Modular Rotor Blade Mold Segments for Length Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for manufacturing rotor blades for wind turbines require separate molds for each desired length, leading to long lead times, high costs, and increased storage requirements due to the complexity of producing different rotor blade shapes.

Innovation Solution

A modular rotor blade mold system comprising first and second segments for the blade root and tip, respectively, with interchangeable third segments that can be integrated or removed to adjust the blade length, allowing for simpler and cost-effective production of rotor blades of varying lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If separate molds are used for each desired blade length, then the rotor blade shape can be precisely manufactured, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotor blade shape precisionVSAvoidmold complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is divided into multiple segments (first mold segment, second mold segment, and at least one intermediate mold segment) that can be assembled in different configurations. This segmentation allows the same mold system to produce different blade lengths by varying the number and arrangement of intermediate segments, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while reducing overall mold complexity and eliminating the need for completely separate molds for each blade length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mold system is designed with universal components that can serve multiple functions. The first and second mold segments combined with interchangeable intermediate segments create a universal mold assembly capable of manufacturing rotor blades of various lengths from a single mold system, rather than requiring dedicated molds for each specific blade length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If separate molds are used for each desired blade length, then the correct blade shape is achieved, but the production time and lead times increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade shape accuracyVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the mold into reusable components, the system eliminates the need to manufacture entirely new molds for different blade lengths. The standardized segments can be quickly assembled and disassembled, significantly reducing lead times while maintaining the precision required for correct blade shape through consistent segment geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mold segments are pre-manufactured with precise geometries that ensure correct blade shape formation. These pre-prepared segments can be rapidly assembled in different configurations to produce various blade lengths without requiring time-consuming on-site adjustments or custom mold fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple blade forms are stored for different lengths, then various rotor blade shapes are available, but storage space and associated costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade length varietyVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of storing complete separate molds for each blade length, the system stores individual standardized segments that can be assembled to create different blade forms. This dramatically reduces storage space requirements, as only the modular segments need to be stored rather than multiple full-scale mold assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stored segments serve multiple purposes and can be recombined to create various blade lengths and configurations. This universal segment library provides adaptability for different rotor blade shapes while occupying minimal storage space compared to maintaining separate complete molds for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable intermediate segments are integrated into the mold, then the rotor blade mold can be adjusted in length, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold length adjustabilityVSAvoidmold assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is segmented into standardized components with defined interfaces, allowing intermediate segments to be easily integrated between the first and second mold segments. This segmentation approach enables length adjustment through simple assembly operations rather than complex reconfigurations, as each segment follows standardized connection protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mold assembly complexity is managed by standardizing the parameters and interfaces of the modular segments. By establishing consistent dimensional parameters, connection geometries, and assembly procedures for all intermediate segments, the system achieves length adjustability without proportionally increasing assembly complexity, as the standardized parameters enable repeatable assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3887116B1Rotor blade mold and method for producing a rotor blade for a wind turbine
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY SERVICE GMBH
  • EP3887116B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3887116B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3887116B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a rotor blade mold (1) for producing a rotor blade (20) for a wind turbine, the rotor blade (20) having a blade root (22) and a blade tip (23) and running in a longitudinal direction (R) from the blade root (22) to the blade tip (23), the rotor blade mold comprising: a first rotor blade mold segment (2), which is designed to produce a portion of the rotor blade (20) that comprises the blade root (22); a second rotor blade mold segment (3), which is designed to produce a portion of the rotor blade (20) that comprises the blade tip (23); and at least one third rotor blade mold segment (4, 4', 5, 5', 7), which is designed to be integrated into the rotor blade mold (1) between the first and the second rotor blade mold segment (2, 3) and/or to be removed from the rotor blade mold (1) and thus to extend or shorten the rotor blade mold (1) in the longitudinal direction (R).