US 12,330,388 B2
Method and apparatus for wind turbine blade production flange trimming
Jeremy Haight, Arvada, CO (US); Thomas Brink, Divide, CO (US); and Zachary Bibik, Boulder, CO (US)
Assigned to Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Aarhus (DK)
Appl. No. 18/720,735
Filed by Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Aarhus (DK)
PCT Filed Dec. 12, 2022, PCT No. PCT/DK2022/050276
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 17, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/110041, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 22, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/290,835, filed on Dec. 17, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. PA 202270016 (DK), filed on Jan. 12, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2025/0050608 A1, Feb. 13, 2025
Int. Cl. B29C 70/54 (2006.01); B29D 99/00 (2010.01); B29L 31/08 (2006.01)
CPC B29D 99/0028 (2013.01) [B29C 70/545 (2013.01); B29C 2793/009 (2013.01); B29L 2031/085 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of trimming a spanwise extending production flange from a wind turbine blade during manufacture of the wind turbine blade, the method comprising:
mounting a self-propelled production flange trimming apparatus on a spanwise extending production flange of the wind turbine blade;
using a drive system of the apparatus comprising one more drive members configured to operatively engage the production flange to propel the apparatus along the spanwise length of the production flange;
using a directional control system of the apparatus to control the direction of the apparatus as it is propelled along the spanwise length of the production flange, wherein the controlling of the direction comprises following a first surface portion of the production flange with a follower mechanism of the apparatus, wherein the follower mechanism comprises at least two follower wheels configured to bear against opposite sides of the first surface portion; and
using a cutting tool of the apparatus to cut through the production flange to separate the production flange from the wind turbine blade as the apparatus is propelled along the spanwise length of the production flange.