US 2024/0286327 A1 · LEADING EDGE PROTECTION SHIELD

Abstract

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming a leading edge protection shield on a wind turbine blade shell. The method comprises providing at least a portion of a wind turbine blade shell comprising a windward surface, a leeward surface, and a leading edge, providing a leading edge mould comprising a concave curved mould surface and arranging the mould over the leading edge of the blade shell such that a generally C-shaped cavity is defined between the blade shell and the mould surface. The method further comprises clamping the mould to the windward surface and/or to the leeward surface of the blade shell using a clamping arrangement spaced from the leading edge in a chordwise direction. The method further comprises providing an edge scaling arrangement positioned between the leading edge and the clamping arrangement in the chordwise direction, and forming a seal between the mould surface and the windward and leeward surfaces of the blade shell using the edge sealing arrangement to define windward and leeward edges of the C-shaped cavity. The mould surface is substantially tangential to the windward and leeward surfaces at the windward and leeward edges such that the C-shaped cavity tapers in thickness towards the windward and leeward edges of the C-shaped cavity. The method further comprises supplying polymer to the C-shaped cavity to form a leading edge protection shield on the blade shell.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of forming a leading edge protection shield on a wind turbine blade shell, the method comprising:

providing at least a portion of a wind turbine blade shell comprising a windward surface, a leeward surface, and a leading edge;
providing a leading edge mould comprising a concave curved mould surface;
arranging the mould over the leading edge of the blade shell such that a generally C-shaped cavity is defined between the blade shell and the mould surface;
clamping the mould to the windward surface and/or to the leeward surface of the blade shell using a clamping arrangement spaced from the leading edge in a chordwise direction;
providing an edge sealing arrangement positioned between the leading edge and the clamping arrangement in the chordwise direction;
forming a seal between the mould surface and the windward and leeward surfaces of the blade shell using the edge sealing arrangement to define windward and leeward edges of the C-shaped cavity, wherein the mould surface is substantially tangential to the windward and leeward surfaces at the windward and leeward edges such that the C-shaped cavity tapers in thickness towards the windward and leeward edges of the C-shaped cavity;
and
supplying polymer to the C-shaped cavity to form a leading edge protection shield on the blade shell.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Leading edge protection shield

Life of this patent

Leading edge protection shield

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18