Datum Transfer Support Structure for Wind Turbine Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for transferring large wind turbine components between tools require sacrificial portions for alignment, leading to material wastage and increased costs, and pose challenges in preserving the precise geometry and twist of components during transfer.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a support structure with datum features that align with tools, eliminating the need for sacrificial portions on the workpiece, and utilizing vacuum attachment for precise alignment and transfer, allowing for the preservation of component geometry and twist.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sacrificial portions with datum features are provided on the workpiece to ensure alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but material wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support structure as an intermediary between the workpiece and the tool. The support structure carries the datum features and engages with the tool's datum features, while the workpiece is supported by the support structure without requiring sacrificial portions. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by providing alignment functionality through the support structure rather than through material added to the workpiece.
2Shape
If a substantial truss frame is attached to large components to preserve geometry during transfer, then geometry preservation is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment and support functionality from the workpiece itself and from complex external truss frames, concentrating it instead in a dedicated support structure with integrated datum features. This support structure is designed to be attached to the workpiece and engage with the tool's datum features, providing geometry preservation during transfer without requiring substantial truss frames.
3Manufacturing precision
If sacrificial portions are created on workpieces for alignment, then alignment capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure serves as an intermediary that provides alignment capability through its datum features rather than through sacrificial portions on the workpiece. This eliminates the need to create, attach, and later remove sacrificial portions, thereby reducing manufacturing steps and costs while maintaining alignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed to be reusable across multiple workpieces and transfer operations, whereas sacrificial portions are single-use and must be discarded after one operation. The support structure can be recovered, cleaned, and reused, significantly reducing per-unit manufacturing costs while maintaining alignment capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces material and process costs by eliminating the need for sacrificial portions and ensures precise alignment and geometry preservation during the transfer of large wind turbine components, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing vacuum attachment for precise alignment and transfer
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for transferring a workpiece, such as a large wind turbine component, in datum alignment between tools during a manufacturing process is described. The workpiece is transferred from a first tool to a second tool, and the method comprises arranging a support structure in datum registration with the first tool; attaching the workpiece to the support structure; releasing the workpiece from the first tool; arranging the support structure in datum registration with the second tool and such that the workpiece is supported by the second tool; and releasing the workpiece from the support structure. Arranging the support structure in datum registration with the first and second tools ensures correct alignment of the workpiece with respect to the second tool. The invention eliminates the requirement to provide datum features on the workpiece itself. In preferred examples, the workpiece is attached to the support structure by means of vacuum.