Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for manufacturing a composite component. The apparatus includes a mold onto which the composite component is formed. The mold is disposed within a grid defined by a first axis and a second axis. The apparatus further includes a first frame assembly disposed above the mold, and a plurality of printheads coupled to the first frame assembly within the grid in an adjacent arrangement along the first axis. At least one of the mold or the plurality of printheads is moveable along the first axis, the second axis, or both. At least one of the printheads of the plurality of printheads is moveable independently of one another along a third axis.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a blade component of a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes a blade mold of the rotor blade, at least one blade skin arranged atop the blade mold, and a computer numeric control (CNC) device comprising a printer head and a scanning device. The printer head is configured for printing and depositing a material onto the at least one blade skin to form the blade component. The scanning device includes a processor and a scanner communicatively coupled to the processor.

Abstract: A modular gearbox assembly for a wind turbine having improved up-tower serviceability includes a low-speed gear stage module, a separate, intermediate-speed gear stage module adjacent to the low-speed gear stage module, and a separate high-speed gear stage module adjacent to the intermediate-speed gear stage module. The gearbox assembly also includes a first flange removably connecting the intermediate and high-speed gear stage modules and a second flange removably connecting the intermediate and low-speed gear stage modules. Thus, the low-speed gear stage module converts a low-speed, high torque input from a rotor shaft of the wind turbine to a high-speed, low torque output for a generator of the wind turbine via the intermediate and high-speed gear stage modules. In addition, the first and second flanges allow for easy disassembly of the gear stage modules such that the various stages can be easily repaired, replaced, and/or inspected.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for creating a vacuum forming mold assembly. The method includes forming a plurality of support plates. Each support plate includes a surface defining a shape corresponding to a cross-section of at least a portion of the mold cavity. The method also includes removably coupling a mold body to the plurality of support plates to form the mold assembly. The mold body conforms to the shape of the surface of each support plate after being removably coupled to the plurality of support plates such that the mold body defines at least a portion of a mold cavity of the mold assembly. The mold body defines at least one of one or more vacuum manifolds or one or more fluid passages.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gearbox assembly for a wind turbine. The gearbox assembly has a maximal installed width and a maximal transport width. The maximal installed width is greater than the maximal transport width. The gearbox assembly includes at least one torque arm coupled to opposing sides of the gearbox housing. Each of the torque arms includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends are removably coupled to the exterior surface of the gearbox such that the distance between the distal ends define the maximal installed width. The torque arms are coupled to at least one support element and to a bedplate of the wind turbine.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a mold assembly for vacuum forming a component. The mold assembly includes plurality of support plates and a plurality of mold plates removably coupled to the plurality of support plates. The plurality of mold plates is stacked and removably coupled together to form a mold configured for forming the component. Each mold plate including a first surface partially defining a top surface of the mold, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, a third surface extending from the first surface to the second surface, and a fourth surface spaced apart from the third surface and extending from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gearbox assembly for a wind turbine. The gearbox assembly has a maximal installed width and a maximal transport width. The maximal installed width is greater than the maximal transport width. The gearbox assembly includes at least one torque arm coupled to opposing sides of the gearbox housing. Each of the torque arms includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends are removably coupled to the exterior surface of the gearbox such that the distance between the distal ends define the maximal installed width. The torque arms are coupled to at least one support element and to a bedplate of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A modular gearbox assembly for a wind turbine having improved up-tower serviceability includes a low-speed gear stage module, a separate, intermediate-speed gear stage module adjacent to the low-speed gear stage module, and a separate high-speed gear stage module adjacent to the intermediate-speed gear stage module. The gearbox assembly also includes a first flange removably connecting the intermediate and high-speed gear stage modules and a second flange removably connecting the intermediate and low-speed gear stage modules. Thus, the low-speed gear stage module converts a low-speed, high torque input from a rotor shaft of the wind turbine to a high-speed, low torque output for a generator of the wind turbine via the intermediate and high-speed gear stage modules. In addition, the first and second flanges allow for easy disassembly of the gear stage modules such that the various stages can be easily repaired, replaced, and/or inspected.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a mold assembly for vacuum forming a component. The mold assembly includes plurality of support plates and a plurality of mold plates removably coupled to the plurality of support plates. The plurality of mold plates is stacked and removably coupled together to form a mold configured for forming the component. Each mold plate including a first surface partially defining a top surface of the mold, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, a third surface extending from the first surface to the second surface, and a fourth surface spaced apart from the third surface and extending from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for creating a vacuum forming mold assembly. The method includes forming a plurality of support plates. Each support plate includes a surface defining a shape corresponding to a cross-section of at least a portion of the mold cavity. The method also includes removably coupling a mold body to the plurality of support plates to form the mold assembly. The mold body conforms to the shape of the surface of each support plate after being removably coupled to the plurality of support plates such that the mold body defines at least a portion of a mold cavity of the mold assembly. The mold body defines at least one of one or more vacuum manifolds or one or more fluid passages.