TPI Composites has been granted a patent for devices and methods to enhance heat transfer in composite wind turbine blades, reducing cure time. The assembly includes molds with heating wires and vacuum bags with fluid channels for distributing thermal fluid. GlobalData’s report on TPI Composites gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on TPI Composites, Turbine components 3D Printing was a key innovation area identified from patents. TPI Composites's grant share as of February 2024 was 71%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Composite wind turbine blade with improved heat transfer during curing
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11919258B2) discloses an apparatus for forming a composite wind turbine blade. The apparatus includes a first turbine blade half with a first shell, a second turbine blade half with a second shell, and corresponding first and second mold halves. The unique feature of this apparatus is the use of vacuum bags with fluid channels for heating and cooling fluid, strategically placed on the B-surfaces of the shells. The density of fluid channels varies along the root and tip regions of the vacuum bags, ensuring efficient heat transfer during the manufacturing process. Additionally, the fluid channels are designed for unidirectional flow, with specific configurations to optimize contact with the blade surfaces.
Furthermore, the apparatus includes heating elements in the mold halves to facilitate the composite blade formation process. The fluid channels extend along the entire span of the blade, from the leading edge to the trailing edge, ensuring uniform heat distribution. The cooling fluid flow direction is from the root region towards the tip region of the vacuum bags, ultimately reaching a heat exchanger. The placement of fluid channels on top of the shells reflects the spar cap pattern, enhancing the structural integrity of the wind turbine blade. Overall, this patented apparatus offers a novel and efficient method for manufacturing composite wind turbine blades, with a focus on optimizing heat transfer and ensuring uniformity in the blade structure.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
