DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to the field of manufacturing rotor blades, and more particularly to a sheet gripping system for manufacturing rotor blades.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most wind turbines are equipped with three blades, predominantly made of fiberglass. The size of these blades can vary, but typically, modern land-based wind turbines feature blades that exceed 170 feet (52 meters) in length. The largest wind turbine to date is GE's Haliade-X offshore model, boasting blades that are 351 feet (107 meters) long, roughly equivalent to the length of a football field. The rotation of the rotor is initiated when wind flows over the blades, causing a decrease in air pressure on one side. This pressure difference generates lift and drag, with lift being the dominant force, leading to the spinning of the rotor.

Rotor blades are the most critical and stressed parts of a wind turbine, designed to harness the wind's kinetic energy and convert it into rotary motion around a central hub. While the central hub rotates relatively slowly compared to the wind speed, the blade tips move at much higher velocities, especially in propeller-type designs, with longer blades resulting in faster tip speeds.

Traditionally, turbine blades are affixed to a steel hub through a detachable mechanical joint. These root joints bear substantial loads and undergo numerous load cycles, making them suitable candidates for segmentation due to existing expertise and similarities with joints for segmented blades.
Blades with a flange type root feature a flange moulded outward, which is then bolted to the hub. Fiber bundles can be looped around bushings within the flange for mechanical capture, a design known as the Hütter root connection.

In a traditional system, for manufacturing the root joint in a lay-up steel mould the glass fibre sheets are placed over the positive mould. Followed by clamping of multiple glass fibre sheets over the positive mould and thereafter, lowering the negative mould over the said positive mould and compressing the glass fibre sheets over the positive mould.

However, there are many limitations associated with the traditional method of moulding and sheet clamping. There is a need for improved and effective mechanisms clamping and gripping of multiple glass fibre sheets over the positive mould.

Thus, there is a need for improved and effective equipment for gripping of the sheets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following is a summary description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. It is provided as a preface to assist those skilled in the art to more rapidly assimilate the detailed design discussion which ensues and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims which are appended hereto in order to particularly point out the invention.
According to illustrative embodiments, the present invention focuses on a sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide the users with a useful or commercial choice.
An objective of the present invention is to develop an improved and effective equipment for clamping and gripping of the sheets.
Another objective of the present invention is to develop a reliable method for gripping of the sheets during moulding.
Another objective of the present invention is to reduce the risk of slippage of sheets during the clamping and gripping operations performed during moulding.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to reduce the time and cost associated with the clamping and gripping operations performed during moulding.
The present invention relates to aspects of a sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould. The system comprising an assembly of moulds having a positive mould, at least two negative moulds, and a mechanism for rotation. The system also comprising a plurality of apparatus for sheet gripping attached to the assembly of moulds and the apparatus for sheet gripping further comprises a gripper edge designed as a triangular prismatic structure. The apparatus for sheet gripping also comprises a gripper base plate located below the gripper edge and the gripper base plate configured to provide structural support to the gripper edge and the gripper base plate is designed as a rectangular structure. The apparatus for sheet gripping also comprises a pivot arm joined to the gripper base plate and the pivot arm configured to rigidly attach to the gripper base plate and the pivot arm includes at least two arms divided into a gripper section and a pivot section. The apparatus for sheet gripping also comprises a plate structure attached with the pivot arm and the plate structure configured to form the exterior of the apparatus for sheet gripping and the plate structure includes at least two body plates located parallel to each other. The plate structure also includes at least two parallel pivot holes placed parallelly on the body plates. The plate structure also includes a pivot pin passing through the parallel pivot holes. The plate structure also includes at least two fastening cleats designed as a rectangular piece attached in perpendicular to both of the body plates. The plate structure also includes at least two fastening holes placed on the fastening cleat to receive a fastener such as, a screw or a bolt. The apparatus for sheet gripping also comprises an actuating cylinder linked to the pivot arm and the actuating cylinder is configured to provide motion to the pivot arm.
The apparatus for sheet gripping also comprises an actuating arm connecting the actuating cylinder to the pivot arm and the actuating arm configured to transfer motion from the actuating cylinder to the pivot arm.
In an example implementation of the present invention, the apparatus for sheet gripping is configured to stabilise a glass fibre sheet and ensure the glass fibre conforms and holds the shape provided by the positive mould.
In an example implementation of the present invention, the fastening cleat face outward from the attached body plate in a manner that both the fastening cleats face away from each other.
In an example implementation of the present invention, the pivot arm has the arms arranged in a V-shape and therewithin is the gripper section and the pivot section forming an acute angle relative to each other.
In an example implementation of the present invention, the V-shaped pivot arm transfer the linear motion of the actuating arm of the actuating cylinder into the rotary motion of the pivot arm and thereafter to the rotary motion of the gripper edge.
In an example implementation of the present invention, the arms divided into the gripper section and the pivot section further have a pivot point hole located between the gripper section and the pivot section and the pivot point hole configured to connect the pivot arm to the body plates.
In an example implementation of the present invention, the arms divided into the gripper section and the pivot section further have an actuator connector hole located at the distal end of the pivot section and the actuator connector hole configured to connect the pivot arm to the actuating cylinder.
In an example implementation of the present invention, the top end of the actuating arm has an eye formed as a closed loop structure.
In an example implementation of the present invention, an actuator pin passes through the eye of the actuating arm and the actuator connector hole and the actuator pin locks the actuating arm and the pivot arm in a manner to allow linear motion and rotational motion.
In an example implementation of the present invention, the position of the actuating cylinder is locked relative to the body plates using at least one cylinder fastening point colinearly located on both the body plate.
In an example implementation of the present invention, the system also includes a locking device for locking a mould or a plurality of moulded parts formed by the assembly of mould in a joining position relative to each other and the locking device further comprises a plurality of closure arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the mould parts, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinder as an adjustment means coupled to the mould parts to move the closures arranged at the mould parts.
These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments and solves abovementioned limitations in the traditional system.
The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
These elements, together with the other aspects of the present invention and various features are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of the present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The accompanying drawing illustrates the embodiment of the invention and together with the following detailed description serves to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 1C illustrates a schematic view of the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 1D illustrates a detailed view of the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 1E illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of moulds in the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a gripper edge in the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates isometric view of the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;
FIG. 3B illustrates elevation view of the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 3C illustrates side view of the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of the gripper edge on the gripper base plate attached with the pivot arm in the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of the gripper edge on the gripper base plate attached with the pivot arm in the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of two body plates 126 in the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of an actuating cylinder in the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary actuating cylinder in the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 7A illustrates a schematic view of a locking device in the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention; and

FIG. 7B illustrates a detailed schematic view of a locking device in the sheet gripping system for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better explained with regard to the following description and accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present invention along with examples described herein and, should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. It is thus understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Further, for the sake of simplicity, and without limitation, the same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates a schematic view of the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 1D illustrates a detailed view of the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 1E illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of moulds 102 in the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

The system 100 may comprise an assembly of moulds 102, a plurality of apparatus for sheet gripping 110, a gripper edge 112, a gripper base plate 114, a pivot arm 116, a plate structure 124, an actuating cylinder 136, and an actuating arm 138.

The assembly of moulds 102 may have a positive mould 104, at least two negative moulds 106, and a mechanism for rotation 108.

In a preferred embodiment, the positive mould 104 may be for the moulding of the root joint. Referring to FIG. 1E, the positive mould 104 may be flanked by the one negative mould 106 on each side. For the moulding of the fibre sheets between the said positive and negative moulds, the negative mould 106 may be rotated along an axis between the negative mould 106 and the positive mould 104 using the mechanism of rotation 108.

In a preferred embodiment, the process of manufacturing the root joint in a lay-up steel mould includes clamping of a plurality of glass fibre sheet over the positive mould 104. Typically, at one instance a specific number of fibre glass sheets may be compressed between the positive mould 104 and the negative mould 106. Once the said numbers of the glass fibre sheets may be compressed between the positive mould 104 and the negative mould 106, the negative mould 106 may be lifted and another set of the specific number of glass fibre sheets may be placed on top of the previously compressed glass fibre sheets and the compressing process is repeated. The process may be repeated until the desired number of glass fibre sheets is reached.

The plurality of apparatus for sheet gripping 110 may be attached to the assembly of moulds 102 and the apparatus for sheet gripping 110 may further comprise the gripper edge 112, the gripper base plate 114, the pivot arm 116 and a plate structure 124.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamping of the plurality of glass fibre sheet over the positive mould 104 may be performed by the apparatus for sheet gripping 110. The apparatus for sheet gripping 110 may clamp the glass fibre sheets onto the positive mould 104 to hold the said glass fibre sheets in the intended position, to ensure that the glass fibres conform to the shape of the positive mould 104 and forms the final shape of the root joint.

The apparatus for sheet gripping 110 may be configured to stabilise a glass fibre sheet and ensure the glass fibre conforms and holds the shape provided by the positive mould 104.

In an embodiment of the present invention the glass fibre sheet may be stabilised at multiple points on its edges and for a particular root insert lay-up steel mould, the plurality of apparatus for sheet gripping 110 of sheets for root insert lay-up steel mould may be used to stabilise the glass fibre sheet.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the gripper edge 112 in the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

The gripper edge 112 may be designed as a triangular prismatic structure.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for sheet gripping 110 for the gripping of sheets for root insert lay-up steel mould may use the gripper edge 112 to clamp the glass fibre sheets against a surface of the positive mould 104 that stabilise the position of the glass fibre sheet over the positive mould 104.
FIG. 3A-3C illustrates different views of the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

The gripper base plate 114 may be located below the gripper edge 112 and the gripper base plate 114 configured to provide structural support to the gripper edge 112. The gripper base plate 114 may be designed as a rectangular structure.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the gripper base plate 114 may also connects the gripper edge 112 with the rest of the components of the apparatus for sheet gripping 110.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the said gripper base plate 114 may be attached to the pivot arm 116 at its long edge.

The pivot arm 116 may be joined to the gripper base plate 114 and the pivot arm 116 configured to rigidly attach to the gripper base plate 114. The pivot arm 116 may include at least two arms 118 divided into a gripper section 120 and a pivot section 122.

In a preferred embodiment, the gripper section 120 may be attached to the gripper base plate 114, and the pivot section 122 may be attached at an angle to the distal end of the gripper section 120.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the gripper edge 112 may be hollow. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the gripper edge 112 may be completely solid. In some embodiments, the gripper edge 112 is designed in a prismatic shape to increase the pressure generated at the edge. The actuating force may be received by flat face of the gripper edge 112 and thereafter the force may concentrate at an opposing vertex having much smaller area compared to the said flat face of the gripper edge 112.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the gripper edge 112 may be attached on the gripper base plate 114, in rectangular shape, by one of the faces of the gripper edge 112 in prismatic shape. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot arm 116 may be attached rigidly and perpendicularly to the proximal region of a long edge of the gripper base plate 114.

The pivot arm 116 may have the arms 118 arranged in a V-shape and therewithin is the gripper section 120 and the pivot section 122 forming an acute angle relative to each other.

The V-shaped pivot arm 116 may transfer the linear motion of the actuating arm 138 of the actuating cylinder 136 into the rotary motion of the pivot arm 116 and thereafter to the rotary motion of the gripper edge 112.

The arms 118 may be divided into the gripper section 120 and the pivot section 122 further have a pivot point hole 140 located between the gripper section 120 and the pivot section 122 and the pivot point hole 140 configured to connect the pivot arm 116 to the body plates 126.

The arms 118 may be divided into the gripper section 120 and the pivot section 122 further have an actuator connector hole 142 located at the distal end of the pivot section 122 and the actuator connector hole 142 configured to connect the pivot arm 116 to the actuating cylinder 136.

The plate structure 124 may be attached with the pivot arm 116 and the plate structure 124 configured to form the exterior of the apparatus for sheet gripping 110. The plate structure 124 may include at least two body plates 126, at least two parallel pivot holes 128, a pivot pin 130, at least two fastening cleats 132, and at least two fastening holes 134.

FIG. 4A and 4B illustrates respective top and front view of the gripper edge 112 on the gripper base plate 114 attached with the pivot arm 116 in the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the pivot arm 116 may be joined with the gripper base plate 114 at a point or points lying in the geometric central region of gripper base plate 114 to help in applying a force on the glass fibre sheets which is uniform along the length of the gripper edge 112.

The pivot arm 116 may have the arms 118 arranged in a V-shape and therewithin is the gripper section 120 and the pivot section 122 forming an acute angle relative to each other.

The V-shaped pivot arm 116 may transfer the linear motion of the actuating arm 138 of the actuating cylinder 136 into the rotary motion of the pivot arm 116 and thereafter to the rotary motion of the gripper edge 112.

The arms 118 may be divided into the gripper section 120 and the pivot section 122 further have a pivot point hole 140 located between the gripper section 120 and the pivot section 122 and the pivot point hole 140 configured to connect the pivot arm 116 to the body plates 126.

The arms 118 may be divided into the gripper section 120 and the pivot section 122 further have an actuator connector hole 142 located at the distal end of the pivot section 122 and the actuator connector hole 142 configured to connect the pivot arm 116 to the actuating cylinder 136.

In a preferred embodiment, the pivot point of the pivot arm 116 may be formed where the gripper section 120 and the pivot section 122 of the pivot arm 116 meet at an acute angle.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a pivot is affixed between the two body plates 126 may have no linear relative movement between the pivot arm 116 and the body plate 126 but may be capable of rotational movement.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the two body plates 126 in the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

The two body plates 126 may be located parallel to each other.

The two parallel pivot holes 128 may be placed parallelly on the body plates 126.

The pivot pin 130 may pass through the parallel pivot holes 128.

The fastening cleat 132 may be designed as a rectangular piece attached in perpendicular to both of the body plates 126.

The fastening cleat 132 may face outward from the attached body plate 126 in a manner that both the fastening cleats 132 face away from each other.

The fastening hole 134 may be placed on the fastening cleat 132 to receive a fastener such as, a screw or a bolt.

In a preferred embodiment, the pivot pin 130 passing through the distal end of the pivot arm 116, i.e., the actuator connector hole 142 acts as the centre of the said rotary motion of the griper edge 112. In a preferred embodiment, one end of the actuating arm 138 is connected to the actuating cylinder 136 and the other end of the actuating arm 114 is connected to the pivot arm 16 at a point in the proximal region of the pivot arm 116, i.e., the pivot point hole 140.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for sheet gripping 110 may be encased within the plate structure 124. In a preferred embodiment, the parallelly placed body plates 126 are provided with the parallel pivot holes 128 creates a pivot point when the pivot pin 130 is passed through it.

In a preferred embodiment, the edge of the body plate 126 on which the fastening cleat 132 is attached is the edge which is closer to the pivot point hole 140. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening cleat 132 may aid the apparatus for gripping sheets for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould by attaching rigidly to a surface of the positive mould of the mould system.

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the actuating cylinder 136 in the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary actuating cylinder 136 in the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

The actuating cylinder 136 may be linked to the pivot arm 116 and the actuating cylinder 136 is configured to provide motion to the pivot arm 116.

The actuating arm 138 may connect the actuating cylinder 136 to the pivot arm 116 and the actuating arm 138 configured to transfer motion from the actuating cylinder 136 to the pivot arm 116.

The top end of the actuating arm 138 may have an eye 144 formed as a closed loop structure.

An actuator pin 146 may pass through the eye 144 of the actuating arm 138 and the actuator connector hole 142 and the actuator pin 146 locks the actuating arm 138 and the pivot arm 116 in a manner to allow linear motion and rotational motion.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the eye 144 on the actuating arm 138 and actuator connector hole 142 located at the distal end of the pivot arm 116 linked by the actuator pin 146 may enable relative rotational motion with respect to the pivot arm 116 and the actuating arm 138.

The position of the actuating cylinder 136 may be locked relative to the body plates 126 using at least one cylinder fastening point 148 colinearly located on both the body plates 126.

In a preferred embodiment, the pivot arm 116 via the actuating cylinder 136 may be fastened to the body plates 126 through the cylinder fastening point 148 for stabilisation against linear relative motion.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuating cylinder 136 may be placed along the height of the body plate 126 and the gripper base plate 114 may be placed parallel to the width of the body plate 126. When the glass fibre sheets are placed on the positive mould 104, the edges of the said glass fibre sheets are required to be clamped onto the surface of the said positive mould, which may be performed by changing the direction of the gripper base plate 114 therewith the direction of the gripper edge 112.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuating cylinder 136 may provide actuation in a linear direction, enabling the movement in straight line for the eye 144 on the top of the actuating arm 138. Subsequently, there arises a need to convert the linear motion provided by the actuating cylinder 136 into a rotational motion. Thereafter, the linear motion of the actuating arm 138 may be converted to the rotating motion of the gripper edge 112 the pivot point created by the pivot pin 130 and design of the pivot arm 116 attached to the gripper base plate 114.

In a preferred embodiment, the gripper edge 112 may be rotated to come in contact with the glass fibre sheet, thereafter the actuating cylinder 136 may get activated which leads to the extension of the actuating arm 138, which in turn, leads to the rotation of the pivot arm 116 with the pivot point acting as the centre of the said rotational motion. As the pivot section 122 is rotated by the actuating arm 138, the gripper section 120 of the actuating arm 138 is also rotated leading to the movement of the gripper edge 112 onto the edge of the glass fibre sheets.

FIG. 7A illustrates a schematic view of the locking device 150 in the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 7B illustrates a detailed schematic view of the locking device 150 in the sheet gripping system 100 for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

The system 100 may also include a locking device 150 for locking a mould or a plurality of moulded parts formed by the assembly of mould 102 in a joining position relative to each other and the locking device 150 may further comprise a plurality of closure 152 arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the mould parts and a plurality of hydraulic cylinder 154 as an adjustment means coupled to the mould parts to move the closures 152 arranged at the mould parts.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic cylinder 154 may be coupled to the first mould that allows the movement of the first closure 152. With a second closure 152 connected to the second moulded part, the first adjusting part, i.e., the hydraulic cylinder 154 may be selectively brought into a closed position by a movement, at least in the joining direction, in which the moulded parts are locked relative to one another, and alternatively brought into an unlocking position, in which the moulded parts can be moved relative to each other.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain examples and implementations thereof, other implementations are also possible. As such, the present invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred examples and implementations contained therein.

,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:

1. A sheet gripping system (100) for manufacturing of root insert lay-up steel mould, the system (100) comprising:
a) an assembly of moulds (102) having a positive mould (104), at least two negative moulds (106), and a mechanism for rotation (108);
b) a plurality of apparatus for sheet gripping (110) attached to the assembly of moulds (102), the apparatus for sheet gripping (110) further comprises:
c) a gripper edge (112) designed as a triangular prismatic structure;
d) a gripper base plate (114) located below the gripper edge (112), the gripper base plate (114) configured to provide structural support to the gripper edge (112), wherein the gripper base plate (114) is designed as a rectangular structure;
e) pivot arm (116) joined to the gripper base plate (114), the pivot arm (116) configured to rigidly attach to the gripper base plate (114), wherein the pivot arm (116) includes at least two arms (118) divided into a gripper section (120) and a pivot section (122);
f) a plate structure (124) attached with the pivot arm (116), the plate structure (124) configured to form the exterior of the apparatus for sheet gripping (110), wherein the plate structure (124) includes:
g) at least two body plates (126) located parallel to each other;
h) at least two parallel pivot holes (128) placed parallelly on the body plates (126);
i) a pivot pin (130) passing through the parallel pivot holes (128);
j) at least two fastening cleats (132) designed as a rectangular piece attached in perpendicular to both of the body plates (126); and
k) at least two fastening holes (134) placed on the fastening cleat (132) to receive a fastener such as, a screw or a bolt;
l) an actuating cylinder (136) linked to the pivot arm (116), the actuating cylinder (136) configured to provide motion to the pivot arm (116);
m) an actuating arm (138) connecting the actuating cylinder (136) to the pivot arm (116), the actuating arm (138) configured to transfer motion from the actuating cylinder (136) to the pivot arm (116).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus for sheet gripping (110) is configured to stabilise a glass fibre sheet and ensure the glass fibre conforms and holds the shape provided by the positive mould (104).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening cleat (132) face outward from the attached body plate (126) in a manner that both the fastening cleats (132) face away from each other.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot arm (116) has the arms (118) arranged in a V-shape and therewithin is the gripper section (120) and the pivot section (122) forming an acute angle relative to each other.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the V-shaped pivot arm (116) transfer the linear motion of the actuating arm (138) of the actuating cylinder (136) into the rotary motion of the pivot arm (116) and thereafter to the rotary motion of the gripper edge (112).

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the arms (118) divided into the gripper section (120) and the pivot section (122) further have:
a) a pivot point hole (140) located between the gripper section (120) and the pivot section (122), the pivot point hole (140) configured to connect the pivot arm (116) to the body plates (126); and
b) an actuator connector hole (142) located at the distal end of the pivot section (122), the actuator connector hole (142) configured to connect the pivot arm (116) to the actuating cylinder (138).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, the top end of the actuating arm (138) has an eye (144) formed as a closed loop structure.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein an actuator pin (146) passes through the eye (144) of the actuating arm (138) and the actuator connector hole (142) and the actuator pin (146) locks the actuating arm (138) and the pivot arm (116) in a manner to allow linear motion and rotational motion.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position of the actuating cylinder (136) is locked relative to the body plates (126) using at least one cylinder fastening point (148) colinearly located on both the body plate (126).

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) also includes a locking device (150) for locking a mould or a plurality of moulded parts formed by the assembly of mould (102) in a joining position relative to each other and the locking device (150) further comprises:
a) a plurality of closure (152) arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the mould parts; and
b) a plurality of hydraulic cylinder (154) as an adjustment means coupled to the mould parts to move the closures (152) arranged at the mould parts.

Dated this 05th Day of June 2024
Signature:
Name: Bhavik Patel
Applicant’s Agent: IN/PA-1379
INFINVENT IP