Transport container for wind turbine blades

Abstract

A modularly extendible container system for transporting wind turbine blades is disclosed. The extendible container system includes at least one module (50, 52) configured to be connected to other modules. The module includes a box-shaped frame and corrugated side walls attached to the frame. The extendable container system further includes a connecting member positioned at each end of the module for connection between the module and the other module to extend the length of the container system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to transportation containers. In particular, the present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for containing and transporting wind turbine blades. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Turbine blades, such as wind turbine blades used to generate electrical power from the wind, are precision made instruments and can be extremely large (e.g., some exceeding 160 feet in length and 12 feet in width). These large turbine blades require protection while being transported from where the turbine blades are manufactured to the site where the turbine blades will be used. Because of their fragility and size, design of containers for transporting wind turbine blades poses many challenges and obstacles that need to be overcome. [0003] One challenge in designing containers for transporting large turbine blades is that the container should protect the blades from damage that would degrade their performance. In other words, strong con...

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Benefits of technology

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for shipping wind turbine blades is provided. The method comprises connecting at least two modular containers to form a container that is large enough to fit at least one wind turbine blade, loading the wind turbine blade into the container, and tilting the wind turbine blade so that the widest portion of the wind turbine blade is positioned at oblique angle with respect to the container, such that the height of the container is reduced.

Problems solved by technology

Because of their fragility and size, design of containers for transporting wind turbine blades poses many challenges and obstacles that need to be overcome.

One challenge in designing containers for transporting large turbine blades is that the container should protect the blades from damage that would degrade their performance.

Another challenge associated with designing a container large enough to contain a wind turbine blade is that the container should be designed to minimize its weight to reduce transportation costs yet still be strong enough to protect the turbine blade.

Having all the containers sized to fit the largest blade would create unnecessary weight and space when transporting smaller blades.

This option, however, would create a complex logistical problem of ensuring that a container of the proper size was available for each shipment.

This problem is exacerbated by the fact that transport of wind turbine blades is sometimes accomplished by sending the blades across oceans on slow-moving vessels.

Further, this option would increase the manufacturing cost of the containers due to size variations in the manufacturing process.

However, processes involved with connecting and separating the sectional containers are cumbersome and time-consuming.

Furthermore, since the conventional containers used for wind turbine blades are constructed with a lattice frame design whose structural strength is typically limited, the conventional containers may be subject to fracture during the loading and offloading processes because long wind turbine containers are loaded on and off of transportation media as one unit.

This limitation on the structural strength restricts the length of the container system, preventing accommodation of the largest turbine blades.

Another challenge associated with designing a large container is that the container should be compatible with different modes of transportation.

One of the problems associated with transporting large loads overland is the height restriction of the load.

Another problem associated with the conventional containers for turbine blades is the fact that the containers are not stackable on top of each other.

Since conventional containers have their tops opened, the containers cannot be stacked in layers without damaging the blade contained in the bottom container.

Furthermore, since the frame of the conventional containers are not strong enough, the conventional containers cannot support another containers on the top.

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