Abstract:
A method of making shear webs (16) for a wind turbine blade (10) is described. The method comprises providing an elongate male mould tool (32) having a longitudinally-extending upper mould surface (34) and a longitudinally-extending first side wall (36). A shim (40a) is provided adjacent and attached to the first side wall (36) of the mould tool (32). The shim (40a) has an inner surface (48) facing towards the first side wall (36), an outer surface (50) facing away from the first side wall (36), and an upper surface (56) defining an extension of the upper mould surface (34). A flange structure (74) is provided that comprises a flange portion and a projecting portion (78). The projecting portion (78) extends along the length of the flange portion and projects transversely from a surface of the flange portion. Fibrous reinforcing material is arranged on the upper mould surface (34). The flange structure (74) is arranged with respect to the mould tool (32) such that the projecting portion (78) at least partially overlies the upper surface (56) of the shim (40a) and the flange portion at least partially overlies the outer surface (50) of the shim (40a). The fibrous reinforcing material is integrated with the projecting portion (78) of the flange structure (74) by means of a matrix material to form the shear web (16). The shear web (16) is removed from the mould tool (32) with the shim (40a) remaining attached to the mould tool (32).
Abstract:
A method of making shear webs (16) for a wind turbine blade (10) is described. The method comprises providing an elongate male mould tool (32) having a longitudinally-extending upper mould surface (34) and a longitudinally-extending first side wall (36). A shim (40a) is provided adjacent and attached to the first side wall (36) of the mould tool (32). The shim (40a) has an inner surface (48) facing towards the first side wall (36), an outer surface (50) facing away from the first side wall (36), and an upper surface (56) defining an extension of the upper mould surface (34). A flange structure (74) is provided that comprises a flange portion and a projecting portion (78). The projecting portion (78) extends along the length of the flange portion and projects transversely from a surface of the flange portion. Fibrous reinforcing material is arranged on the upper mould surface (34). The flange structure (74) is arranged with respect to the mould tool (32) such that the projecting portion (78) at least partially overlies the upper surface (56) of the shim (40a) and the flange portion at least partially overlies the outer surface (50) of the shim (40a). The fibrous reinforcing material is integrated with the projecting portion (78) of the flange structure (74) by means of a matrix material to form the shear web (16). The shear web (16) is removed from the mould tool (32) with the shim (40a) remaining attached to the mould tool (32).
Abstract:
A mold (30) for a wind turbine component (10) is described. The component comprises a plurality of elements having different respective heat capacities. The mold comprises an inner mold layer (38) defining a mold surface (40) for supporting the plurality of elements, heating means (44) disposed beneath the mold surface, and a heat distribution layer (46) adjacent to the heating means. The mold has one or more first regions (34) configured to support elements of the component having relatively high heat capacity, one or more second regions (36) configured to support elements of the component having relatively low heat capacity, and one or more transition regions (35) defined between the first and second regions. The heat distribution layer in one or more transition regions of the mold is configured to enhance heat transfer within the distribution layer to one or more first regions of the mold.
Abstract:
A fixing device for fixating a segment of a wind turbine blade to a mold in which the blade segment is manufactured, wherein the blade segment has a fixating portion. The fixing device comprises: a first portion for removably fixating the blade segment at its fixating portion to the mold; and a second portion for fixating the fixing device to the mold.
Abstract:
A molding apparatus for manufacturing a wind turbine blade component includes a main mold body (30) and a flexible bladder (38). The main mold body includes a shape defining surface (32) for receiving composite material forming the blade component and a heat reservoir (40) for heating the blade component during curing. The flexible bladder overlays and conforms to the shape of the blade component and is configured to receive heated liquid for heating the blade component during curing. One or both of the main mold body and the flexible bladder is divided into a plurality of zones (58, 66) that are independently controlled by a controller (70) to maintain a generally uniform temperature of the blade component at each zone.
Abstract:
A molding apparatus for manufacturing a wind turbine blade component includes a main mold body (30) and a flexible bladder (38). The main mold body includes a shape defining surface (32) for receiving composite material forming the blade component and a heat reservoir (40) for heating the blade component during curing. The flexible bladder overlays and conforms to the shape of the blade component and is configured to receive heated liquid for heating the blade component during curing. One or both of the main mold body and the flexible bladder is divided into a plurality of zones (58, 66) that are independently controlled by a controller (70) to maintain a generally uniform temperature of the blade component at each zone.
Abstract:
A mold shell for forming a wind turbine blade (20) comprises at least two mold shell sections (401, 402) each having a mold surface with a recessed portion (419, 420) adjoining the connecting edges (407, 408) between the mold shell sections. A bridging sheet (421) is accommodated in the recessed portions (419, 420) of the mold shell sections (401, 402). The bridging sheet (421) fills up the recessed portions.
Abstract:
A fixing device for fixating a segment of a wind turbine blade to a mold in which the blade segment is manufactured, wherein the blade segment has a fixating portion. The fixing device comprises: a first portion for removably fixating the blade segment at its fixating portion to the mold; and a second portion for fixating the fixing device to the mold.
Abstract:
A method of assembling a mould for a wind turbine blade (20) includes providing a mould half (42, 44) having a mould shell (50, 54) with a first mould shell section (70, 80) and a second mould shell section (72, 82); positioning the shell sections and the at least second adjacent one another along an interface (74, 84); adjusting the relative positions of the shell sections, and securing the relative positions of the shell sections in order to maintain a smooth transition across the interface.
Abstract:
A mould (30) for a wind turbine component (10) is described. The component comprises a plurality of elements having different respective heat capacities. The mould comprises an inner mould layer (38) defining a mould surface (40) for supporting the plurality of elements, heating means (44) disposed beneath the mould surface, and a heat distribution layer (46) adjacent to the heating means. The mould has one or more first regions (34) configured to support elements of the component having relatively high heat capacity, one or more second regions (36) configured to support elements of the component having relatively low heat capacity, and one or more transition regions (35) defined between the first and second regions. The heat distribution layer in one or more transition regions of the mould is configured to enhance heat transfer within the distribution layer to one or more first regions of the mould.