Magnetically attached flanges
AssigneeTPI Composites, Inc.
InventorsJim Hannan, Andrew McDonald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mold for forming a wind turbine blade comprising first and second mold surfaces including a flange portion having an opening therein, wherein the first and second mold surfaces are configured for relative movement therebetween from an open position to a closed position. The opening of the first flange portion is aligned with the opening of the second flange portion when in the closed position, and a first magnet is disposed within the opening in the opening of the first mold surface, and a second magnet is disposed within the opening of the second mold surface.
Claims20
A mold for forming a wind turbine blade comprising:
- a first mold surface, the first mold surface including a flange portion having an opening therein;
- a second mold surface, the second mold surface including a flange portion having an opening formed therein;
- wherein the first and second mold surfaces are configured for relative movement therebetween from an open position to a closed position;
- wherein the opening of the first flange portion is aligned with the opening of the second flange portion when in the closed position;
- and
- a first magnet disposed within the opening in the opening of the first mold surface;
- and
- a second magnet disposed within the opening of the second mold surface.
A method of forming a wind turbine blade comprising:
- providing a first mold surface, the first mold surface including a flange portion having an opening therein with at least one magnetic material disposed in the opening;
- providing a second mold surface, the second mold surface including a flange portion having an opening formed therein with at least one magnet material disposed in the opening;
- moving at least one of the first and second mold surfaces to align the opening of the first flange portion with the opening in the second flange;
- and
- magnetically coupling the first flange portion to the second flange portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.