Wind blade component bonding fixture
The disclosed subject matter provides a system and method for facilitating bonding of various turbine blade components, including trailing edge inserts, or flatbacks, to the trailing edge of a wind turbine blade. The system disclosed herein ensures a consistent force is applied from root to top thereby preventing defects, e.g. paste voids, from forming. Additionally, a consistent bonding gap can be achieved due to the consistent application of force from the root to tip of the blade.
1. An apparatus for assembling wind turbine blade components comprising:
a main body portion, the main body portion including a plurality of interconnected struts;
at least one arm, the at least one arm including a plurality of interconnected struts, the at least one arm configured to engage a leading edge of a mold, wherein the at least one arm can rotate with respect to the main body portion;
at least one leg, the at least one leg including a plurality of interconnected struts, the at least one leg configured to engage a trailing edge of the mold;
a blade component holder, the blade component holder configured to position a blade component in a fixed orientation with respect to the trailing edge of a blade.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blade component is a flatback insert.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a template configured to receive the blade component.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one actuator configured to apply a force to the blade component.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the force applied by the at least one actuator is directed towards the trailing edge of the blade.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one actuator is connected to a bottom surface of the main body portion.
7. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one actuator is connected to a template configured to receive the blade component.
8. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one actuator is a pneumatic piston.
9. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one actuator is disposed between the leading edge and trailing edge.
10. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one actuator is adjustable in distance relative to the main body portion.
11. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the template engages the blade component along a top edge thereof.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one leg extends vertically from the main body portion.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one arm extends laterally from the main body portion.
14. An apparatus for assembling wind turbine blade components comprising:
a main body portion, the main body portion including a plurality of interconnected struts;
at least one arm, the at least one arm including a plurality of interconnected struts, the at least one arm configured to engage a leading edge of a mold, wherein the at least one arm can rotate with respect to the main body portion;
at least one leg, the at least one leg including a plurality of interconnected struts, the at least one leg configured to engage a trailing edge of the mold;
a blade component holder, the blade component holder configured to position a blade component proximate the trailing edge of a blade;
at least one actuator configured to apply a force to the blade component;
wherein the force applied is evenly distributed over the length of the blade component.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the at least one actuator has an adjustable height.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the blade component is disposed between the at least one actuator and the mold.
17. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the blade component is a flatback insert.
18. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising a storage rack, the storage rack configured to receive the blade component.
19. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the blade component holder is configured to engage a flange of the mold.