Wind turbine blade holding arrangement

Abstract

A wind turbine blade holding arrangement is described comprising a root frame for securing to a root portion of a blade; an airfoil clamp for arranging about an airfoil portion of the blade; and an airfoil frame for supporting the airfoil clamp wherein the root frame and tip clamp are realized for use in a first blade orientation in a first storage and transport stage of the blade and also for use in a second blade orientation in a second storage and transport stage of the blade, wherein the first and second blade orientations are essentially at right angles to each other. A method of handling a number of wind turbine blades is also described.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to European Application No. 13164914.7, having a filing date of Apr. 23, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY[0002]The invention describes a wind turbine blade holding arrangement, and a method of handling a number of wind turbine blades.BACKGROUND[0003]Rotor blades for wind turbines can be very long, easily reaching lengths of 100 meters or more for the larger wind turbines. The shape of a wind turbine rotor blade is quite complex, comprising an airfoil portion and also a circular root end portion for mounting to the hub of the wind turbine. The airfoil portion usually tapers to a fairly thin tip. It is important to transport such blades without damage from a factory site to an installation site, since any surface damage detracts from the blade's aerodynamic performance and can result in costly repairs. Measures to protect the blades during handling a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes an improved blade handling apparatus for wind turbines that can be used throughout the entire storage and transport stages of a blade, from manufacture to installation. This holds advantages such as reducing handling steps, saving costs, and minimizing damage to the blades. The holding arrangement also allows for a root end foot to stay mounted to the blade and to be later used in a final "parking" stage of the blade. Connecting struts can also be used to ensure lateral stability during sea transport. Overall, this patent offers a more efficient and safe way to handle wind turbine blades.

Problems solved by technology

The shape of a wind turbine rotor blade is quite complex, comprising an airfoil portion and also a circular root end portion for mounting to the hub of the wind turbine.

It is important to transport such blades without damage from a factory site to an installation site, since any surface damage detracts from the blade's aerodynamic performance and can result in costly repairs.

Measures to protect the blades during handling and transport contribute significantly to the overall cost of a wind turbine.

Furthermore, because of their complex shape and because of the size of the conventional supporting arrangements that must be used for support and protection during transport, only a relatively small number of blades can fit into standard transport facilities such as containers, or into transport vehicles or vessels with standard container size.

Here also, space is associated with cost, and the large volume occupied by the blades and any supporting or protective structures results in higher overall costs.

A considerable cost factor is the transfer of blades from one support apparatus to another, since the blades must be dismounted from one apparatus and moved or lifted—taking due care not to damage the blade—to the next apparatus.

The risk of blade damage increases with every transfer step.

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