Method and apparatus for manufacturing a wind turbine blade component with uniform temperature curing
US9782918B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.