Wind turbine blade repair method
AssigneeLm Wp Patent Holding A/S
InventorsMichael Drachmann Haag, Martin Dahl
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A repair solution for a wind turbine blade is described. The repair solution includes the application of a layer of viscous coating material to the section of the blade to be repaired, which is cured to form a repaired surface. The layer of viscous coating material may be temporarily covered during the curing process using a film of Low Surface Energy material, to prevent defects in the repaired surface from dust, insects, etc. Additionally or alternatively, a temporary shield may be erected adjacent the curing layer of coating material, to allow for the control of the temperature and/or humidity levels of the region adjacent the curing material, to provide for more effective control of the curing process and to allow for repairs to be carried out for a wider process window.
Claims20
A method of repairing a section of the surface of a wind turbine blade, the method comprising the steps of:
- identifying a section of the surface of a wind turbine blade to be repaired;
- applying a layer of viscous coating material to the section such that the layer of viscous coating material is substantially flush with the surface of the wind turbine blade adjacent the section;
- providing a temporary coating shield adjacent the surface of the wind turbine blade in the region of the section to be repaired, the temporary coating shield defining a curing region adjacent the section to be repaired, wherein the temporary coating shield is arranged to partially seal the curing region, wherein the step of providing a temporary coating shield comprises arranging the temporary coating shield to define an openended chamber or channel at the curing region, the openended chamber or channel arranged to extend along a portion of a leading edge of the wind turbine blade;
- heating the layer of viscous coating material to repair the section, thereby curing the viscous coating material;
- and
- removing the temporary coating shield after heating the curing region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.