ESCAPE PATH FOR A PRODUCTION MOLD OF A ROTOR BLADE

Abstract

The invention relates to a production mold for a rotor blade of a wind turbine plant, having two mold half-shells (3, 4) which during a production method of the rotor blade are disposed so as to be at least temporarily beside one another, and having at least one inner walkway (2c, 2d) that runs along so as to be between the two mold half-shells (3, 4), characterized by at least one escape path (40) which runs along below at least one of the two mold half-shells (3, 4).

Claims

1. Production mold for a rotor blade of a wind turbine plant, having two mold half-shells (3, 4) which during a production method of the rotor blade are disposed so as to be at least temporarily beside one another, and having at least one inner walkway (2c, 2d) that runs along so as to be between the two mold half-shells (3, 4), characterized by at least one escape path (40) which runs along below at least one of the two mold half-shells (3, 4).

2. Production mold according to claim 1, characterized in that the mold half-shells (3, 4) have in each case one open side and are in each case disposed on a mounting installation (8, 9), and the two mounting installations (8, 9) are interconnected in an articulated manner and are foldable in a reciprocating manner from an opened position in which the two mold half-shells (3, 4), the open sides thereof facing upward, are disposed beside one another, to a closed position in which the two mold half-shells (3, 4), the open sides thereof facing one another, are disposed on top of one another, and the inner walkway (2c, 2d) in the opened position runs along between the two mold half-shells (3, 4).

3. Production mold according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one walkway frame (2c, 2d) which has at least one operator opening (30, 31) through which the escape path (40) is reachable from the walkway frame (2c, 2d) is disposed between the two mold half-shells.

4. Production mold according to claim 1, characterized in that the escape path (40) connects the at least one operator opening (30, 31) to an outer longitudinal side of one of the two mounting installations (8, 9).

5. Production mold (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the positionally fixed mold half-shell (3) during folding remains so as to be positionally fixed on the ground, and the foldable mold half-shell (4) is foldable from the opened position to the closed position, while the escape path (40) is routed below the foldable mold half-shell (4).

6. Production mold (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the positionally fixed mold half-shell (3) is disposed on a positionally fixed mounting installation, and the foldable mold half-shell (4) is disposed on a foldable mounting installation, and the positionally fixed mounting installation and/or the foldable mounting installation are/is in each case configured as a steel framework (8, 9).

7. Production mold (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one operator opening (30, 31) cover is lockable, and the cover has a closed position in which said cover is passable, and has an opened position in which the escape path (40) is accessible by way of a ladder (50, 51) or a stairway or a sliding pole, for example.

8. Production mold (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover of the at least one operator opening (30, 31) is a sliding hatch.

9. Production mold (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover of the at least one operator opening (30, 31) is operable by way of an emergency switch (32) which is disposed at gripping height beside the at least one operator opening (30, 31).

10. Production mold (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover of the at least one operator opening (30, 31) is operable by way of a mechanism, for example a crank or a pump lever, which is disposed at gripping level beside the at least one operator opening (30, 31).

11. Production mold (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that an inner walkway (2c, 2d) is disposed along each of the mutually facing longitudinal sides of the mold half-shells (3, 4), and each of the two inner walkways (2c, 2d) has in each case one operator opening (30, 31).

12. Production mold (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that each of the two operator openings (30, 31) is connected in a passable manner to the same escape path (40).

13. Production mold (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that side walls and/or floors and/or ceilings of the escape path (40) are composed of a fireproof or fire-retardant material.

14. Production mold (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that side walls and/or floors and/or ceilings of the escape path (40) are cladded with a fireproof or fire-retardant cladding (41).

15. Production mold (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that walkway frames 2a and/or 2b are disposed along outer longitudinal sides of the mold half-shells (3, 4), and the escape path (40) is continued also through the walkway frames (2a, 2b).

16. Production mold (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the walkways (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are configured as abutting tiles which are fitted onto walkway frames (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The invention will be described by means of one exemplary embodiment in three figures in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a view onto the stem or tip side of a production mold according to the invention, having four walkways;

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of a mold half-shell of the production mold, with the walkways in a lateral view;

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the production mold, with the four walkways in a plan view.

[0031] The embodiments of the figures differ somewhat from one another. The figures are not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a production mold 1. The production mold 1 comprises two mold half-shells 3, 4, of which one suction-side mold half-shell 3 in FIG. 1 is disposed on the left and is positioned so as to be positionally fixed on a ground of an assembly shed, while another pressure-side mold half-shell 4 in FIG. 1 is disposed on the right beside the suction-side mold half-shell 3 and by way of articulations 6 and a hydraulic folding mechanism 7 can be converted from the opened position illustrated in FIG. 1 to a closed position in that the suction-side mold half-shell 4 is pivoted in a counter-clockwise manner about the articulations 6. The pressure-side mold half-shell 4 is foldable, the suction-side mold half-shell 3 being positionally fixed during the folding procedure.

[0033] The terms suction side and pressure side herein relate to a rotor blade which in a conventional manner has an aerodynamic suction side and an aerodynamic pressure side. The references are applied in a corresponding manner also to the respective mold half-shells 3, 4.

[0034] Walkways for operators, two lateral outer walkways 2a, 2b, and two inner walkways 2c, 2d, are disposed along peripheries of the two mold half-shells 3, 4. The lateral outer walkways 2a, 2b run along the longitudinal sides of the mold half-shells 3, 4 that in the opened state of the production mold are spaced apart the widest, while the inner walkways 2c, 2d run between the two unfolded mold half-shells 3, 4, in each case along a periphery of one of the two mold half-shells 3, 4.

[0035] Both the one as well as the other mold half-shell 3, 4 are in each case an integral laminated component in which in each case one rotor blade half-shell can be manufactured by a laminating method. The term integral herein is also intended to comprise the combination in which the mold half-shells 3, 4 in a first step are constructed in segments, and said segments in a second step are connected to one another in a suitable manner so as to form the one mold half-shell 3, 4.

[0036] The mold half-shells 3, 4 can be composed of plastics, or else in principle of other materials such as timber, aluminum, or steel.

[0037] Once the two rotor blade half-shells (not illustrated) have been manufactured in the two mold half-shells 3, 4, an adhesive agent layer is applied to rotor blade half-shell peripheries that encircle the respective rotor blade half-shell up to the rotor blade stem. The adhesive agent layer is preferably applied to the rotor blade half-shell periphery of the rotor blade half-shell of the positionally fixed mold half-shell 3.

[0038] The foldable mold half-shell 4 is then folded in the clockwise direction onto the positionally fixed mold half-shell 3 in FIG. 1, such that the two mold half-shells 3, 4 are positioned directly on top of one another. On account thereof, the two peripheries of the rotor blade half-shells are likewise folded on top of one another until there is contact between the adhesive agent layer and the two rotor blade half-shell peripheries. The foldable mold half-shell 4 is then pushed onto the positionally fixed mold half-shell 3 until a predetermined gap width is established between the two peripheries of the rotor blade half-shell. The gap is favorably completely filled by the adhesive agent.

[0039] In the opened state of the production mold 1 according to FIG. 1, the two mold half-shells 3, 4 are positioned transversely to a longitudinal direction L, so as to be mutually parallel, preferably so as to be parallel beside one another; each of the two mold half-shells 3, 4 in this exemplary embodiment is disposed on a steel framework 8, 9, wherein the positionally fixed mold half-shell 3 is fixedly connected on a positionally fixed steel framework 8, and the foldable mold half-shell 4 is fixedly connected on a steel framework 9 which, while being folded to the closed position conjointly with the foldable mold half-shell 4, is likewise foldable. The mold half-shells 3, 4 are connected to respective steel framework 8, 9 thereof in a manner that is relatively positionally fixed and permanent.

[0040] The mold half-shells 3, 4 in each case have one inner longitudinal side and one outer longitudinal side that are directly opposite one another. The two inner longitudinal sides and the two outer longitudinal sides, after being folded to the closed position of the production mold 1, are directly on top of one another. The two inner longitudinal sides of the two rotor blade half-shells, after the production molds 1 have been folded together, form the aerodynamic nose, or the leading edge, respectively, of the rotor blade, and the two outer longitudinal sides of the rotor blade half-shells, after the production mold 1 has been folded together, form the aerodynamic trailing edge of the rotor blade.

[0041] In the embodiment in FIG. 1, in each case one inner walkway frame 20c, 20d, in each case one of the two inner walkways 2c, 2d being provided on the upper end of the former that faces away from the ground, is disposed along the two inner longitudinal sides. The two inner walkways are specified for servicing the positionally fixed, or the foldable mold half-shell 3, 4, respectively.

[0042] The two outer walkways 2a, 2b are disposed on two outer walkway frames 20a, 20b on that side that faces away from the ground; the walkways 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are produced from steel grates and/or scaffolding boards. The walkways 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d each run directly along the periphery of the mold half-shells 3, 4 or at a suitable spacing therefrom, in order for comfortable servicing of the inner side of the mold half-shells 3, 4 to be possible by operators who are standing on the walkways 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

[0043] The height above the ground of the walkways 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d along the longitudinal extent of each individual walkway 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d is potentially variable since the walkways are adapted to the vertical profile of the outer edges of the mold half-shells 3, 4. Furthermore, the heights of the walkways 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction L, can also be mutually dissimilar since the peripheries of each of the mold half-shells 3, 4 along a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L have a dissimilar height above the ground.

[0044] It is therefore possible that two mutually independent and mutually spaced apart inner walkways 2c, 2d are provided, as is illustrated in FIG. 1, which in each case run along an inner periphery of the positionally fixed, or the foldable mold half-shell 3, 4, respectively, wherein it is also conceivable, however, that in other embodiments only one single walkway which is sufficiently wide such that the inner sides of the two mold half-shells 3, 4 can be serviced from the one inner walkway is disposed between the two mold half-shells 3, 4.

[0045] The walkways 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are preferably disposed such that the former commence at the periphery of the mold half-shells 3, 4 and comprise the tip-side and/or stem-side ends of the mold half-shells.

[0046] The walkways 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are assembled on the walkway frames 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, wherein the walkway frames 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d can be conventional builders' or painters' scaffolding.

[0047] The length of the mold half-shells 3, 4 is determined by the length of the rotor blade which is manufactured with the aid of the two mold half-shells 3, 4. Rotor blades of modern wind turbine plants can readily have lengths between 40 and 65 meters, in some instances even of more than 75 meters.

[0048] Emergencies can arise in particular during the duration of the production method of the two rotor blade half-shells, for example when a fire starts or a fire alarm is set off, and the operators are on the inner walkways 2c, 2d. The distance to the tip-side or stem-side end of the walkway 2c, 2d, respectively, at which a descent to the ground or the shed floor, respectively, is located, is up to 40 meters and is thus very long.

[0049] Furthermore, in particular during the manufacturing method of the rotor blade half-shells, an escape from the inner walkways 2c, 2d by way of the production mold 1 is also dangerous and in most cases impossible because the rotor blade half-shells or mold half-shells 3, 4, respectively, at least in regions are geometrically shaped such that crossing is difficult if not impossible, on the one hand, and as a consequence of the manufacturing process the surface of the rotor blade half-shells or mold half-shells 3, 4 at least at times has such a high surface temperature that crossing is likewise impossible, on the other hand.

[0050] The invention therefore, in a manner approximately central along the inner walkways 2c, 2d, provides operator openings 30, 31 in at least one of the inner walkways 2c, 2d, preferably in both inner walkways 2c, 2d, said operator openings 30, 31 in each case being sufficiently large such that an operator can climb therethrough. The operator openings 30, 31 therefore preferably have an opening width of approximately 50 centimeters, preferably 60 centimeters, or even more centimeters. The operator openings 30, 31 can be configured so as to be rectangular, square, or optionally also circular. The statement of the opening width refers to the shortest spacing of two mutually opposite peripheral points of the operator openings 30, 31.

[0051] Since the walkways 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are composed of scaffolding plates, steel sheets, or similar, for example, they likewise favorably have a width of approximately 50 to 150 centimeters, such that the operator opening 30, 31 occupies approximately the entire width of an inner walkway 2c, 2d. It is therefore preferably provided that the operator openings 30, 31 during the production method of the rotor blade half-shells are closed by a hatch. This herein can be a pivotable hatch but preferably a sliding hatch which is displaceable in a reciprocating manner along the horizontal. The hatch can be walked on in the closed state and can be stressed with the same load as the remaining regions of the walkways, therefore withstanding in particular the weight of at least one operator, and closes the associated inner walkway 2c, 2d.

[0052] The walkways 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d on that side that faces away from the mold are typically provided with a handrail 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d; however, the handrails 21c and 21d can be omitted in those regions in which the walkways are connected to one another; an emergency switch 32 which upon activation immediately releases the operator opening 30, 31 and laterally displaces the hatch electrically, electromechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or by way of another operative principle can be provided on one or both inner handrails 21c, 21d in the region of the operator opening 30, 31. However, a purely mechanical device which releases the operator opening 30, 31 can also be present. A stairway or ladder 50, 51, or a sliding pole, by way of which the operator can exit the inner walkway 2c, 2d through the opened operator opening 30, 31 in an emergency is provided below the operator opening 30, 31. An escape path 40 by way of which the operator can escape from the ground-side end of the stairway or ladder 50, 51, or sliding pole, under the production mold 1 into the assembly shed and from there to the assembly point provided is provided below at least one of the two mold half-shells 3, 4. The at least one escape path 40 has an exit 42 to the assembly shed.

[0053] As is shown in FIG. 2, the escape path 40 on the side walls thereof and on the ceiling, and optionally also on the floor thereof, is cladded with a fireproof or fire-retardant cladding 41, or the walls, the ceiling, and the floor are composed of fireproof or fire-retardant materials. The escape path 40 preferably connects the operator openings 30, 31 to the outer longitudinal side of the foldable steel framework 9, this also including the possibility that the escape path 40 also traverses the walkway frame 2a, 2b.

[0054] The escape path 40 is preferably routed along below the foldable mold half-shell 4; the foldable mold half-shell 4, when viewed along the longitudinal direction L, in the opened state centrally has a significantly larger height above the ground than the positionally fixed mold half-shell 3. The aerodynamic pressure side of the rotor blade is preferably produced with the aid of the foldable mold half-shell 4.

[0055] It has been demonstrated that the pressure-side rotor blade half-shell can be folded in a significantly easier manner than the suction-side rotor blade half-shell, since the former has a higher resistance to bulging and bending, when these are rotor blade half-shells for a pre-bent rotor blade.

[0056] The escape path 40 which expediently has the fireproof or fire-retardant cladding 41, or is composed of a fireproof or fire-retardant material, is typically connected together with the cladding 41 in a permanent manner to the foldable substructure 9 and is thus likewise folded when the production mold 1 is folded together. However, it is also possible for the escape path 40 together with the cladding 41 to not be fixedly connected to the foldable substructure 9, said escape path 40 in this instance remaining positioned on the floor of the assembly shed also when the mold half-shell 4 is folded shut.

[0057] The view of the opened production mold 1 is shown in a plan view in FIG. 3. The two operator openings 30, 31 together with the escape path 40 that is indicated by dashed lines are provided so as to be approximately central in the longitudinal direction L along the inner walkway 2c, 2d along the foldable mold half-shell 4. The one operator opening 30 is provided along the one inner walkway 2c, so as to be approximately central along the positionally fixed mold half-shell 3, and the other operator opening 31 is provided along the other inner walkway 2d, so as to be approximately central along the foldable mold half-shell 4. In each case one stairway or ladder 50, 51, or sliding pole, is provided below the two operator openings 30, 31. From the exit 42 of the escape path 40 up to the other operator opening 31 that is illustrated in FIG. 3, the escape path 40 for both operator openings 30, 31 is identical; part of the escape path 40 between the one operator opening 30 and the other operator opening 31 is specified for only the one operator opening 30.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0058] 1 Production mold [0059] 2a Outer walkway [0060] 2b Outer walkway [0061] 2c Inner walkway [0062] 2d Inner walkway [0063] 3 Mold half-shell, positionally fixed [0064] 4 Mold half-shell, foldable [0065] 6 Articulations [0066] 7 Folding mechanism [0067] 8 Steel framework, positionally fixed [0068] 9 Steel framework, foldable [0069] 20a Outer walkway frame [0070] 20b Outer walkway frame [0071] 20c Inner walkway frame [0072] 20d Inner walkway frame [0073] 21a Outer handrail [0074] 21b Outer handrail [0075] 21c Inner handrail [0076] 21d Inner handrail [0077] 30 Operator opening [0078] 31 Operator opening [0079] 32 Emergency switch [0080] 40 Escape path [0081] 41 Cladding [0082] 42 Exit [0083] 50 Ladder [0084] 51 Ladder [0085] L Longitudinal direction