Zip strips for molding of infused fiberglass products
AssigneeTPI Composites, Inc.
InventorKirk M. BAKER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of removing a vacuum bag from a composite mold. Removable strips are placed around the perimeter of the component parts and across the parts to create natural break points in the consumable materials used during manufacture of a composite product, e.g. wind turbine blade. The vacuum bag, and other consumable layers, are placed over the removable strip such that when the strips are pulled, the strip tears, in a controlled and complete manner, through each layer of consumables. This eliminates the need to use a knife/scissor to remove the finished product, thereby avoiding risk of injury.
Claims20
A method of removing a vacuum bag from a wind turbine blade mold comprising:
- providing a mold for forming a wind turbine blade;
- disposing at least one glass fiber layup segment within the mold;
- providing at least one removable strip, the at least one removable strip disposed around at least a portion of the perimeter of the wind turbine blade component,
- disposing at least one consumable layer above the at least one removable strip;
- disposing a portion of a vacuum bag above the at least one removable strip;
- infusing the at least one glass fiber layup segments with resin;
- pulling the at least one removable strip, wherein a pulling force tears through the at least one consumable layer and the vacuum bag.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.