Patents Assigned to LM Glasfiber A/S
  • Patent number: 8240992
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing fibre-reinforced parts for a wind power plant such as eg a blade, wherein the method comprises laying out a first, outermost layer of film in the interior surface of an open mould; following which different layers are arranged on top of the first layer, comprising layers of fiber material; and wherein resin is applied for joining the laid-out layers to each other. By use of a film for the outermost layer a moulding process results that provides a major improvement of the working conditions. A further advantage is also that, compared to the use of gelcoat, a surface is accomplished which is more resistant to physical influences in the form of eg cyclical stresses on the element. The invention also relates to a fiber-reinforced part for a wind power plant, eg a blade, wherein the part is structured from a first, outermost layer, and also to a blade for a wind power plant and comprising a fiber-reinforced part according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventor: Axel Liebmann
  • Publication number: 20120201689
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade (10) for a rotor of a wind turbine (2) is provided with a longitudinally extending flow guiding device (70, 170) attached to the profiled contour. The flow guiding device comprises: a base (90, 190) having a first longitudinal end (91, 191) nearest the root end (16) and a second longitudinal end (92, 192) nearest the tip end (14), a first side (93, 193) nearest the leading edge (18) and a second side (94, 194) nearest the trailing edge (20), as well as a first surface (95, 195) and a second surface (96, 196), the first surface of the base being attached to the profiled contour, and the second surface facing away from the profiled contour. A longitudinally extending substantially plate-shaped element (97, 197) protrudes from the second surface (96, 196) of the base (90, 190).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventors: Peter Fuglsang, Stefano Bove, Peter Grabau, V.v. Subrahmanyam, Brian Lund, Lars E. Jensen, Sreeram Kottumuklu Radhakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20120201690
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade with a flow guiding device attached to a profiled contour on a pressure side of the blade is described. The flow guiding device has a front surface facing toward an oncoming airflow and comprises at least a first portion, which is angled towards the oncoming airflow and a leading edge of the wind turbine blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventors: Peter Fuglsang, Stefano Bove, Peter Grabau, V.V. Subrahmanyam, Brian Lund, Lars E. Jensen, Sreeram Kottumuklu Radhakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20120195764
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade with a plurality of flow guiding device parts attached to a profiled contour on a pressure side of the blade is described. The longitudinally extending flow guiding device parts are grouped together to form a first flow guiding device group in the transition region of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventors: Peter Fuglsang, Stefano Bove, V.V. Subrahmanyam, Brian Lund, Lars E. Jensen, Sreeram Kottumuklu Radhakrishnan
  • Patent number: 8231819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a laminate with the formation of underpressure between a mold (103) and a vacuum foil (105) and supply of resin from injection areas to the layers of the laminate situated in the mold. The novel aspect according to the invention comprises movement of the injection areas while the resin is supplied, This is accomplished by use of a movable suction unit (200) which is arranged on top of the vacuum foil and which, by means of an underpressure between the suction unit and the vacuum foil, forms injection areas for supply of the resin, which can be moved by moving the suction unit. The invention further relates to such movable suction unit and the use thereof in the manufacture of laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventor: Torben Krogsdal Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 8221666
    Abstract: A method for producing a composite structure and a composite structure obtained by the method is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventors: Tommy Mikkelsen, Morten Stage
  • Patent number: 8216500
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a blade shell half of a pre-bent wind turbine blade by means of vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM), a fibre lay-up (16) is placed on a mould surface (14) and a distribution layer (24) is placed above the fibre lay-up (16). At least one segmentation area is provided in the distribution layer by providing at least one transversely extending flow barrier in the distribution layer (24) preventing or restricting longitudinal resin flow to the distribution layer. A longitudinally extending first feed channel (27) is placed above the distribution layer (24). The first feed channel (27) is divided into at least two feed channel sections, a feed channel section being arranged in each distribution layer segment. A vacuum bag (43) is arranged on top of the mould part (13) to define a mould cavity. The mould cavity (44) is evacuated and liquid resin is supplied to each feed channel section through a resin inlet to fill the mould cavity and impregnate the fibre lay-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventors: Erik Eigil Olesen, Michael Schølarth Koefoed, Steven Hauge Pedersen, Klavs Jespersen, John Joseph Jeno
  • Patent number: 8215911
    Abstract: A wind power plant (1) having a lightning protection arrangement comprises a plurality of blades (2) extending radially outwards from a hub (3) and together with said hub forming the rotor. An electrically conductive lightning protection means (4) is arranged between two adjacent blades (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventor: Peter Grabau
  • Patent number: 8178183
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible and drapeable core material for use in a laminate or a sandwich construction comprising at least one exterior of an at least partially permeable material, which exterior forms at least one space into which a filler of freely movable, separate objects is filled. The spaces may be shaped like channels, form a square-shaped pattern or a pattern adapted to the shape of the laminate. The invention further relates to a laminate or a sandwich construction and a blade for a wind turbine featuring such core material and use and manufacture of laminates or sandwich constructions featuring the core material. Moreover the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a core material for use in a laminate or a sandwich construction comprising the steps of forming at least one space from an at least partially permeable material and filling filler into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventor: Torben Krogsdal Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 8177509
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lightning protection system for a wind turbine blade, where the blade is a shell body made of a composite material and comprises a root area and a tip end. The lightning protection system comprises at least one lightning receptor arranged freely accessible in or on the shell unit surface on or in the immediate vicinity of the tip of the blade, and a lightning conductor made of electrically conductive material extending within the shell body along substantially the entire longitudinal direction of the blade. The lightning receptor and the lightning conductor are electrically connected by means of a connection area. The lightning conductor in its entire longitudinal direction as well as the connection area between the lightning conductor and the lightning receptor are electrically insulated in order to prevent lightning striking through the surface of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventor: Lars Bo Hansen
  • Patent number: 8177517
    Abstract: A blade (1) for a rotor of a wind turbine having a substantially horizontal? rotor shaft, said rotor comprising a hub, from which the blade extends substantially radially from said rotor when mounted. The blade (1) has a chord plane (K) extending between the leading edge (5) and the trailing edge (S) of the blade (1). The blade (1) comprises a root area (2) closest to the hub, an airfoil area (4) furthest away from the hub and a transition area (3) between the root area (2) and the airfoil area (4), and comprises a single airfoil along substantially the entire airfoil area (4). The blade (1) comprises at least a first root segment (7) and a second root segment (8) along substantially the entire root area (2), said segments being arranged with a mutual distance, as seen transverse to the chord plane (K). At least one of the root segments (7, 8) has an airfoil profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventor: Peter Grabau
  • Publication number: 20120103513
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a laminate with the formation of underpressure between a mould (103) and a vacuum foil (105) and supply of resin from injection areas to the layers of the laminate situated in the mould. The novel aspect according to the invention comprises movement of the injection areas while the resin is supplied, This is accomplished by use of a movable suction unit (200) which is arranged on top of the vacuum foil and which, by means of an underpressure between the suction unit and the vacuum foil, forms injection areas for supply of the resin, which can be moved by moving the suction unit. The invention further relates to such movable suction unit and the use thereof in the manufacture of laminates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventor: Torben Krogsdal JACOBSEN
  • Patent number: 8168027
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced laminate (101), which laminate comprises at least one area on the surface of the laminate configured with projecting fibers for being joined to one or more other elements. This is accomplished by arrangement of a hybrid mat (505) most distally in the laminate which comprises at least two layers with fibers (105) transversally across the joining face (402) of the layers. The outermost layer (301) of the hybrid mat is removed prior to joining, whereas the innermost layer (506) of the hybrid mat remains a constituent of the laminate (101). The invention relates to different methods of causing fibers to project from the surface of the laminate, said fibers thus having a reinforcing effect on the joints. The invention also relates to a laminate manufactured by the disclosed methods and a blade for a wind power plant comprising such laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventors: Torben Krogsdal Jacobsen, Morten Olesen
  • Publication number: 20120090769
    Abstract: A method and a manufacturing line for manufacturing wind turbine blades having a composite shell structure comprising a matrix material and a fibre reinforcement material by use of a resin transfer moulding process. The method comprises a manufacturing line, where wind turbine blades are formed in a number of moulds. Each number of moulds comprising at least a first mould part comprising a first mould cavity. The manufacturing line further comprises a gantry means movable along the manufacturing line. The method comprises the following steps: a) arranging fibre reinforcement material in the first mould cavity of a first mould using the gantry means, b) moving the gantry means along the manufacturing line to a second mould, c) supplying curable matrix material into the first mould cavity of the first mould, while substantially simultaneously arranging fibre reinforcement material in the first mould cavity of a second mould using the gantry means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventors: Denis André Børsting, Quinyin Zhou, Jacobus Johannes Van Der Zee
  • Publication number: 20120067515
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a longitudinally extending composite structure including a shell part comprising a fibre reinforced polymer material including a polymer matrix and fibre material embedded in the polymer material is described. The shell part is manufactured in a closed mould comprising at least a first outer mould part having a first forming surface and a second outer mould part having a second forming surface. The method comprises the steps of: arranging a first fibre material in the first forming surface of the first outer mould part, arranging a pre-fabricated longitudinally extending reinforcement element, such as a beam or a web, on top of the first fibre material, arranging a second fibre material in the second forming surface of the second outer mould part, and sealing a polymer foil above the second fibre material so as to retain the second fibre material against the second forming surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventors: Martin Dahl, Ejnar Friis Hansen, Bjarne Krab Mortensen, Peter Grabau
  • Publication number: 20120070299
    Abstract: A blade for a rotor of a wind turbine has a root region with a substantially circular or elliptical profile closest to the hub and an airfoil region with a lift generating profile furthest away from the hub. A transition region has a base part with an inner dimension that varies linearly in the radial direction of the blade in such a way that an induction factor of the first base part without flow altering devices at a rotor design point deviates from a target induction factor. The first longitudinal segment is provided with a number of first flow altering devices arranged so as to adjust the aerodynamic properties of the first longitudinal segment to substantially meet the target induction factor at the design point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventors: Peter Fuglsang, Stefano Bove, Lars Fuglsang
  • Publication number: 20120070281
    Abstract: A wind turbine is operated with a blade in which a transition region is provided between a root region with a substantially circular or elliptical profile closest to a hub and an airfoil region with a lift generating profile furthest away from the hub. The transition region has a base part with an inherent non-ideal aerodynamic design so that a substantial longitudinal part of the base part without flow altering devices at a design point deviates from a target axial induction factor. A pitch of the blade and a rotational speed are adjusted to meet the target axial induction factor of the second longitudinal segment, and flow altering devices are provided so as to meet the target axial induction factor of the first longitudinal segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventors: Peter Fuglsang, Stefano Bove, Lars Fuglsang
  • Publication number: 20120063910
    Abstract: A blade for a rotor of a wind turbine is divided into a root region closest to the hub and an airfoil region with a lift generating profile furthest away from the hub. A transition region has a profile gradually changing in the radial direction from the circular or elliptical profile of the root region to the lift generating profile of the airfoil region, and includes at least a first longitudinal segment extending along at least 20% of a longitudinal extent of the airfoil region. A base part has an inherent non-ideal twist, such as no twist, or a reduced twist compared to a target blade twist, so that an axial induction factor of the first base part at a design point deviates from a target axial induction factor. A number of flow altering devices are arranged so as to adjust the aerodynamic properties of the first longitudinal segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventors: Peter Fuglsang, Stefano Bove, Lars Fuglsang
  • Publication number: 20120063913
    Abstract: A blade for a rotor of a wind turbine is manufactured with a root region with a substantially circular or elliptical profile closest to the hub, an airfoil region with a lift generating profile furthest away from the hub and a transition region having a profile gradually changing the root region to the airfoil region. A first blade design is used for the first base part on a first longitudinal section of an airfoil region of a second blade, so that an induction factor of the first base part on the second blade deviates from a target induction factor. The first longitudinal section of the second blade is provided with flow altering devices so as to adjust the aerodynamic properties of the first longitudinal segment to substantially meet the target induction factor at the design point on the second blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventors: Peter Fugslang, Stefano Bove, Lars Fugslang
  • Publication number: 20120061007
    Abstract: A method of repairing a wind turbine blade is described. The blade comprises a shell body comprising a fibre-reinforced polymer material. The blade is strengthened by use of a UV curable prepreg material having a first side and a second side. The method comprises the steps of: a) applying the UV curable, fibre-reinforced prepreg material to an area of application on an outer surface or an inner surface of the wind turbine blade with the first side of the prepreg material facing the area of application, and b) exposing the prepreg material to UV radiation for a predetermined amount of time so as to allow the prepreg to cure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventors: Sabine Günther, Allan Bach, Markus Malaschewski, Mads Bergmann Rasmussen