Grinding device for machine based grinding of rotor blades for wind energy systems

Abstract

Grinding device 1 for machine-based grinding of rotor blades 100 for wind energy systems, comprising at least one industrial robot 30 and a grinding unit 10, 50, 70 that is guided by the industrial robot 30, wherein the grinding unit 10, 50, 70 comprises a grinding means, 12, 52 and a cleaning device 20, that cleans the grinding means 12, 52 at its grinding surface 64, 53.

Description

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a grinding device for a machine based grinding of rotor blades for wind energy systems. By the use of the grinding device, grinding tasks can be automated during the manufacturing and during the maintenance of rotor blades.2. PRIOR ART[0002]The use of wind force for the energy generation is seen as one of the most environmentally compatible forms of winning energy. Therefore, wind energy systems are used, that comprise a rotor that drives a generator and that is supported rotatably at a mast. The loads, that effect on the parts in particular the rotor blades of a wind energy system is however very high.[0003]Atmospheric influences, like for instance wind, water, hail, UV-radiation, erosion- and bending-loads lead to highest requirements for the material of the rotor blades. The correct operation and the surface quality are relevant for the effectivity and economic efficiency of wind energy systems. Thus, rotor blades co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Preferably, the cleaning device cleans the grinding surface by means of a nozzle for blowing on of pressurized air and / or a device for the suchtion of grinding dust and / or a brush for brushing the grinding surface. These three measures, lead either on their own or in any combination with each other to the fact that also the abrasion of viscoplastic coatings is removed nearly completely from the grinding surface of the grinding means and cannot adhere there and cannot clog the grinding surface. By the active cleaning of the cleaning surface, the life time of the grinding means is increased but also the quality of the grinding task.

[0029]Preferably, the industrial robot is also used for lacquering the rotor blades. By doing so the investment costs of the entire system is reduced to a minimum, wherein in one system lacquering of a rotor blade as well as the grinding and the dedusting of the rotor blade respectively is carried out with the same industrial robot that has only to exchange the necessary tools between the single process steps. Also such an exchange can be carried out automatically. According to this the entire coating processes, including grinding and dedusting of a rotor blade is reduced to a fraction of time, compared with conventional systems in which it has to be ground manually and often also to be lacquered manually. According to this the manufacturing times as well as the manufacturing costs are reduced by the grinding device according to the invention.

Problems solved by technology

This was not possible for conventional grinding means, since a use of a robot was uneconomical because of the fast clogging of the grinding means and the high exchange rates of the grinding means.

Images