Patents by Inventor Erik Grove-Nielsen

Erik Grove-Nielsen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11400660
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fibre reinforced composite by means of a vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding, comprising the steps of placing a fibre material in a mould, placing a flow distribution medium onto the fibre material, and covering the fibre material (1) and the flow distribution medium with a vacuum foil for forming a closed mould cavity between the mould and the vacuum foil is described. It is characterised in using a flow distribution medium with a thickness depending on a pressure gradient over the vacuum foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11090915
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rotor blade for a wind turbine is provided. The method includes steps of providing a mould defining an outer shape of a the rotor blade or a portion thereof; arranging a plurality of fibre fabric layers on a surface of the mould having at least one inclined surface portion; and laminating the fibre fabrics layers together by infusing a liquid resin into the mould. A step of interlocking the plurality of fibre fabric layers using at least one mechanical interlocking element prior to laminating the fibre fabric layers together is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10279549
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fibre reinforced plastic composite material, including a vacuum assisted resin transfer moulded fibre reinforced plastic laminate prepared by use of a resin flow enhancing member, including a cavity with a first opening and a second opening as well as an resin flow adjusting arrangement for changing a resin flow cross section in a resin flow direction from the first opening to the second opening in the resin flow enhancing member by applying vacuum to the second opening. The resin flow adjusting arrangement includes a plurality of vacuum expandable filler elements that includes gas-filled closed cell cavities and flexible walls. The disclosure further relates to a vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding process for injecting resin from a resin flow enhancing member into a fibre stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERY A/S
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10180126
    Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade, including a first blade section, a second blade section and at least one pre-stressed tensioning element for connecting the first blade section and the second blade section with each other, wherein the rotor blade is split at an interface thereof in a longitudinal direction into the first blade section and the second blade section, wherein the first blade section is arranged closer to a root of the rotor blade than the second blade section, wherein a length of the at least one pre-stressed tensioning element is larger than half of a chord length of the rotor blade at the interface and wherein the at least one pre-stressed tensioning element extends deeper into the first blade section than into the second blade section, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10041193
    Abstract: A sandwich core material for a sandwich laminate is disclosed. The sandwich core material includes a number of flexible core material elements having a longitudinal structure. A flexible core material for a sandwich core material, a sandwich laminate and a wind turbine blade including such a sandwich core material are provided. In addition, the present a method of manufacturing such a sandwich core material is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20180050503
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fibre reinforced composite by means of a vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding, comprising the steps of placing a fibre material in a mould, placing a flow distribution medium onto the fibre material, and covering the fibre material (1) and the flow distribution medium with a vacuum foil for forming a closed mould cavity between the mould and the vacuum foil is described. It is characterised in using a flow distribution medium with a thickness depending on a pressure gradient over the vacuum foil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9815245
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fiber reinforced composite by means of a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding, comprising the steps of placing a fiber material in a mold, placing a flow distribution medium onto the fiber material, and covering the fiber material (1) and the flow distribution medium with a vacuum foil for forming a closed mold cavity between the mold and the vacuum foil is described. It is characterized in using a flow distribution medium with a thickness depending on a pressure gradient over the vacuum foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9738055
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite, a component for a wind turbine and a method for manufacturing a component for a wind turbine are provided. The fiber reinforced composite includes a plurality of first fibers, the first fibers being arranged in a unidirectional or biax-configuration, a plurality of second fibers, the second fibers being arranged perpendicularly with respect to a lengthwise direction of the first fibers, and a resin impregnating the first and second fibers, wherein a E-modulus of the resin equals an E-modulus of the second fibers. Since the E-modulus of the resin and the E-modulus of the second fibers are equal, an early initiation of fatigue cracks is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9610736
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite is provided herein, including laying at least one reinforcement layer onto the inner surface of a mold, positioning a degradable membrane onto the outermost reinforcement layer of the at least one reinforcement layer, applying suction between the inner surface of the mold and the degradable membrane to press the at least one reinforcement layer towards the inner surface of the mold, covering the degradable membrane with at least one vacuum film, generating a vacuum in the region between the vacuum film and the mold, injecting resin into this region by means of vacuum, and letting cure the resin, initiating a degradation of the degradable membrane by provoking a physical or chemical change of the membrane material after having generated a vacuum in the region between the vacuum film and the mold and before the resin has cured completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Erik Grove-Nielsen, Jens Jorgen Ostergaard Kristensen, Peter Kybelund
  • Publication number: 20170028654
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fibre reinforced plastic composite material, including a vacuum assisted resin transfer moulded fibre reinforced plastic laminate prepared by use of a resin flow enhancing member, including a cavity with a first opening and a second opening as well as an resin flow adjusting arrangement for changing a resin flow cross section in a resin flow direction from the first opening to the second opening in the resin flow enhancing member by applying vacuum to the second opening. The resin flow adjusting arrangement includes a plurality of vacuum expandable filler elements that includes gas-filled closed cell cavities and flexible walls. The disclosure further relates to a vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding process for injecting resin from a resin flow enhancing member into a fibre stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9492992
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a resin flow enhancing member, including a cavity with a first opening and a second opening as well as an resin flow adjusting arrangement for changing a resin flow cross section in a resin flow direction from the first opening to the second opening in the resin flow enhancing member by applying vacuum to the second opening. The disclosure further relates to a fiber reinforced plastic laminate including a fiber stack and at least one resin flow enhancing member as well as to a fiber reinforced plastic composite material prepared by using a resin flow enhancing member. The disclosure further relates to a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process for injecting resin from a resin flow enhancing member into a fiber stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20160258414
    Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade, including a first blade section, a second blade section and at least one pre-stressed tensioning element for connecting the first blade section and the second blade section with each other, wherein the rotor blade is split at an interface thereof in a longitudinal direction into the first blade section and the second blade section, wherein the first blade section is arranged closer to a root of the rotor blade than the second blade section, wherein a length of the at least one pre-stressed tensioning element is larger than half of a chord length of the rotor blade at the interface and wherein the at least one pre-stressed tensioning element extends deeper into the first blade section than into the second blade section, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: ERIK GROVE-NIELSEN
  • Publication number: 20160250832
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rotor blade for a wind turbine is provided. The method includes steps of providing a mould defining an outer shape of a the rotor blade or a portion thereof; arranging a plurality of fibre fabric layers on a surface of the mould having at least one inclined surface portion; and laminating the fibre fabrics layers together by infusing a liquid resin into the mould. A step of interlocking the plurality of fibre fabric layers using at least one mechanical interlocking element prior to laminating the fibre fabric layers together is carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventor: ERIK GROVE-NIELSEN
  • Patent number: 9421742
    Abstract: A sandwich laminate for wind turbine blades includes a sandwich core material and an upper laminate part and a lower laminate part, wherein the upper laminate part and the lower laminate part have a thermoplastic matrix material and heating elements. The heating elements are electrically conductive fibers constituting electric circuits in the interior part of the thermoplastic matrix. Further, a wind turbine blade including such a sandwich laminate as well as a method of manufacturing such a sandwich laminate are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9410529
    Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine has an elongate blade base body with a plurality of connecting elements. Each connecting element comprises at least one axially extending connecting portion adapted to be connected with corresponding connecting portions of a rotor hub of the wind turbine. The connecting elements are connected in a circumferential direction so as to build a closed ring-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9234497
    Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine is provided. The rotor blade includes an elongate blade base body with a number of connecting elements each having at least one axially extending connecting portion adapted to be connected with at least one corresponding connecting portion of a rotor hub of a wind turbine, wherein the respective connecting elements are connected to at least two circumferentially extending connecting members with the connecting members being adjacently disposed in circumferential direction so as to build a ring-like shape. Further, a wind turbine with such a rotor blade is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20150354541
    Abstract: A root bushing for a wind turbine rotor blade is provided herein. The root bushing includes a cylindrical shape with longitudinal grooves. The root bushing has the advantage that a bonding area between the root bushing and the fiber composite material is enlarged in comparison to known cylindrical root bushings. In another embodiment, a method for manufacturing a wind turbine rotor blade for a wind turbine is provided. The method includes a) providing (S1) a root bushing, wherein the root bushing has a cylindrical shape with longitudinal grooves, b) providing (S2) a unidirectional fiber weave, c) wrapping (S3) the unidirectional fiber weave around the root bushing such that roving yarns of the unidirectional fiber weave are placed in the grooves, and d) impregnating (S4) the unidirectional fiber weave with a resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20150337797
    Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine has an elongate blade base body with a plurality of connecting elements. Each connecting element comprises at least one axially extending connecting portion adapted to be connected with corresponding connecting portions of a rotor hub of the wind turbine. The connecting elements are connected in a circumferential direction so as to build a closed ring-shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20150329993
    Abstract: A sandwich core material for a sandwich laminate is disclosed. The sandwich core material includes a number of flexible core material elements having a longitudinal structure. A flexible core material for a sandwich core material, a sandwich laminate and a wind turbine blade including such a sandwich core material are provided. In addition, the present a method of manufacturing such a sandwich core material is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20150251380
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite, a component for a wind turbine and a method for manufacturing a component for a wind turbine are provided. The fiber reinforced composite includes a plurality of first fibers, the first fibers being arranged in a unidirectional or biax-configuration, a plurality of second fibers, the second fibers being arranged perpendicularly with respect to a lengthwise direction of the first fibers, and a resin impregnating the first and second fibers, wherein a E-modulus of the resin equals an E-modulus of the second fibers. Since the E-modulus of the resin and the E-modulus of the second fibers are equal, an early initiation of fatigue cracks is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Erik Grove-Nielsen