The present invention relates to a reinforcing structure, such as a reinforcing structure for reinforcing a wind turbine blade, comprising: a first composite element layer comprising at least two carbon fibre reinforced composite elements; a second composite element layer comprising one or more carbon fibre reinforced composite elements; an interlayer sandwiched at least partly between the first and the second composite element layer, the interlayer comprising an electrically conductive portion and a non-conductive portion surrounding the conductive portion, the conductive portion abutting exactly two of the carbon fibre reinforced composite elements comprised in the first composite element layer. A method for manufacturing such a structure is also provided.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a fiber reinforced resin molded article capable of effectively reducing the occurrence of a preform with poor resin impregnation, and such a manufacturing device thereof. After it is detected that a predetermined amount (the same amount) of resin has been individually poured into a plurality of cavities provided in a mold, the fiber layers of preforms are impregnated (compressively filled) with resin. Pressure sensors for detecting a resin injection amount are used. When closing runners, a small gap is formed in the runners.

A resin barrier device for connection in a vacuum line, for use in resin infusion during composite manufacture, includes a housing having an inlet port for connection to a resin source and an outlet port for connection to a vacuum source. A flow path extends between the inlet and outlet ports. A gas-permeable membrane is disposed across the flow path to prevent resin from flowing to the vacuum pump. A gasket supports the membrane and is adapted to prevent resin leakage. A method of infusing a preform with a resin also is provided.

A resin barrier device for connection in a vacuum line, for use in resin infusion during composite manufacture, includes a housing having an inlet port for connection to a resin source and an outlet port for connection to a vacuum source. A flow path extends between the inlet and outlet ports. A gas-permeable membrane is disposed across the flow path to prevent resin from flowing to the vacuum pump. A gasket supports the membrane and is adapted to prevent resin leakage. A method of infusing a preform with a resin also is provided.

A stitched multi-axial reinforcement and a method of producing a stitched multi-axial reinforcement. The stitched multi-axial reinforcement may be used in all such applications that reinforcements are generally needed and especially in such applications where either Vacuum Infusion technology or Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) technology for distributing the resin in the mold is used. The stitched multi-axial reinforcement is especially applicable in the manufacture of wind turbine blades, boats, sporting equipment, storage tanks, bus, trailer, train and truck panels, etc., and generally in all such structures that are subjected to stress in more than one direction

A manufacturing method contemplates performing vacuum-assisted resin infusion to enclose an elongated core within a cured composite laminate without employing a mold. Not relying upon an external mold enables the process to be efficiently performed for core shapes that are manufactured in low volumes. Typical resin infusion processes utilize flow media that induces bag bridging during vacuum draw in order to provide gaps facilitating resin flow. However, popular flow media also tends to impart directional aggregate forces during vacuum draw, which forces can deform the core since no mold is being used. To avoid unequal and non-dispersed directional forces from deforming the elongated core, a flow media is employed that is configured to disperse and/or reduce such forces. Some such flow media may be knitted so as to allow overlapping strands to slide over one another. Other flow media may ensure that strands are interleaved so that no one strand or group of strands is disposed outwardly of other strands along a substantial length of the strands, thus dispersing bag bridging forces in several directions and avoiding directional aggregate forces. However, such flow media may have inhibited resin flow relative to popular high-flow flow media, and thus new strategies have been developed to ensure appropriate wetting of fibrous reinforcement. An adjustable brace can also be employed to restrain the elongated core from deflecting during application of vacuum and/or resin infusion.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a fiber reinforced resin molded article capable of effectively suppressing formation of a weld line, and such a manufacturing device thereof. Even with multiple gates (resin inlets), resin is poured from a second gate (second resin inlet) when resin flow is detected at the second gate (second resin inlet), and then the resin poured from a first gate (first resin inlet) and the resin poured from the second gate (second resin inlet) are made smoothly meet.

A production device for a production of thermoset semifinished products comprises at least one material application unit (12) for applying a material (14) to a carrier element (16), wherein the production device further comprises at least one recording unit (18), which has at least one sensor element (20), for recording a thickness (22) of the material (14) applied to the carrier element (16).

A method and device for mixing plastic from liquid components in a mixer (8) and conveying it through a line (10) into a mould (12), in particular for vacuum infusion, characterised in that the components are each pumped by means of a pump (24) from their own respective component container (22) into a mixer (8) and are mixed therein, that these volume flows are controlled by a controller (26) in such a manner that they supply the components to the mixer (8) in a specific ratio, that the pressure loss in the line (10), between a pressure sensor in one of the component supply lines (32) leading to the mixer (8) and the mould (12), is determined, and that the pressure is measured by the pressure sensor and supplied to a controller (26) which, taking into consideration the determined pressure loss, controls the volume flows such that the pumps (24) supply the components to the mixer (8) at a pressure that is greater than the ambient pressure or than another specific pressure that should not be exceeded in the mould (12) by at most the pressure loss.

A method for producing a hollow composite structure, such as a spar beam for a wind turbine blade, includes placing a membrane within a mold tool, the membrane being permeable to air and impermeable to resin. A mandrel is placed within the mold tool, the mandrel enclosed in an air tight layer that includes a vent. Fiber reinforcement material is placed around the mandrel within the mold tool and the membrane is sealed at least partly around the fiber reinforcement material and mandrel. The mold tool is closed with the vent line from the mandrel extending through the sealed membrane to outside of the mold tool. A vacuum is drawn in the mold tool while the mandrel is vented to outside of the mold tool, and while the vacuum is being drawn, resin is infused into the mold tool around the mandrel such that the resin is drawn towards the membrane.