# US 12,006,908 B2 · Quick adjust root plate attachment for wind turbine blade molds > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,006,908 B2 - Document ID: US12006908B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/847,611 - Filed: 2022-06-23 - Published: 2022-12-29 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2021-06-23 - Assignees: TPI Technology, Inc. - Applicants: TPI Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Alexander L. Segala - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12006908B2 ## CPC - F03D 1/0658: {Arrangements for fixing wind-engaging parts to a hub} - B29C 33/30: Mounting, exchanging or centering {(moulds, mould parts or cores; B29C33/485 takes precedence)} - B29C 70/48: and impregnating the reinforcements in the closed mould, e.g. resin transfer moulding [RTM] {, e.g. by vacuum} - B29C 70/86: Incorporated in coherent impregnated reinforcing layers, {e.g. by winding} - B29D 99/0028: {hollow blades} - F03D 80/00: Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00 - B29L 2031/085: {Wind turbine blades} - F05B 2230/60: Assembly methods - F05B 2260/30: Retaining components in desired mutual position - Y02E 10/72: Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction - Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product - F03D: WIND MOTORS - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract The present disclosure provides for a root plate assembly system, an axially adjustable, rigid connection between a metallic (e.g. steel) root plate and a composite root flange of a wind turbine blade mold. The system includes a root plate including a flange portion with at least one aperture disposed therein. The system includes a sealing collar disposed within the aperture in the root plate. The system includes at least one washer having a larger diameter than the aperture in the root plate. The system includes a threaded collar having a longitudinally extending channel and threads on an outer surfaces thereof. The system includes a fastener disposed at least partially within the longitudinally extending channel of the threaded collar. The system includes a locknut disposed above the fastener abutting the fastener and a bolt cover disposed over the locknut, the bolt cover abutting the collar. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A root plate assembly system for a wind turbine blade comprising: a root plate, the root plate comprising a flange portion with at least one aperture disposed therein; a sealing collar, the sealing collar disposed within the aperture in the root plate; at least one washer, the washer comprising a larger diameter than the aperture in the root plate; a threaded collar, the threaded collar comprising a longitudinally extending channel and threads on an outer surface thereof; a fastener disposed at least partially within the longitudinally extending channel of the threaded collar; a locknut disposed above the fastener, the locknut abutting the fastener; and a bolt cover disposed over the locknut to enclose the threaded collar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The root plate assembly system of claim 1, wherein the threaded collar comprises a first portion comprising a first diameter and a second portion comprising a second diameter, defining an interior shelf therebetween. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The root plate assembly system of claim 2, wherein the fastener comprises a head portion and a stem portion, the head portion abutting a shelf of the threaded collar. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The root plate assembly system of claim 1, further comprising a root flange, the root flange disposed adjacent the root plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The root plate assembly system of claim 4, further comprising an infused root plate, the infused root plate disposed adjacent the root flange. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The root plate assembly system of claim 5, wherein the distal end of the fastener comprises threads, the fastener threads configured to engage interior threads of the infused root plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The root plate assembly system of claim 1, wherein the locknut inhibits relative movement between the threaded collar and the root plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The root plate assembly system of claim 1, wherein the locknut comprises a diameter larger than the head of the fastener. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The root plate assembly system of claim 1, wherein the locknut comprises a diameter equivalent to a diameter of the threaded collar. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The root plate assembly system of claim 1, wherein the sealing collar comprises an internal diameter larger than the outer diameter of the threaded collar. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The root plate assembly system of claim 1, wherein each of the fastener, the threaded collar, the sealing collar and the at least one washer are axially aligned in a concentric configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The root plate assembly system of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the threaded collar comprises a non-threaded skirt portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The root plate assembly system of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the threaded collar comprises a non-threaded conical portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The root plate assembly system of claim 1, further including a spherical washer disposed between the threaded collar and the root flange. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The root plate assembly system of claim 14, wherein the spherical washer comprises an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of the threaded collar. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The root plate assembly system of claim 1, the threaded collar is fixed to the infused root plate.