TPI Composites has filed a patent for a wind turbine blade mold system that includes precision pins to ensure accurate positioning of structural components during the composite layup process. The pins can be inserted through the layers of composite material and into apertures in the mold, preventing movement of the components. The system also includes cams attached to the pins to further secure the components and prevent drift. The pins can remain embedded in the final molded part. GlobalData’s report on TPI Composites gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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 September 2023 was 49%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
The patent filed is for a wind turbine blade mold system

A wind turbine blade mold system has been described in a filed patent (Publication Number: US20230302747A1). The system includes a first mold surface with at least one aperture that can receive a pin. A cover is placed above the aperture and can hold multiple layers of composite material. The pin has a first end extending above the mold surface and a second end within the aperture. The pin is designed to engage a structural component of a wind turbine blade and prevent displacement. The system may also have multiple apertures asymmetrically disposed around a central axis of the blade mold.
The structural component of the wind turbine blade, in this system, can be a spar cap. The first end of the pin has a larger perimeter than the second end. Additionally, the pin may extend beyond the upper surface of the composite material on the mold. The cover of the system includes a frangible portion that is retained within the pin upon insertion. The second end of the pin has a planar top surface against which the structural component is placed. A portion of the pin may be retained within the wind turbine blade upon removal from the mold.
Another embodiment of the wind turbine blade mold system includes a compression plate with at least one flange to engage the structural component of the blade. The second end of the pin in this system has a locking feature that can engage the compression plate. The locking feature may be a threaded portion of the pin that engages a threaded hole in the compression plate.
In yet another embodiment, the wind turbine blade mold system includes a stud connected to the pin and an actuator disposed on the pin. The actuator can engage the structural component of the blade and is releaseably coupled to the pin. The actuator may have a recess to receive the top portion of the pin and can be replaceable with a core material of a specific size. The pin can telescopically receive the actuator. The actuator may include an asymmetric cam that is rotatable around the central axis of the pin. The structural component can be placed between two actuators, indicating the midpoint of the component. The structural component in this embodiment can also be a spar cap.
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