US 12,070,878 B2
Modular molding units for fabrication of wind turbine blades
Amir Salimi, Providence, RI (US); and Karsten Schibsbye, Fredericia (DK)
Assigned to TPI Composites, Inc., Warren, RI (US)
Filed by TPI Composites, Inc., Warren, RI (US)
Filed on Feb. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/592,928.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/145,788, filed on Feb. 4, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0242011 A1, Aug. 4, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 33/30 (2006.01); B29C 33/00 (2006.01); B29C 33/26 (2006.01); B29C 70/48 (2006.01); B29L 31/08 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 33/301 (2013.01) [B29C 33/0061 (2013.01); B29C 33/26 (2013.01); B29C 70/48 (2013.01); B29L 2031/085 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wind turbine blade assembly system comprising:
a first base frame having an L-shape with a first leg and a second leg, the second leg having at least one projection;
a second base frame having an L-shape with a third leg and a fourth leg, the fourth leg having at least one projection, the second base frame hingedly coupled to the first base frame via at least one hinge disposed on each of the first leg and the third leg;
a first tooling frame having at least one recess corresponding to the at least one projection of the first base frame, the first tooling frame disposed on the first base frame;
a second tooling frame having at least one recess corresponding to the at least one projection of the second base frame, the second tooling frame disposed on the second base frame;
a first shell mold coupled to the first tooling frame, the first shell mold having a first mold surface and a first perimeter;
a second shell mold coupled to the second tooling frame, the second shell mold having a second mold surface and a second perimeter;
the first tooling frame removably coupled to the first base frame;
wherein, in an open configuration, the first base frame is coplanar with the second base frame; and, in a closed configuration, the first perimeter vertically aligns with the second perimeter,
wherein at least one of the projections of the at least one projection of the second leg includes an actuator for elevating the first tooling frame towards the second tooling frame and registering the first base frame relative to the first tooling frame.