US 11,745,449 B2
Adhesive barrier design to ensure proper paste flow during blade close process
Amir Salimi, Providence, RI (US); and Christopher Raine, Cranston, RI (US)
Filed by TPI Composites, Inc., Warren, RI (US)
Filed on Oct. 22, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/660,258.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/748,835, filed on Oct. 22, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0122416 A1, Apr. 23, 2020
Int. Cl. B29C 70/74 (2006.01); B29C 70/84 (2006.01); B29C 70/68 (2006.01); B29C 70/42 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 70/742 (2013.01) [B29C 70/42 (2013.01); B29C 70/682 (2013.01); B29C 70/845 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An assembly comprising:
a first turbine blade half comprising a first shell defining a first perimeter and a first interface surface extending along the first perimeter;
a second turbine blade half comprising a second shell defining a second perimeter and a second interface surface extending along the second perimeter, the second blade half comprising a bond cap extending from the perimeter where, when the first interface surface is aligned with the second interface surface, a first gap is formed between the first shell and the bond cap;
a first mold half comprising a first mold surface corresponding to the first shell;
a second mold half comprising a first mold surface corresponding to the second shell where, when the first mold half is aligned with the second mold half, a second gap is formed between the first mold half and the second mold half, wherein the first gap is in fluid communication with the second gap;
a first barrier disposed within the first gap; and
a second barrier disposed within the second gap thereby fluidly sealing a volume defined by the first gap and the second gap, the second barrier including a vent operable to selectively open or close;
wherein the vent is formed by at least a portion of one of the first mold half or the second mold half, and at least a portion of the second barrier;
wherein upon closure of the first mold half and the second mold half, a paste exits the vent.