the length of the flange portion and projects transversely from a surface of the flange portion. The projecting portion is bonded between laminate layers of the web. The flange structure is preferably a pultruded component having a T-shaped cross-section. The method allows a simple, inexpensive and reconfigurable mould tool to be used. In preferred embodiments the mould tool has a flat surface without sidewalls.

公开(公告)号：US20210180560A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-17

申请号：US16761506

申请日：2018-11-06

Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Inventor： Robert Charles Preston ,  Sean Keohan ,  Andrew Hedges

IPC: F03D1/06 ,  B29C65/50 ,  B29C65/78 ,  B29C65/00 ,  B29C65/48

Abstract: A method of making a wind turbine blade is described. The method involves providing a blade shell having an inner surface defining a mounting region and positioning a web in the mounting region. One or more web restraining devices are used to secure the position of the web in the mounting region. Each restraining device has a first portion attached to the web and a second portion attached to the inner surface of the blade shell. The restraining devices are configured to prevent movement of the web in a first plane substantially parallel to the mounting region and to permit movement of the web in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the mounting region. The method further comprises moving the web in the second plane away from the mounting region and performing one or more preparatory operations on the mounting region with the web moved away from the mounting region. The web is then repositioned in the mounting region by moving the web in the second plane back towards the mounting region.