Method for arranging shell section on blade mould for producing blade or half-shell of blade of wind turbine, and assembly frame for arranging shell section on blade mould for producing blade or half-shell of blade of wind turbine

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for arranging a shell section on a blade mould for producing a blade or a half-shell of a blade of a wind turbine, and to an assembly frame for arranging a shell section on a blade mould for producing a blade or a half-shell of a blade of a wind turbine. The invention relates to a method for arranging a shell section (20, 35, 53), in particular a half-shell section, on a blade mould (22) for manufacturing a blade of a wind turbine or a half-shell of a blade, said method comprising the following steps: providing a plurality of pre-formed elements (21, 36, 51), each pre-formed element comprising a stack of fibrous mats fixed to one another, arranging the preform elements (21, 36, 51) on a support element (8) of a frame (2, 50) of an assembly rack (1) and adhering the preform elements (21, 36, 51) to one another to form the housing section (20, 35, 53), clamping the housing section (20, 35, 53) to the frame (2, 50) by means of a clamping element (17) of the assembly rack (1), the frame (2, 50) and the shell section (20, 35, 53) are turned over by means of at least one swivel joint (26) which rotatably connects the frame (2, 50) to a support (3) of the assembly frame (1), the shell section (20, 35, 53) is lifted and placed on the blade mold (22), and the frame (2, 50) which is disconnected from the support (3) is used as a lifting yoke.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for arranging shell sections, particularly semi-shell sections, on a blade mold for manufacturing wind turbine blades or blade semi-shells. Furthermore, this invention relates to an assembly frame for arranging shell sections on a blade mold for manufacturing wind turbine blades or blade semi-shells. Background Technology

[0002] To manufacture blades for wind turbines, pre-formed elements are typically used. These pre-formed elements typically contain thermosetting or thermoplastic adhesives on reinforcing fabrics. Typically, the adhesives are activated by heat, and when cooled back to room temperature, the reinforcing fabrics adhere to each other via the adhesives. Therefore, a pre-formed element is typically a stack comprising several layers of reinforcing fabric in a desired shape.

[0003] To manufacture the final blade or blade half-shell, the preformed elements are typically arranged laterally on the mold surface of the blade mold. A problem with this step is that adjacent preformed elements (especially if they include angled lateral surfaces) often slip from their designated positions due to their own weight, resulting in undesirable lateral overlap. Furthermore, positioning the preformed elements in the blade mold with the desired accuracy is typically tedious. Because the preformed elements typically comprise large dimensions of several meters, and because the corresponding tolerances for their positions in the blade mold are quite low, allowing only minute deviations between the actual and required positions, positioning these elements with the desired accuracy is a time-consuming and difficult process. In addition, it is typically necessary to check whether the preformed elements are correctly positioned in the blade mold after they have been arranged. Performing this check is also difficult and tedious. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One object of the present invention is to provide an improved concept for the manufacturing process of wind turbine blades, particularly for the process of arranging preformed elements in a blade mold.

[0005] This objective is achieved by a method as initially described, wherein the method includes the following steps: - Provides several preformed elements, each preformed element comprising a stack of fiber pads fixed to each other. - The preformed components are arranged on the support elements of the frame of the assembly rack and the preformed components are adhered to each other to form the housing segment. - The housing section is clamped to the frame by the clamping elements of the assembly frame. - The frame and housing section are flipped by at least one rotary joint that rotatably connects the frame to the support of the assembly frame. - Lift the housing section and place it on the blade mold, wherein the frame, which is detached from the support, is used as a lifting yoke.

[0006] This invention relates to the manufacturing and processing of shell sections adapted to connect with other shell sections to form a final wind turbine blade or a half-shell of a final wind turbine blade to be manufactured. Therefore, manufacturing the shell section is a sub-step of manufacturing the blade or the half-shell of the wind turbine blade. The shell section may be a section extending across a portion of the circumference of the final blade. This means that several (particularly between two and ten) shell sections may be required to form the complete circumference of the final blade. Preferably, the shell section is a half-shell section, i.e., a section providing half of the circumference of the final blade. This means that two corresponding half-sections are required to achieve the complete circumference of the blade. The half-shell section may be a portion of the half-shell that forms the pressure side of the blade or a portion of the half-shell that forms the suction side of the blade. The shell section may be a one-third shell section, requiring three corresponding sections to achieve the complete circumference of the blade. The shell section may be a one-quarter shell section, requiring four corresponding sections to achieve the complete circumference of the blade, and so on.

[0007] The final blade circumference can be between 5 meters and 30 meters, particularly between 10 meters and 20 meters. Regarding the longitudinal extension of the blade, the shell section typically achieves only a portion of the complete longitudinal extension. In particular, more than three, especially more than five, shell sections arranged longitudinally to each other may be required to achieve the complete blade. While the blade can have a total length of tens of meters or even over one hundred meters, the length of the shell section can be between 1 meter and 30 meters, particularly between 12 meters and 16 meters, wherein the width of the shell section can be between 1 meter and 10 meters, particularly between 2.5 meters and 5 meters.

[0008] According to the present invention, several preformed elements are provided, for example as described above. Each preformed element comprises several fiber pads adhered to each other. The fiber pads may be composed of glass fiber, carbon fiber, and / or plastic fiber. To produce the preformed elements, fiber pad layers or fabric pad layers that implement reinforcing devices for the respective preformed elements are arranged in a preforming mold having a shape corresponding to a specified shape of the preformed element to be produced. The fiber pads are impregnated with an adhesive (e.g., a powdered adhesive). Applying heat to the stack can activate the adhesive to cause the layers to adhere to each other and maintain the current shape of the respective preformed element. In addition to the fiber pads or fabric pads, the preformed element may include at least one core component. The core component may be composed of balsa wood and / or foam material and / or plastic material, particularly PET. In any case, the preformed element ultimately comprises a sandwich structure.

[0009] Assuming the housing segment to be manufactured should have a desired segment geometry, the steps of arranging the preformed elements on the support elements of the frame of the assembly frame and attaching the preformed elements to each other to form the housing segment can be performed by performing the following steps: - An assembly frame is provided, the assembly frame having the plurality of support elements arranged in a geometry corresponding to the geometry of the said section. - The preformed elements are arranged on the support element, particularly side-by-side, such that the preformed elements are positioned relative to each other with a geometry corresponding to the geometry of the segment, and - Adhere adjacent preformed elements to each other to form the housing segment.

[0010] The desired segment geometry of the housing segment can be the shape of the component after it has been manufactured. The desired segment geometry is defined or given by the desired shape of the blade or half-shell to be produced, i.e., it relates to the blade segment formed by the corresponding housing segment. Therefore, the sum of the desired segment geometries of all housing segments used to manufacture the complete blade or half-shell results in the overall geometry or shape of the component. Specifically, the segment geometry can be or describes (particularly curved) a two-dimensional curve that correspondingly defines the surface of the blade or housing segment.

[0011] According to another aspect of the method according to the invention, the assembly rack is provided. The frame of the assembly rack is adapted to carry all preformed elements for producing the respective housing segments. More precisely, the frame or assembly rack respectively includes support elements on which the preformed elements are located. The support elements may be arranged relative to each other such that they or the support plates of the support elements are positioned within a geometry corresponding to or equal to the geometry of the segment.

[0012] The preformed elements can be arranged on the support element without being attached to it; that is, the preformed elements can be held in position solely by their own weight. However, preferably, after being arranged on the support element, the preformed elements can be clamped by clamping elements of the support element to secure or maintain their relative position. Clamping the preformed elements means that the respective preformed elements are temporarily secured or attached to the respective support element. This measure protects the relative position between the preformed elements from undesirable displacement, such as due to accidental impacts or slippage.

[0013] The preformed elements can be arranged side-by-side or located on the support element. This means that the preformed elements are positioned adjacent to each other, forming a mosaic structure. The number of preformed elements arranged or located on the support element can be between two and ten. In particular, two or three preformed elements can be arranged laterally to form a corresponding shell segment. Assuming the shell segment is a half-shell segment, a certain number, preferably three, of preformed elements can be arranged laterally adjacent to each other on the support element. The processing of the half-shell segment can be cumbersome, especially because of its size. In this case, the number of preformed elements arranged laterally to each other can be reduced, particularly to two, resulting in a smaller size for the shell segment. In this case, a one-third or one-quarter shell segment can be formed, etc.

[0014] Referring to embodiments where the support elements are arranged in a geometry corresponding to or equal to the geometry of the segment, the same applies to the correspondingly arranged preformed elements. In particular, if the support elements are spaced apart from each other, the preformed elements arranged thereon can be approached from both sides, thus simplifying manual adjustments and / or checks regarding designated positions.

[0015] Next, after the preformed elements are brought into their designated positions relative to each other on the support element, they are adhered to each other to maintain a designated shape and to construct or complete the housing segment. Adhering the preformed elements to each other can result in temporary attachment locations or areas that are strong enough that the housing segment can be further processed without losing its designated shape. The attachment locations can be speckled or dotted, allowing the preformed elements to be adhered or pinned to each other at certain locations. The attachment areas can be striped or slit-like, allowing the preformed elements to be adhered to each other along, for example, their entire lateral sides.

[0016] Next, additional optional details will be described relating to the steps of arranging the preformed elements on the support element and adhering these preformed elements to each other to form the housing segment. In one possible embodiment of the invention, adjacent preformed elements may laterally contact each other after being arranged on the support element. Contacting each other means that the corresponding support elements contact each other at their lateral segments or edges, such that there is no free space between them. Therefore, adhering the preformed elements to each other becomes easier. Preferably, the lateral segments or edges of adjacent preformed elements may overlap each other. The overlapping areas or edges of the preformed elements may include shapes corresponding to each other, i.e., they are male and female molds to each other. The preformed elements typically include a constant thickness. Therefore, preferably, the total thickness of the overlapping edges of two adjacent preformed elements may be equal to this constant thickness. In particular, the lateral segments have an inclined, especially wedge-shaped shape. In other words, the preformed elements may include angled lateral surfaces.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fiber pads of each preformed element are secured to each other by means of a heat-activated adhesive, wherein adjacent preformed elements are adhered to each other by at least partially heating their lateral sections to reactivate the adhesive. As already explained, the adhesive may be a powder adhesive. The attachment site or area is defined by the area of ​​the preformed element that has been heated after the preformed element has been placed on the support element. This reheating causes the adhesive to melt or liquefy, causing the adhesive of the two adjacent preformed elements to converge and providing a strong adhesive bond after the adhesive has been re-cured. Advantageously, an existing component or device of the preformed element, i.e., the adhesive, is used to adhere the preformed elements to each other. Alternatively, but less preferably, a separate glue or adhesive may be used for this purpose.

[0018] Another aspect of the invention is the step of flipping the frame and the corresponding housing sections disposed thereon after the preformed elements have been adhered to each other. This is necessary because before the housing sections are flipped, their upper surfaces facing away from the frame are typically the surfaces arranged to contact the mold surface of the blade mold. After the frame has been flipped, i.e., after it has rotated about 180° about the horizontal axis, this surface of the housing sections points downwards. Therefore, in order to arrange the housing sections on the mold surface of the blade mold, the frame and the housing sections only need to be lowered into the blade mold.

[0019] One aspect allowing the frame and housing section to be flipped is that the assembly rack comprises the frame and the support. The frame and the support constitute two separate parts of the assembly rack, which are detachably connected, allowing the frame to rotate about a (particularly horizontal) axis, while the support is securely positioned on the ground surface or floor. After the frame has been flipped, it can be detached from the support, allowing the frame and housing section to be lifted away from the support. The frame and the support are connected via at least one swivel joint defining the axis of rotation of the frame. Rotational fixing devices, such as clamping devices, can be provided to releasably secure the current rotational position of the frame relative to the support, particularly for loading the assembly rack with the pre-formed element.

[0020] Another aspect allowing the frame and housing segments to be flipped (i.e., preventing the housing segments from falling out of the frame when flipped) is that the housing segments are clamped to the frame by clamping elements, wherein each clamping element is, in particular, a portion of a corresponding support element. Each clamping element is adapted to bear the weight of at least one of the preformed elements, such that all clamping elements are adapted to bear the total weight of the housing segments. The process of clamping the housing segments or preformed elements can be performed immediately after the preformed elements have been arranged on the support element, i.e., before the preformed elements are adhered to each other. In any case, clamping the housing segments is performed before flipping the frame and housing segments.

[0021] Preferably, the support includes transport rollers or wheels to allow easy transport of the frame, and thus the housing section, to the blade mold. Specifically, after the housing section has been brought to the blade mold, the frame is disengaged from the support and used as the lifting yoke to transport the housing section to the blade mold. After the housing section (particularly together with at least one other housing section) has been arranged in the blade mold, an adhesion or hardening step is typically performed to achieve final mechanical stability of the blade or half-shell, and particularly to adhere the housing sections to each other. For this purpose, resin can be injected into the mold cavity in which the housing sections are present or arranged, wherein the resin is eventually cured.

[0022] Next, the central advantages of the invention will be described. One central advantage of the invention stems from the fact that the manufactured shell sections can be used to manufacture the blade or blade half-shells. Therefore, in order to manufacture the blade or blade half-shells, the preformed elements are not positioned individually in the blade mold, but are arranged together and at once, i.e., as components of the shell sections adhered to each other. Thus, the problem of individually arranging the preformed elements on the mold surface in this situation, as described above, is overcome. The preformed elements, as part of the shell sections arranged within the blade mold, are already in their desired positions relative to each other. In particular, the problem of relative sliding and precise positioning of the preformed elements within the blade mold is solved by using the shell sections.

[0023] Another central advantage of the invention stems from the fact that the frame, and therefore part of the assembly frame, is used as the lifting yoke to transport the housing segment to the blade mold. In other words, the assembly frame acts on the one hand as a means for holding and positioning the preformed elements to construct the housing segment, and on the other hand as a transport means for lifting the corresponding housing segment into the blade mold. Therefore, several steps for arranging the housing segment in the blade mold are not necessary, particularly the step of detaching the housing segment from the frame before attaching it with a separate yoke to lift it from the assembly frame into the blade mold.

[0024] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, after the preformed element has been arranged on the support element, the frame and shell sections can be moved from a lower position to a higher position to allow for a flipping movement of the frame and shell sections. Assuming the frame and shell sections are in the lower position, these components are arranged close to the floor such that at least the lowermost preformed element is accessible to personnel for performing manual adjustments and / or checks related to the designated position of the preformed element, without the need for any other equipment such as a ladder. However, the problem caused by being in the lower position is that it is impossible to flip the frame and shell sections because the floor would obstruct the corresponding movement. Therefore, before flipping the frame, the frame and shell sections are moved to the higher position such that the distance between the floor and these components becomes large enough that the corresponding flipping movement is possible.

[0025] To lift the housing section and place it onto the blade mold, the frame can be connected to a lifting device. The lifting device may include or be a crane, particularly a bridge crane, wherein the frame can be connected to the crane's ropes. The frame may include connecting devices, particularly lifting lugs, allowing it to be securely connected to the ropes. The lifting device is adapted to lift the frame and the housing section. Therefore, the lifting device is used to transport the frame and the housing section away from the support and to the blade mold. Next, the frame and the housing section are lowered onto the mold surface of the blade mold, and the clamping element releases the housing section. Thus, the housing section can be placed onto the blade mold by the lifting device.

[0026] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by an assembly frame as initially described, wherein the assembly frame is adapted for use in the method described above. The assembly frame according to the invention comprises a support and a frame, wherein a plurality of support elements are arranged on the frame, wherein clamping elements, particularly the support elements, are provided to clamp the housing section, wherein the frame is rotatably connected to the support via at least one swivel joint to allow the frame and the housing section to be flipped, wherein the frame is adapted to be disengaged from the support and used as a lifting yoke for lifting the housing section and placing it on the blade mold. All the features, aspects, and advantages described with respect to the method according to the invention can be applied to the assembly frame according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0027] As already described in the context of the method according to the invention, the support element can be arranged in a geometry corresponding to the desired segment geometry of the housing segment. The corresponding housing segment can extend at least around a portion of the circumference of the blade, particularly around one-third or one-quarter. Thus, the same applies to the geometry in which the support element is arranged. For the case where the housing segment extends at least around one-third of the circumference of the blade, this means that, with reference to the center point of the blade's cross-section, the corresponding housing segment covers an angle of at least 120°. Preferably, this angle is 180°, which specifically means that the housing segment is a half-shell segment. It is possible that the corresponding housing segment extends up to approximately two-thirds of the circumference of the blade. The assembly frame or frame can accordingly include an elongated structure. With respect to the corresponding cross-section of the frame, the line on which the support element is arranged can correspond to the corresponding cross-sectional line of the blade to be produced, i.e., at the longitudinal and circumferential positions where the housing segment to be manufactured will be located.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the assembly frame according to the invention, two swivel joints are disposed on two side ends of the frame to attach the frame to the bracket. Thus, attachment points connecting the frame to the bracket are located on two side ends of the frame, achieving a mechanically stable connection between these components. The line connecting the swivel joints to each other can define (particularly horizontal) an axis of rotation or a rotation axis. Specifically, the bracket includes two receiving portions, and the frame includes bolts on each of its two side ends, wherein each of the swivel joints is rotatably disposed within one of the receiving portions by one of the bolts.

[0029] The support structure may be or include a lattice structure and / or be made of metal (e.g., steel). Preferably, the support comprises two (particularly vertically oriented) columns, with a swivel joint arranged on each column. Each swivel joint is movably arranged on one of the columns, wherein it can be releasably secured at a corresponding vertical position. For this purpose, vertical securing devices such as clamping devices can be provided. Thus, to move the frame from the lower position to the higher position, the corresponding vertical securing device can be opened, the frame can be lifted to the higher position, and the vertical securing device can be closed again. Next, the swivel securing device can be opened, and the frame can be flipped. To lift the frame, a lifting motor, particularly a lifting motor of the assembly frame, can be provided. To flip the frame, a rotary motor, particularly a rotary motor of the assembly frame, can be provided.

[0030] According to a specific and optional embodiment, each of the pillars may be a sliding pillar, wherein each of the swivel joints is arranged on or provided by a slider movable along the respective sliding pillar. In this embodiment, the frame and housing sections can be moved from a lower position to a higher position to allow for tilting movement of the frame and housing sections. The slider may include a receiving portion that may be upwardly open and preferably U-shaped, such that lifting the frame upward causes the bolt to be moved upward from the respective receiving portion. Each of the sliding pillars may include two vertical columns, with the corresponding swivel joint guided between the two vertical columns.

[0031] Specifically, at least one of the support elements includes a heating device and / or a heating apparatus, particularly a heating blanket, releasably fixable to the support element or another component of the assembly frame, wherein the heating device and / or the heating apparatus is adapted to generate heat transferable to one or more preformed elements disposed thereon to activate the adhesive. The heating device and / or the heating apparatus is in thermal contact with the preformed elements disposed thereon, such that the heat generated by the heating device and / or the heating apparatus is transferred to the preformed elements. The heat transfer is sufficiently effective that the temperature of the preformed elements can be raised above the activation temperature of the adhesive. Most preferably, the heating device is integrated only in some, but not all, of the support elements, for example, in the support element located in the area where two adjacent preformed elements contact each other. The heating device and / or the heating apparatus may be or include an electric heater. The heating apparatus may be strip-shaped and / or blanket-shaped. The heating device can be arranged, in particular, along the common seam formed between two adjacent preformed elements on the support element, wherein a strip attachment area is formed between these elements.

[0032] The assembly frame according to the invention includes clamping elements. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the support elements includes a clamping element for clamping the preformed element disposed thereon. The clamping element is adapted to generate an adhesion force that prevents a change in the relative position between the support element and the preformed element disposed thereon. The clamping element may be or may include a pin clamp and / or a vacuum clamp and / or a Bernoulli clamp and / or an eddy current clamp. The pin clamp includes at least one pin that can be retracted and withdrawn accordingly from the support element or support plate. When retracted accordingly from the interior of the support element or support plate, the at least one pin protrudes from its surface and pierces the preformed element disposed thereon. Thus, the preformed element positioned on the respective support element is held in place by the at least one pin. A plurality of pins may be provided, which may be arranged to be inclined to each other and to the surface. In other words, a plurality of pins retractable from the support plate in different directions may be provided. Vacuum grippers typically include or incorporate suction cups, wherein a vacuum can be created between the vacuum gripper and the preformed element, particularly by a vacuum pump, to hold the preformed element in place. Bernoulli grippers and eddy current grippers generate airflow between the gripping element and the preformed element, resulting in a holding force that holds the preformed element on the gripping element due to the Bernoulli effect. A heating device as described above can be integrated into the gripping element.

[0033] The frame may include a plurality of support rods to which the support elements are attached. The frame may be lattice-shaped, allowing the preformed elements arranged on or held by the support elements to be accessible from both sides, particularly when the frame is in the lower position. The rods constituting the frame may be made of metal (e.g., steel). Longitudinal rods extending along the longitudinal direction of the assembly frame may be present. Transverse rods may be present, wherein at least a portion of these rods may be the support rods extending along the cross-section of the assembly frame. The support rods may have a curved structure or shape corresponding to the geometry of the section. The frame may include at least one connecting device, particularly a lifting lug, such that the frame can be connected to a lifting device to allow the frame to be used as the lifting yoke for lifting the frame and the housing section and for placing the housing section onto the blade mold.

[0034] The relative positions of the support elements can be adjustable and lockable. In this embodiment, the frame does indeed include a modifiable structure with respect to the geometry in which the support elements are arranged. Therefore, the frame can be used to manufacture different shell segments with different shapes and geometries.

[0035] In one possible embodiment of the invention, at least one of the support elements is movable along a corresponding support rod that serves as a sliding track. Therefore, the support element can be brought into an ideal position according to the shape and / or size of the preformed element. Specifically, the support element including the heating device can be brought to a position where two adjacent preformed elements contact each other and thus form a common seam. Several support elements and therefore the heating device can be arranged along the longitudinal direction of this seam. At least one of the support elements is movable perpendicularly relative to the corresponding support rod. Moving the support element perpendicularly to the support rod changes the diameter of the segment geometry. The support element can be locked in the corresponding position, for example, by using clamping and / or screwing devices.

[0036] If the support rod is the sliding track, then the at least one movable support element can be connected to a slider guided in the corresponding sliding track. In this embodiment, the slider, and therefore the corresponding support element, is movable along the longitudinal direction of the sliding track. The sliding track and the slider can have corresponding cross-sections. In particular, the cross-section of the sliding track includes a U-shape, wherein protrusions facing each other can be arranged at the open end of the vertical rod of the U-shape, such that the slider, including a cross-section corresponding to the interior of the U-shape, is inseparably arranged within the sliding track.

[0037] The at least one movable support element may be or include a support plate on which corresponding preformed elements can be arranged. The support plate may be made of rigid foam. Optional heating devices and / or clamping elements may be arranged within the support plate, particularly within openings or gaps in the support plate. Preferably, the support plate is height-adjustable relative to a corresponding support rod. The support plate may be connected to one end of a threaded rod, wherein the other end of the threaded rod may be connected to the slider. The threaded rod may be arranged within the internal threads of the slider such that turning the threaded rod changes the height of the support plate.

[0038] The frame can have a concave shape, making it suitable for manufacturing shell sections with convex segment geometry. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional geometry of the frame is an upward-opening U-shape or a C-shape. Alternatively, the assembly frame according to the invention can have a convex shape, making it suitable for manufacturing shell sections with concave segment geometry. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional geometry of the frame is a downward-opening U-shape or a C-shape. Specifically, the support rod can have a corresponding U-shape or C-shape. The shell section has a correspondingly different shape because it is flipped. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are merely schematic sketches designed for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. The drawings show: Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the assembly frame according to the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Detailed views of the two support elements of the assembly frame. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Detailed view of the clamping element of the support element. Figures 4 to 8 This is a perspective view relating to the manufacturing steps of the semi-shell used to manufacture wind turbine blades, wherein... Figure 1 The assembly frame, according to a first embodiment of the method according to the invention, arranges the housing section on the blade mold. Figure 9 This is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the assembly frame according to the present invention, and Figure 10-14 This is a perspective view relating to the manufacturing steps used to produce wind turbine blades, in which... Figure 9 The assembly frame, according to a second embodiment of the method according to the invention, arranges the housing section on the blade mold, and Figure 15-16This is a perspective view of a frame of an assembly rack equipped with pre-formed elements according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Figure 1 A perspective view of an assembly rack 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The assembly rack 1 includes a grid frame 2 and a support 3. The assembly rack 1, i.e., the support 3, includes two longitudinal bars 4 extending parallel to the longitudinal or axial direction of the assembly rack 1. The frame 2 includes transverse bars 5 extending perpendicular to this direction and resting on the longitudinal bars 4. The bars 4 and 5 are made of metal (e.g., steel). The support 3 includes transport rollers or transport wheels 6 to allow easy transport of the assembly rack 1.

[0041] Some of the transverse bars 5 have curved structures to provide a convex geometry for the frame 2. These bars 5 are load-bearing bars 7 that support support elements 8, or the support elements 8 are arranged on the load-bearing bars 7. Figure 2 The image shows a close-up exploded view of the two support elements 8 and their corresponding support rods 7. Each support element 8 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the support rod 7, which is therefore a sliding track. For this purpose, each support element 8 is connected to a slider 9 guided along the longitudinal direction of the support rod 7. The support rod 7 includes a central rod 10 and two lateral ridges 11 held in place by a screwing device. The slider 9 is guided within the U-shaped cross-section of the central rod 10. A clamping device 12 is provided, guided through a sliding hole 13, to lock the longitudinal position of the respective support element 8.

[0042] The support element 8 includes, or is an auxiliary plate 14, made of rigid foam and disposed on a metal plate 15. The support element 8 or the auxiliary plate 14 is correspondingly connected to one end of a threaded rod 16, the other end of which is connected to the slider 9. The threaded rod 16 is disposed within the internal threads of the slider 9 such that turning the threaded rod changes the distance between the support element 8 and the support rod 7. Therefore, the support plate 14 can move perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal direction of the support rod 7, and thus its height can be adjusted relative to the support rod 7.

[0043] Each of the support elements 8 includes a clamping element 17 disposed within an opening 18 of the support plate 14. A detailed view of the clamping element 17 is shown in... Figure 3 As shown in the figure. The clamping element 17 is a pin gripper comprising a plurality of pins 18 that can be removed from and retracted into the surface of the support plate 14. Alternatively, the clamping element 17 may be a vacuum gripper and / or a Bernoulli gripper and / or an eddy current gripper. The purpose of the clamping element 17 will be described later.

[0044] Additionally, some of the support elements 8 include heating devices 19 that are electric heaters, which are not explicitly shown in the figures but are schematically indicated. The heating devices 19 are integrated into the clamping element 17 or the support plate 14. Unlike the clamping element 17, not all support elements 8 include heating devices 19. (See reference...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The support element 8, including the heating device 19, is marked in black. Therefore, in Figure 1 Viewed from left to right, that is, along the longitudinal direction of the assembly frame 1 or frame 2, the support element 8 located at the 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock positions includes a heating device 19.

[0045] Next, with the help of Figures 4 to 8 Explaining a first embodiment of the method according to the invention, wherein, using methods already employed... Figures 1 to 3 The assembly frame 1 is explained. The purpose of this method is to assemble the housing segment 20 (see [reference]) made of several pre-formed components 21. Figure 5 The shell section 20 is arranged in the blade mold 22. The shell section 20 is a semi-shell section for the root section of the wind turbine blade to be subsequently produced.

[0046] Each of the preformed elements 21 comprises a stack of fiber or fabric pads fixed to each other. The fiber pads are composed of glass fibers, carbon fibers, and / or plastic fibers. To produce the preformed element 21, the fiber or fabric pads are arranged in a preforming mold, the mold having a shape corresponding to a specified shape corresponding to a portion of the preformed element 21 or housing segment 20 to be produced. The fiber pads are impregnated with an adhesive, which is a powder adhesive. Heat is applied to the stack to activate the adhesive, causing the layers to adhere to each other and maintain their shape. These details regarding the manufacture and structure of the preformed element 21 are not shown in the figures.

[0047] Refer again Figure 4 Exemplarily, three preformed elements 21 are used to manufacture the housing segment 20. Figure 4 In this scenario, two preformed elements 21 have been positioned on the frame 2, while the third preformed element 21 is currently being lowered into its designated position on the frame 2 using a yoke 23 and a lifting device such as a crane. The overall geometry of the housing section 20 to be produced is a concave geometry, which is the same as the geometry in which the support element 8 is arranged. For this purpose, as has been achieved by means of... Figure 2 The relative positions of the support elements 8 are adjusted and fixed. The preformed elements 21 are arranged side by side on the support elements 8.

[0048] The yoke 23 comprises a lattice or frame-like structure on which a plurality of retaining elements 24 are arranged for holding the preformed elements. The basic principle of the retaining elements 24 is the same as that of the support element 8; that is, the yoke 23 includes a sliding track in which a slider is arranged, wherein a threaded rod is connected to the slider at one end and to a suction cup at the other end. Therefore, the retaining elements 24 are implemented by a vacuum gripper. The preformed elements 21 are lowered onto the frame 2 and released by the retaining elements 24, such that they are positioned relative to each other and form an overall geometry corresponding to the desired geometry of the housing segment 20. The preformed elements 21 can be accessed from both sides, which allows for fine-tuning and inspection of their designated positions in the next step.

[0049] Each of the three preformed elements 21, when arranged thereon, has a longitudinal direction extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the assembly frame 1 or frame 2. Adjacent preformed elements 21 are arranged such that they are in lateral contact with each other. More precisely, the lateral segments or edges of adjacent preformed elements 21 overlap each other. The lateral segments of the preformed elements 21 have an inclined or wedge-shaped shape. The overlapping and inclined edges of the preformed elements 21 have corresponding shapes such that the total thickness of the overlapping edges of the adjacent preformed elements 21 is equal to the constant thickness of the remaining area of ​​the preformed element 21.

[0050] After the preformed element 21 is placed on the support element 8, the pins 18 of the clamping element 17 are removed so that they protrude from the support plate 14 and secure the preformed element 21 in its current position. Because the pins 18 are tilted relative to each other, the preformed element 21 is prevented from slipping in any possible direction. The relative position between the preformed elements 21 is firmly secured by the clamping element 17.

[0051] Next, the preformed elements 21 are adhered to each other by heating the lateral, overlapping edge portions. For this purpose, the heating device 19 generates heat that is transferred to the overlapping edges, wherein the corresponding heated sections constituting the spot-like attachment positions 25 are... Figure 4 The image is indicated by a shaded line. The reheating melts the activated adhesive, causing the adhesive on the two adjacent preformed elements 21 to converge and provide a strong adhesive bond after re-curing.

[0052] Next, we will use Figures 5 to 8 This describes the subsequent manufacturing steps for using the manufactured shell section 20 to fabricate a half-shell of a wind turbine blade. (Reference) Figure 5The assembly frame 1 is moved closer to the blade mold 22, which is a blade half-mold. The transport rollers or transport wheels 6 of the support 3 make it possible to load the assembly frame 1 in one place and then move it to a new position, i.e., closer to the blade mold 22. Figure 5 It becomes apparent that, except for being flipped, the mold surface of the blade mold 22 includes the same geometry as the shell section 20. The blade mold 22 has a longitudinal elongation greater than that of the shell section 21. That is, in addition to the shell section 21, the other shell sections will be arranged in the blade half-mold 23 along their longitudinal direction to ultimately construct the half-shell of the wind turbine blade.

[0053] Next, assuming Figure 5 As a starting position, the housing section 20 will be arranged or placed on the mold surface of the blade mold 22. However, specifically from Figure 5 It can be seen that the mold surface of the blade mold 22 has a concave shape, which is flipped relative to the convex shape of the housing section 20. Figures 5 to 7 This explains how the problem was solved. After the assembly frame 1 and the housing section 20 have been brought to the blade mold 22, the frame 2 and the housing section 20 are moved from a lower position (see...). Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) was moved to a higher position (see Figure 6 and Figure 7 This allows for the flipping movement of the frame 2 and the housing section 20. To bring the frame 2 from the lower position to the higher position, a lifting motor (not shown) of the assembly frame 1 is used, wherein, once the higher position is reached, a vertical fixing device (also not shown) is closed to hold the frame 2 in that position. Next, the frame 2 and the housing section 20 are flipped about a horizontal axis of rotation to finally be in position... Figure 7 The situation is illustrated. To allow the frame 2 to rotate and flip together with the housing section 20, a rotary motor (not shown) of the assembly frame 1 is used. The horizontal axis of rotation is defined by two rotary joints 26 of the assembly frame 1. During the rotation, the housing section 20 does not fall off the frame 2 because it is held by the clamping element 17.

[0054] Next, specifically refer to Figure 1 , Figure 6 and Figure 7The following describes specific details regarding the lifting and rotation of the frame 2. The frame 2 and the support 3 are connected to each other by two swivel joints 26, which are disposed on two side ends of the frame 2. The horizontal axis of rotation is defined by a line connecting the two swivel joints 26. The support 3 includes two vertical columns 27, with one swivel joint 26 arranged on each column 27. Each column 27 includes two vertical rods 28, and the corresponding swivel joint 26 is guided between the two vertical rods. Thus, each swivel joint 26 is movably arranged on the corresponding column 27, which is a sliding column that allows the frame 2 to be lifted from the lower position to the higher position and vice versa. Each swivel joint 26 can be releasably secured along the column 27 in a vertical position, particularly in the higher position. For this purpose, vertical securing devices such as clamping devices are provided. Each swivel joint 26 is implemented by a slider 29 guided between the pair of rods 28. Each of the sliding members 29 includes a receiving portion (not shown in the figures), wherein the frame 2 includes a bolt (not shown in the figures) on each of its two side ends. Each of the rotary joints 26 is realized by one of the bolts rotatably arranged within one of the receiving portions. The receiving portion includes an upwardly opening U-shape.

[0055] Next, refer to again Figure 7 The housing section 20 is lifted away from the support 3 and placed on the mold surface of the blade mold 22. For this purpose, the lugs 31 of the frame 2 are connected to the ropes 30 of a lifting device, particularly a crane. The lifting device lifts the frame 2 together with the housing section 20 away from the support 3, which is possible due to the upward-opening U-shaped shape of the receiving portion of the swivel joint 26, which allows the frame 2 to automatically disengage from the support 3 simply by lifting it upward. In this case, the lifting device and the frame 2, which acts as a lifting yoke, are adapted to lift all the preformed elements 21 constituting the housing section 20 in one step. In other words, the complete housing section 20 is lifted by the frame 2, which is used as a lifting yoke. For this purpose, the clamping element 17 of the frame 2 still holds the housing section 20. Next, the housing section 20 is lifted away from the support 3 and lowered onto the mold surface of the blade mold 22 (see...). Figure 8 ).

[0056] To ensure proper positioning of the housing section 20 on the mold surface, the frame 2 includes a guide pin 32 that mates with a guide hole 33 of the blade mold 22. Therefore, when the frame 2 is lowered together with the housing section 20, the guide pin 32 is inserted into the guide hole 33. More generally, the frame 2 may include at least one frame guiding element, particularly the guide pin 32, and the blade mold 22 may include at least one mold guiding element, particularly the guide hole 33, wherein, in order to place the housing section 20 on the blade mold 22, the at least one frame guiding element is inserted into the at least one mold guiding element, or vice versa.

[0057] Once the housing segment 20 has reached its designated position in the blade mold 22, the clamping element 17 of the frame 2 releases the housing segment 20, and the frame 2 is lifted away, specifically back to the support 3. The final blade half-shell is then manufactured by closing a mold cavity formed by the blade half-mold 22 and in which the housing segment 20 is arranged. Resin is injected into the mold cavity and cured. The final blade is then manufactured by gluing together the two blade half-shells that have been manufactured together as described above.

[0058] Figure 9 A three-dimensional view of the assembly rack 34 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Essentially, it has been achieved by means of... Figures 1 to 3 The aspects explained relative to the first embodiment of the assembly frame 1 are as follows: Figure 9 The assembly frame 34 is also established. However, one difference is that the geometry in which the support element 8 is arranged is concave, such that the overall geometry of the housing segment 20 to be produced is convex.

[0059] Similarly, the assembly frame 34 includes the frame 2 and the support 3. The frame 2 is lattice-shaped and has a plurality of longitudinal bars 4 and transverse bars 5, wherein transport rollers or transport wheels 6 are provided. Some of the transverse bars 5 have curved structures to provide the convex geometry of the frame 2. These curved transverse bars 5 constitute load-bearing bars 7, which support support elements 8. The support elements 8 are also movable, so that they are supported by means of... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The described aspects also apply to the support element 8 of the assembly frame 34. In particular, the support element 8 of the assembly frame 34 also includes clamping elements 17, and some of them include heating devices 19.

[0060] Next, with the help of Figures 10 to 14 Explaining a second embodiment of the method according to the invention, wherein, using methods already employed... Figure 9The assembly frame 34 is explained. The purpose of this method is to assemble the manufactured housing segment 35 (see [reference]) from a plurality of pre-formed pre-grown elements 36. Figure 11 (This is arranged on the blade mold 22.) (Reference) Figure 10 All aspects explained with reference to the preformed element 21 also apply to the preformed element 29. However, one difference is that the preformed element 36 comprises a concave shape or geometry, while the preformed element 21 comprises a convex shape or geometry. The shell section 35 to be manufactured and shipped is a semi-shell section for the root section of a wind turbine blade.

[0061] To manufacture the housing segment 35, three pre-formed elements 36 are used. Figure 10 In the scenario shown, two preformed elements 36 have been positioned on the frame 2, while the last preformed element 36 is currently being lowered into its designated position on the frame 2. The geometry of the housing section 35 to be produced is identical to the geometry in which the support element 8 is arranged. The preformed elements 36 are arranged side-by-side on the support element 8 using a yoke 37, which substantially corresponds to... Figure 4 The yoke 23. After the preformed element 36 has been arranged on the frame 2 (which is based on the method of...) Figure 4 (As explained in the steps described above), the preformed element 36 is secured to the support element 8 by the clamping element 17. Next, using the heating device 19, attachment positions 25 are created in the overlapping area of ​​two adjacent preformed elements 37 to adhere these preformed elements 37 to each other.

[0062] Next, we will use Figures 11 to 14 This describes the steps used to manufacture wind turbine blades using the manufactured shell section 35. (Reference) Figure 11 The assembly frame 34 is moved close to the blade half mold 22 using the transport rollers or transport wheels 6. Next, the housing section 35 is arranged or placed on the mold surface of the blade mold 22. However, specifically from... Figure 13 It can be seen that the mold surface of the blade mold 22 or structural element 38 has a corresponding convex shape, which is reversed to the concave shape of the housing section 35. For example, it has been achieved by means of Figure 4 The concave housing section 20 of the manufacturing process has been arranged in the blade mold 22. On the blade mold 22, the structural element 38 (in particular, a mandrel or including a mandrel) has been positioned.

[0063] Figure 12 and Figure 13To illustrate, after the assembly frame 1 and the housing section 35 have been brought to the blade mold 22, the frame 2 and the housing section 35 are moved from the lower position to the higher position and subsequently flipped over to finally be in the position as shown. Figure 13 The situation is illustrated. Information regarding this process has been obtained through... Figures 5 to 7 All aspects of the explanation are for Figures 11 to 13 The embodiments also hold true.

[0064] Next, refer to Figure 13 The housing section 35 is lifted away from the support 3 and placed on the mold surface of the blade mold 22. For this purpose, the lugs 31 of the frame 2 are connected to ropes 30 of a lifting device, particularly a crane. The lifting device lifts the frame 2 together with the housing section 35 away from the support 3. Also in this embodiment, the frame 2 acts as a lifting yoke adapted to lift all the preformed elements 36 constituting the housing section 35 during a single step. Next, the housing section 35 is lifted away from the support 3 and lowered onto the mold surface of the blade mold 22 (see...). Figure 14 ).

[0065] Figure 14 The illustration shows a scenario where the frame 2 and the housing section 35 are lowered onto the blade half mold 22 and positioned onto the structural element 38 using the mold guide element 32 and yoke guide element 33 as described above.

[0066] Once the housing segment 35 has reached its designated position on the blade half-mold 22 or structural element 38, the clamping element 17 of the frame 2 releases the housing segment 35, and the frame 2 is lifted, specifically back to the support 3. The final wind turbine blade is then manufactured by closing a mold cavity formed by the blade mold 22, in which the housing segments 20, 35 are arranged. Next, resin is injected into the mold cavity and cured, so that the blade is cast in one piece without any glued seams.

[0067] Next, with the help of Figure 15 and Figure 16 Another embodiment of the invention is explained. (Already, relative to...) Figures 9 to 14 All aspects explained in the illustrated embodiments are substantially also applicable to other embodiments, except for the points explained below.

[0068] Figure 15The frame 50 of the assembly rack is shown, wherein the frame 50 is equipped with two pre-formed elements 51 for constituting the housing section 53. Details of the connecting device for connecting the frame 50 to the corresponding bracket 3 are not shown in the figure. Figure 16 The frame 50 is shown, on which the preformed element 51 has been placed. To place the preformed element 51 on the frame 50, a yoke, not explicitly shown in the figures, similar to the yoke 37, is used. Specifically... Figure 15 The lateral section 52 of the preformed element 51 is shown to have an inclined, i.e. wedge-shaped shape.

[0069] According to this embodiment, instead of having a heating device 16 integrated into the clamping element 14, a heating device 54, as a separate component relative to the support element 8, is releasably attached to a row of support elements 8. This row is where the preformed elements 51 are laterally in contact with each other to form a common seam. The heating device 54 is strip-shaped and blanket-like. Therefore, instead of obtaining a speckled attachment position 25 (see... Figure 4 , Figure 10 A strip-shaped attachment region 55 is formed between the preformed elements 51 in or near the region of the lateral section 52.

[0070] After the preformed elements 51 are adhered to each other, the resulting housing segment 53 is as relative to... Figures 11 to 14 It is further processed as described. Alternatively, the resulting housing segment 53 can be considered as having been processed by means of... Figure 10 One of the preformed elements 36 described herein is used for processing.

[0071] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art can derive other variations from the examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0072] Individuals with male, female, or other gender identities are included within the terminology, independent of grammatical usage.

Claims

1. A method for arranging a shell segment (20, 35, 53), in particular a half shell segment, on a blade mold (22) for manufacturing a blade or a half shell of a blade of a wind turbine, wherein, The method comprises the following steps: - providing a number of pre-form elements (21, 36, 51), each of the pre-form elements comprising a stack of fibre mats fixed to each other, - arranging the pre-form elements (21, 36, 51) on support elements (8) of a frame (2, 50) of an assembly stand (1) and adhering the pre-form elements (21, 36, 51) to each other to constitute the shell segments (20, 35, 53), - clamping the shell segments (20, 35, 53) to the frame (2, 50) by means of clamping elements (17) of the assembly stand (1), - turning the frame (2, 50) and the shell segments (20, 35, 53) by means of at least one swivel joint (26) which rotatably connects the frame (2, 50) to a support (3) of the assembly stand (1), - lifting the shell segments (20, 35, 53) and placing them on the blade mould (22), wherein the frame (2, 50) which is disconnected from the support (3) is used as a lifting yoke.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, After arranging the pre-form elements (21, 36, 51) on the support elements (8), the frame (2, 50) and the shell segments (20, 35, 53) are moved from a lower position to a higher position to allow the turning movement of the frame (2, 50) and the shell segments (20, 35, 53).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, For lifting the shell segments (20, 35, 53) and placing them on the blade mould (22), the frame (2, 50) is connected to a lifting device, in particular a crane.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The fibre mats of each of the pre-form elements (22, 36, 51) are fixed to each other by means of a heat-activated adhesive, wherein adjacent pre-form elements (22, 36, 51) which are in lateral contact with each other are adhered to each other by at least partially heating their lateral sections (52) to re-activate the adhesive.

5. An assembly stand, which is adapted to be used in the method according to any of the preceding claims and to be used for arranging a shell segment (20, 35, 53) on a blade mould (22) for manufacturing a blade or a half shell of a blade of a wind turbine, wherein, The assembly stand (1) comprises a support (3) and a frame (2, 50), wherein a number of support elements (8) are arranged on the frame (2, 50), wherein clamping elements (17) are provided to clamp the shell segments (20, 35, 53), wherein the frame (2, 50) is rotatably connected to the support (3) by means of at least one swivel joint (26) to allow turning of the frame (2, 50) and the shell segments (20, 35, 53), wherein the frame (2, 50) is adapted to be disconnected from the support (3) and to be used as a lifting yoke for lifting the shell segments (20, 35, 53) and placing them on the blade mould (22).

6. The assembly rack of claim 5, wherein, Two swivel joints (26) are provided on both lateral ends of the frame (2, 50) to attach the frame (2, 50) to the support (3).

7. The assembly stand of claim 6, wherein, The support (3) comprises two uprights (27), in particular vertically oriented, wherein one swivel joint (26) is arranged on each of the uprights (27).

8. The assembly rack of claim 7, wherein, Each of the posts (27) is a sliding post, wherein each of the swivel joints (26) is arranged on or provided by a slide (29) which is movable along the respective sliding post, so that the frame (2, 50) and the shell segments (20, 35, 53) are movable from a lower position to a higher position to allow a tilting movement of the frame (2, 50) and the shell segments (20, 35, 53).

9. The assembly rack of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein, At least one of the support elements (8) comprises a heating device (19) for generating heat which is transferable to one or a plurality of preform elements (21, 36, 51) arranged thereon to activate the adhesive.

10. The assembly rack of any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein, The clamping elements (17) are or comprise needle clamps and / or vacuum clamps and / or Bernoulli clamps and / or eddy current clamps.

11. The assembly rack of any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein, The frame (2, 50) comprises a number of carrier bars (7) on which the support elements (8) are attached.

12. The assembly stand of claim 11, wherein, At least one of the support elements (8) is movable along and / or vertically movable relative to the respective carrier bar (7) as a sliding rail and lockable in a respective position.

13. The assembly stand of claim 12, wherein, The at least one movable support element (8) is connected to a slide (9) which is guided in a respective sliding rail and / or the at least one movable support element (8) is or comprises a support plate (14), in particular made of rigid foam, on which a respective preform element (21, 36, 51) can be arranged, wherein the support plate (14) is height-adjustable relative to the respective carrier bar (7).

14. The assembly rack of any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein, The frame (2, 50) comprises at least one connection device (31), in particular a lifting lug, so that the frame (2, 50) is connectable with a lifting device to allow the frame (2, 50) to be used as a lifting yoke to lift the frame (2, 50) and the shell segments (20, 35, 53) and to place the shell segments (20, 35, 53) on the blade mold (22).

15. The assembly rack of any one of claims 5 to 14, wherein, The frame (2, 50) has a concave or convex shape so that it is suitable for being used to manufacture shell segments (20, 35, 53) having a convex or concave segment geometry. Each of the posts (27) is a sliding post, wherein each of the swivel joints (26) is arranged on or provided by a slide (29) which is movable along the respective sliding post, so that the frame (2, 50) and the shell segments (20, 35, 53) are movable from a lower position to a higher position to allow a tilting movement of the frame (2, 50) and the shell segments (20, 35, 53). At least one of the support elements (8) comprises a heating device (19) for generating heat which is transferable to one or a plurality of preform elements (21, 36, 51) arranged thereon to activate the adhesive. The clamping elements (17) are or comprise needle clamps and / or vacuum clamps and / or Bernoulli clamps and / or eddy current clamps. The frame (2, 50) comprises a number of carrier bars (7) on which the support elements (8) are attached. At least one of the support elements (8) is movable along and / or vertically movable relative to the respective carrier bar (7) as a sliding rail and lockable in a respective position. The at least one movable support element (8) is connected to a slide (9) which is guided in a respective sliding rail and / or the at least one movable support element (8) is or comprises a support plate (14), in particular made of rigid foam, on which a respective preform element (21, 36, 51) can be arranged, wherein the support plate (14) is height-adjustable relative to the respective carrier bar (7). The frame (2, 50) comprises at least one connection device (31), in particular a lifting lug, so that the frame (2, 50) is connectable with a lifting device to allow the frame (2, 50) to be used as a lifting yoke to lift the frame (2, 50) and the shell segments (20, 35, 53) and to place the shell segments (20, 35, 53) on the blade mold (22). The frame (2, 50) has a concave or convex shape so that it is suitable for being used to manufacture shell segments (20, 35, 53) having a convex or concave segment geometry.

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