Title: Methods for thermal welding of wind turbine blades

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for manufacturing wind turbine blades which in some instances require using new blade joint designs. The blade joint designs described herein may allow for contact in places where welds will be made, which allows for existing manufacturing tolerances to be used while still enabling the use of thermal welding for wind turbine blades.

Inventors:

Murray, Robynne E.; Roberts, Joseph Owen; Beach, Ryan; Roadman, Jason Markos

Issue Date:

2022-07-26

Research Org.:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1924924

Patent Number(s):

11396153

Application Number:

16/701,929

Assignee:

Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC (Golden, CO)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29D - PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE

Show more

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B29C65/06 - using friction, e.g. spin welding {
B29C65/08 - using ultrasonic vibrations {
B29C65/1425 - {Microwave radiation}
B29C65/34 - using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
B29C65/344 - {being a woven or non-woven fabric or being a mesh}
B29C65/3476 - {being metallic}
B29C65/3492 - {being carbon}
B29C65/36 - heated by induction
B29C65/364 - {being a woven or non-woven fabric or being a mesh}
B29C65/3668 - {characterised by the means for supplying heat to said heated elements which remain in the join, e.g. special induction coils}
B29C65/3676 - {being metallic}
B29C65/3684 - {being non-metallic}
B29C65/4815 - {Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives}
B29C65/5042 - {covering both elements to be joined}
B29C65/5057 - {positioned between the surfaces to be joined
B29C65/5071 - {and being composed by one single element}
B29C66/112 - {Single lapped joints}
B29C66/1122 - {Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
B29C66/131 - {Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area}
B29C66/43 - {Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
B29C66/524 - {Joining profiled elements}
B29C66/543 - {joining more than two hollow-preforms to form said hollow articles}
B29C66/61 - {Joining from or joining on the inside
B29C66/634 - {using an inflatable core}
B29C66/636 - {using a support which remains in the joined object}
B29C66/71 - {characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
B29C66/721 - {Fibre-reinforced materials
B29C66/7212 - {characterised by the composition of the fibres}
B29C66/73921 - {characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics}
B29C66/73941 - {characterised by the materials of both parts being thermosets}
B29C66/8322 - {Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis}

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29D - PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE

B29D99/0025 - {Producing blades or the like, e.g. blades for turbines, propellers, or wings}

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29K - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

B29K2063/00 - Use of {EP, i.e.} epoxy resins {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material
B29K2307/04 - Carbon
B29K2309/08 - Glass

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29L - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

B29L2031/085 - {Wind turbine blades}

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F03 - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS F03D - WIND MOTORS

F03D1/0675 - {of the blades}

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F05 - INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04 F05B - INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO MACHINES OR ENGINES OTHER THAN NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, TO WIND MOTORS, TO NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS, AND TO GENERATING COMBUSTION PRODUCTS OF HIGH PRESSURE OR HIGH VELOCITY

F05B2230/232 - by welding

Show less

DOE Contract Number:  

AC36-08GO28308

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 12/03/2019

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

17 WIND ENERGY; 42 ENGINEERING