US 12,090,686 B2
Mould aligner for a wind turbine blade shell mould including a freely rotating spinner element
Johnny Eriksen, Kolding (DK); Silviu Gabriel Hanachiuc, Kolding (DK); and Poul Jakobsen, Kolding (DK)
Assigned to LM WIND POWER A/S, Kolding (DK)
Appl. No. 17/428,684
Filed by LM WIND POWER A/S, Kolding (DK)
PCT Filed Feb. 14, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/053847
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 5, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/165391, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 20, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 19157208 (EP), filed on Feb. 14, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0111561 A1, Apr. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 33/30 (2006.01); B29C 33/20 (2006.01); B29C 70/54 (2006.01); B29L 31/08 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 33/303 (2013.01) [B29C 33/202 (2013.01); B29C 70/54 (2013.01); B29L 2031/085 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mould aligner for aligning and locking a first mould and a second mould for moulding shell parts of a wind turbine blade, the mould aligner comprising:
a first alignment segment extending along a first mould aligner axis from a first primary end to a first secondary end, and being configured to be attached to the first mould, wherein the first alignment segment comprises a locking cavity; and
a second alignment segment extending along a second mould aligner axis from a second primary end to a second secondary end, and being configured to be attached to the second mould, wherein the second alignment segment comprises:
a hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder comprising a barrel and a piston rod, the piston rod being axially displaceable and rotatable with respect to the barrel;
a lock part comprising a first rod part and a locking element being provided on the first rod part, the first rod part being configured for being received in and engaged in the locking cavity of the first alignment segment;
a cylinder part comprising the barrel and a second rod part comprising a piston; and
a guide part comprising a third rod part, a guide pin and a guide slot, the guide pin engaging the guide slot,
wherein the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder of the second alignment segment is adjustable and movable between a retracted state and an extended state and vice versa, and the engagement between the guide pin and the guide slot is configured for providing an angular rotation of the piston rod during a portion of said movement, and
wherein the lock part further comprises a spinner element, the spinner element being freely rotatable with respect to the locking element about an axis parallel to the second mould aligner axis for reducing friction between the locking element and the locking cavity.