MOVABLE PLATFORM FOR A MOULD SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING A MOULD SYSTEM COMPRISING A MOVABLE PLATFORM

Abstract

Disclosed is a mould system for moulding a blade shell of a wind turbine blade comprising a first mould for manufacturing a first blade shell part of the wind turbine blade; a second mould for manufacturing a second blade shell part of the wind turbine blade; a turning device configured to reposition the first mould between an open mould position and a closed mould position comprising a turning mechanism and a first primary beam connecting the turning mechanism and the first mould; a first scaffold arranged between the first mould and the second mould in the open mould position and comprising a first primary scaffold part and a first secondary scaffold part spaced apart by a first primary scaffold opening, the first primary scaffold allowing the first primary beam to move therethrough during repositioning of the first mould; a first primary movable platform attached to the first mould and being configured to move between an extended platform position and a stored platform position and covering the first primary scaffold opening in the extended position and arranged to expose the first primary scaffold opening in the stored platform position.

Claims

1. A mould system for moulding a blade shell of a wind turbine blade comprising: a first mould for manufacturing a first blade shell part of the wind turbine blade, the first mould substantially extending along a longitudinal axis, a second mould for manufacturing a second blade shell part of the wind turbine blade, the second mould substantially extending along the longitudinal axis, a turning device configured to reposition the first mould between an open mould position and a closed mould position, wherein the first mould is arranged next to the second mould in the open mould position, and wherein the first mould is arranged on top of the second mould in the closed mould position, the turning device comprising a turning mechanism and a first primary beam connecting the turning mechanism and the first mould, a first scaffold arranged between the first mould and the second mould in the open mould position, the first scaffold extending along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first scaffold comprises a first primary scaffold part and a first secondary scaffold part spaced apart in the longitudinal direction by a first primary scaffold opening, the first primary scaffold opening being configured to allow the first primary beam to move therethrough during repositioning of the first mould between the open mould position and the closed mould position, a first primary movable platform attached to the first mould and being configured to move between an extended platform position and a stored platform position, and wherein the first primary movable platform covers the first primary scaffold opening in the extended position and wherein the first primary movable platform is arranged to expose the first primary scaffold opening in the stored platform position.

2. Mould system according to claim 1, wherein the first primary movable platform, in the extended platform position, is flush with a first primary surface of the first primary scaffold part and a first secondary surface of the first secondary scaffold part.

3. Mould system according to claim 1, wherein the first primary movable platform is configured to rotate about a hinge attached to the first mould.

4. Mould system according to claim 1, wherein the first primary movable platform is configured to be positioned in the stored platform position during repositioning of the first mould.

5. Mould system according to claim 1, wherein the first primary movable platform extends in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, between a first end and a second end, and wherein the hinge is connected to the first end, and wherein at least a part of the second end is secured to the first mould in the stored platform position.

6. Mould system according to claim 1, wherein the first primary movable platform comprises a platform locking element configured to engage in a locking configuration with a mould locking element in the stored platform position.

7. Mould system according to claim 6 wherein the platform locking element comprises a platform bracket comprising an opening and wherein the mould locking element comprises a mould bracket comprising a pin configured to engage with the opening of the platform bracket.

8. Mould system according to claim 1, wherein the first scaffold comprises a first primary gate attached to the first secondary scaffold part and being configured to be positioned in an open gate position and a closed gate position, the first primary gate comprising a first gate locking element and optionally a second gate locking element, and wherein the first primary gate in the open gate position extends in the longitudinal direction such that the first gate locking element engages in a locking configuration with a first primary scaffold locking element of the first primary scaffold part, and wherein the first primary gate in the closed gate position extends in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction such that the first gate locking element and/or the second gate locking element engages in a locking configuration with a first secondary scaffold locking element of the first secondary scaffold part in the closed gate position.

9. Mould system according to claim 8, wherein the first primary gate is configured to rotate about a hinge attached to the first secondary scaffold part.

10. Mould system according to claim 1, wherein the turning device comprises a first secondary beam connecting the turning mechanism and the first mould, wherein the first scaffold comprises a first tertiary scaffold part spaced apart from the first secondary scaffold part in the longitudinal direction by a first secondary scaffold opening, the first secondary scaffold opening being configured to allow the first secondary beam to move therethrough during repositioning of the first mould between the open mould position and the closed mould position, wherein the mould system further comprises a first secondary movable platform attached to the first mould and being configured to move between an extended platform position and a stored platform position, and wherein the first secondary movable platform covers the first secondary scaffold opening in the extended position and wherein the first secondary movable platform is arranged to expose the first secondary scaffold opening in the stored platform position, wherein the first scaffold comprises a first secondary gate attached to the first tertiary scaffold part, the first secondary gate comprising a first gate locking element and optionally a second gate locking element, and being configured to be positioned in an open gate position and in a closed gate position, where the first secondary gate in the open gate position extends in the longitudinal direction such that the first gate locking element engages in a locking configuration with a first secondary scaffold locking element of the first secondary scaffold part, and where the first secondary gate in a closed gate position extends in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction such that the first gate locking element and/or the second gate locking element engages in a locking configuration with a first tertiary scaffold locking element of the first tertiary scaffold part.

11. Mould system according to claim 1, wherein the first scaffold is secured to the ground or floor.

12. Mould system according to claim 1 comprising a second scaffold arranged between the first mould and the second mould in the open mould position, the second scaffold extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first scaffold is arranged proximate the first mould and the second scaffold is arranged proximate the second mould and wherein the turning device is arranged between the first scaffold and the second scaffold.

13. Mould system according to claim 1, wherein the first mould has a first moulding side with a first moulding surface configured to define an outer shape of the first blade shell part and a first non-moulding side opposite the first moulding side, and wherein the second mould has a second moulding side with a second moulding surface configured to define an outer shape of the second blade shell part and having a second non-moulding side opposite the second moulding side, and wherein the first mould and the second mould are arranged such that the first moulding side of the first mould and the second moulding side of the second mould are facing the same direction in the open mould position, and wherein the first moulding side of the first mould is facing the second moulding side of the second mould in the closed mould position.

14. A method for handling a mould system for manufacturing a wind turbine blade, comprising: providing a mould system according to claim 1, wherein: the first mould is in the open mould position, and the first primary movable platform is in the extended platform position, laying up composite material in the first mould and the second mould, positioning the first primary movable platform in the stored platform position, securing the first primary movable platform in the stored platform position, repositioning the first mould to the closed mould position.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein: the first scaffold comprises a first primary gate attached to the first secondary scaffold part and being configured to be positioned in an open gate position and a closed gate position, the first primary gate comprising a first gate locking element and optionally a second gate locking element, and wherein the first primary gate in the open gate position extends in the longitudinal direction such that the first gate locking element engages in a locking configuration with a first primary scaffold locking element of the first primary scaffold part, and wherein the first primary gate in the closed gate position extends in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction such that the first gate locking element and/or the second gate locking element engages in a locking configuration with a first secondary scaffold locking element of the first secondary scaffold part in the closed gate position, and the first primary gate is in the open gate position while the first primary movable platform is in the extended platform position.

16. Method according to claim 15 comprising positioning and/or securing the first primary gate in the closed gate position before positioning the movable platform in the stored platform position.

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein: the turning device comprises a first secondary beam connecting the turning mechanism and the first mould, the first scaffold comprises a first tertiary scaffold part spaced apart from the first secondary scaffold part in the longitudinal direction by a first secondary scaffold opening, the first secondary scaffold opening being configured to allow the first secondary beam to move therethrough during repositioning of the first mould between the open mould position and the closed mould position, the mould system further comprises a first secondary movable platform attached to the first mould and being configured to move between an extended platform position and a stored platform position, and wherein the first secondary movable platform covers the first secondary scaffold opening in the extended position and wherein the first secondary movable platform is arranged to expose the first secondary scaffold opening in the stored platform position, wherein the first scaffold comprises a first secondary gate attached to the first tertiary scaffold part, the first secondary gate comprising a first gate locking element and optionally a second gate locking element, and being configured to be positioned in an open gate position and in a closed gate position, where the first secondary gate in the open gate position extends in the longitudinal direction such that the first gate locking element engages in a locking configuration with a first secondary scaffold locking element of the first secondary scaffold part, and where the first secondary gate in a closed gate position extends in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction such that the first gate locking element and/or the second gate locking element engages in a locking configuration with a first tertiary scaffold locking element of the first tertiary scaffold part; the method further comprising, after laying up composite material and before repositioning the first mould to the closed mould position: positioning the first primary gate in the closed gate position, after positioning the first primary gate in the closed gate position, positioning the first primary movable platform in the stored platform position, after positioning the first primary movable platform in the stored platform position, securing the first primary movable platform in the stored platform position, after positioning the first primary movable platform in the stored platform position, positioning the first secondary gate in the closed gate position, after positioning the first secondary gate in the closed gate position, positioning the first secondary movable platform in the stored platform position, after positioning the first secondary movable platform in the stored platform position, securing the first secondary movable platform in the stored platform position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0050] Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail in the following with regard to the accompanying figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements may, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and are not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wind turbine,

[0052] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wind turbine blade,

[0053] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary mould system,

[0054] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary mould system,

[0055] FIGS. 5a-5d are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplary handling section of a mould system, and

[0056] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary method for handling a mould system for manufacturing a wind turbine blade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] In the following figure description, the same reference numbers refer to the same elements and may thus not be described in relation to all figures.

[0058] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional modern upwind wind turbine 2 according to the so-called Danish concept with a tower 4, a nacelle 6 and a rotor with a substantially horizontal rotor shaft. The rotor includes a hub 8 and three blades 10 extending radially from the hub 8, each having a blade root 16 nearest the hub and a blade tip 14 furthest from the hub 8.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an exemplary wind turbine blade 10. The wind turbine blade 10 has the shape of a conventional wind turbine blade with a root end 17 and a tip end 15 and comprises a root region 30 closest to the hub, a profiled or an airfoil region 34 furthest away from the hub and a transition region 32 between the root region 30 and the airfoil region 34. The blade 10 comprises a leading edge 18 facing the direction of rotation of the blade 10, when the blade is mounted on the hub, and a trailing edge 20 facing the opposite direction of the leading edge 18.

[0060] The airfoil region 34 (also called the profiled region) has an ideal or almost ideal blade shape with respect to generating lift, whereas the root region 30 due to structural considerations has a substantially circular or elliptical cross-section, which for instance makes it easier and safer to mount the blade 10 to the hub. The diameter (or the chord) of the root region 30 may be constant along the entire root area 30. The transition region 32 has a transitional profile gradually changing from the circular or elliptical shape of the root region 30 to the airfoil profile of the airfoil region 34. The chord length of the transition region 32 typically increases with increasing distance r from the hub. The airfoil region 34 has an airfoil profile with a chord extending between the leading edge 18 and the trailing edge 20 of the blade 10. The width of the chord decreases with increasing distance r from the hub.

[0061] A shoulder 40 of the blade 10 is defined as the position, where the blade 10 has its largest chord length. The shoulder 40 is typically provided at the boundary between the transition region 32 and the airfoil region 34.

[0062] It should be noted that the chords of different sections of the blade normally do not lie in a common plane, since the blade may be twisted and/or curved (i.e. pre-bent), thus providing the chord plane with a correspondingly twisted and/or curved course, this being most often the case in order to compensate for the local velocity of the blade being dependent on the radius from the hub.

[0063] The wind turbine blade 10 comprises a blade shell comprising two blade shell parts or half shells, a first blade shell part 24 and a second blade shell part 26, typically made of fibre-reinforced polymer. The wind turbine blade 10 may comprise additional shell parts, such as a third shell part and/or a fourth shell part. The first blade shell part 24 is typically a pressure side or upwind blade shell part. The second blade shell part 26 is typically a suction side or downwind blade shell part. The first blade shell part 24 and the second blade shell part 26 are fastened together with adhesive, such as glue, along bond lines or glue joints 28 extending along the trailing edge 20 and the leading edge 18 of the blade 10. Typically, the root ends of the blade shell parts 24, 26 have a semi-circular or semi-oval outer cross-sectional shape.

[0064] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating in a perspective view an exemplary mould system for moulding a blade shell of a wind turbine blade, such as a mould system for manufacturing the wind turbine blade of FIGS. 1-2. The mould system 50 comprises a first mould system section 51 and a second mould system section 71. The first mould system section 51 comprises a first mould 52 configured for manufacturing a first blade shell part of a wind turbine blade, such as the first blade shell part 24 of FIG. 2. The first mould 52 has a first non-moulding side 58 opposite a first moulding side 54. The first moulding side 54 has a first moulding surface 56 configured to define an outer shape of the first blade shell part 24. The second mould system section 71 comprises a second mould 72 configured for manufacturing a second blade shell part of a wind turbine blade, such as the second blade section 26 of FIG. 2. The second mould 72 has a second non-moulding side 78 opposite a second moulding side 74. The second moulding side 74 has a second moulding surface 76 configured to define an outer shape of the second blade shell part 26.

[0065] The mould system 50 further comprises a turning device 80 configured for repositioning the first mould 52 between an open mould position (as illustrated) and a closed mould position, e.g., by lifting and rotating the first mould 52. The turning device 80 comprises a turning mechanism 82 and a beam 84 connecting the turning mechanism and the first mould.

[0066] In FIG. 3 the mould system 50 is illustrated in an open mould position where the first mould 52 is arranged next to the second mould 72 such the first moulding side 54 of the first mould 52 and the second moulding side 74 of the second mould 54 are facing the same direction, e.g., upwards. In the closed mould position (as illustrated in FIG. 5d) the first mould 52 is arranged on top of the second mould 72 such that a first moulding side 54 of the first mould 52 is facing the second moulding side 74 of the second mould 72.

[0067] In the following, a reference number without a subsequent apostrophe (e.g., 112) may be used to refer to any of a plurality of similar elements or features, individually referenced by the same reference number with an apostrophe (e.g., 112, 112, 112, 112), i.e., the reference without an apostrophe is used to refer to any of the corresponding reference with apostrophes.

[0068] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary mould system 50, such as the mould system of FIG. 3, for manufacturing a wind turbine blade 10. The mould system 50 comprises a first mould system section 51 comprising a first mould 52 and a second mould system section 71 comprising a second mould 72. A first scaffold 90 is arranged between the first mould 52 and the second mould 72 in the open mould position and extends in the longitudinal direction L. A second scaffold 90 is arranged between the first mould 52 and the second mould 72 and extends along the longitudinal axis L. The first scaffold 90 is arranged proximate the first mould 52 and the second scaffold 90 is arranged proximate the second mould 72. The scaffolds are used during the lay-up of layers forming the wind turbine blade or during inspection of the shells. An operator may enter the system through the stairs 144 and walk along the moulds 52, 72 on the scaffolds 90. The scaffolds are secured to the floor or the ground of the manufacturing halls, e.g., by bolting.

[0069] One or more turning devices 80 are arranged between the first scaffold 90 and the second scaffold 90 and comprises at least one beam 84. The first mould system section 51 has a plurality of handling sections 88 (four in the illustrated example) each comprising a turning device 80, a beam 84, a scaffold opening 100 and a movable platform 112 covering the respective scaffold openings 100.

[0070] The movable platforms 112 are attached to the first mould 52 and are configured to move between an extended platform position and a stored platform position. The movable platforms 112 are configured to rotate about a hinge attached to the first mould 52. In FIG. 4 the movable platforms 112 are illustrated in an extended platform position where the movable platforms 112 cover the scaffold openings 100. In the stored platform position the movable platforms 112 are arranged to expose the scaffold opening 100.

[0071] The first scaffold 90 comprises a first primary scaffold part 92 and a first secondary scaffold part 92 spaced apart by a first primary scaffold opening 100. In the illustrated example, the first scaffold 90 further comprises a first tertiary scaffold part 92, wherein the first secondary scaffold part 92 and the first tertiary scaffold part 92 are spaced apart by a first secondary scaffold opening 100. In the illustrated example, the first scaffold 90 comprises further scaffold parts spaced apart by scaffold openings.

[0072] At the first primary handling section 88 the first scaffold 90 comprises the first primary scaffold part 92 and the first secondary scaffold part 92 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L by the first primary scaffold opening 100. The first primary scaffold opening 100 is configured to allow the first primary beam 84 to move therethrough during repositioning of the first mould 52 between the open mould position and the closed mould position. The same principle applies to the first secondary handling section 88, the first tertiary handling section 88 and the first quaternary handling section 88.

[0073] FIGS. 5a-5d are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplary handling section of a mould system, such as a handling section of the mould system of FIGS. 3-5. The following description will be based on the first primary handling section 88, however the same principles applies to the other handling sections 88, 88, 88. The first primary handling section 88 comprises a section of the scaffold 90 comprising two scaffold parts 92 with surfaces 94, e.g., a first primary scaffold part 92 with a first primary surface 94 and a first secondary scaffold part 92 with a first secondary surface 94. The first primary handling section 88 further comprises a first movable platform 112, arranged between the two surfaces 94 of the scaffold parts 92 and attached to the first mould 52. The first primary handling section 88 comprises a first primary gate 130, attached to the first secondary scaffold part 92 and rotatable about a hinge 110 on the first secondary scaffold part 92. The first primary movable platform 112 comprises a handle 122, which the operator can use to assist positioning of the movable platform 112.

[0074] In FIG. 5a, the first primary movable platform 112 is illustrated in an extended platform position. The first primary platform 112 extends in a transverse direction T, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L between a first end 116 and a second end 118. The first primary platform 112 is connected to the first mould 52 by a hinge (not illustrated) at the first end 116. In the extended platform position (as illustrated) the first primary movable platform 112 is arranged such that the surface 120 of the first primary movable platform is flush with the surfaces 94, e.g., the first primary surface 94 and the first secondary surface 94.

[0075] The first primary gate 130 is positioned in an open gate position where the first primary gate 130 extends in the longitudinal direction. A gate locking element 132 of the first primary gate 130 engages in a locking configuration with a first primary scaffold locking element 106 of the first primary scaffold part 92. The gate locking element 132 may comprise a bracket comprising an opening and the first primary scaffold locking element 106 may comprise a bracket comprising a pin, such as a spring bolt. Other suitable locking configurations may also be used.

[0076] In FIG. 5b the first primary movable platform 112 is in a closed gate position where the first primary gate 130 extends in a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The first primary movable platform 112 is rotated about a hinge at the first end 116 to position the first primary movable platform 112 in the stored platform position. The first primary platform 112 comprises a platform locking element 114 at the second end 118 configured to engage in a locking configuration with a mould locking element 60 attached to the first mould 52, and thereby securing the first primary movable platform 112 to the first mould 52. The platform locking element 114 may comprise a platform bracket comprising an opening and the mould locking element 60 may comprise a mould bracket comprising a pin, such as a spring bolt, configured to engage with the opening of the platform bracket. In the stored platform position the first primary movable platform 112 exposes the first primary scaffold opening 100. The first primary scaffold opening 100 allows the first primary beam 84 to move therethrough during repositioning of the first mould 52 between the open mould position and the closed mould position.

[0077] The first primary gate 130 may comprise an extendable part 136. The extendable part 136 may be positioned in an extended position and a retracted position. The extendable part 136 is useful in the case where the first primary gate 130 extends across the first primary movable platform 112 in the open gate position from the first primary scaffold part 92 to the first secondary scaffold part 92 (as illustrated in FIG. 5a) but may not be able to extend across the entire width of the first secondary scaffold part 92 in the retracted position in the closed gate position. In FIG. 5a the extendable part 136 is in the retracted position and in FIG. 5b the extendable part 136 is positioned in the extended position to compensate for missing extent, such that the entire width of the scaffold is closed off.

[0078] A second gate locking element 134 engages in a locking configuration with a first secondary scaffold locking element 106 of the first secondary scaffold part 92 in the closed gate position, e.g., when the extendable part 136 is in the extended position. The first secondary locking element 106 may be an opening in the first secondary scaffold part 92, such as an opening in the first secondary surface 94.

[0079] A bias element 126 may be connected between the first primary movable platform 112 and the first mould 52 to assist the operator in positioning the first primary movable platform 112 between the extended platform position and the stored platform position. The bias element 126 may be a pneumatic actuator or a gas spring supporting the positioning to the stored platform position. The first primary movable platform 120 in the extended platform position may rest on shelves 138 attached to the first primary scaffold part 94 and the first secondary scaffold part 94.

[0080] In the extended platform position of FIG. 5a the operators can walk along the scaffold 90 during lay-up of the layers forming each of the blade shell parts of the wind turbine blade or during inspection of the blade shell parts. The first primary gate 130 secures the first primary movable platform 112 such that the operator is prevented from falling into the first primary scaffold opening 100.

[0081] During handling of the mould system 50 the operator will start the handling process in the extended platform position, such as illustrated in FIG. 5a. The operator may enter the first scaffold 90 from the stairs (illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5d) extending from the first primary scaffold part 92. After entering the first scaffold 90 the operator may provide a stopper, e.g., a no trespassing sign, signalling that the first scaffold 90 should not be entered for safety reasons. The operator will then walk from the first primary scaffold part 92, across the first primary movable platform 112, and over to the first secondary scaffold part 92. The operator will then, while being in the first secondary scaffold part 92, position the first primary gate 130 from the open gate position to the closed gate position and secure the gate in the closed gate position (as illustrated in FIG. 5b). The operator will then reposition the first primary movable platform 112 from the extended platform position to the stored platform position and secure the first primary movable platform 112 in the stored platform position. The operator continues over the first secondary movable platform and repeat the same steps. The operator will repeat the steps for all handling sections 88 along the first scaffold 90. When all the handling sections 88 are handled, i.e., when all gates are closed and platforms are positioned in the stored platform position, the first mould 52 is repositioned to the closed mould position as illustrated in FIG. 5c. The first primary gate 130 also prevents the operator from being trapped between the first primary beam 84 and the moulds 52, 54, especially during repositioning.

[0082] In FIG. 5c the first mould 52 has been repositioned by the first primary turning device 80 into the closed mould position such that the first mould 52 is arranged on top of the second mould 72. The first primary beam 84 has moved through the first primary scaffold opening 100. The first primary movable platform 112 which is attached to the first mould 52 has moved together with the first mould 52 and is now arranged on the side of the first mould 52.

[0083] FIG. 5d illustrates a mould system in the closed mould position, such as the mould system of FIG. 5c in a larger scale. The first mould 52 is repositioned into the closed mould position by lifting and rotating the first mould 52. The first primary beam 84 has moved through the first primary scaffold opening 100 of the first scaffold 90. Also illustrated in FIG. 5d is a third scaffold 90 arranged such that the first scaffold 90 extends on one side of the first mould 52 and the third scaffold 90 extends on the opposite side of the first mould 52. A fourth scaffold 90 is arranged such that the second scaffold 90 extends on one side of the second mould 72 and the fourth scaffold extends on the opposite side of the second mould 72.

[0084] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary method 200 for handling a mould system for manufacturing a wind turbine blade, such as the mould system of FIGS. 3-5 for manufacturing a wind turbine blade of FIGS. 1-2.

[0085] The method 200 comprises providing 202 a mould system, such as the mould system of FIGS. 3-5, wherein the first mould is in the open mould position and the first primary movable platform is in the extended platform position. The first primary gate may be in the open gate position while the first primary movable platform is in the extended platform position.

[0086] The method 200 comprises laying up 208 composite material in the first mould and the second mould. The composite material may be laid up by an operator moving along the scaffold of the mould system.

[0087] The method 200 may comprise positioning 210 and securing 212 the first primary gate in a closed gate position. The first primary gate may be secured in the closed gate position with the gate locking element and the scaffold locking element.

[0088] After positioning 210 the first primary gate in the closed gate position, the method 200 comprises positioning 214 the first primary movable platform in the stored platform position. The first primary gate may be positioned 210 and secured 212 before positioning 214 the movable platform in the stored platform position.

[0089] After positioning 214 the first primary movable platform in the stored platform position, the method 200 comprises securing 216 the first primary movable platform in the stored platform position with the platform locking element and the mould locking element.

[0090] After positioning 214 the first primary movable platform in the stored platform position, the method 200 may comprise positioning 210 and securing 212 the first secondary gate in closed gate position. Positioning 210 and securing 212 the first secondary gate in the closed gate position may be performed in the same manner as positioning 210 and securing 212 the first primary gate in the closed gate position.

[0091] After positioning the first secondary gate in the closed gate position, the method 200 may comprise positioning 214 and securing 216 the first secondary movable platform in stored platform position. Positioning 214 and securing 216 the first secondary movable platform in stored platform position may be performed in the same manner as positioning 214 and securing 216 the first primary movable platform in the stored platform position.

[0092] Positioning and securing a gate and positioning and securing a movable platform may be repeated for subsequent gates and movable platforms.

[0093] The method 200 comprises repositioning 220 the first mould to the closed mould position by lifting and rotating the first mould and positioning the first mould on top of the second mould.

[0094] After the two blade shell parts of the first mould and second mould have been bonded together to form a wind turbine blade, the first mould may be repositioned 222 to the open mould position. After repositioning 222 the first mould, the first secondary movable platform may be positioned 224 in the extended platform position. The first secondary movable platform will in this position rest on the shelves of the scaffold. The first secondary gate may be positioned 228 and secured 230 in the open gate position. Then the first primary movable platform may be positioned 224 in the extended platform position and the first primary gate may be positioned 228 and secured 230 in the open gate position. Any antecedent platforms and gates may be handled in the same manner before the first secondary movable platform and first secondary gate are handled.

[0095] After removing the moulded wind turbine blade the mould system is now ready for manufacturing another wind turbine blade by repeating above steps.

[0096] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and alterations and modifications can be carried out without deviating from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0097] 2 wind turbine [0098] 4 tower [0099] 6 nacelle [0100] 8 hub [0101] 10 blade [0102] 12 blade part [0103] 14 blade tip [0104] 15 tip end [0105] 16 blade root [0106] 17 root end [0107] 18 leading edge [0108] 20 trailing edge [0109] 24 first blade shell part (pressure side) [0110] 25 leading part of pressure side [0111] 26 second blade shell part (suction side) [0112] 27 leading part of suction side [0113] 28 bond lines/glue joints [0114] 30 root region [0115] 32 transition region [0116] 34 airfoil region [0117] 36 first shell part flange [0118] 38 chord line [0119] 40 shoulder [0120] 50 mould system [0121] 51 first mould system section [0122] 52 first mould [0123] 54 first moulding side [0124] 56 first moulding surface [0125] 58 first non-moulding side [0126] 60 mould locking element [0127] 62 mould bracket [0128] 64 pin [0129] 71 second mould system section [0130] 72 second mould [0131] 74 second moulding side [0132] 76 second moulding surface [0133] 78 second non-moulding side [0134] 80 turning device [0135] 80 first primary turning device [0136] 80 first secondary turning device [0137] 80 first tertiary turning device [0138] 80 first quaternary turning device [0139] 82 turning mechanism [0140] 84 beam [0141] 84 first primary beam [0142] 84 first secondary beam [0143] 84 first tertiary beam [0144] 84 first quaternary beam [0145] 88 handling section [0146] 88 first primary handling section [0147] 88 first secondary handling section [0148] 88 first tertiary handling section [0149] 88 first quaternary handling section [0150] 90 scaffold [0151] 90 first scaffold [0152] 90 second scaffold [0153] 90 third scaffold [0154] 90 fourth scaffold [0155] 92 scaffold part [0156] 92 first primary scaffold part [0157] 92 first secondary scaffold part [0158] 92 first tertiary scaffold part [0159] 94 first primary surface [0160] 94 first secondary surface [0161] 100 scaffold opening [0162] 100 first primary scaffold opening [0163] 100 first secondary scaffold opening [0164] 100 first tertiary scaffold opening [0165] 100 first quaternary scaffold opening [0166] 106 scaffold locking element [0167] 106 first primary scaffold locking element [0168] 108 first secondary locking element [0169] 110 hinge [0170] 112 movable platform [0171] 112 first primary movable platform [0172] 112 first secondary movable platform [0173] 114 platform locking element [0174] 116 first end [0175] 118 second end [0176] 120 surface [0177] 122 handle [0178] 126 bias element [0179] 130 gate [0180] 130 first primary gate [0181] 130 first secondary gate [0182] 132 first gate locking element [0183] 134 second gate locking element [0184] 136 extendable part [0185] 138 shelf [0186] 140 floor [0187] 144 stairs [0188] L longitudinal direction [0189] T transverse direction [0190] 200 method for handling a mould system [0191] 202 providing mould system [0192] 208 laying up composite material in first mould and second mould [0193] 210 positioning first primary gate in closed gate position [0194] 212 securing the first primary gate in closed gate position [0195] 214 positioning first primary movable platform in stored platform position [0196] 216 securing first primary movable platform in stored platform position [0197] 210 positioning the first secondary gate in closed gate position [0198] 212 securing the first secondary gate in closed gate position [0199] 214 positioning the first secondary movable platform in stored platform position [0200] 216 securing the first secondary movable platform in the stored platform position [0201] 220 repositioning the first mould to closed mould position [0202] 222 repositioning the first mould to open mould position [0203] 224 positioning the first secondary movable platform in extended platform position [0204] 228 positioning first secondary gate in open gate position [0205] 230 securing the first secondary gate in open gate position [0206] 224 positioning the first primary movable platform in extended platform position [0207] 228 positioning first primary gate in open gate position [0208] 230 securing the first primary gate in open gate position