Provided are a welding device and a welding method that can avoid occurrence of a clearance in a side region of a member and suppress occurrence of a failure of the member due to such a clearance. The embodiment includes: an electrode 11 configured to supply electricity to an electroconductive element 23 arranged between members 21, 22 and configured to generate heat by current conduction; and a pressing element 12 arranged in a side region of one member 22 of the members 21, 22 and configured to press the electroconductive element 23 while elastically being in close contact with the one member 22. Further, the pressing element 12 comes into close contact with the one member 22 by being pushed against the electroconductive element 23 and expanding in a direction orthogonal to a pushing direction.

A method of repairing a defect of a thermoplastic component is provided. The thermoplastic component has a thermoplastic material at the defect having a first melting temperature, and the defect has a contact surface (TC contact surface). The method includes a) providing a patch comprising a second thermoplastic material having a second melting temperature that is below the first melting temperature. The patch includes a contact surface (TP contact surface); b) disposing a portion of a heating element between the TC contact surface and the TP contact surface. The heating element is operable to heat up as a result of electrical resistance; c) forcing the TP surface toward the TC surface; and d) inputting energy into the heating element to cause the heating element to heat and maintain the TP surface at or above the second melting temperature to produce bonding between the thermoplastic component and the patch.

The invention relates to the use of a low Tg compatible resin as an adhesive layer for the welding of a thermoplastic composite structure to a thermoplastic or thermoset structure. The invention is especially good for the welding of large parts, such as wind turbine halves and spar caps. A useful thermoplastic composite is one formed by the infusion and curing of long fibers by a reactive acrylic liquid resin system, such as ELIUM® resin systems from Arkema.

A heating element for resistance welding of thermoplastic components includes an electrically conductive sheet with cut-outs, wherein a ratio of cut-outs to electrically conductive sheet changes at least along a transverse direction of the sheet, so that an electrical resistance of the sheet has a maximum at a center of the sheet. A welding kit includes the heating element and an electrical insulation layer. A method of manufacturing the heating element, and a method of employing the heating element for welding two thermoplastic components to one another are disclosed.

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

The invention relates to a method for the application of heating mats (10) on a wing/blade of a wind power station or other devices for the purpose of achieving deicing also during operation when necessary. Temperature measurement and de-icing take place by means of pulsed current to the heating mat (10). The invention also relates to an arrangement.

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for manufacturing wind turbine blades which in some instances require using new blade joint designs. The blade joint designs described herein may allow for contact in places where welds will be made, which allows for existing manufacturing tolerances to be used while still enabling the use of thermal welding for wind turbine blades.

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

A system for coupling pipes includes a first pipe having a tapered, spigot end; a second pipe having a tapered, spigot end; and a coupler having two tapered socket ends adapted to internally receive the respective tapered, spigot ends of the first pipe and the second pipe. The first pipe and the second pipe are made from a reinforced thermosetting resin (RTR). The coupler comprising a resistive element implanted therein and connected to electrodes extending to an exterior of the coupler. A thermoplastic material is disposed between an exterior of the first pipe and an interior of the coupler. A thermoplastic material is disposed between an exterior of the second pipe and the interior of the coupler. Upon application of electricity to the electrodes, the resistive elements are heated sufficiently to melt the thermoplastic material such that, when the heat is removed, the hardened thermoplastic material seals the first pipe and the second pipe to the coupler. A method of coupling pipes includes disposing a thermoplastic material between an exterior of a first pipe and an interior of a coupler; disposing a thermoplastic material between an exterior of a second pipe and the interior of the coupler; inserting the first pipe and the second pipe into the coupler; and applying of electricity to electrodes of the coupler such that resistive elements of the coupler heat sufficiently to melt the thermoplastic material such that, when the heat is removed, the hardened thermoplastic material seals the first pipe and the second pipe to the coupler.