Vestas Wind Systems A/s

Olav Davis

Damien Rajasingam

Leif Kappel Petersen

Henning Schroder

Maja Rose Wieland

Stephen Sandercock

Christopher Boon

Vijayasankar Irissappane

Henning Schröder

Adam Fisher

Andy Limmack

Tomasz Garstka

Diego Andres Pino

Mohana Krishna Dhamodharan

Glenn Thomas

Richard Evans

A method of making shear webs () for a wind turbine blade () is described. The method comprises providing an elongate male mould tool () having a longitudinally-extending upper mould surface () and a longitudinally-extending first side wall (). A shim () is provided adjacent and attached to the first side wall () of the mould tool (). The shim () has an inner surface () facing towards the first side wall (), an outer surface () facing away from the first side wall (), and an upper surface () defining an extension of the upper mould surface (). A flange structure () is provided that comprises a flange portion and a projecting portion (). The projecting portion () 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 (). The flange structure () is arranged with respect to the mould tool () such that the projecting portion () at least partially overlies the upper surface () of the shim () and the flange portion at least partially overlies the outer surface () of the shim (). The fibrous reinforcing material is integrated with the projecting portion () of the flange structure () by means of a matrix material to form the shear web (). The shear web () is removed from the mould tool () with the shim () remaining attached to the mould tool ().

Method and apparatus for making a shear web

A mold () for a wind turbine component () is described. The component comprises a plurality of elements having different respective heat capacities. The mold comprises an inner mold layer () defining a mold surface () for supporting the plurality of elements, heating means () disposed beneath the mold surface, and a heat distribution layer () adjacent to the heating means. The mold has one or more first regions () configured to support elements of the component having relatively high heat capacity, one or more second regions () configured to support elements of the component having relatively low heat capacity, and one or more transition regions () 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.

Mould for a wind turbine component

A molding apparatus for manufacturing a wind turbine blade component includes a main mold body () and a flexible bladder (). The main mold body includes a shape defining surface () for receiving composite material forming the blade component and a heat reservoir () 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 () that are independently controlled by a controller () to maintain a generally uniform temperature of the blade component at each zone.

Method and apparatus for manufacturing a wind turbine blade component with uniform temperature curing

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.

Fixing device

A mold shell for forming a wind turbine blade () comprises at least two mold shell sections () each having a mold surface with a recessed portion () adjoining the connecting edges () between the mold shell sections. A bridging sheet () is accommodated in the recessed portions () of the mold shell sections (). The bridging sheet () fills up the recessed portions.

Mould shell section for a mould shell for a wind turbine blade, mould shell and method using the mould shell sections

An apparatus () is provided for forming a trailing edge () of a wind turbine blade having first and second shells (). The first and second shells define a gap therebetween, and the apparatus has a first mold component () that is adapted to form the first or second shell, and an engaging element (). The engaging element is configured to securely support a trailing edge component to be coupled to the first and second shells. The engaging element is coupled to the first mold component. The apparatus may additionally include a second mold component () that is adapted to form the other of the first or second shells and which is coupled to the first mold component. In this embodiment, the first and second mold components have a closed position in which the first and second shells are closed over one another so as to define a generally closed profile of the wind turbine blade.

Apparatus for fabricating a wind turbine blade and related method

Within the field of wind turbine generators (WTG), to provide a consistent way of manufacturing a WT blade there is disclosed a blade mould and a blade spar fixture to support the spar in the mould so as to provide a fixed predetermined relative position, and preferably also orientation, between at least a root end, such as a bushing in the root end of the blade spar, and a root end of the mould. Overall consistency is also obtained in that hereby a blade with anticipated aerodynamic and strength characteristics is provided, among others in that at least adjacent to the root of the spar there is substantially the same distance for a cured adhesive between an innermost surface of each of blade shells and an outermost surface of the spar.

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Hamble, United Kingdom

Olav Davis