Rotor Blade Web Alignment Device for Wind Turbine Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for joining rotor blade webs and shells in wind turbines are lengthy, complex, and lack precision and reproducibility.

Innovation Solution

A web setting device with complementary alignment elements and a holding mechanism that securely attaches and aligns the web relative to the rotor blade shell, ensuring precise and reproducible positioning and connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional web setting devices are used to join webs and rotor blade shells, then the joining process can be completed, but the process is lengthy and complex with low precision and poor reproducibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidjoining process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment system is segmented into multiple alignment elements distributed on both the web and the web setting device. These alignment elements work in combination to achieve precise positioning through cumulative geometric constraints, breaking down the complex alignment task into manageable geometric relationships between multiple discrete elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment elements are designed to automatically engage with each other when the web is placed on the web setting device. The complementary geometric shapes self-align through their inherent form, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or operator intervention to achieve precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If conventional web setting devices are used to join webs and rotor blade shells, then the joining process can be completed, but the process time is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidprocess time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment elements are pre-configured on both the web and the web setting device before the joining operation. The geometric shapes are designed in advance to automatically guide the web into the correct position upon contact, eliminating time-consuming adjustment and alignment operations during the actual joining process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional web setting devices are used to join webs and rotor blade shells, then the joining can be performed, but the positioning is unstable and mechanically weak

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment system combines multiple alignment elements in a composite arrangement, where the web's alignment elements work together with the web setting device's alignment elements. This composite geometric constraint system provides both stable positioning and mechanical strength through the combined effect of multiple complementary shapes engaging simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3074183B1Bridge setting device, bridge, and production method for a rotor blade of a wind power plant
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY SERVICE GMBH
  • EP3074183B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3074183B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c

AI summary

The invention relates to a bridge setting device (1) for a bridge (30) of a rotor blade of a wind power plant, comprising at least one holding device (10) for holding the bridge (30) and at least one first alignment element (16, 34). The invention further relates to a bridge (30) for a rotor blade of a wind power plant, comprising at least one second alignment element (34, 16). The invention further relates to a method for producing a rotor blade for a wind power plant, wherein the rotor blade has at least one rotor blade shell, a belt (40) connected to the rotor blade shell, and a bridge (30) connected to the belt (40). The method according to the invention comprises the following method steps: producing the belt (40) in a belt production mould, connecting the bridge (30) to the belt (40), and producing the rotor blade shell in a shell production mould (50), wherein the belt (40) and the bridge (30) connected to the belt (40) are introduced together into the shell production mould (50).