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US 2019/0291305 A1Published application
Mold with thermally conductive flanges
AssigneeTPI Composites, Inc.
InventorsJim Hannan, Andrew McDonald
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mold for forming a flange of a wind turbine blade comprising a first flange portion including a plurality of lamina and having a generally planar shape and a second perpendicular flange including a plurality of lamina. A plurality of copper wires are disposed within the lamina for conducting heat delivered from a base portion through the first and second flange portions. The mold is free of fluid conduits with the flange portions moveable relative to the base portion.
Claims20
A mold for forming a flange of a wind turbine blade comprising:
- a first flange portion, the first portion including a plurality of lamina;
- a second flange portion including a plurality of lamina, the second flange portion connected to the first flange portion;
- a thermal conductor disposed within at least a portion of the second flange portion;
- a base portion, the base portion having a heating element disposed therein;
- and
- wherein the thermal conductor is configured to transfer heat through the first flange portion and second flange portion.
3 more elements
A method of forming a portion of a wind turbine blade comprising:
- providing a mold having a first flange portion, the first portion including a plurality of lamina and having a generally planar shape;
- providing a second flange portion including a plurality of lamina, the second flange portion having a generally planar shape and connected to the first flange portion;
- providing a thermal conductor disposed within at least a portion of the second flange portion;
- providing a base portion, the base portion having a heating element disposed therein;
- activating the heating element in the base portion;
- transferring heat from the heating element through the first flange portion and second flange portion;
- and
- placing a composite material in contact with at least one of the base portion and second flange portions.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.