A fastener plate for a module, a module for supporting a wind turbine component, use of the module and a method for producing the module

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastener plate (10) for a module (5) made of a polymer ma- terial, said module being configured to be mounted on a support structure (1) with fas- teners, said fastener plate (10) comprising: - a first plane (13) having a width (11), a length (12) and a plate thickness (14) perpendicular to each other, wherein the first plane (13) comprises one or more openings (24) configured to receive the polymer material; and - one or more second planes (20) being displaced at a distance (15) from the first plane (13) and each comprising a through-going aperture (29) configured to receive one of the fasteners, wherein the fastener plate (10) is configured for being covered by the polymer material forming the module (5) with the second planes (20) being left substantially uncovered.

Description

[0001] A fastener plate for a module, a module for supporting a wind turbine component, use of the module and a method for producing the module

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to modules for supporting a wind turbine component, wherein the modules are arranged between a supporting structure and the wind turbine component.

[0004] The present invention also relates to a fastener plate for the modules, wherein the fastener plate is configured for fastening the module to the supporting structure.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] Prior art modules for supporting a wind turbine component may be made with a plate made of a hard material, wherein the material of the modules is adhered or vulcanized to the plate. The plate is generally used to secure fastening means to a mounting surface, so that the entire module is fastened to the mounting surface.

[0007] To achieve a good bonding of the material to the plate through adhesion or vulcanization, the plate requires to be primed or coated with one or more suitable substances. These substances are often toxic and cumbersome to apply to the plate prior to moulding.

[0008] Furthermore, during the moulding process the substances may be blown away or otherwise removed from the plate during application of the material which is to be moulded around the plate. Hence either a large amount of the substances needs to be applied to the plate during priming or coating, or the moulding process needs to be done carefully to avoid removal of the substances from the plate which may increase production time.

[0009] A further downside of requiring the priming or coating of the plate is that it is a further production expense in addition to an increase in production time and safety risk.

[0010] Object of the Invention

[0011] One objective of the present disclosure is to achieve a fastener plate for a module, wherein the fastener plate achieves a strong bonding to a polymer material of a module for supporting a wind turbine component. Furthermore, an objective is to provide a fastener plate which enables the module to be mounted to a supporting structure.A further objective is to achieve the module comprising the fastener plate and a method for producing the module with the fastener plate.

[0012] Description of the Invention

[0013] One objective of the invention is achieved by a fastener plate for a module comprising a main body made of a polymer material. The module may be configured to be mounted on a support structure with fasteners.

[0014] The fastener plate may comprise a fastener body having a width, a length, and a plate thickness, wherein the fastener body comprises one or more openings being configured to receive the polymer material of the main body.

[0015] The fastener plate may furthermore comprise one or more protrusions, each protrusion comprising a base section, displaced at a distance from the fastener body, wherein each base section comprises a through-going aperture configured to receive one of the fasteners.

[0016] The fastener plate may be configured for being substantially covered by the polymer material forming the main body with the one or more base sections being substantially uncovered, so that the fastener plate is configured to be integrated in the main body to form the module.

[0017] Throughout the application, fastener body and the first plane can be used interchangeably.

[0018] The fastener body may be aligned with a first planar surface. The base sections may be aligned with a second planar surface. The first planar surface and the second planar surface may be parallel to each other.

[0019] In one aspect of the fastener plate, when comprising two or more base sections, all the base sections may be displaced with the same distance from the fastener plate.

[0020] In another aspect, the base sections may be displaced at different distances from the fastener plate. In a further aspect, the base sections may be arranged such that they are defining other geometries such as substantially a sphere, where the base sections lie on the surface of the sphere. The base section may also be arranged such that the base sections define a concave and / or convex surface, if the surface of the support structure concave and / or convex. When the base sections are following the contour ofthe support structure surface, an improved contact and attachment is obtained by the fastener plate.

[0021] Alternatively, the fastener plate may be for a module comprising a main body made of a polymer material, said module being configured to be mounted on a support structure with fasteners, said fastener plate comprising:

[0022] - a width, a length, defining a first plane, and a plate thickness, wherein the fastener plate comprises one or more openings being configured to receive the polymer material of the main body; and

[0023] - one or more protrusions, each protrusion comprising a base section, displaced at a distance from the first plane wherein each base section comprising a through-going aperture configured to receive one of the fasteners, wherein the fastener plate is configured for being substantially covered by the polymer material forming the main body with the one or more base sections being substantially uncovered, so that the fastener plate is configured to be integrated in the main body to form the module.

[0024] The first plane is to be understood as a physical element having a length, width, and plate thickness.

[0025] Alternatively, the fastener plate may be for a module made of a polymer material, said module being configured to be mounted on a support structure with fasteners, said fastener plate comprising:

[0026] - a first plane having a width, a length and a plate thickness perpendicular to each other, wherein the first plane comprises one or more openings configured to receive the polymer material; and

[0027] - one or more second planes being displaced at a distance from the first plane and each comprising a through-going aperture configured to receive one of the fasteners,

[0028] wherein the fastener plate is configured for being covered by the polymer material forming the module with the second planes being left substantially uncovered.

[0029] The second planes are to be understood as a physical element having a length, width, and thickness.

[0030] Throughout the application, the base section and the second planes can be used interchangeably.Alternatively, the fastener plate may be for a module made of a polymer material, the module being configured to be mounted on a support structure with fasteners.

[0031] The fastener plate has a width and a length defining a plane and a plate thickness perpendicular to the plane.

[0032] The fastener plate comprises:

[0033] - one or more protrusions, each protrusion comprising a base section with a through-going aperture configured to receive one of the fasteners, the base section being displaced at a distance from the plane of the fastener plate, and

[0034] - one or more openings configured to receive the polymer material,

[0035] wherein the fastener plate is configured for being covered by the polymer material forming the module with the base sections being left substantially uncovered.

[0036] In one aspect, each protrusion may extend outwards from the plane of the fastener plate. The extension may be in the direction towards a mounting surface of the support structure, so that the base section may be mounted against the support structure.

[0037] In the above-mentioned alternative, the plane should be understood as the fastener body.

[0038] In an aspect, each protrusion may extend outwards from the fastener body.

[0039] In one aspect, the fastener plate may be made in metal such as e.g., stainless steel, steel, iron or aluminium.

[0040] In one aspect, the polymer material may be resilient, i.e., it may absorb impacts by deforming, however the resiliency is configured with a hardness strong enough to support heavy objects such as wind turbine components. Hence, the polymer material is configured to securely support large objects without damaging the large objects and maintain a strong frictional hold onto the large objects.

[0041] In one aspect, a part of the one or more second planes may be configured for being mounted to the support structure by fastening the fasteners to the support structure through the through-going apertures.

[0042] One advantage of the fastener plate is that due to the distance between the first plane and the second plane, the polymer material can substantially cover the fastener platewith only the one or more second planes being substantially uncovered. This ensures that the polymer material can sufficiently adhere to and / or become bonded with the fastener plate. This advantage is also achieved by providing the one or more openings in the first plane, as the polymer material can further cover the fastener plate and improve the adhesion and / or bonding. In another aspect, the polymer material may surround the fastener plate except for the part of the one or more second planes configured to mount on the support structure.

[0043] A further advantage is achieved due to the improvement of the adhesion and / or bonding of the polymer material to the fastener plate, which is that the fastener plate does not require to be coated or primed prior to having the polymer material applied to or moulded around the fastener plate. This achieves an easier and cheaper production cycle of the module and may also avoid the use of toxic coatings or primer substances.

[0044] A further advantage of the openings in the first plane is that when the first plane of the fastener plate is substantially covered by the polymer material during moulding, air bubbles in a flowing polymer material may escape through the openings, so that the polymer material becomes as uniform as possible.

[0045] Furthermore, by ensuring that the one or more second planes are left substantially uncovered of polymer material, the second planes are able to be mounted flush against the support structure. Thus, the fastener plate ensures that the module can be sufficiently fastened to the support structure and that the fasteners do not become loose over time.

[0046] If the polymer material substantially covers a part of the one or more second planes facing the supporting structure, i.e., the polymer material is between the second planes and the supporting structure, the resiliency of the polymer material may cause the fasteners loosen over time. A further disadvantage may be that the resiliency of the polymer material between the one or more second planes facing the supporting structure causes an increase in vibration of the module which may cause cracks or slits to occur in the polymer material and / or in the bonding between the polymer material and the fastener plate, which inevitably decreases the lifetime of the module.

[0047] In one aspect, the adhesion or bonding of the polymer material to the fastener plate may be achieved through vulcanization. The adhesion or bonding may be asubstantially non-flexible adhesion or bonding, i.e., the fastener plate is substantially non-flexibly fixed to the polymer material.

[0048] The fastener plate may be formed into any given shape or size e.g. a quadratic or rectangular square depending on the needed internal support of the module. The fastener plate may comprise any number of protrusions such as, one, two, three or more protrusions depending on the needed internal support of the module. Smaller fastener plates enable the production of smaller modules still covering the fastener plate. One advantage of using smaller modules is that if one gets damaged then less needs to be replaced compared to using a larger module, where half of the module could still be functional.

[0049] In a further embodiment of the fastener plate, an area of the openings takes up in the range of 20 to 45% or 25 to 40% or 30 to 35% of an area of the fastener plate.

[0050] In one aspect, the area of the openings takes up in the range of 10 to 60% or 15 to 55% or 20 to 50% of an area of the fastener plate.

[0051] The area of the fastener plate may be the area measured on one surface of the first and / or second plane of the fastener plate, i.e., the area facing towards a mounting surface of the support structure or the opposite surface. In another aspect, the area of the openings may also include the area of the through-going apertures.

[0052] By sizing the area of the openings to take up the aforementioned area of the fastener plate ensures that the polymer material is able to adhere and / or bond sufficiently to the fastener plate, by filling the openings with the polymer material.

[0053] In a further embodiment of the fastener plate, the fastener plate is made of aluminium, and the plate thickness is in the range of 1 to 10 mm, or 2 to 8 mm, or 3 to 7 mm, or 3 to 5 mm, or 3 mm.

[0054] One advantage of providing the fastener plate in aluminium and providing the specific plate thickness is that the fastener plate is rigid enough to provide a sufficiently strong fastening of the module to a support structure while also being bendable, so that the fastener plate may conform to any surface curvature of the support structure.

[0055] In one aspect, the plate thickness may vary over the span of the fastener plate. For example, the technique used to form the protrusions in the fastener plate may cause acompression of the material and thereby the plate thickness in the protrusions and base sections will deviate in plate thickness compared to the rest of the fastener plate.

[0056] A further objective of the invention is achieved by a module for supporting a wind turbine component during transport or storage.

[0057] The module comprises:

[0058] - a main body made from the polymer material covering the fastener plate according to any one of the herein disclosed embodiments, wherein the main body has a thickness substantially perpendicular to the first plane of the fastener plate and the main body comprises one or more second apertures substantially aligned with the through-going apertures and configured for receiving a fastener;

[0059] - a lower surface being substantially aligned with the second plane; and

[0060] - an upper surface being opposite to the lower surface and configured to support the wind turbine component,

[0061] wherein the polymer material substantially covers the fastener plate with the one or more second planes being left substantially uncovered.

[0062] The aspects and advantages of the fastener plate as described above are similarly applicable to the module comprising the fastener plate.

[0063] Tests made on the module of the present disclosure have shown that the module is as strong or even stronger than prior art modules of a similar shape and size.

[0064] The main body may be produced so that it substantially extends beyond the width and length of the fastener plate, so that the fastener plate is surrounded or covered by the polymer material except for the second planes. The second planes may be visible on the lower surface of the module, as the second planes or at least a lower part of the second planes are left substantially uncovered by the polymer material.

[0065] In one aspect, the module may initially be produced to be substantially flat, i.e., along the plane, so that the module takes up as little space as possible and packaging is a cuboid. Furthermore, the fastener plate may be configured to be bendable so that the second planes can conform to a curved, concave or convex mounting surface, thereby accommodating the wind turbine component with a round or aerofoil shape and / or accommodating a mounting surface with a concave and / or convex shape. As the main body is made in a polymer material, the main body is also bendable and able to conformto the curved, concave or convex mounting surface and to provide a supporting surface along the upper surface which fits the wind turbine component.

[0066] In another aspect, the modules may be moulded into any given shape and size, e.g. a quadratic or rectangular square with a module length and module width each ranging from e.g. 100 to 1000 mm or more, to cover a part of the support structure. Ideally the modules are produced in a smaller size relative to the support structure, so that an array of modules may be required to cover the entire carrying surface. Thus, if one module is damaged during use, it is easier and less expensive to replace compared to a large and expensive module.

[0067] The thickness of the module may be in the range of 10 to 500 mm, or 50 to 400 mm, or 200 to 300 mm or 250 mm.

[0068] In a further embodiment of the module, the upper surface comprises two or more contact areas separated by one or more first grooves extending with a first groove depth into the thickness of the module and wherein the contact areas comprise a plurality of second grooves where each second groove extends with a second groove depth into the thickness of the module, wherein the second groove depth is smaller than the first groove depth.

[0069] The one or more first grooves are provided to divide the upper surface into at least two contact areas. Preferably at least four contact areas may be provided by providing at least two first grooves. Similarly, eight contact areas may be provided by providing at least four first grooves and so on.

[0070] One effect of providing the one or more first grooves is that if the module is arranged on a curved support structure, the polymer material and first grooves allow the module to conform to the curved support structure.

[0071] In one aspect, each contact area may be shaped as a pyramid stub, wherein the first groove depth is the height of the pyramid stub. One advantage of shaping the contact area as a pyramid stub is that the first grooves allow drainage of lubricant and for the module to further conform to a curved support surface or structure.

[0072] Lubricant may be e.g., water, sea water, snow, lubrication oil, grease, or any other liquid or combined liquid which reduces surface friction.The plurality of second grooves provided into one or more contact areas, are configured so that the second grooves do not impair the contact area’s friction to the wind turbine component. This is achieved by providing the second grooves with specific second groove depths and a second groove spacing being measured between each second groove for each contact area, so that the upper polymer material of each contact area remains rigid and resilient.

[0073] One effect of providing the second grooves is that the edge of the second grooves will create a wiping effect that will guide the friction reducing lubricant off the polymer material of each contact area and thus improve the friction between the contact area and the wind turbine component. The grooves may be adapted to guide the lubricant away from one or more edges of the contact area and / or into the first grooves, wherein the first grooves may guide the lubricant away from the edges of the module.

[0074] This effect of guiding the lubricant away from the contact area and thus improving a coefficient of friction, has been verified in custom tests where a contact area with a plurality of second grooves was compared with a contact area with a smooth surface clear of any second grooves. This custom test is similar to the standardised tests described in ASTM D1894 and ISO 15113.

[0075] The tests showed that the contact area with a plurality of second grooves quickly drains the lubricant applied to the contact area and reaches a much higher coefficient of friction in a short amount of time whereas the contact area with a smooth surface clear of any second grooves is not capable of reaching similar performance.

[0076] In a further aspect of the module, the first groove depth is in the range of 7 to 14 mm or 8 to 12 mm or 9 to 10 mm.

[0077] One effect of providing the herein disclosed first groove depth is that the main body of the module may conform to a curved surface, because a sufficient spacing is provided between the contact areas.

[0078] In a further aspect of the module, the second groove depth is in the range of 2 to 7 mm or 3 to 6 mm or 4 to 5 mm.One effect of providing the herein disclosed second groove depth is that lubricant is quickly removed from each contact area by the second grooves which ensures that a high coefficient of friction is maintained.

[0079] A further effect is achieved by the second groove depth being smaller than the first groove depth, as lubricant drained from the second grooves will be guided into the deeper first grooves which ensures that little to no lubricant remains on the surface of the contact areas.

[0080] In a further aspect of the module, the second grooves take up in the range of 10% to 30% or 15% to 25% or 18% to 20% of the entire area of the upper surface.

[0081] In one aspect, the second grooves may be provided as parallel straight lines or parallel curved lines. In another aspect, for each contact surface, the plurality of second grooves may be arranged in a different direction relative to the plurality of second grooves in any neighbouring contact surface. The advantages of these aspects are that the module may be arranged in any arbitrary orientation relative to the supporting structure and / or the wind turbine component, as the lubricant drainage is substantially uniform in any direction. Hence, the installation of the module with a plurality of second grooves is straightforward.

[0082] In a further embodiment of the module, the polymer material is ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) having a hardness in the range of 20 to 85 Shore A.

[0083] The Shore hardness may be determined according to ISO 48-1. The Shore hardness may be measured using a durometer measuring a Shore A or Shore D hardness scale. The specific Shore hardness of the polymer material ensures that the module does not damage the wind turbine component during contact and further ensures that the module can sustain wear and tear over a long period of use.

[0084] The Shore hardness scale is a continuous measurement system in which hardness values may span from the Shore A range to the Shore D range. The Shore A range is used for soft elastomeric materials, whereas the Shore D range is used for harder, rigid polymer materials, with each range employing measurement instruments that utilize different indenters and spring forces. Because of these differences, the Shore A instrument cannot measure hardness values above a certain level, and the Shore D instrument cannot measure values below a certain level. Consequently, the two rangesexhibit an overlap, making it possible to define hardness intervals that extend across both the Shore A and Shore D ranges.

[0085] In the specified range the EDPM material can be designed to meet the criteria for Coefficient of Friction and tensile strength.

[0086] In a further embodiment of the module, the polymer material is polyurethane (PUR) having a hardness in the range of 55 Shore A to 72 Shore D.

[0087] In the specified range the PUR material can be designed to meet the criteria for Coefficient of Friction and tensile strength.

[0088] In one aspect, a hardness in the range of 80 to 95 Shore A is advantageous when the module is to be used to support extra heavy objects, such as e.g., a wind turbine tower section which are generally much heavier than wind turbine blades. In a further aspect, the thickness of the main body may be e.g. 300 mm or 400 mm to further ensure that the module can withstand very heavy and large objects.

[0089] In a further embodiment of the module, the polymer material is thermoplastic polyurethane having a hardness in the range of 20 Shore A to 72 Shore D.

[0090] In the specified range, the thermoplastic PUR material can be designed to meet the criteria for Coefficient of Friction and tensile strength.

[0091] A further objective of the invention is achieved by a use of the fastener plate according to any one of the herein disclosed embodiments for a module according to any one of the herein disclosed embodiments.

[0092] A further objective of the invention is achieved by a method for producing a module according to any one of the herein disclosed embodiments, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

[0093] - providing a mould for shaping the module;

[0094] - providing the fastener plate;

[0095] - arranging the fastener plate inside the mould;

[0096] - providing a flowing polymer material into the mould so that it substantially surrounds the fastener plate; and

[0097] - hardening the polymer material to obtain the module,wherein the surfaces of the fastener plate are unprimed, and the fastener plate is arranged inside the mould so that the one or more second planes are in contact with a surface of the mould to leave the second planes free from the polymer material.

[0098] In one aspect, the mould may be shaped so that it can form a module according to any one of the herein disclosed and illustrated embodiments and / or examples of the module. In another aspect, the mould may be shaped so that it can produce more than one module at a time, e.g., preferably four modules at a time or more. When more than one module is produced at a time in one mould, the modules may be connected along a side of the thickness of the module, wherein the connection is provided by the polymer material. When more than one module is connected by the polymer material, the modules may easily be separated by cutting through the polymer material. This is advantageous, as it may be easier and cheaper to produce several modules at once in a single mould.

[0099] In the step of arranging the fastener plate so that the one or more second planes are in contact with a surface of the mould, the specific surface may be a mould surface corresponding to the lower surface of the module, which is to be formed, e.g., a substantially flat surface.

[0100] In one aspect, the mould may be shaped with one or more alignment protrusions configured to extend into the through-going aperture of the fastener plate, so that the one or more second planes are arranged flush with the surface of the mould. The alignment protrusions may be configured to take up the space of the one or more through-going apertures and / or the one or more second apertures so that the through-going apertures and / or the second apertures are not filled with polymer material during the step of hardening.

[0101] In the step of providing the flowing polymer material into the mould, the polymer material may be injected into the mould e.g., through one of the sides of the mould. In another aspect, the polymer material may be provided by pouring the flowing polymer material into the mould from above.

[0102] In one aspect of the step of hardening the polymer material, the material may be compressed in the mould by pressing the one or more parts of the mould together with force. In another aspect of the step of hardening the polymer material, the mould may be heated.Description of the Drawing

[0103] Various examples are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the examples. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated example need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular example is not necessarily limited to that example and can be practiced in any other examples even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

[0104] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in the figures, whereon:

[0105] Fig. 1a illustrates one embodiment of a fastener plate.

[0106] Fig. 1b illustrates one embodiment of a fastener plate.

[0107] Fig. 2a illustrates a transparent view of one embodiment of a module.

[0108] Fig. 2b illustrates a transparent view of one embodiment of a module.

[0109] Fig. 3a illustrates one further embodiment of a module.

[0110] Fig. 3b illustrates a cross-sectional view of a module.

[0111] Fig. 3c illustrates a cross-sectional view of a module.

[0112] Fig. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a method.

[0113] Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the fastener plate with two protrusions.

[0114] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0115] Exemplary examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this regard, the present examples may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the examples are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects.

[0116] Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, the element is “directly connected” to the other element, “electrically connected”, “fluidic connected” or “communicatively connected” to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed there between.The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the terms “comprises" "comprising" "includes" and / or "including" when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0117] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined in the present specification.

[0118]

[0119]

[0120] Figure 1a illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the fastener plate 10 for a module made of polymer material. The fastener plate 10 has a width 11 and a length 12 defining a first plane 13, wherein the first plane 13 is illustrated by the dashed square. The shape of the fastener plate is not limited to a shape corresponding to the first plane 13, as is shown by the rounded corners of the fastener plate, see e.g. fig.

[0121] 1b. The fastener plate 10 also has a plate thickness 14 (not illustrated here), wherein the plate thickness 14 is measured perpendicular to the first plane 13.

[0122] The fastener plate 10 comprises a plurality of openings 24 configured to receive the polymer material. The fastener plate 10 comprises protrusions 21 extending away from the fastener plate 10 in a direction substantially parallel to the plate thickness 14. The protrusions 21 comprises a second plane 20 (see fig. 1 b) with a through-going hole 29. Each protrusion 21 is provided to displace the second plane 20 at a distance 15 (see fig. 3c) away from the first plane 13 of the fastener plate 10. Each through-going hole 29 is configured to receive a fastener, so that the fastener plate may be fastened to a support structure. The displacement of the second plane 20 relative to the remaining part of the fastener plate 10 (being along the first plane 13) ensures that the fastener plate 10 may be substantially covered by the polymer material while the second planes 20 are left substantially uncovered. Hence, the second planes 20 are able to be mounted flush on the support structure.

[0123] Figure 1b illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the fastener plate 10, which is the same embodiment that is illustrated in fig. 1a. In this figure, the fastener plate 10 is viewed from the opposite side of the perspective view in fig. 1a.In this illustration, the protrusions 21 and the displacement of the second plane 20 away from the first plane 13 of the fastener plate 10 is visible.

[0124] Figure 2a illustrates one embodiment of a module 5, which will be explained in detail in figure 3a to 3c, wherein an exterior surface of module 5 is made transparent for illustrative purposes. The module 5 comprises a fastener plate 10 inside the module 5.

[0125] Figure 2b illustrates the same embodiment of the module 5 as illustrated in fig. 2a, where the exterior surface of the module is made even more transparent for illustrative purposes. In the two illustrations, alignment of the through-going apertures (29) and the second apertures 59 of the main body 50 made of polymer material of the module 5. Furthermore, the openings 24 arranged in the fastener plate 10 are provided so that polymer material of the main body 50 can fill the openings 24 and substantially cover the fastener plate 10 to provide a strong connection between the fastener plate 10 and the polymer material of the main body 50.

[0126] Figure 3a illustrates one embodiment of a module 5 comprising a main body 50 made from a polymer material and fastener plate 10 (e.g., as illustrated in fig. 1a and 1b) substantially covered by the main body 50, i.e., the fastener plate 10 is embedded within or integral with the main body 50.

[0127] The main body 50 has a width and a length measured along the same directions. The width 11 and length 12 of the fastener plate 10 and the main body 50 has a thickness 51 measured perpendicular to the width and length of the main body.

[0128] The main body 50 of the module 5 has a lower surface 53 being substantially aligned with the one or more second planes 20 of the fastener plate 10. The main body 50 has an upper surface 52 being opposite to the lower surface 53 and configured to support a wind turbine component. The polymer material of the main body 50 substantially covers the fastener plate 10 with the second planes 20 being left substantially uncovered.

[0129] The main body 50 comprises a plurality of contact areas 54 separated by a plurality of first grooves 55 extending with a first groove depth 56 (not illustrated here) into the thickness 51 of the main body 50. The contact areas 54 comprises a plurality of second grooves 57 extending with a second groove depth 58 into the thickness 51 of the main body 50. The second groove depth 58 is smaller than the first groove depth 56.The module 5 comprises apertures 59 configured to receive fasteners wherein the apertures 59 are aligned with the through-going holes 29 of the fastener plate 10.

[0130] Figure 3b illustrates a cross-sectional view along the length of one embodiment of the module 5. The illustrated embodiment of the module 5 is the same as illustrated in fig.

[0131] 3a. The cross-sectional view illustrates the first groove depth 56 of the first grooves 55 and the second groove depth 58 of the second groves 57, as described regarding fig.

[0132] 3a. Furthermore, it can be seen that each aperture 59 of the module 5 and the through-going opening 29 arranged in each second plane 20 are aligned relative to a vertical direction, wherein the vertical direction is substantially aligned with the thickness 51 of the module 5.

[0133] The cross-sectional view also illustrates how the lower surface 53 of the module 5 is arranged on a supporting structure 1, wherein the module 5 may be fastened to the supporting structure 1 by fastening one or more fasteners (not illustrated here) to the supporting structure 1 through each aperture 59 and corresponding through-going aperture 29 of the fastener plate 10.

[0134] The cross-sectional view illustrates how the polymer material of the main body 50 covers the fastener plate 10 along the first plane 13 and how the polymer material fills the openings 24 of the fastener plate 10. Furthermore, it can be seen that the second planes 20 are left substantially uncovered by the polymer material, hence enabling the second planes 20 to be mounted firmly and precisely against the supporting structure 1.

[0135] Figure 3c illustrates a cross-sectional view along the width of the module 5, wherein the embodiment of the module 5 is the one also illustrated in fig. 3a and 3b.

[0136] The cross-sectional view illustrates how the part of the fastener plate 10 spanning the first plane 13 is displaced by a distance 15 from the second planes 20 and the lower surface 53. The spacing provided by the displacement according to the distance 15 ensures that the polymer material of the main body 50 can substantially cover and / or surround the fastener plate 10, and thus ensuring that the polymer material is sufficiently bonded or adhered to the fastener plate 10. Sufficient bonding or adhesion of the polymer material to the fastener plate 10 ensures that the mounting of the fastener plate 10 to a supporting structure 1 also entails secure mounting of the main body 50 to the supporting structure 1 .Furthermore, the cross-sectional view also illustrates the plate thickness 14 measured in the same direction as the distance 15, i.e., perpendicular to the first plane 13. The cross-sectional view also illustrates the alignment of the aperture 59 of the main body 50 with the through-going aperture 29 of the second plane 20, as was illustrated in fig.

[0137] 3b.

[0138] Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of a method 100 for producing a module 5 according to any one of the herein disclosed embodiments and examples, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

[0139] - providing 110 a mould for shaping the module 5;

[0140] - providing 120 the fastener plate 10;

[0141] - arranging 130 the fastener plate 10 inside the mould;

[0142] - providing 140 a flowing polymer material into the mould so that it substantially surrounds the fastener plate 10; and

[0143] - hardening 150 the polymer material to obtain the module 5,

[0144] wherein the surfaces of the fastener plate 10 are unprimed and the fastener plate 10 is arranged inside the mould so that the second planes 20 are in contact with a surface of the mould to leave the second planes 20 free from the polymer material.

[0145] Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of the fastener plate 10 with two protrusions 21. The fastener plate 10 comprises the same features as the ones shown in fig. 1b. however with two protrusions 21 instead of three protrusions 21. Fig 5 hence illustrating that the fastener plate 10 may be produced with various number of protrusions 21. In another example, the fastener plate 10 may comprise one, two, three or more protrusion 21.ITEMS

[0146] I. A module for supporting a wind turbine component during transport or storage, said module comprising a main body made from a resilient material integral with a base plate, where the module has a width, a length and a thickness orthogonal to a plane defined by the width and the length, said module has a lower surface and an opposite upper surface, said upper surface having two or more contact areas separated by one or more first grooves extending with a first groove depth into the thickness of the module, and where the contact areas are suitable for contact with the wind turbine component and wherein the main body and base plate are configured with one or more apertures extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, wherein the apertures are configured for receiving one or more fasteners, wherein one or more contact areas are configured with a plurality of second grooves forming for each contact area a second set of grooves, where each groove extends with a second groove depth into the thickness of the module, wherein the second groove depth is smaller than the first groove depth.

[0147] II. The module according to item I, wherein the second grooves in each second set of grooves are a pattern with parallel-straight grooves, parallel-curved grooves, orthogonal grooves and / or a combination thereof.

[0148] III. The module according to item I or II, wherein the second grooves in each second set of grooves are a pattern of curved grooves with a geometrically defined cylindrical pattern.

[0149] IV. The module according to any one or more of the preceding items, wherein the grooves in the second set of grooves are in a different pattern of second grooves for each contact area with respect to an adjacent contact area so that a coefficient of friction is homogeneous in any direction along the plane defined by the width and the length of the module.

[0150] V. The module according to any one or more of the preceding items, wherein the grooves in the second set of grooves are arranged in a different orientation and / or an alternating orientation for each contact area with respect to an adjacent contact area so that a coefficient of friction is homogeneous in any direction along the plane defined by the width and the length of the module.VI. The module according to any one or more of the preceding items, wherein the first groove depth is in the range of 7 to 14 mm or 8 to 12 mm or 9 to 10 mm.

[0151] VII. The module according to any one or more of the preceding items, wherein the second groove depth is in the range of 2 to 7 mm or 3 to 6 mm or 4 to 5 mm.

[0152] VIII. The module according to any one or more of the preceding items, wherein the second grooves take up in the range of 10% to 30% or 15% to 25% or 18% to 20% of the entire area of the upper surface.

[0153] IX. The module according to any one or more of the preceding items, wherein the resilient material is ethylene propylene diene monomer or polyurethane.

[0154] X. The module according to any one or more of the preceding items, wherein the sec-ond grooves arranged in each contact area are configured with a higher coefficient of friction in low friction conditions relative to a contact area without any second grooves.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A fastener plate (10) for a module (5) comprising a main body (50) made of a polymer material, said module (5) being configured to be mounted on a support structure (1) with fasteners, said fastener plate (10) comprising:- a fastener body having a width (11 ), a length (12), and a plate thickness (14), wherein the fastener body comprises one or more openings (24) being configured to receive the polymer material of the main body (50), and- one or more protrusions (21), each protrusion (21) comprising a base section, displaced at a distance (15) from the fastener body wherein each base section comprising a through-going aperture (29) configured to receive one of the fasteners,wherein the fastener plate (10) is configured for being substantially covered by the polymer material forming the main body (50) with the one or more base sections being substantially uncovered, so that the fastener plate (10) is configured to be integrated in the main body (50) to form the module (5).

2. The fastener plate (10) according to claim 1, wherein an area of the openings (24) takes up in the range of 20 to 45% or 25 to 40% or 30 to 35% of an area of the fastener plate (10).

3. The fastener plate (10) according to any claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastener plate is made of aluminium, and the plate thickness (14) is in the range of 1 to 10 mm, or 2 to 8 mm, or 3 to 7 mm, or 3 to 5 mm, or 3 mm.

4. A module (5) for supporting a wind turbine component during transport or storage, wherein the module (5) comprises:- the fastener plate (10) according to any one of claims 1-3 and- a main body (50) made from a polymer material, said main body (50) having:- a thickness (51),- one or more second apertures (59) substantially aligned with the through-going apertures (29) of the fastener plate (10), each second aperture (59) of the main body (50) being configured for receiving the fastener;- a lower surface (53) being substantially aligned with the base section of the fastener plate (10); and- an upper surface (52) being opposite to the lower surface (53) and configured to support the wind turbine component,wherein the polymer material of the main body (50) substantially covers the fastener plate (10) with the one or more base sections being substantially uncovered.

5. The module (5) according to claim 4, wherein the upper surface (52) comprises two or more contact areas (54) separated by one or more first grooves (55) extending with a first groove depth (56) into the thickness (51) of the module (5) and wherein the contact areas (54) comprise a plurality of second grooves (57) where each second groove (57) extends with a second groove depth (58) into the thickness (51) of the module (5), wherein the second groove depth is smaller than the first groove depth (56).

6. The module (5) according to claims 4 or 5, wherein the polymer material is ethylene propylene diene monomer having a hardness in the range of 20 to 85 Shore A.

7. The module (5) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the polymer material is polyurethane having a hardness in the range of 55 Shore A to 72 Shore D.

8. The module (5) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the polymer material is thermoplastic polyurethane having a hardness in the range of 20 Shore A to 72 Shore D.

9. Use of the fastener plate (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for a module (5) according to any one of claims 4 to 8.

10. A method (100) for producing a module (5) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the method comprises the steps of:- providing (110) a mould for shaping the module (5);- providing (120) the fastener plate (10);- arranging (130) the fastener plate (10) inside the mould;- providing (140) a flowing polymer material into the mould so that it substantially surrounds the fastener plate (10); and- hardening (150) the polymer material to obtain the module (5),wherein the surfaces of the fastener plate (10) are unprimed and the fastener plate (10) is arranged inside the mould so that the one or more base sections of the fastener plate (10) are in contact with a surface of the mould to leave the base sections substantially free from the polymer material.

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