Rotor Blade Joining Insert Fastening by Vacuum Infusion Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fastening joining inserts to wind turbine rotor blade elements made of fibre-reinforced composite materials are complex and require specialized tools, leading to unreliable and inefficient processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of channels through the composite material to access the blind hole, allowing for vacuum infusion of liquid plastics material to secure the joining insert, using simple tools and ensuring reliable integration without complex conduits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex specialized tools and conduits are used for vacuum infusion, then the infusion process can be performed, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex internal conduits from the joining insert design. Instead of routing vacuum infusion conduits through the insert, the method uses the existing blind hole structure without modifications, thereby removing the need for specialized conduits while maintaining reliable vacuum infusion capability
Solution Approach 2:
The blind hole serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the insertion position of the joining insert, and acts as the vacuum infusion cavity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized conduits and tools, reducing device complexity while maintaining process reliability
2Reliability
If conventional vacuum infusion with complex tools is used, then joining inserts can be fastened, but the manufacturing efficiency and simplicity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The blind hole is pre-formed in the rotor blade element before the joining insert is installed. This preliminary action creates a ready-made cavity that eliminates the need for complex on-site conduit installation and setup, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency while ensuring reliable fastening through standard vacuum infusion procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex, and specialized vacuum infusion conduits with a simple, existing blind hole structure. This substitution uses readily available standard tools and procedures, improving productivity by eliminating the need for specialized equipment while maintaining fastening reliability
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
The method enables reliable and efficient fastening of joining inserts with minimal tool requirements, maintaining the integrity of the composite material and ensuring a smooth, sealed connection.
Implementation Method 1
filling a space between the joining insert and the blind hole with a liquid plastics material in a vacuum infusion process
Implementation Method 2
curing the liquid plastics material
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A method of fastening a joining insert to a wind turbine rotor blade element (10), the method comprising the following steps: • providing a wind turbine rotor blade element (10) of a fibre-reinforced composite material, the wind turbine rotor blade element (10) comprising a joining surface (12) and a blind hole (18), the blind hole (18) having a proximal end (20) at the joining surface (12) and a distal end (22) within the fibre-reinforced composite material, • forming at least one channel (24) through the fibre-reinforced composite material, the at least one channel (24) connecting the distal end (22) of the blind hole (18) to a channel opening (26) at an inner and/or outer surface (14, 16) of the wind turbine rotor blade element (10), • placing a joining insert in the blind hole (18), • filling a space (82) between the joining insert and the blind hole (18) with a liquid plastics material in a vacuum infusion process, wherein said channel opening (26) is connected either to a liquid plastics material supply line (74) or to a process suction line (72), • curing the liquid plastics material.