Method for producing a wind turbine blade

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for assembling a wind turbine blade (10) comprising a first blade component (90), e.g. a first blade half shell and a second blade component (92), e.g. a second blade half shell, the first blade component (90) comprising a first contact area (100) configured to be connected to a second contact area (110) of the second blade component (92), the first contact area (100) having a first contact surface (102), the second contact area (110) having a second contact surface (112).

Description

The present disclosure relates to wind turbine blades and manufacture of wind turbine blades.More specifically, the present disclosure pertains to the field of joining of parts of a wind turbineblade, such as joining of interfaces, such as a leading edge glue line or a trailing edge glue line, orpart thereof. In particular, the present disclosure is related to joining of a trailing edge joint of aflatback wind turbine blade.BACKGROUNDWind turbine blades of fibre-reinforced polymer and in particular the aerodynamic shells of windturbine blades are usually manufactured in moulds, where the pressure side and the suction sideof the blade are manufactured separately by arranging glass fibre mats and / or other fibrereinforcementmaterial, such as carbon fibre, in each of the two moulds. Afterwards, one of thetwo halves is turned upside down and positioned on top of the other of the two halves, and thetwo halves are adhered together. The blade parts may be positioned on top of each other byturning and repositioning the complete half mould.A wind turbine blade may be manufactured by infusing fibres, such as glass fibre mats and / orcarbon fibre mats with a resin, such as polyester or epoxy. Infusion of the fibres may be providedby vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM).As wind turbines and wind turbine blades increase in size, the blade loads, i.e. strains, bendingmoments, peel loads etc., in particular along the trailing edge, increase. For this and otherreasons, the design of the trailing edge is an important factor for the efficiency of the windturbine. Wind turbine blades comprising a flatback profile at the trailing edge may have anincreased efficiency. An optimized profile comprises a varying geometry of the trailing edge alongthe airfoil region of the blade.However, it may be complicated to assemble a wind turbine blade with a flatback trailing edge. Inparticular, it may be challenging to sufficiently bond together trailing edge interfaces between thepressure side and suction side blade shell when the blade comprises a flatback profile.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present disclosure to provide a wind turbine blade and a method formanufacturing a wind turbine blade, which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of theprior art.In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wind turbine blade and a methodfor manufacturing a wind turbine blade, which enhance mechanical properties as well asmanufacturing convenience of bonding between blade parts, such as a suction side blade half shelland an pressure side blade half shell, in particular throughout the trailing edge of a wind turbineblade with a flatback profile. However, the present disclosure may equally be applied to bonding ofother blade components which could benefit from the application of a glue flange, as disclosed.Thus, the present disclosure relates to a method for assembling a wind turbine blade, such as awind turbine blade comprising a first blade component, e.g. a first blade half shell, and a secondblade component, e.g. a second blade half shell.The first blade component comprises a first contact area configured to be connected to a secondcontact area of the second blade component, e.g. to form a leading edge and / or a trailing edge,such as a flatback trailing edge, of the wind turbine blade. The first contact area has a first contactsurface. The second contact area has a second contact surface. The first contact area maycomprise a first contact edge of the first blade component. The second contact area may comprisea second contact edge of the second blade component. The first contact edge and the secondcontact edge may be configured to be adjacently arranged during assembly of the wind turbineblade, e.g. to form a bond line of the wind turbine blade, e.g. along the leading edge and / or thetrailing edge of the wind turbine blade. The first blade component may be a suction side half shellof the wind turbine blade or a pressure side half shell of the wind turbine blade. The second bladecomponent may be the opposite blade half shell, such as the pressure side half shell of the windturbine blade or the suction side half shell of the wind turbine blade.The method comprises providing a flange element having a first flange surface configured to facethe first contact surface and a second flange surface configured to face the second contactsurface. The flange element comprises a flexible part along the first flange surface allowing a firstprimary flange surface of the first flange surface to be angled relative to a first secondary flangesurface of the first flange surface. The first flange surface may join the second flange surface e.g.along a flange surface interface.The method further comprises positioning the flange element against the first blade componentand / or the first contact surface, such that the first flange surface is facing the first contact surface.The flange element may be positioned such that the first primary flange surface is closer to thefirst contact edge than the first secondary flange surface.The method further comprises: bonding the first secondary flange surface to the first contactsurface with a first adhesive substance; pivoting the first primary flange surface to open the cavitybetween the first flange surface and the first contact surface; bonding the first primary flangesurface to the first contact surface with a second adhesive substance, wherein the secondadhesive substance and the first adhesive substance are different types of adhesive substances.;and bonding the second contact surface of the second blade component to the second flangesurface.The present disclosure may facilitate more accurate placement of adhesive flanges as well as otherfeatures influential to the blade design and manufacturing tolerances, thereby stronger windturbine blades may be provided, production time may be reduced, and / or necessity of service andrepair of the wind turbine blade may be reduced.Although the present disclosure is focused towards the assembly of a flatback trailing edge, i.e. thejoining of a suction side half shell and a pressure side half shell at the trailing edge, it isemphasized that the principles as described herein may be applied alternatively or additionally tojoining of other components of a wind turbine blade.The present disclosure is specifically advantageous, when the first contact surface and the secondcontact surface in the assembled wind turbine blade is not parallel, e.g. wherein the first contactsurface and the second contact surface forms an angle, such as an angle more than 10 degrees,such as more than 30 degrees, such as more than 45 degrees, such as more than 60 degrees. Insuch situations, it may be difficult to sufficiently bond, e.g. with an adhesive substance, such as aglue, the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The present disclosure facilitatessufficient bonding between the first blade component and the second blade component, in thesesituations.The first adhesive substance may be of a first type of adhesive substance, such as a fast curingglue. The first adhesive substance may have a first curing time. The first curing time may be lessthan 300 seconds, such as less than 180 seconds, such as less than 120 seconds, such as lessthan 60 seconds. The first type of adhesive substance may be incompliant with requiredmechanical properties for joining of the first blade component and the second blade component.The first adhesive substance may be a tacky tape.The second adhesive substance may be of a second type of adhesive substance. The second typeof adhesive substance may be different than the first type of adhesive substance. The secondadhesive substance may have a second curing time. The second curing time may be more than120 seconds, such as more than 180 seconds, such as more than 300 seconds, such as more than600 seconds. The second curing time may be longer than the first curing time. The second type ofadhesive substance may be compliant with required mechanical properties for joining of the firstblade component and the second blade component.Bonding of the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface may comprise applyingthe first adhesive substance between the first secondary flange surface and the first contactsurface. Bonding the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface may comprise, e.g.after applying the first adhesive substance between the first secondary flange surface and the firstcontact surface, applying a first pressure to the flange element to press the first secondary flangesurface against the first contact surface. Bonding the first secondary flange surface to the firstcontact surface may comprise curing the first adhesive substance while applying the first pressure.Bonding the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface may comprise, e.g. after thefirst adhesive substance has been cured, releasing the first pressure.Bonding the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface may comprise applying thesecond adhesive substance between the first primary flange surface and the first contact surface.Bonding the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface may comprise, e.g. afterapplying the second adhesive substance between the first primary flange surface and the firstcontact surface, applying a second pressure to the flange element to press the first primary flangesurface against the first contact surface. Bonding the first primary flange surface to the firstcontact surface may comprise curing the second adhesive substance while applying the secondpressure. Bonding the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface may comprise, e.g.after the second adhesive substance has been cured, releasing the second pressure.Bonding the second contact surface to the second flange surface may comprise applying a thirdadhesive substance onto the second flange surface. Bonding the second contact surface to thesecond flange surface may comprise, e.g. after applying the third adhesive substance onto thesecond flange surface, positioning the second blade component such that the second contactsurface is positioned against the third adhesive substance and the second flange surface. Bondingthe second contact surface to the second flange surface may comprise curing the third adhesivesubstance. Bonding the second contact surface to the second flange surface may comprisepositioning the second blade component such that the second contact edge is arranged adjacentlythe first contact edge, e.g. to form a bond line, e.g. along the leading edge and / or the trailingedge of the wind turbine blade.The third adhesive substance may be of a third type of adhesive substance. The third adhesivesubstance may have a third curing time. The third curing time may be more than 120 seconds,such as more than 180 seconds, such as more than 300 seconds, such as more than 600 seconds.The third curing time may be longer than the first curing time. The third type of adhesivesubstance may be compliant with required mechanical properties f or joining of the first bladecomponent and the second blade component. The third adhesive substance and the secondadhesive substance may be the same type of adhesive substance, such as the second adhesivesubstance. For example, the third adhesive substance may be the second type of adhesivesubstance.After bonding the first flange surface, e.g. the first primary flange surface and / or the firstsecondary flange surface, to the first contact surface and bonding the second flange surface withthe second contact surface, the first flange surface, e.g. the first primary flange surface and / or thefirst secondary flange surface, the second flange surface and / or the flange surface interface maybe covered, such as completely covered, by adhesive substance, e.g. including the first adhesivesubstance, the second adhesive substance and / or the third adhesive substance.The method may comprise, e.g. prior to bonding the first secondary flange surface to the firstcontact surface and / or prior to positioning the flange element against the first blade component,positioning a barrier element to maintain the first adhesive substance between the first secondaryflange surface and the first contact surface. The barrier element may be coupled to the flangeelement. The barrier element may be positioned onto the first contact surface. The barrier elementmay be fastened to the first contact surface, e.g. by tacky tape, or by an adhesive, such as anadhesive similar to the first adhesive substance. The barrier element may be a foam element, suchas a foam strip. The barrier element may be positioned more distant from the first contact edgethan the flange element, e.g. the barrier element may be positioned such as to allow the flangeelement to be positioned between the barrier element and the first contact edge.The method may comprise, e.g. prior to bonding the first primary flange surface to the firstcontact surface and / or prior to bonding the first secondary flange surface to the first contactsurface and / or prior to positioning the flange element against the first blade component,positioning a spacer between the first contact surface and the first primary flange surface tomaintain a controlled distance between the first contact surface and the first primary flangesurface. The spacer may be fastened to the first contact surface, e.g. by tacky tape, or by anadhesive, such as an adhesive similar to the first adhesive substance. The spacer may comprise aplurality of spacer elements, such as cylindrical elements, e.g. having a diameter between 5 and15 mm, such as approximately 10 mm. The spacer may have a height between 5 and 15 mm, suchas approximately 11 mm. The spacer may have a height lower than a height of the barrierelement, such as 50 % of the height of the barrier element.It is envisaged that any embodiments or elements as described in connection with any one aspectmay be used with any other aspects or embodiments, mutatis mutandis.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESEmbodiments of the invention will be described in more detail in the following with regard to theaccompanying figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elementsmay, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. The figuresshow one way of implementing the present invention and are not to be construed as being limitingto other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set. In addition, anillustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or anadvantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to thatembodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not soexplicitly described.Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wind turbine,Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wind turbine blade,Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wind turbine blade,Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross section of an exemplary wind turbine blade,Figs. 5-12 illustrates exemplary instances of an exemplary method for assembling a wind turbineblade,Figs. 13a-k show parts of cross sections a wind turbine blade at various positions, andFig. 14 is a block diagram of an exemplary method.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn the following figure description, the same reference numbers refer to the same elements andmay thus not be described in relation to all figures.Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional modern upwind wind turbine 2 according to the so-called "Danishconcept" with a tower 4, a nacelle 6 and a rotor with a substantially horizontal rotor shaft. Therotor includes a hub 8 and three blades 10 extending radially from the hub 8, each having a bladeroot 16 nearest the hub and a blade tip 14 furthest from the hub 8.Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of an exemplary wind turbine blade 10. The wind turbine blade 10has the shape of a conventional wind turbine blade with a root end 17 and a tip end 15 andcomprises a root region 30 closest to the hub, a profiled or an airfoil region 34 furthest away fromthe hub and a transition region 32 between the root region 30 and the airfoil region 34. The blade10 comprises a leading edge 18 facing the direction of rotation of the blade 10, when the blade ismounted on the hub, and a trailing edge 20 facing the opposite direction of the leading edge 18.The airfoil region 34 (also called the profiled region) has an ideal or almost ideal blade shape withrespect to generating lift, whereas the root region 30 due to structural considerations has asubstantially circular or elliptical cross-section, which for instance makes it easier and safer tomount the blade 10 to the hub. The diameter (or the chord) of the root region 30 may be constantalong the entire root area 30. The transition region 32 has a transitional profile gradually changingfrom the circular or elliptical shape of the root region 30 to the airfoil profile of the airfoil region34. The chord length of the transition region 32 typically increases with increasing distance r fromthe hub. The airfoil region 34 has an airfoil profile with a chord extending between the leadingedge 18 and the trailing edge 20 of the blade 10. The width of the chord decreases with increasingdistance r from the hub.A shoulder 40 of the blade 10 is defined as the position, where the blade 10 has its largest chordlength. The shoulder 40 is typically provided at the boundary between the transition region 32 andthe airfoil region 34.It should be noted that the chords of different sections of the blade normally do not lie in acommon plane, since the blade may be twisted and / or curved (i.e. pre-bent), thus providing thechord plane with a correspondingly twisted and / or curved course, this being most often the case inorder to compensate for the local velocity of the blade being dependent on the radius from thehub.The wind turbine blade 10 comprises a blade shell comprising two blade shell parts or half shells, afirst blade shell part 24 and a second blade shell part 26, typically made of fibre-reinforcedpolymer. The wind turbine blade 10 may comprise additional shell parts, such as a third shell partand / or a fourth shell part. The first blade shell part 24 is typically a pressure side or upwind bladeshell part. The second blade shell part 26 is typically a suction side or downwind blade shell part.The first blade shell part 24 and the second blade shell part 26 are fastened together withadhesive, such as glue, along bond lines or glue joints 28 extending along the trailing edge 20 andthe leading edge 18 of the blade 10. Typically, the root ends of the blade shell parts 24, 26 has asemi-circular or semi-oval outer cross-sectional shape.Fig. 3 shows a wind turbine blade 10 with a flatback profile at the trailing edge 20. The trailingedge 20 has a flattened profile. The flattened profile may increase the aerodynamic efficiency andalso may reduce the chord width, thereby making it easier to transport the wind turbine blade 10.Furthermore, it also may reduce required manufacturing space.Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of an exemplary wind turbine blade10, e.g. a cross sectional view of the airfoil region of the wind turbine blade 10 as described inrelation to Fig. 3. The wind turbine blade 10 comprises a leading edge 18, a trailing edge 20, apressure side 24, a suction side 26 a first spar cap 74, and a second spar cap 76. The trailing edge20 has a flattened profile for forming a flatback profile. The wind turbine blade 10 comprises achord line 38 between the leading edge 18 and the trailing edge 20. The wind turbine blade 10comprises shear webs 42, such as a leading edge shear web and a trailing edge shear web. Theshear webs 42 could alternatively be a spar box with spar sides, such as a trailing edge spar sideand a leading edge spar side. The spar caps 74, 76 may comprise carbon fibres, e.g. incombination with glass fibres, while the rest of the shell parts 24, 26 may comprise glass fibres.The wind turbine blade 10, such as the shell parts 24, 26 may comprise sandwich panels, e.g.comprising lightweight materials such as balsa or foam sandwiched between fibre-reinforcedlayers. The trailing edge 20 forming the flattened profile may be provided as a third shell part, oras an integral part of the first shell part 24 or the second shell part 26. Alternatively, the trailingedge 20 may be provided by parts of both the first shell part 24 and the second shell part 26.A glue joint for assembling the first shell part 24 and the second shell part 26 may be providednear the trailing edge 20, such as between a first trailing edge part of the trailing edge 20 and asecond trailing edge part of the trailing edge 20. Alternatively, the glue joint may be providedbetween the trailing edge 20 and the first shell part 24 or between the trailing edge 20 and thesecond shell part 26.In the example described with respect to the following figures, a glue joint or bond line 28between the trailing edge 20 (forming part of the second shell part 26) and the first shell part 24 isdescribed. The second shell part 26 constitutes a first blade component 90 and the first shell part24 including the trailing edge 20 constitutes a second blade component 92. The first bladecomponent 90 comprises a first contact area 100 configured to be connected to a second contactarea 110 of the second blade component 92. The first contact area 100 may form part of thetrailing edge 20. In an alternative, non-illustrated, example, the second contact area 110 formspart of the trailing edge 20.Figs. 5-12 illustrates exemplary instances of a method for assembling a wind turbine blade, suchas the wind turbine blade 10, e.g. of fig. 3, comprising a first blade component 90, such as thefirst shell part 24 or the second shell part 26, and a second blade component, such as the othershell part, e.g. the first shell part 24 or the second shell part. The first blade component 90comprises a first contact area 100 configured to be connected to a second contact area 110 of thesecond blade component 92. Although the illustrated examples are described with reference to thefirst blade component and the second blade component being respective shell parts, it will beunderstood that the method may be utilized similarly in assembling other blade components.The first contact area 100 has a first contact surface 102. The second contact area 110 has asecond contact surface 112. The first contact area 100 comprises a first contact edge 101 of thefirst blade component 90. The second contact area 110 comprises a second contact edge 111 ofthe second blade component 92. The present disclosure is specifically advantageous, when thefirst contact surface 102 and the second contact surface 112 in the assembled wind turbine bladeis not parallel, such as will be the case when assembling the shell parts of a flatback wind turbineblade near the trailing edge.Fig. 5 illustrates a first blade component 90 comprising a first contact area 100 configured to beconnected to a second contact area of a second blade component. The first contact area 100 has afirst contact surface 102. The first contact area 100 comprises a first contact edge 101.Also illustrated is that the first blade component 90, e.g. being a first shell part or a second shellpart, comprises sandwich structure. For example, the first blade component 90 comprises a shellcore 82, e.g. of balsa wood or foam, and an inner and outer fibre reinforced layer 80. Alsoillustrated is an insert 84 provided between the trailing edge part 20 and the remaining shell partof the first blade component 90. The insert 84 is provided to give the flatback profile of the trailingedge a relatively sharp corner.A first adhesive substance 130 is applied to the first contact surface 102. A barrier element 142 ispositioned to maintain the first adhesive substance 130 at the applied position, e.g. to prevent thefirst adhesive substance 130 to flow by act of gravity along the first contact surface 102 to thebottom of the blade shell. The first adhesive substance 130 is applied closer to the first contactedge 101 than the barrier element 142. In some examples, the barrier element 142 may not beneeded, e.g. if the slope of the first contact surface 102 is not very steep, or if the first adhesivesubstance is substantially stiff, has a high viscosity, or in other ways not prone to substantial flow.A spacer 144 is positioned onto the first contact surface to maintain a controlled distance betweenthe first contact surface 102 and the flange element to be bonded to the first contact surface 102.The spacer 144 may facilitate that the correct amount of adhesive substance is provided betweenthe first contact surface 102 and the flange element of the following figures, such as to attain therequired mechanical properties of the bonding.Fig. 6 illustrates the first blade component 90, wherein a flange element 120 has been providedand positioned against the first blade component 90, e.g. against the first contact surface 102.The flange element 120 has a first flange surface 122 configured to face the first contact surface102 and a second flange surface 126 configured to face the second contact surface of the secondblade component. The first flange surface 122 joins the second flange surface 126 along a flangesurface interface 128. The flange element 120 comprises a flexible part 124 along the first flangesurface 122 allowing a first primary flange surface 122a of the first flange surface 122 to be angledrelative to a first secondary flange surface 122b of the first flange surface 122. The flexible part124 may be a hinge element or may be a relatively thin part of material allowing the anglingbetween the first primary flange surface 122a and the first secondary flange surface 122b.The first adhesive substance 130 is applied between the first secondary flange surface 122b andthe first contact surface 102. The first adhesive substance 130 may be applied between the firstsecondary flange surface 122b and the first contact surface 102 after the flange element 120 ispositioned or be applied prior to positioning the flange element 120 as exemplified by Fig. 5.The flange element 120 is positioned such that the first primary flange surface 122a is closer tothe first contact edge 101 than the first secondary flange surface 122b.The barrier element 142 may be provided as a part of the flange element 120 or, as exemplified byFig. 5, be positioned onto the first contact surface 102 prior to positioning the flange element 120.Fig. 7 illustrates the first blade component 90, wherein a first pressure is applied to the flangeelement 120 to press the first secondary flange surface 122b against the first contact surface 102.In the illustrated example, the first pressure is applied by a clamp 140. The first pressure may beapplied while curing the first adhesive substance 130, which may be a fast curing type of adhesive.After the first adhesive substance 130 is cured, bonding the first secondary flange surface 122band the first contact surface 102, the pressure may be released.Fig. 8 illustrates the first blade component 90, wherein the first primary flange surface 122a ispivoted relative to the first secondary flange surface 122b about the flexible part 124 to open thecavity between the first flange surface 122, in particular the first primary flange surface 122a, andthe first contact surface 102.Fig. 9 illustrates the first blade component 90, wherein a second a dhesive substance 132 is appliedbetween the first primary flange surface 122a and the first contact surface 102, while the flangeelement 120 is pivoted to open the cavity between the first flange surface 122 and the first contactsurface 102. Thereby it may be ensured, e.g. by visual inspection, that the cavity is sufficientlyfilled with the second adhesive substance 132. The bonding between the first secondary flangesurface 122b and the first contact surface 102 ensures that the position of the flange element 120is not changed during this process.Fig. 10 illustrates the first blade component 90, wherein a second pressure is applied to the flangeelement 120 to press the first primary flange surface 122a against the first contact surface 102. Inthe illustrated example, the second pressure is applied by a clamp 140, e.g. the same clamp 140as used to apply the first pressure as described with respect to Fig. 7. The second pressure may beapplied while curing the second adhesive substance 132. After the second adhesive substance 132is cured, bonding the first primary flange surface 122a and the first contact surface 102, thepressure may be released. Thereby, the first primary flange surface 122a may be bonded to thefirst contact surface 102 with the second adhesive substance 132. The second adhesive substance132 may be a different type of adhesive substance than the first adhesive substance 130. Forexample, the second adhesive substance may comply with structural requirements for the joiningbetween the first blade component and the second blade component. The second adhesivesubstance 132 may have a longer curing time than the first adhesive substance 130.Fig. 11 illustrates the first blade component 90, wherein a third adhesive substance 134 is appliedonto the second flange surface 126. The third adhesive substance 134 may be the same type ofadhesive substance as the second adhesive substance 132.Fig. 12 illustrates the first blade component 90, wherein the second blade component 92 ispositioned in its desired position relative to the first blade component 90. The second bladecomponent comprises a second contact area 110 configured to be connected to the first contactarea 100 of the first blade component 90. The second contact area 110 has a second contactsurface 112. The second contact area 110 comprises a second contact edge 111.The second blade component 92 is positioned such that the second contact surface 112 ispositioned against the third adhesive substance 134 and the second flange surface 126. Thesecond blade component 92 is positioned such that the second contact edge 111 is arrangedadjacently the first contact edge 101, to form the bond line 28. The first adhesive substance 134 iscured. Pressure may be applied while curing the third adhesive substance 134. However, theweight of the second blade component 92 may provide sufficient pressure.Thereby, the second contact surface 112 of the second blade component 92 may be bonded to thesecond flange surface 126 as well as to the first blade component 90. The first flange surface 122,e.g. including the first primary flange surface 122a and the first secondary flange surface 122b,the second flange surface 126 and the flange surface interface 128 may be covered by theadhesive substance, e.g. including the first adhesive substance 130, the second adhesivesubstance 132 and / or the third adhesive substance 134.Figs. 13a-k show parts of cross sections a wind turbine blade at various positions along the lengthof the blade. In particular, it is seen how the shape of the flange element 120 may vary along thelength of the wind turbine blade to accommodate the different angles of the joining bladecomponents 90, 92.Fig. 14 is a block diagram of an exemplary method 200 for assembling a wind turbine bladecomprising a first blade component, e.g. a first blade half shell, and a second blade component,e.g. a second blade half shell.The method 200 comprises providing 202 a flange element. The provided 202 flange element hasa first flange surface configured to face a first contact surface of a first contact area of the firstblade component. The provided 202 flange element has a second flange surface configured to facea second contact surface of a second contact area of the second blade component.The method 200 comprises positioning 204 the flange element against the first blade component,such that the first flange surface is facing the first contact surface; and bonding 206 a firstsecondary flange surface of the first flange surface to the first contact surface with a first adhesivesubstance. The flange element may be positioned 204 such that the first primary flange surface iscloser to a first contact edge of the first blade component than the first secondary flange surface.The flange element comprises a flexible part along the first flange surface allowing a first primaryflange surface of the first flange surface to be angled relative to the first secondary flange surface.The method 200 comprises, e.g. after having bonded 206 the first secondary flange surface to thefirst contact surface, pivoting 208 the first primary flange surface to open the cavity between thefirst flange surface and the first contact surface, and bonding 210 the first primary flange surfaceto the first contact surface with a second adhesive substance, wherein the second adhesivesubstance and the first adhesive substance are different types of adhesive substances.The method 200 comprises, e.g. after having bonded 210 the first primary flange surface to thefirst contact surface, bonding 212 the second contact surface of the second blade component tothe second flange surface.The method 200 may optionally comprise, e.g. prior to positioning 204 the flange element and / orprior to bonding 206 the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface, positioning 236a barrier element, e.g. to maintain the first adhesive substance between the first secondary flangesurface and the first contact surface.The method 200 may optionally comprise, e.g. prior to positioning 204 the flange element and / orprior to bonding 206 the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface and / or prior tobonding 210 the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface, positioning 238 a spacerbetween the first contact surface and the first primary flange surface, e.g. to maintain a controlleddistance between the first contact surface and the first primary flange surface.Bonding 206 the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface may comprise applying214 the first adhesive substance between the first secondary flange surface and the first contactsurface. Bonding 206 the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface may compriseapplying 216 a first pressure to the flange element to press the first secondary flange surfaceagainst the first contact surface. Bonding 206 the first secondary flange surface to the first contactsurface may comprise curing 218 the first adhesive substance, e.g. while applying 216 the firstpressure. Bonding 206 the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface may comprisereleasing 220 the first pressure.Bonding 210 the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface may comprise applying222 the second adhesive substance between the first primary flange surface and the first contactsurface. Bonding 210 the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface may compriseapplying 224 a second pressure to the flange element to press the first primary flange surfaceagainst the first contact surface. Bonding 210 the first primary flange surface to the first contactsurface may comprise curing 226 the second adhesive substance, e.g. while applying 224 thesecond pressure. Bonding 210 the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface maycomprise releasing 228 the second pressure.Bonding 212 the second contact surface to the second flange surface may comprise applying 230 athird adhesive substance onto the second flange surface. The third adhesive substance may be thesame type of adhesive substance as the second adhesive substance. Bonding 212 the secondcontact surface to the second flange surface may comprise positioning 232 the second bladecomponent such that the second contact surface is positioned against the third adhesive substanceand the second flange surface. Bonding 212 the second contact surface to the second flangesurface may comprise positioning the second blade component such that the second contact edgeis arranged adjacently the first contact edge, e.g. to form a bond line. Bonding 212 the secondcontact surface to the second flange surface may comprise curing the third adhesive substance.Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are set out in the following items:1. A method for assembling a wind turbine blade comprising a first blade component, e.g. a firstblade half shell, and a second blade component, e.g. a second blade half shell, the first bladecomponent comprising a first contact area configured to be connected to a second contactarea of the second blade component, the first contact area having a first contact surface, thesecond contact area having a second contact surface,the method comprising:- providing a flange element having a first flange surface configured to face the firstcontact surface and a second flange surface configured to face the second contactsurface, the flange element comprises a flexible part along the first flange surfaceallowing a first primary flange surface of the first flange surface to be angledrelative to a first secondary flange surface of the first flange surface;- positioning the flange element against the first blade component such that the firstflange surface is facing the first contact surface;- bonding the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface with a firstadhesive substance;- pivoting the first primary flange surface to open the cavity between the first flangesurface and the first contact surface;- bonding the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface with a secondadhesive substance, wherein the second adhesive substance and the first adhesivesubstance are different types of adhesive substances; and- bonding the second contact surface of the second blade component to the secondflange surface.2. Method according to item 1, wherein the first adhesive substance has a first curing time, andwherein the first curing time may be less than 300 seconds, such as less than 180 seconds,such as less than 120 seconds, such as less than 60 seconds.3. Method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the second adhesive substance has asecond curing time, and wherein the second curing time may be more than 120 seconds, suchas more than 180 seconds, such as more than 300 seconds.4. Method according to item 3 as dependent on item 2, wherein the second curing time is longerthan the first curing time.5. Method according to any of the preceding items, wherein bonding the first secondary flangesurface to the first contact surface comprises:- applying the first adhesive substance between the first secondary flange surface andthe first contact surface6. Method according to the preceding item, wherein bonding the first secondary flange surface tothe first contact surface comprises:- applying a first pressure to the flange element to press the first secondary flangesurface against the first contact surface;- curing the first adhesive substance while applying the first pressure;- releasing the first pressure;7. Method according to any of the preceding items, wherein bonding the first primary flangesurface to the first contact surface comprises:- applying the second adhesive substance between the first primary flange surface andthe first contact surface;8. Method according to the preceding item, wherein bonding the first primary flange surface tothe first contact surface comprises:- applying a second pressure to the flange element to press the first primary flangesurface against the first contact surface;- curing the second adhesive substance while applying the second pressure;- releasing the second pressure;9. Method according to any of the preceding items, wherein bonding the second contact surfaceto the second flange surface:- applying a third adhesive substance onto the second flange surface;- positioning the second blade component such that the second contact surface ispositioned against the third adhesive substance and the second flange surface;- curing the third adhesive substance.10. Method according to any of the preceding items further comprising, prior to bonding the firstsecondary flange surface to the first contact surface, positioning a barrier element to maintainthe first adhesive substance between the first secondary flange surface and the first contactsurface.11. Method according to any of the preceding items further comprising, prior to bonding the firstprimary flange surface to the first contact surface, positioning a spacer between the firstcontact surface and the first primary flange surface to maintain a controlled distance betweenthe first contact surface and the first primary flange surface.The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, the scopeof the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and alterations and modifications canbe carried out without deviating from the scope of the invention.LIST OF REFERENCES2 wind turbine4 tower6 nacelle8 hub10 blade14 blade tip15 tip end16 blade root17 root end18 leading edge20 trailing edge24 first blade shell part (pressure side)26 second blade shell part (suction side)28 bond lines / glue joints30 root region32 transition region34 airfoil region40 shoulder42 shear web or spar side74 first spar cap76 second spar cap80 fibre-reinforced layer82 shell core84 insert90 first blade component92 second blade component100 first contact area101 first contact edge102 first contact surface110 second contact area111 second contact edge112 second contact surface120 flange element122 first flange surface122a first primary flange surface122b first secondary flange surface124 flexible part126 second flange surface128 flange surface interface130 first adhesive substance132 second adhesive substance134 third adhesive substance140 clamp142 barrier element144 spacer200 method202 providing flange element204 positioning flange element206 bonding first secondary flange surface and first contact surface208 pivoting first primary flange surface210 bonding first primary flange surface and first contact surface212 bonding second contact surface and second flange surface214 applying first adhesive substance216 applying first pressure218 curing first adhesive substance220 releasing first pressure222 applying second adhesive substance224 applying second pressure226 curing second adhesive substance228 releasing second pressure230 applying third adhesive substance232 positioning second blade component234 curing second adhesive substance236 positioning barrier element238 positioning spacer

Claims

1. A method for assembling a wind turbine blade comprising a first blade component being a first blade half shell, and a second blade component being a second blade half shell, the first blade component comprising a first contact area configured to be connected to a second contact area of the second blade component to form a leading edge and / or a trailing edge of the wind turbine blade, the first contact area having a first contact surface, the second contact area having a second contact surface, the first contact area comprises a first contact edge of the first blade component and the second contact area comprises a second contact edge of the second blade component, the first contact edge and the second contact edge being configured to be adjacently arranged to form a bond line along the leading edge and / or the trailing edge of the wind turbine blade, the method comprising: - providing a flange element having a first flange surface configured to face the first contact surface and a second flange surface configured to face the second contact surface, the flange element comprises a flexible part along the first flange surface allowing a first primary flange surface of the first flange surface to be angled relative to a first secondary flange surface of the first flange surface; - positioning the flange element against the first blade component such that the first flange surface is facing the first contact surface, and such that the first primary flange surface is closer to the first contact edge than the first secondary flange surface; - bonding the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface with a first adhesive substance; - pivoting the first primary flange surface to open a cavity between the first flange surface and the first contact surface; - bonding the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface with a second adhesive substance, wherein the second adhesive substance and the first adhesive substance are different types of adhesive substances; and - bonding the second contact surface of the second blade component to the second flange surface.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive substance has a first curing time, and wherein the first curing time may be less than 300 seconds, such as less than 180 seconds, such as less than 120 seconds, such as less than 60 seconds.

3. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second adhesive substance has a second curing time, and wherein the second curing time may be more than 120 seconds, such as more than 180 seconds, such as more than 300 seconds.

4. Method according to claim 3 as dependent on claim 2, wherein the second curing time is longer than the first curing time.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein bonding the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface comprises: - applying the first adhesive substance between the first secondary flange surface and the first contact surface6. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein bonding the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface comprises: - applying a first pressure to the flange element to press the first secondary flange surface against the first contact surface; - curing the first adhesive substance while applying the first pressure; - releasing the first pressure;7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein bonding the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface comprises: - applying the second adhesive substance between the first primary flange surface and the first contact surface;8. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein bonding the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface comprises: - applying a second pressure to the flange element to press the first primary flange surface against the first contact surface; - curing the second adhesive substance while applying the second pressure; - releasing the second pressure;9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein bonding the second contact surface to the second flange surface: - applying a third adhesive substance onto the second flange surface; - positioning the second blade component such that the second contact surface is positioned against the third adhesive substance and the second flange surface; - curing the third adhesive substance.

10. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein bonding the second contact surface to the second flange surface comprises positioning the second blade component such that the second contact edge is arranged adjacently the first contact edge to form a bond line along the leading edge and / or the trailing edge of the wind turbine blade.

11. Method according to any of the preceding claims further comprising, prior to bonding the first secondary flange surface to the first contact surface, positioning a barrier element to maintain the first adhesive substance between the first secondary flange surface and the first contact surface.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the barrier element is positioned more distant from the first contact edge than the flange element.

13. Method according to any of the preceding claims further comprising, prior to bonding the first primary flange surface to the first contact surface, positioning a spacer between the first contact surface and the first primary flange surface to maintain a controlled distance between the first contact surface and the first primary flange surface.