Cradle for a wind turbine blade
AssigneeLm Wp Patent Holding A/S
InventorsBernard Willem De Waal Malefijt, Rasmus Duegaard Jensen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A blade support cradle is described, which can be used to support a section of a wind turbine blade using an array of vacuum clamps. The cradle provides a secure and reliable system for the support of a blade section during and after blade manufacture, allowing for various operations to be easily carried out on the surface of the blade section. A method for receiving a blade section in the cradle is further described. In addition, the cradle may be used as part of a blade post-molding station in a method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade.
Claims26
A cradle for supporting at least a section of a wind turbine blade, the cradle comprising:
- a cradle body and
- at least one array of support members extending between a first end and a second end of the cradle, wherein the at least one array of support members comprise vacuum clamps arranged to receive a surface of the at least a section of a wind turbine blade, and
- wherein support members comprise a support surface having at least one aperture defined thereon, wherein at least one vacuum clamp is moveably mounted within the at least one aperture, the at least one vacuum clamp linearly actuatable from a first recessed position where the at least one vacuum clamp is held within the at least one aperture, to a second projecting position wherein the at least one vacuum clamp projects out from the at least one aperture, the at least one vacuum clamp standing proud of the support surface.
A cradle for supporting at least a section of a wind turbine blade, the cradle comprising:
- a cradle body and
- at least one array of support members extending between a first end and a second end of the cradle, wherein the at least one array of support members comprise vacuum clamps arranged to receive a surface of the at least a section of a wind turbine blade, and
- wherein the cradle further comprises at least one edge rail provided along at least a portion of a first side of the cradle, wherein the at least one edge rail is arranged to receive a blade processing tool for operation on at least a portion of a section of a wind turbine blade received in the cradle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.