Guiding Tool Layout for Precise Protective Shell Edge Trimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for trimming or grinding protective shells on wind turbine blades risk damaging the underlying surface, and thin elastomeric protective shells are prone to decomposition during operation.
Innovation Solution
A guiding tool for surface trimming devices that couples with a stable frame and adjustable fixation means, featuring guiding rollers and adjustable contact portions to prevent unintended contact with the blade surface, ensuring precise and damage-free trimming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If trimming or grinding is performed on the edges of the protective shell to obtain a smooth surface, then the aerodynamic properties are maintained, but the underlying surface of the wind turbine blade may be accidentally damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding tool acts as an intermediary device between the trimming device and the wind turbine blade. It includes a recess that receives the trimming device and lateral contact portions that contact the blade surface to prevent the trimming device from contacting the blade surface, thereby enabling precise trimming while preventing damage through mechanical guidance and constraint
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding tool is segmented into distinct functional portions: a recess for receiving the trimming device, lateral contact portions for guiding and preventing lateral movement, and front/rear contact portions for preventing forward/backward movement. This segmentation allows each portion to independently control a specific degree of freedom, achieving precise control over the trimming process
2Quantity of substance
If thin elastomeric protective shells are used for erosion protection, then the aerodynamic properties are maintained with minimal filling, but the thin edge filling material decomposes very fast during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical filling system with a trimming system. Instead of adding edge filling material to compensate for height differences, the guiding tool enables precise trimming of the protective shell edges to achieve the desired smooth surface profile, eliminating the need for vulnerable thin filling material
3Manufacturing precision
If a stable frame structure is used for the guiding tool to prevent unintended contact, then the trimming precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding tool is designed as a universal device that can be applied to various trimming operations on wind turbine blades. The stable frame structure with recess and multiple contact portions serves multiple functions simultaneously: guiding the trimming device, preventing lateral movement, preventing forward/backward movement, and enabling precise positioning, thereby justifying the structural complexity through multi-functionality
Data Source
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AI summary
Guiding tool for a surface trimming device and trimming arrangement Guiding tool for a surface trimming device (24), comprising a main body (12) with a front side base portion (13) and a backside base portion (14), which are connected by at least one connection portion (17) of the main body (12), wherein the main body (12) exhibits a recess (15) on a bottom side (16) between the front side base portion (13) and the back- side base portion (14), wherein the main body (12) comprises a fixation means (19) on a top side (18) of the main body (12) opposing the recess (15), wherein a surface trimming de- vice (24) is mountable to the fixation means (19) in such manner that a movable trimming means (28) of the surface trimming device (24) is located in the recess (15) between the front side base portion (13) and the back side base portion (14).