Abstract: A mold (30) for a wind turbine component (10) is described. The component comprises a plurality of elements having different respective heat capacities. The mold comprises an inner mold layer (38) defining a mold surface (40) for supporting the plurality of elements, heating means (44) disposed beneath the mold surface, and a heat distribution layer (46) adjacent to the heating means. The mold has one or more first regions (34) configured to support elements of the component having relatively high heat capacity, one or more second regions (36) configured to support elements of the component having relatively low heat capacity, and one or more transition regions (35) defined between the first and second regions. The heat distribution layer in one or more transition regions of the mold is configured to enhance heat transfer within the distribution layer to one or more first regions of the mold.

Abstract: A production system for a wind turbine component is described. The system includes an elongate mold assembly extending in a longitudinal direction, the mold assembly comprising a mold surface and having a width that varies in the longitudinal direction. First and second tracks are defined respectively on opposite longitudinal sides of the mold surface. The perpendicular distance between the respective tracks varies along the length of the track. A transport assembly is moveable relative the mold assembly in the longitudinal direction. The transport assembly includes a pair of side supports arranged to move along the respective tracks, and a gantry supported above the mold assembly by the side supports. The gantry extends transverse to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A method of making a wind turbine blade (10) having a metallic lightning receptor (110) is described. The method comprises configuring a wind turbine blade (10) mold assembly (100) such that a clearance region (120) is defined between a mold surface (116) of at least one mold half (112, 114) and a majority of a metallic lightning receptor component (110) when the mold assembly (100) is closed, such that contact between that mold half (112, 114) and the metallic lightning receptor component (110) is substantially avoided. In certain embodiments of the invention, one or both mold halves (112, 114) are truncated such that the metallic lightning receptor component (110) projects from the mold (100) when the mold (100) is closed.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for manufacturing a wind turbine blade component includes a main mold body (30) and a flexible bladder (38). The main mold body includes a shape defining surface (32) for receiving composite material forming the blade component and a heat reservoir (40) for heating the blade component during curing. The flexible bladder overlays and conforms to the shape of the blade component and is configured to receive heated liquid for heating the blade component during curing. One or both of the main mold body and the flexible bladder is divided into a plurality of zones (58, 66) that are independently controlled by a controller (70) to maintain a generally uniform temperature of the blade component at each zone.

Abstract: A mold shell for forming a wind turbine blade (20) comprises at least two mold shell sections (401, 402) each having a mold surface with a recessed portion (419, 420) adjoining the connecting edges (407, 408) between the mold shell sections. A bridging sheet (421) is accommodated in the recessed portions (419, 420) of the mold shell sections (401, 402). The bridging sheet (421) fills up the recessed portions.

Abstract: A production system for a wind turbine component is described. The system includes an elongate mould assembly extending in a longitudinal direction, the mould assembly comprising a mould surface and having a width that varies in the longitudinal direction. First and second tracks are defined respectively on opposite longitudinal sides of the mould surface. The perpendicular distance between the respective tracks varies along the length of the track. A transport assembly is moveable relative the mould assembly in the longitudinal direction. The transport assembly includes a pair of side supports arranged to move along the respective tracks, and a gantry supported above the mould assembly by the side supports. The gantry extends transverse to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A mould (30) for a wind turbine component (10) is described. The component comprises a plurality of elements having different respective heat capacities. The mould comprises an inner mould layer (38) defining a mould surface (40) for supporting the plurality of elements, heating means (44) disposed beneath the mould surface, and a heat distribution layer (46) adjacent to the heating means. The mould has one or more first regions (34) configured to support elements of the component having relatively high heat capacity, one or more second regions (36) configured to support elements of the component having relatively low heat capacity, and one or more transition regions (35) defined between the first and second regions. The heat distribution layer in one or more transition regions of the mould is configured to enhance heat transfer within the distribution layer to one or more first regions of the mould.

Abstract: An apparatus (60) is provided for forming a trailing edge (52) of a wind turbine blade having first and second shells (40, 42). The first and second shells define a gap therebetween, and the apparatus has a first mold component (62) that is adapted to form the first or second shell, and an engaging element (77). The engaging element is configured to securely support a trailing edge component to be coupled to the first and second shells. The engaging element is coupled to the first mold component. The apparatus may additionally include a second mold component (64) that is adapted to form the other of the first or second shells and which is coupled to the first mold component. In this embodiment, the first and second mold components have a closed position in which the first and second shells are closed over one another so as to define a generally closed profile of the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A method of making a wind turbine blade (10) having a metallic lightning receptor (110) is described. The method comprises configuring a wind turbine blade (10) mould assembly (100) such that a clearance region (120) is defined between a mould surface (116) of at least one mould half (112, 114) and a majority of a metallic lightning receptor component (110) when the mould assembly (100) is closed, such that contact between that mould half (112, 114) and the metallic lightning receptor component (110) is substantially avoided. In certain embodiments of the invention, one or both mould halves (112, 114) are truncated such that the metallic lightning receptor component (110) projects from the mould (100) when the mould (100) is closed.

Abstract: A mould shell for forming a wind turbine blade (20) comprises at least two mould shell sections (401, 402) each having a mould surface with a recessed portion (419, 420) adjoining the connecting edges (407, 408) between the mould shell sections. A bridging sheet (421) is accommodated in the recessed portions (419, 420) of the mould shell sections (401, 402). The bridging sheet (421) fills up the recessed portions.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for manufacturing a wind turbine blade component includes a main mold body (30) and a flexible bladder (38). The main mold body includes a shape defining surface (32) for receiving composite material forming the blade component and a heat reservoir (40) for heating the blade component during curing. The flexible bladder overlays and conforms to the shape of the blade component and is configured to receive heated liquid for heating the blade component during curing. One or both of the main mold body and the flexible bladder is divided into a plurality of zones (58, 66) that are independently controlled by a controller (70) to maintain a generally uniform temperature of the blade component at each zone.

Abstract: A mold system for manufacturing wind turbine blades includes two mold halves shaped for molding respective mold halves. A first mold is supported by a hinge system which is capable of moving the mold from a first position wherein the mold faces upwards to a position wherein the first mold faces the second mold. A final linear displacement of the first mold is carried out by actuators which may be integrated with the first or the second mold. The actuators are engaged with the hinge system so that the first mold is displaceable or the hinge system holding the first mold is displaceable. In both alternatives the actuators merely transfer the load of the first mold to a support via the hinge system.

Abstract: An apparatus (60) is provided for forming a trailing edge (52) of a wind turbine blade having first and second shells (40, 42). The first and second shells define a gap therebetween, and the apparatus has a first mold component (62) that is adapted to form the first or second shell, and an engaging element (77). The engaging element is configured to securely support a trailing edge component to be coupled to the first and second shells. The engaging element is coupled to the first mold component. The apparatus may additionally include a second mold component (64) that is adapted to form the other of the first or second shells and which is coupled to the first mold component. In this embodiment, the first and second mold components have a closed position in which the first and second shells are closed over one another so as to define a generally closed profile of the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A mould system for manufacturing wind turbine blades includes two mould halves shaped for moulding respective mould halves. A first mould is supported by a hinge system which is capable of moving the mould from a first position wherein the mould faces upwards to a position wherein the first mould faces the second mould. A final linear displacement of the first mould is carried out by actuators which may be integrated with the first or the second mould. The actuators are engaged with the hinge system so that the first mould is displaceable or the hinge system holding the first mould is displaceable. In both alternatives the actuators merely transfer the load of the first mould to a support via the hinge system.