Preform element support apparatus, workstation and method for removing a vacuum

Abstract

A preform element support device (9) for supporting a preform element (6) during the removal of a vacuum bag (7) of a longitudinal preform element (6), in particular for a wind turbine blade, comprising vertically extending holding means (10) positioned at each lateral side at a lateral distance (11), and a plurality of laterally extending support portions (17) spanning a lateral distance (11) between the holding means (10), the plurality of support portions (17) having a staggered arrangement in a longitudinal direction (18), in which the support portions (17) are pendent mounted to the holding means (10) and are flexible to fit the shape of the preform element (6) supported on the support portions (17).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a preform support device for supporting a longitudinal preform for a wind turbine blade, in particular during removal of a vacuum bag, a workstation, and a method for removing a vacuum bag from a longitudinal preform for a wind turbine blade, in particular. Background Art

[0002] Wind turbines generally include a rotor having a plurality of wind turbine blades. For example, such a wind turbine can convert the mechanical energy of the wind into electrical energy. Due to the pursuit of large-scale energy production, wind turbines, and thus wind turbine blades, have huge dimensions, making their manufacturing a major challenge for wind turbine manufacturers. Although wind turbine blades have long been made of fiber-reinforced materials, which involves handling large parts such as fiber mats by casting the shell of the wind turbine blade, several techniques have been proposed to facilitate the manufacture of wind turbine blades.

[0003] For example, the use of preforms or corresponding preformed parts has been proposed. Such preforms are preformed small parts or segments of a wind turbine blade for constructing the corresponding wind turbine blade shell. The preforms are prefabricated individually and then arranged and aligned in a blade mold according to the requested geometry of the wind turbine blade to be manufactured. The preforms can be arranged in the blade mold for casting the entire wind turbine blade or a large wind turbine blade part.

[0004] The preform can include one or more components, such as one or more fabric layers, wherein the components are at least partially attached to each other by using an adhesive / binder. Such components can include, for example, a plurality of fiber mats and / or core materials, which are attached to each other locally to enable their mutual handling. This facilitates the arrangement of the components in the blade mold. The preform can be understood as a semi-solid element. In particular, the fabric components (e.g., fiber mats) of the preform can include glass fibers, carbon fibers, or aramid fibers. These layers remain unaffected by the binder so that they can be filled with resin later during the manufacture of the rotor blade. The core material can include, for example, balsa wood, foam, and the like. The use of preforms in particular allows for a reduction in the cycle time for producing wind turbine blades.

[0005] Preformed elements can be produced, for example, in a manufacturing system which may include a preform mold. Such a preform mold typically includes a mold element, such as a mold shell, which includes a molded surface shaped according to the desired shape of the preformed element, and the components are placed on the molded surface to assume the corresponding shape. Typically, the preformed element is covered in a vacuum bag to stabilize the stack of components that make up the preformed element. Before the preformed element is used in a blade mold, these vacuum bags must be removed, which is typically done at a corresponding workstation where the preformed element must be temporarily supported so that its shape and / or components are not subject to any adverse effects from the preformed element support equipment.

[0006] In modern wind turbines, wind turbine blades with different geometries (in particular dimensions) are employed. Thus, if different types / sizes of wind turbine blades are to be manufactured, the dimensions of the preformed element vary according to the size of the blade for which it is intended. In particular, the preformed element mainly varies in height and width, where, additionally, different shapes may also occur even within a particular type of wind turbine blade.

[0007] However, nowadays, the manufacturing systems for preformed elements, in particular preform molds and workstations for removing vacuum bags, are mainly designed for specific preformed element dimensions and / or shapes. In particular, a preformed element with a given size and shape is manufactured in a dedicated manufacturing system for preformed elements. However, this is not a viable method for mass production because a very large number of preform molds and preformed element support equipment would be required, and in many cases lifting and / or transport means would be needed.

[0008] WO 2019 / 115 522A1 proposes a method for manufacturing at least two preforms for molding wind turbine blades, wherein the preform mold structure used has a molded surface with a variable shape such that, by using actuators, the shape of the molded surface can be varied at least between a first configuration and a second configuration. However, a mold element with a molded surface of variable shape has a complex and expensive construction and, in particular, does not allow scaling of the shape provided by such an adaptive mold element.

[0009] The later published European patent application EP 21209596.2 discloses the use of a vacuum bag during the manufacture of a preformed element. To facilitate handling of the evacuated vacuum bag arrangement, the vacuum bag includes a number of, preferably reinforced handling holes arranged at one or more sides or edge regions of the bag. These handling holes can receive, for example, pins or other clamping or coupling means of any type of conveying device which is adapted to convey, for example, the evacuated vacuum bag arrangement from the mold to an intermediate transport means, which transports the evacuated vacuum bag arrangement to a heating device or a workstation for removing the vacuum bag. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved workstation design for removing vacuum bags, especially when dealing with preformed elements of different sizes and / or shapes.

[0011] This object is achieved by providing a preformed element support device according to claim 1, a workstation according to claim 11, and a method according to claim 15.

[0012] The preformed element support device for supporting a preformed element during the removal of a vacuum bag of a longitudinally preformed element, especially for a wind turbine blade, according to the present invention comprises

[0013] - vertically extending holding means positioned at a lateral distance at each lateral side, and

[0014] - a plurality of laterally extending support portions spanning the lateral distance between the holding means, the plurality of support portions having a staggered arrangement in the longitudinal direction,

[0015] - wherein the support portions are mounted to the holding means in a drooping manner and are flexible to conform to the shape of the preformed element supported on the support portions.

[0016] The support portions are designed such that the preformed element is only locally supported along its length, especially at staggered longitudinal positions, but is supported as widely as possible in the lateral direction (width direction), wherein the flexible support portions adapt to the shape of the preformed element, especially the lateral height profile. In this way, the components of the preformed element, and especially its shape, are not negatively affected, thereby protecting the preformed element from damage during the removal of the vacuum bag. In other words, the support portions are generally configured and selected such that wrinkling in the preformed element (e.g., in a fiber mat) is prevented and the geometry is maintained. Additionally, since supportability is provided in principle over the lateral distance spanned by the support elements, the preformed element support device is suitable for preformed elements having different widths. However, since the shape adjustability may be limited for larger widths, and / or the longitudinal positioning may be less defined for smaller widths, the preformed element support device may also preferably include positioning means, i.e., width adjustment means, for adjusting the holding means to different lateral distances, as further discussed below.

[0017] According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for implementing a vacuum bag removal workstation for preformed elements, which is flexible with respect to the dimensions and / or shape of the preformed elements. The workstation can be part of a manufacturing system, where, for example, a flexible preform mold is also provided. Such a flexible preform mold can include mold element support equipment and mold elements, for example, at a packaging station for preformed elements. Here, interchangeable mold elements for a large number of dimensions and / or shapes of preformed elements can be provided. The workstation according to the present invention can be used for all those shapes and / or dimensions.

[0018] The preformed element support equipment, and thus the workstation, can handle preformed elements having different geometries. The workstation is not specific to a particular wind turbine blade, especially a wind turbine blade of a particular size / dimension. Thus, the preformed element support equipment can be used for preformed elements of several different wind turbine blade types.

[0019] As will be discussed in further detail below, with respect to the holding device and the support part, the preformed element support equipment can be implemented modularly, such that it can, for example, be disassembled and tightly packed into a transport housing (such as a container). If independent column elements, especially paired column elements, are provided along the longitudinal direction of the preformed element support equipment as the holding device, length adjustment can be easily provided by adding or removing column elements due to the modular construction.

[0020] In some cases, the ability of the flexible support part to adapt to different shapes may not be sufficient to meet the actual shape requirements, especially those shapes having different heights in the lateral edge region of the preformed element. Thus, in an embodiment, height adjustment equipment can also be provided so that different heights in the lateral side region of the preformed element or along its length can be easily adapted. Such varying heights (and / or widths) of a particular preformed element may be due to special design features that can be provided, for example, for a lightning protection system or the like. For example, if the lateral edge of the preformed element is locally higher than the portion along the rest of its length, the holding device (such as the corresponding column element) can be adjusted to this greater height. Thus, the optional positioning equipment already mentioned can be used for adjustment for a locally greater or smaller width, but this can also be taken into account by a plurality of flexible support parts.

[0021] The overall height of the holding device can be selected to provide an optimal working height, especially with respect to the manufacturing personnel and / or auxiliary equipment used during the removal of the vacuum bag.

[0022] Generally, the vacuum bag removal equipment can also be reused, or even recycled for use with another wind turbine blade type when a certain blade type is discontinued. Thus, in addition to being cost-effective, it also allows for a quick transition to the manufacture of new blade types. The process of removing the vacuum bag can be assimilated or even standardized for different types of wind turbine blades, making it easier for manufacturers to switch between the production of different blade types. In particular, the preform support equipment and workstations can also be used for the manufacture of different types of wind turbine blades. For example, it can be used for the manufacture of one-piece blades and blade halves.

[0023] Typically, the support portion and the holding device can have the same design along the entire length of the preform support equipment. However, in embodiments, different support portions can also be used at different longitudinal positions, but this is less preferred.

[0024] In a specific embodiment, the support portion can include, in particular, a load-bearing line on which rollers are mounted and / or at least substantially cylindrical, in particular rotatably mounted, support pillows and / or at least one strip element having a contact surface for the preform, the contact surface including, in particular, a low-friction material. The support portion can include a load-bearing line (or similarly, a load-bearing rope or cable). To facilitate the movement of the preform on such a load-bearing line, for example, during loading and / or unloading, a plurality of rollers can be mounted on the load-bearing line, which rotate about a transverse axis of rotation. The rollers can be placed densely enough to still allow for a predetermined flexibility to adapt to the shape of the preform on the one hand, and on the other hand, to provide a wide enough support to prevent wrinkling and / or shape distortion. Additionally, the support portion can include at least substantially cylindrical, in particular rotatably mounted, support pillows. Such support pillows can preferably be elastic at least perpendicular to the transverse direction, fit well to the shape of the preform they support, and also provide continuous lateral support. On the other hand, when rotatably mounted about its central axis, it also facilitates the movement of the preform thereon. In other embodiments, the support portion can also include at least one strip element, such as a belt itself, having a contact surface for the preform, the contact surface including, in particular, a low-friction material. For example, if such a strip element itself is not made of a low-friction material, a pad made of a low-friction material can be attached at least to its flat side. In this way, the preform can slide on the contact surface. Such a contact surface or area made of a low-friction material can also be advantageously used in other embodiments of the support portion, such as for support pillows.

[0025] As already mentioned, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the preform support device further comprises positioning means for adjusting the holding means to different lateral distances. In particular, such positioning means can also allow local adjustment, for example, when the preform has a relatively varying width along its length. For example, a smaller lateral distance can be adjusted locally corresponding to a narrow section of the preform. Generally, by providing such positioning means, it is possible to optimize the properties of the support section, in particular in combination with a favorable lateral distance compensation means for the support section, for the preform being currently processed.

[0026] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the holding means can comprise two laterally opposed column elements for each support section, wherein the positioning means are configured to adjust the lateral position of each of the column elements individually and / or jointly. By constructing the holding means as separate column elements along the longitudinal direction, local adjustment becomes possible and the modularity of the preform support device is improved.

[0027] Preferably, in such a configuration, the positioning means can comprise a shared lateral track for each pair of laterally opposed column elements, the track extending in the lateral direction at each support position arranged in a staggered manner. Such a track can, for example, be integrated into the floor or, preferably, be releasably mounted to the floor using attachment means. The column elements are guided in or on the lateral track, in particular individually. Thus, their lateral position can be easily adjusted. In a modular construction of the preform support device, the track with the column elements thereon and the corresponding support sections mounted to the column elements can form a module. For length adjustment, such modules can be added or removed respectively.

[0028] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a lateral distance compensation means can be provided for each support section to supplement the positioning means. In particular, by changing the lateral distance between the holding means, in particular between a pair of column elements, if the lateral length of the support section remains constant, the arch formed during sagging changes and thus the flexibility to adapt to different shapes can also be affected. The lateral distance compensation means is configured to adjust the sagging length of the support section, in particular in order to be able to provide an optimal arch form, in particular for different widths. For example, if the lateral distance increases, it may be advantageous to provide a longer support section so that it sags low enough. On the other hand, if the lateral distance decreases, the free sagging part of the support section can be reduced, for example, to prevent touching the ground.

[0029] In a specific exemplary embodiment, the flexible support part can extend into the holding device at at least one lateral side, can be deflected in the height direction, for example, by a deflection pulley, and is particularly attached via a spring to the height-adjustable plate of the lateral distance compensation device. In this way, the lateral distance compensation device can be accommodated in the holding device, particularly a column element, and thus is neither visible nor subject to environmental influences. In this embodiment, the holding device serves as a storage space for an additional length of the support part and, additionally, provides space for the lateral distance compensation device. In a specific example, an actuator, particularly an electric motor, can be provided for the height adjustment of the plate, particularly for rotating the plate relative to a threaded rod, and the plate is mounted to the threaded rod by a mating thread.

[0030] In a general embodiment, as already indicated, height adjustment can also be provided for the support part, particularly for its mounting position to the holding device. Preferably, the support part can be mounted to the holding device at at least one side by a mounting part, the mounting part being at least partially located outside the holding device and being height-adjustable. In a specific combined embodiment, for example, the holding device on one lateral side can include a lateral distance compensation device, while a height adjustment device can be provided at or in the holding device on the other lateral side. However, in addition to the lateral distance compensation device, a height adjustment device can also be provided, for example, by providing the column element as including a telescopic device, thereby allowing the height to be changed.

[0031] In a specific embodiment, the height adjustment device for the mounting part can include vertical tracks in the holding device. The mounting part is guided in or on those vertical tracks. For example, a carriage can be guided in the hollow interior of the column element, and the column element has a part of the mounting part located outside the holding device, which is attached to the holding device by a long opening in the height direction.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the support part can be attached to the holding device via an elastic length-adjustable element, particularly a spring. Advantageously, such a spring allows for better adaptation to the shape of the preformed element. Additionally, if, for example, individual height adjustability is provided at at least one lateral side, the elastic length-adjustable element can at least partially compensate for different heights. Further, if a positioning device is provided, compensation can also be provided at least partially for the adjustment of the lateral distance. In particular, as already mentioned, a combination of a lateral distance compensation device and a spring can be employed to provide optimal flexibility with respect to the shape and adjustment of the preformed element.

[0033] A workstation for removing a vacuum bag from a longitudinal preform element, in particular for a wind turbine blade, according to the invention comprises a preform element support device according to the invention and at least one auxiliary device for removing the vacuum bag. All features and explanations regarding the preform element support device can be similarly applied to the workstation according to the invention, such that the same advantages can be achieved, as already discussed above.

[0034] In an embodiment, the auxiliary device may include a lifting device for lifting the preform element. For example, when the upper section of the vacuum bag has been removed from the upper surface of the preform element, the preform element can be lifted from the section of the vacuum bag located below the preform element. Advantageously, the lifting device may be a vacuum lifter or include a vacuum lifter, which allows engaging the preform element, in particular the exposed upper surface, from above and then lifting the preform element. Of course, other such lifting devices may also be used, which include attachment devices configured to attach to the surface from above. For example, a lifting device as described in the European patent application EP 22164431.3 published later may be employed.

[0035] In an embodiment, the auxiliary device may further include at least one pulling device, in particular a winch auxiliary device, for pulling the upper section of the vacuum bag from the preform element. For example, the vacuum bag may be cut at the distal end, and the upper section may be coupled to the pulling device, in particular the winch auxiliary device, already installed at the proximal end, such that the upper section of the vacuum bag can be removed. In other workflows, the vacuum bag may include two vacuum foils, in particular one forming the upper section and one forming the lower section, which are held together by a fixing device such as tape or other auxiliary materials. In such an embodiment, after removing the fixing device, or by pulling only one vacuum foil (in this case, the upper section), the two vacuum foils can be separated from each other.

[0036] As an example, a winch auxiliary device as a pulling device for pulling at least the upper part of the vacuum bag from a preform element supported on a preform element support device may include:

[0037] - mounting means for releasably mounting the winch auxiliary device to the preform element support device, in particular to a column element of the holding device,

[0038] - a winch assembly attached to the mounting means, the winch assembly including a towing cable attached to a wheel at one end of the winch assembly, and

[0039] - coupling means for coupling to the vacuum bag at the other end of the towing cable.

[0040] This winch assistance device can also be flexibly used for other purposes, such as loading items onto shelves or other transportation and / or storage devices, and / or unloading items from shelves or other transportation and / or storage devices. For example, for loading items, the winch assistance device can be mounted to a shelf, particularly to a frame structure, at a position longitudinally opposite to the current position of the item to be loaded. The towing cable can be pulled to the proximal end of the item with respect to the shelf and can be connected to the item via a coupling device. Then, a manual or electric actuator for rotating the reel can be actuated to longitudinally pull the item into the frame structure. On the other hand, for unloading a preformed element, for example, to a workstation according to the present invention, the winch assistance device can be mounted to a workstation component such as a holding device. After being connected to the item, the preformed element can be pulled out of the shelf, particularly slidably, onto the support portion.

[0041] In an embodiment, the coupling device can include a plate-shaped, particularly flexible and / or tension coupling element and a coupling pin. The coupling element includes a through-hole for the pin. The preformed element or the vacuum bag can be connected to the towing cable by respectively introducing the coupling pin through a groove hole and a through-hole or a processing hole provided in the edge region of the vacuum bag. The coupling pin can be held in this position by a locking device to complete the coupling process. As already mentioned, such a vacuum bag is described in the later published European patent application EP21209596.2.

[0042] Further preferably, the winch assistance device can also include a width adjustment device to further facilitate installation to different components and / or different installation positions. For example, the winch assembly can include two lateral bearing elements, the lateral bearing elements including bearings for a shaft, to which a reel with a towing cable can be mounted. The shaft can be telescopic to implement the width adjustment device of the winch assistance device. An actuator, such as an electric motor, can be mounted to at least one of the bearing elements. The bearing element can include a connection portion for connecting to a mounting device, and the mounting device can include, for example, mounting brackets for each lateral side.

[0043] In this advantageous embodiment as well as in other embodiments, the winch assistance device can be modular, such that, for example, both the mounting device and the winch assembly with the coupling device can form at least one module, particularly a plurality of modules. For example, the shaft can be removed from the bearing element, and the reel can be removed from the shaft. It should generally be noted that such a winch assistance device can of course also provide multiple instances of the reel and / or the towing cable with the coupling device, particularly on a common shaft. In a modular construction, the number of towing cables actually used for pulling the upper part of the vacuum bag can be individually selected for each removal process.

[0044] In an embodiment, the winch assistance device can also be used for additional purposes in a manufacturing system, such as for pulling parts of a preform element, such as a fiber mat, onto the molding surface of a mold element, for loading and unloading processes, and the like.

[0045] Returning to the workstation according to the invention, the assistance device can also include a shredding and / or packaging device for the vacuum bag. For example, a shredding device can be placed at one end of the preform element support device, which automatically pulls in the removed vacuum bag material, in particular the vacuum foil, and shreds it. Such a shredding device can also be adapted to package the vacuum bag material, such as into a package, after shredding, and the package can be sent for recycling, in particular to a recycling facility.

[0046] In a method of removing a vacuum bag from a longitudinal preform element, in particular for a wind turbine blade, using a preform element support device according to the invention or a workstation according to the invention,

[0047] - In particular, after at least adjusting the preform element support device to the width of the preform element, the preform element is placed on the support part of the preform element support device,

[0048] - The upper section of the vacuum bag covering the upper surface of the preform element is removed,

[0049] - The lifting device, in particular a vacuum lifter, engaging the exposed upper surface of the preform element lifts the preform element from the preform element support device such that the lower section of the vacuum bag remains on the support part, and

[0050] - The vacuum bag is removed from the preform element support device.

[0051] Therefore, the optimal way to use the workstation according to the present invention is to first remove the part of the vacuum bag covering the upper surface of the preformed element, so that the preformed element can be lifted by a lifting device, especially a vacuum lifter, so as to gain access to the lower section of the vacuum bag held on the preformed element support device. In particular, before placing the preformed element on the support part, adjustments regarding dimensions and / or shape can be carried out as required, for example by using positioning devices and / or height adjustment devices. In some cases, if there are only minor variations, for example regarding width, between successive preformed elements to be processed, these differences can be compensated for by a flexible support device. Regarding larger differences, especially width differences, or regarding optimal shape adaptation, positioning devices can be used to adapt to the new width, or general properties. To place the preformed element on the preformed element support device, a lifting device can be used. However, in other implementation options, the preformed element can also, for example, slide from a transport and / or storage device (such as a rack) onto the support part, where the preformed element is supported in a horizontal position. To pull the preformed element from the transport and / or storage device onto the support part, the winch-assisted device already discussed can also be employed.

[0052] Once the preformed element has been placed on the support part, the upper section of the vacuum bag can be removed, for example, by cutting or slicing the vacuum bag along the longitudinal direction and folding it towards one or both transverse sides. This can be carried out, for example, by the manufacturer. In another embodiment, as already discussed above, a pulling device, or especially a winch-assisted device, can also be used to pull out the upper section of the vacuum bag. Although cutting or otherwise removing the upper section along the longitudinal direction may require a crane, using a pulling device, especially a winch-assisted device, eliminates this need.

[0053] After the upper section has been removed, the now-exposed upper surface of the preformed element can be engaged by a lifting device (such as a vacuum lifter) to lift it from the remaining lower section of the vacuum bag. In particular, the preformed element can be directly lifted into the blade mold and / or a transport and / or storage device (such as a rack). Then, the vacuum bag can be removed from the preformed element support device and, for example, shredded. The shredded vacuum foil can be packaged (such as compressed) into manageable packages for recycling. Description of the Drawings

[0054] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the said drawings are only schematic sketches of the principles designed for illustrative purposes and do not limit the present invention. The drawings show:

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration showing the manufacture and components of a preformed element,

[0056] Figure 2 is a perspective partial view of a preform element in a vacuum bag,

[0057] Figure 3 is a first embodiment of a workstation for removing a vacuum bag from a preform element during a process step,

[0058] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a preform element support device used in the first embodiment,

[0059] Figure 5 is a close-up view of another mounting design,

[0060] Figure 6 is Figure 3 in another variant of the process step of Figure 3 an embodiment,

[0061] Figure 7 is a winch assist device,

[0062] Figure 8 is a coupling device for the winch assist device,

[0063] Figure 9 is the workstation of the first embodiment during another process step,

[0064] Figure 10 is a module of a preform element support device in a second embodiment of the workstation, and

[0065] Figure 11 is an illustration of an alternative implementation of a support portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In the following, the present invention will be discussed with respect to preform elements for the manufacture of wind turbine blades. To establish a background, Figure 1It is a schematic diagram explaining the manufacture and construction of a preformed element for vacuum packaging. For packaging the preformed element, a preform die is used, which includes a die element 1, particularly a die shell, having a molding surface 2, where components of the vacuum bag and the preformed element can be placed at the molding surface 2. Here, in addition to the components 3 of the preformed element, a vacuum foil 4 is used to form a vacuum bag to stabilize and protect the components 3, and a paper layer 5 is used to improve the fit of the vacuum foil 4 and / or the components 3 to the geometry and prevent air cavities, etc. The components 3 can include, for example, a fiber mat and / or a core material and / or a binder. The molding surface 2 defines the desired shape of the preformed element. By placing the components 3 on the molding surface 2, it assumes the desired shape. A binder is supplied to locally attach the components together so that it can be handled as a single object (i.e., the preformed element). The binder can be heat-activated and hardened / cured by cooling, which can occur at the preform die itself and / or at a dedicated heating and / or cooling device, particularly a furnace, at another workstation.

[0067] Figure 2 Shows a preformed element 6 packaged in a vacuum bag 7. Here, the vacuum bag 7 can be designed, for example, as described in the later published European patent application EP 22209596.2, and preferably includes a reinforced handling hole 8 arranged at the side of the vacuum bag 7.

[0068] Before such a preformed element 6 can be used to manufacture a wind turbine blade or a wind turbine blade part (e.g., a blade half) in a blade die, the vacuum bag 7 must be removed.

[0069] Figure 3 Shows a workstation 53 for removing the vacuum bag 7 from the preformed element 6. During the step, first, the upper section covering the upper surface 44 of the preformed element 6 is removed.

[0070] The workstation 53 includes a preformed element support device 9 for the longitudinal preformed element 6, and the preformed element support device 9 has lateral holding devices 10 at each lateral side, and the lateral holding devices 10 have a lateral distance 11. In Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the holding device 10 includes column elements 12, and the pair of column elements 12 at each longitudinal position where the preformed element 6 is to be supported are guided in a shared track 13, and the track 13 is part of a positioning device 14 for adjusting the lateral distance 11, as will be further discussed later. Thus, the column elements 12 can move in the lateral direction according to the arrow 15.

[0071] The track 13 is releasably mounted to the floor 16 by an attachment device (not shown).

[0072] The preform element support device 9 further includes a support part 17 which is mounted at each end to the holding device 10, in this case the column element 12, and thus extends laterally and spans the lateral distance 11 between the column elements 12. The support part 17 sags and is flexible to conform to the shape of the preform element 6, as shown.

[0073] Each track 13 together with its releasable attachment means, the column element 12 and the corresponding support part 17 form a module of the preform element support device 9. By selecting the number of modules and their distance in the longitudinal direction 18, longitudinal adjustment can be made to match the length of the preform element 6. In addition, by using modules, the preform element support device 9 is not only flexible with respect to length, but can also be easily transported and, for example, tightly packed into a container.

[0074] As can be seen from Figure 3 it, a staggered arrangement is produced in the longitudinal direction 18, in which the support part 17 extends laterally across each of a plurality of longitudinal positions.

[0075] Figure 4 is a transverse cross-section of a module of the preform element support device 9, which shows the column 12 and the sagging-mounted support part 17 and its specific embodiment. In this embodiment, the support part 17 includes a load-bearing line 19 to which rollers 20 are mounted at regular intervals, in particular such that the preform element 6 can slide on the support part 17, for example during loading and / or unloading. The plurality of rollers 20 also allows for a uniformly distributed support along the lateral distance 11.

[0076] As can be seen in Figure 4 it, the support part 17 sags in a specific arched shape according to the lateral distance 11 due to its free length. As again indicated by the arrow 21, since this lateral distance 11 can be adjusted by moving the column element 12 and the track 13, the arched shape will change, as indicated by the arrow 22. To compensate for this change in the lateral distance 11 and the resulting sagging shape, a lateral distance compensation device 23 is provided, which in the Figure 4 embodiment is built into the right column element 12. The lateral distance compensation device 23 includes a plate 24, as shown, into which the load-bearing line 19 or generally the support part 17 extends into the hollow column element 12 up to the plate 24. As shown here, the support part 17 is coupled to the plate 24 via a spring 25 which is an elastically length-adjustable element, which improves the adaptation to the shape of the preform element 6 and can also provide at least some compensation for changes in the lateral distance 11 (or height difference, as discussed further below).

[0077] The plate 24 is screwed onto the threaded rod 26 by mating threads and can be rotated by an actuator 27, which is an electric motor in this case. With the aid of the lateral distance compensation device 23, if the lateral distance 11 changes, the arched shape can be adjusted, just as the spring 25 also helps to align the support part 17 to the preformed element 6.

[0078] In addition to the positioning device 14 and the lateral distance compensation device 23, a height adjustment device 28 for adjusting the height of the mounting part 29 to which the support part 17 is mounted can also be provided. In the Figure 4 example, it is shown in the left column element 12. In this way, adjustment of the height difference between the lateral sides of the preformed element 6, especially local height differences caused by special structures, can be implemented. Regarding such height adjustment, the length of the support part 17 that freely sags between the column elements 12 can also be adjusted by the lateral distance compensation device 23 to provide the desired shape adjustment properties.

[0079] In other embodiments, the height adjustment device 28 can also be provided on both sides, that is, for two of the column elements 12 in a pair of column elements by, for example, making the height of the column element 12 itself adjustable. In this case, the height adjustment device 28 can be, for example, a telescopic device.

[0080] As Figure 5 shown in the variant, especially if the lateral distance compensation device 23 is not provided, the support part 17 can be directly attached to the mounting part 29 via the spring 25.

[0081] As already mentioned, Figure 3 shows the process steps for removing the vacuum bag 7 from the preformed element 6 supported on the support part 17. According to Figure 3 , the upper section of the vacuum bag 7 covering the upper surface 8 is cut, and in this example, the manufacturer 30 folds the vacuum foil to both sides.

[0082] Figure 6 shows an alternative implementation of this step, where a pulling device (a winch-assisted device 31 in this case) is mounted to the column element 12 at one end of the preformed element support device 9. Refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 for a more detailed illustration and explanation of this winch-assisted device 31.

[0083] The winch-assisted device 31 is a convenient tool for explanation with reference to Figure 7 As Figure 7As shown, the winch assistance device 31 includes mounting means 32 for releasably mounting the winch assistance device 31 to a component in a manufacturing system, and a winch assembly 33. In this case, the winch assembly 33 has two tow cables 34 that can be wound around a reel 35, and each of the tow cables 34 has a coupling means 36 at its free end. The reel 35 is mounted to a rotatable telescopic shaft 37 received in a lateral bearing element 38. The bearing element 38 includes a connecting portion for connection to the mounting means 32. In this case, the mounting means 32 includes two mounting brackets 39. An actuator 40 (including an electric motor 41 in this case) for rotating the shaft 37 and thus winding and unwinding the tow cables 34 is mounted to one of the bearing elements 38. By using the telescopic shaft 37, a width adjustment device is provided.

[0084] Figure 8 An embodiment of the coupling means 36 is shown in more detail. In this case, the coupling means 36 includes a plate-like tension and / or flexible coupling element 42 having a through-hole. A coupling pin 43 is fitted into the through-hole and a through-hole 8 (processing hole) of the vacuum bag 7 of the preform element 6.

[0085] Figure 9 Explain other process steps at the workstation 53. After the upper section of the vacuum bag 7 has been removed and the upper surface 44 of the preform element 6 has been exposed, a lifting device 45 (a vacuum lifter in this case) engages the upper surface 44 and lifts the preform element 6 from the lower section of the vacuum bag 7 held on the support portion 17. The lifting device 45 can, for example, directly move the preform element 6 to a blade mold and / or to a transport and / or storage device (such as a rack).

[0086] After the preform element 6 has been lifted, in this case, the material of the vacuum bag 7, especially the vacuum foil, can be removed from the preform element support device 9 by a shredding device 46. The shredding device 46 also pulls in the material, as indicated by the arrow 47. The shredding device 46 can also package and compress the material of the vacuum bag 7 into manageable packages 48, which can be sent for recycling.

[0087] Figure 10 Modules showing a modified embodiment of the preform element support device 9 are shown. Here, the support portion 17 includes a belt 49, and the belt 49 has a low-friction material on its surface such that the preform element 6 in the vacuum bag 7 can slide easily on its surface. In this case, the height adjustment device 28 includes a vertical track 50 in the column element 12. For example, the mounting member 29 can be a carriage extending inside the column 12 or include a carriage extending inside the column 12 for height adjustment.

[0088] Finally, Figure 11Shows a further embodiment of the support part 17, in which case the support part 17 comprises a flexible at least substantially cylindrical support pillow 51, which can rotate about its central axis (as indicated by the arrow 52), and thus also allows the preform element 6 in the vacuum bag 7 to move easily in the longitudinal direction 18 above the support part 17.

[0089] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art can derive other variations without departing from the scope of the present invention according to the disclosed examples.

Claims

1. A preform support device (9) for supporting a longitudinal preform element (6) during removal of a vacuum bag (7), in particular for a wind turbine blade, comprising - vertically extending holding means (10) positioned at a lateral distance (11) at each lateral side, and - a plurality of laterally extending support portions (17) spanning the lateral distance (11) between the holding means (10), the plurality of support portions (17) having a staggered arrangement in the longitudinal direction (18), - Among them, The support portions (17) are mounted pendulously to the holding means (10) and are flexible to conform to the shape of the preform element (6) supported on the support portions (17).

2. The preformed element support device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support portions (17) comprise in particular a load-bearing line (19) on which rollers (20) are mounted, and / or at least substantially cylindrical, in particular rotatably mounted, support pillows (51) and / or at least one strip element (49) having a contact surface for the preform element (6), the contact surface in particular comprising a low-friction material.

3. The preformed element support device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It further comprises positioning means (14) for adjusting the holding means (10) to different lateral distances (11).

4. The preform element support device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The holding means (10) comprises two laterally opposed column elements (12) for each support portion (17), wherein the positioning means (14) is configured to adjust the lateral position of each of the column elements (12) individually and / or jointly.

5. The preformed element support device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The positioning means (14) comprises a shared lateral track (13) for each pair of laterally opposed column elements (12), the track (13) extending in the lateral direction at each support position.

6. The preform support device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, A lateral distance compensation device (23) is provided for each support portion (17).

7. The preform support device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The flexible support portion (17) extends into the holding means (10), deflects in the height direction, and is in particular attached via a spring (25) to a height-adjustable plate (24) of the lateral distance compensation device (23).

8. The preform support device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The support portion (17) is mounted to the holding means (10) at at least one side by means of a mounting member (29), the mounting member (29) being at least partially located outside the holding means (10), the mounting member (29) being height-adjustable.

9. The preformed element support device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The height adjustment means (28) for the mounting member (29) comprises a vertical track (50) in the holding means (10).

10. The preform support device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The support portion (17) is attached to the holding means (10) via an elastic length-adjustable element, in particular a spring (25).

11. A workstation (53) for removing a vacuum bag (7) from a longitudinal preform element (6) especially for a wind turbine blade, wherein, The workstation (53) comprises a preform support device (9) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one auxiliary device for removing the vacuum bag (7).

12. The workstation according to claim 11, wherein The auxiliary device comprises a lifting device (45) for lifting the preform element (6).

13. The workstation according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The auxiliary device comprises at least one pulling device, in particular a winch auxiliary device (31), for pulling an upper section of the vacuum bag (7) from the preform element (6).

14. The workstation according to claim 13, wherein, The auxiliary device includes a shredding and / or packaging device (46) for the vacuum bag (7).

15. A method for removing a vacuum bag (7) from a longitudinal preform (6), in particular for a wind turbine blade, using a preform support device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a workstation (53) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein - the preform (6) is placed on the support part (17) of the preform support device (9), in particular after at least adjusting the preform support device (9) to the width of the preform (6), - the upper section of the vacuum bag (7) covering the upper surface (44) of the preform (6) is removed, - the preform (6) is lifted from the preform support device (9) by a lifting device (45), in particular a vacuum lifter, engaging the exposed upper surface (44) of the preform (6), such that the lower section of the vacuum bag (7) remains on the support part (17), and - the vacuum bag (7) is removed from the preform support device (9).

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