Fiber mat, a component for a wind turbine, an apparatus for producing the fiber mat and a method for producing the fiber mat

Abstract

A fiber mat for use in the production of a component for a wind turbine, in particular a rotor blade, is provided. The component is curved at least in parts. The fiber mat includes several rovings being arranged side by side and being connected to one another in at least two connection areas, wherein at least one of the rovings is continuous between the at least two connection areas and wherein at least one of the rovings is discontinuous between the at least two connection areas. The fiber mat is advantageous in that the fiber mat can be laid along a curved path without producing wrinkles or crinkles at an inner edge of the fiber mat.

1 . A fiber mat for use in the production of a component for a wind turbine, the component being curved at least in parts, the fiber mat comprising
 several rovings being arranged side by side and being connected to one another in at least two connection areas,   wherein at least one of the rovings is continuous between the at least two connection areas and   wherein at least one of the rovings is discontinuous between the at least two connection areas.   
     
     
         2 . The fiber mat of  claim 1 ,
 wherein each roving is divided into sections and wherein gaps are provided between the sections of each roving.   
     
     
         3 . The fiber mat of  claim 2 ,
 wherein each section is connected to at least one of the connection areas.   
     
     
         4 . The fiber mat of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the gaps are positioned such that the gaps of neighboring rovings are arranged offset.   
     
     
         5 . The fiber mat of  claim 2 ,
 wherein a size of the gaps is are configured to be variable when laying the fiber mat on a curved path.   
     
     
         6 . The fiber mat of  claim 5 ,
 wherein the sections of a single roving are configured for moving relative to each other when laying the fiber mat on the curved path.   
     
     
         7 . The fiber mat of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the connection areas comprise stitching yarns.   
     
     
         8 . The fiber mat of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the rovings are made of glass fibers.   
     
     
         9 . A component for a wind turbine, the component being curved at least in parts, comprising
 at least one fiber mat in accordance with  claim 1 .   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for producing the fiber mat of  claim 1  for use in the production of a component for a wind turbine, the component being curved at least in parts, the apparatus comprising
 a connection unit for connecting several rovings being arranged side by side in at least two connection areas and 
 a cutting unit for cutting the rovings such that at least one of the rovings is continuous between the at least two connection areas and that at least one of the rovings is discontinuous between the at least two connection areas. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the connection unit is a stitching unit for stitching the rovings together in the at least two connection areas.   
     
     
         12 . A method for producing the fiber mat of  claim 1  for use in the production of a component for a wind turbine, the component being curved at least in parts, the method comprising
 a) arranging several rovings side by side, 
 b) connecting the rovings in at least two connection areas, and 
 c) cutting the rovings such that at least one of the rovings is continuous between the at least two connection areas and that at least one of the rovings is discontinuous between the at least two connection areas. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 ,
 wherein, when placing the fiber mat in a mold, the rovings are exposed to tension.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the rovings are cut before or after connecting the same to each other.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the rovings are connected by a stitching yarn.   
     
     
         16 . The fiber mat of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the component comprises a rotor blade.   
     
     
         17 . The component of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the component comprises a rotor blade.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the component comprises a rotor blade.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the component comprises a rotor blade.