US 12,275,205 B2
Retractable mold built-in precision pins to locate components during layup process for fabrication of wind turbine blades
Amir Salimi, Providence, RI (US); Bernie Dayalkumar, Portsmouth, RI (US); and Alexander Segala, Rehoboth, MA (US)
Assigned to TPI Technology Inc., Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Filed by TPI Technology Inc., Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Filed on Jun. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/215,473.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/356,132, filed on Jun. 28, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0415434 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 33/14 (2006.01); B29C 70/54 (2006.01); B29L 31/08 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 70/545 (2013.01) [B29C 2793/0045 (2013.01); B29L 2031/085 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wind turbine blade mold comprising:
a first mold surface;
at least one aperture located within the first mold surface, the at least one aperture configured to receive at least one pin;
the at least one pin having a first end and a second end defining a length extending therebetween, wherein the at least one pin is configured to pierce at least one layer of layup segment deposited on the first mold surface,
the second end of the pin disposed within a pin driver, and a sensor incorporated into the first end of the pin, the sensor configured to detect when all layers of layup segments disposed on the first mold surface have been pierced;
the pin driver disposed on a second mold surface, the pin driver configured to displace the at least one pin from a retracted position wherein the first end of the at least one pin is disposed below the first mold surface, to an extended position wherein the first end of the at least one pin is disposed above the first mold surface.