Tip marking device for wind turbine blade

Abstract

Disclosed is a tip marking device (6) for making a tip end (2) of a wind turbine blade (1) more clearly visible, said tip marking device (6) comprising a sleeve part (7), the sleeve member (7) is made of an elastic material and is configured to be mounted around a tip end (2) of the wind turbine blade (1) such that at least an edge of the sleeve member (7) farthest from the tip end (2) of the wind turbine blade (1) at a first end of the sleeve member fits tightly around an outer surface of the wind turbine blade (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a tip marking device for making the tip end of a wind turbine blade more visible, in particular during transport and storage of the wind turbine blade. Background Art

[0002] As the length of wind turbine blades installed on new wind turbines increases, the problem of the tip end and often relatively long portion of the wind turbine blade protruding from vehicles transporting or temporarily storing the wind turbine blades increases.

[0003] This means that the risk of accidents where a moving vehicle strikes a wind turbine blade during transport or storage of the wind turbine blade simply because the driver of the vehicle fails to notice the protruding tip end of the blade is also increasing. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to make the tip ends of wind turbine blades more clearly visible during transport and storage of the blades in order to reduce the risk of damage to the wind turbine blades and vehicles, and in particular to reduce the risk of personal injury or, in severe cases, even death in such accidents.

[0004] A known solution to this problem is a so-called "tip guard", which is basically a bracket with two arms, both of which have a U-shaped cross-section, so that the two arms can grab around the leading and trailing edges of the wind turbine blade, respectively, when the bracket is pushed from the tip end of the wind turbine blade onto the wind turbine blade. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of such a tip guard is shown. The tip guard is typically made of a red foam material that is neither shiny nor reflective, so to make the tip guard more visible, a number of reflective stickers are mounted on the outer surfaces of the bracket arms and the body portion of the bracket connecting the two arms.

[0005] Many problems are known to be associated with the use of such tip protectors. The brackets are susceptible to degradation due to exposure to UV radiation, weather, and birds. Furthermore, the reflective stickers often fall off, and mold formation and discoloration on the surface of wind turbine blades are common. Furthermore, different types of wind turbine blades require different tip protectors, and the shape and size of the tip ends of wind turbine blades may vary. Furthermore, tip protectors take up a significant amount of space, with space for perhaps only five or six of them on a standard European shipping pallet.

[0006] However, the most significant problem appears to be that such tip protectors tend to fall off the wind turbine blade during transport and storage. The friction between the tip protector's arms and the surface of the wind turbine blade is insufficient to prevent the tip protector from simply sliding over the tip and off the wind turbine blade. Attempts are often made to secure the tip protector to the wind turbine blade by wrapping a fixing strap around the two arms, forcing them closer together. However, due to the material thickness of the two arms, this fixing strap is unable to contact and adhere to the surface of the wind turbine blade, and the fixing strap does not solve this problem. Furthermore, the fixing strap will typically cover some of the reflective stickers on the arms, making the tip of the wind turbine blade with the tip protector less visible.

[0007] US 2008 / 282590 A1 discloses a wind power device in the form of a jacket for providing easy daytime identification in contrast to the color marking of wind turbine blades. The device has a fixing device for releasably fixing the jacket to a rotor blade of the wind power device.

[0008] EP 2 213 587 A1 discloses a packaging for a blade of a wind power turbine, the packaging having at least one inflatable annular structure with a flat outer supporting wall and an inner clamping wall for clamping the blade in a given position. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution for making the tip end of a wind turbine blade more visible, in particular during transport and storage of the tip end of a wind turbine blade, which solution overcomes the disadvantages of the solutions known in the art as described above.

[0010] The present invention therefore relates to a tip marker device for making the tip end of a wind turbine blade more clearly visible, the tip marker device (6) comprising a sleeve member made of an elastic material and configured to be mounted around the tip end of the wind turbine blade such that at least an edge of the sleeve member at a first end of the sleeve member, which edge is furthest from the tip end of the wind turbine blade, fits tightly around the outer surface of the wind turbine blade.

[0011] Mounting a sleeve component around the tip end of a wind turbine blade is a quick, simple, and reliable way to enhance the visibility of the tip end. The use of an elastic material allows for a "one size fits all" solution and ensures that, in most cases, the sleeve component will fit tightly to the surface of the wind turbine blade along the entire inner surface of the sleeve component, or at least a substantial portion of the sleeve component. This is an improvement over the sleeve of US 2008 / 282590 A1, which requires cables to secure the sleeve to the wind turbine blade because the sleeve is not made of an elastic material that ensures the sleeve fits tightly around the outer surface of wind turbine blades of varying sizes. Similarly, EP 2 213 587 A1 does not disclose an elastic material that ensures the sleeve fits tightly around the outer surface of wind turbine blades of varying sizes, wherein the tip sleeve is positioned around the tip by means of inflation.

[0012] Furthermore, an advantage of the tip marker devices according to the invention is that, when they are not in use, they take up significantly less space than tip protectors known in the art. Thus, hundreds of such tip marker devices can be transported on a single standardized Euro transport pallet.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the tip marking device further comprises an end marking component at a second end of the sleeve component opposite to the first end of the sleeve component, the end marking component having an end marking surface, at least a portion of which is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wind turbine blade and facing away from the tip end of the wind turbine blade when the sleeve component is mounted around the tip end of the wind turbine blade.

[0014] For increased safety and to meet legal requirements in some countries, the tip marker device may be provided with an end marker member providing a visible surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wind turbine blade, the outer surface of the sleeve member extending in the longitudinal direction of the wind turbine blade.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve member is made of an elastic fabric or an elastic mesh or of an elastic polymer material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0016] The sleeve component of the tip marking device can, in principle, be made of any resilient material that allows the sleeve component to be mounted on the tip end of a wind turbine blade and fit tightly to its surface. However, due to weight, cost, and strength considerations, the above-mentioned materials have been found to be preferred. Furthermore, such materials are quick-drying and / or water-resistant, which significantly reduces the risk of mold formation and discoloration on the surface of the wind turbine blade.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the material from which the sleeve component is made is a high visibility material having luminescent and / or reflective properties and / or a color that is easily discernible from nearly any background.

[0018] Using a high-visibility material, such as a fabric used, for example, in the manufacture of so-called high-visibility garments for running and training, is advantageous because the fabric makes the sleeve components very visible and because the fabric is light and takes up very little space.

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve member is configured as a cylindrical or tapered tube before the sleeve member is mounted around the tip end of the wind turbine blade.

[0020] Depending on the shape of the tip end of a wind turbine blade with which the tip marker device is to be used, it may be advantageous to form the sleeve member as a tapered tube with a first end being wider than a second end of the tapered tube.

[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve member comprises an adhesive strip along an edge of the sleeve member at the first end portion for fastening the edge of the sleeve member to the outer surface of the wind turbine blade.

[0022] The adhesive tape is a simple and reliable means for ensuring that the edge at the first end of the sleeve component fits tightly around the outer surface of the wind turbine blade and remains in place during transport and storage of the wind turbine blade.

[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve component comprises one or more areas on an inner surface of the sleeve component, such as along an edge at a first end of the sleeve component, which are at least partially covered with a friction enhancing material, such as a rubber material.

[0024] The use of friction enhancing material on the inner surface of the sleeve component increases the ability of the sleeve component to remain in place during transportation and storage of the wind turbine blade. For example, small dots of friction enhancing material can be glued to the inner surface of the sleeve component, similar to solutions used in some work gloves.

[0025] In an embodiment of the invention, the friction enhancing material is incorporated into the material from which the sleeve component is made.

[0026] If the elastic material is a fabric or mesh, strips of threads formed from the friction enhancing material may, for example, be woven into the elastic material, or the two materials may be sewn together.

[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, the end marking component comprises a plate made of a solid material such as wood, metal or plastic, and wherein one side of the plate constitutes the end marking surface.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the end marking surface is a plane surface, which is easily obtained by using one of the sides of a solid plate for this purpose. The outer periphery of the plate can have any shape, such as a circle, triangle, square or octagon (like a stop sign in traffic).

[0029] In an embodiment of the invention, the end marking component comprises a plate or frame made of a solid material such as wood, metal, plastic or bamboo, and wherein the end marking surface consists of a flexible material covering said plate or frame.

[0030] In an embodiment of the invention, the flexible material is the same material as the elastic material from which the sleeve member is made.

[0031] Another advantageous way to achieve a suitable end-marking surface is to cover the plate or frame with a flexible material, such as the elastic material from which the sleeve component is made. If a frame is used, the mass of the tip marking device can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, using the same material for the end-marking surface as for the sleeve component means that the elastic material can be used to connect the sleeve component and the end-marking component and to hold the two components in place relative to each other.

[0032] In an embodiment of the invention, the end marking surface and / or the outer surface of the sleeve member is provided with one or more reflective markings, such as reflective stickers or adhesive reflective tape.

[0033] The use of reflective markings significantly increases visibility, and thereby improves safety, particularly at night and other times when there is not much daylight.

[0034] In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve component and / or the end marking surface are made of a fabric or mesh, and wherein the reflective marker is woven into or otherwise incorporated into the fabric or mesh.

[0035] If the elastic material is a fabric or mesh, strips of thread formed from the reflective material may be woven into the elastic material, or the two materials may be sewn together.

[0036] In an embodiment of the invention, when the sleeve member is mounted around the tip end of a wind turbine blade, the length of the sleeve member from the first end to the second end of the sleeve member is between 20 cm and 2 m, preferably between 40 cm and 80 cm.

[0037] Sleeve members having lengths within these ranges have proven to be sufficient and advantageous when it comes to holding the tip marking device in place around the tip end of a wind turbine blade during transport and storage of the wind turbine blade.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the area of ​​the end mark surface is 100 cm 2 and 5,000cm 2 Between, preferably 300cm 2 and 2,500cm 2 between 600cm and 1000cm 2 and 1,500cm 2 between.

[0039] It has been demonstrated that end marking surfaces within these ranges are clearly visible and yet are not too large to be difficult to handle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 shows a wind turbine blade as known in the art,

[0042] Figure 2 shows a tip protector as known in the art,

[0043] Figure 3 shows a tip marking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0044] Figure 4 Shown when installed around the tip end of a wind turbine blade Figure 3 The tip marking device shown in

[0045] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An end view of the tip marking device shown in,

[0046] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the tip marking device shown in FIG.

[0047] Figure 7 shows a tip marking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

[0048] Figure 8 shows a tip marking device according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0049] Figure 9 shows a tip marking device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,

[0050] Figure 10 Shown when installed around the tip end of a wind turbine blade Figure 9 The tip marking device shown in

[0051] Figure 11 shows a tip marking device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,

[0052] Figure 12 shows a tip marking device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention,

[0053] Figure 13 A tip marking device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown, and

[0054] Figure 14 A tip marking device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Figure 1 A wind turbine blade 1 as is known in the art is shown, having a tip end 2 and a root end 3, the root end being the end that is mounted to the hub of a wind turbine (not shown). To enable the wind turbine blade 1 to generate significant lift as it moves through the air, the cross-sectional shape of all modern wind turbine blades 1 is an airfoil having a leading edge 18 and a trailing edge 19.

[0056] Figure 2 A tip guard 4 as known in the art is shown. As mentioned above, the tip guard 4 comprises two arms that respectively grasp the leading edge 18 and the trailing edge 19 of the tip end 2 of the wind turbine blade 1. The tip guard 4 shown also comprises a plurality of reflective markings 5 ​​placed on the sides of the tip guard 4. As can be seen from Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG, such a conventional tip protector 4 is simply slid onto the tip end 2 of the wind turbine blade 1 and will easily slide off again.

[0057] Figure 3 A tip marker device 6 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, which has a sleeve member 7 and an end marker member 8. The sleeve member 7 is configured as a tapered cylindrical member, wherein the first end where the opening 9 is located is wider than the second end closest to the end marker member 8. Figure 3 It is also shown how the sleeve part 7 is provided with a reflective marking 5 and how the opening 9 has a width W1. The reflective marking 5 can be, for example, a reflective sticker adhered to the outer surface of the sleeve part, or the reflective marking 5 can be produced by weaving a reflective material into the fabric from which the sleeve part 7 is made.

[0058] Figure 4 Shown when installed around the tip end 2 of a wind turbine blade 1 Figure 3It can be seen how mounting the tip marker 6 around the tip end 2 involves stretching the elastic material of which the sleeve member 7 is made so that the width W2 of the opening 9 in the sleeve member 7 is now greater than Figure 3 The width W1 is shown in FIG.

[0059] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 . It should be noted that this is not an exact drawing, as can be seen, for example, from the elliptical shape of the sleeve part 7. Obviously, in real life, the inner surface 10 of the sleeve part 7, which is tightly fitted to the outer surface of the wind turbine blade 1 (not shown in this figure), will have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the airfoil of the wind turbine blade 1, see above. Figure 1 In addition, Figure 5 Shown is a plane A:A, along which a section is taken Figure 6 The cross-sectional view shown in .

[0060] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 , a cross-sectional view of the tip marker device 6 is shown in FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface 10 of the sleeve component 7 is provided with a plurality of areas that are completely or partially covered with a friction-enhancing material 11. This serves the purpose of increasing the friction between the sleeve component 7 and the outer surface of the wind turbine blade 1, thereby reducing the risk that the tip marker device 6 may slip from its correct position during transportation and storage of the wind turbine blade 1. For the same purpose, the sleeve component 7 is provided with a friction-enhancing material 11 and / or an adhesive tape 12 along the edge at the first end of the sleeve component 7.

[0061] Figure 6 It is also shown that in the illustrated embodiment, the end marking component 8 consists essentially of a plate 20, one side of which forms the end marking surface 13. One or more reflective markings 5 ​​are arranged on the end marking surface 13 for increasing the visibility of the end marking component 8, in particular at night and other times when there is not much daylight.

[0062] Figure 7 A tip marking device 6 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the end marking component 8 comprises a frame 14 covered with the same flexible material as used to manufacture the sleeve component 7, thereby forming an end marking surface 13 having the same properties as the outer surface of the sleeve component 7.

[0063] Obviously, some means is needed to hold the elastic material in place. Figure 7 The shape shown in the figure. Figure 8A tip marking device 6 according to a third embodiment of the invention is schematically illustrated, wherein this is achieved by means of an inextensible stitching 15 at the second end of the sleeve part 7. Other means for achieving the shape of the elastic material as shown in Figure 7 could be a tight rubber band or the like, which is arranged around the transition between the sleeve part 7 and the end marking part 8.

[0064] Figure 9 A tip marker device 6 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the tip marker device 6 consists solely of a sleeve member 7, on the outer surface of which a plurality of reflective markers 5 are arranged. When the sleeve member 7 is not mounted around the tip end 2 of the wind turbine blade 1, the sleeve member 7 is in the form of a simple cylindrical tube.

[0065] Figure 10 Shown when installed around the tip end 2 of a wind turbine blade 1 Figure 9 The tip marking device 6 shown in . Figure 10 The diagram illustrates how the elastic material of the sleeve member 7 is stretched, in particular at its first end, while fitting tightly onto the outer surface of the wind turbine blade 1. The outermost tip of the wind turbine blade 1 is covered by the tip marking device 6 on all sides around the longitudinal axis of the wind turbine blade 1, but its tip side is not covered by the tip marking device 6.

[0066] Figure 11 A tip marking device 6 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is similar to Figure 9 and Figure 10 , except that the sleeve member 7 is closed at its second end with a hemispherical portion, thereby also covering the tip side of the tip end 2 of the wind turbine blade 1 when the tip marking device 6 is mounted around the tip end 2 of the wind turbine blade 1.

[0067] Figure 12 A tip marking device 6 according to a sixth embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the sleeve member 7 is closed at its second end by gathering of elastic material, for example by sewing, gluing or bonding the elastic material together.

[0068] Figure 13 FIG. 1 shows a tip marking device 6 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, the sleeve part 7 is provided with a plurality of safety straps 16 which can be fastened to the outer surface of the wind turbine blade 1, for example by means of adhesive tapes 12, for further ensuring that the tip marker device 6 remains in place during transportation and storage of the wind turbine blade 1.

[0069] Figure 14 There is shown a tip marking device 6 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, which is very similar to Figure 13 , with the difference that the safety tape 17 is adhesive and thus adheres to the outer surface of the wind turbine blade 1 without any additional adhesive tape 12 being required.

[0070] As Figure 13 and Figure 14 The alternative of the safety belt shown in , a clamping mechanism in the form of one or more loops can be used, for example. The clamping mechanism can be positioned around the sleeve part 7, possibly close to the sleeve part opening 9.

[0071] It will be understood that the details and features of the different embodiments described above may be combined in many other ways than shown in the given examples, as will be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

[0072] Reference numerals

[0073] 1. Wind turbine blades

[0074] 2. The tip end of a wind turbine blade

[0075] 3. The root end of a wind turbine blade

[0076] 4. Tip protection (existing technology)

[0077] 5. Reflective Markers

[0078] 6.Tip marking device

[0079] 7. Sleeve parts

[0080] 8. End marking parts

[0081] 9. Sleeve component opening

[0082] 10 Inner surface of sleeve component

[0083] 11. Friction enhancing materials

[0084] 12. Adhesive tape

[0085] 13. End marking surface

[0086] 14.Frame for end marking components

[0087] 15. Stitched pieces

[0088] 16. Seat belts

[0089] 17. Sticky Seatbelts

[0090] 18. Leading edge of a wind turbine blade

[0091] 19. Trailing edge of a wind turbine blade

[0092] 20. Plates for end marking components

[0093] W1. The first width of the sleeve opening

[0094] W2. Second width of the sleeve opening

Claims

1. A tip marking device (6) for making the tip end (2) of a wind turbine blade (1) more clearly visible, the tip marking device (6) comprising a sleeve member (7) made of an elastic material and configured to be mounted around the tip end (2) of the wind turbine blade (1) such that at least an edge of the sleeve member (7) at a first end of the sleeve member (7) furthest from the tip end (2) of the wind turbine blade (1) fits tightly around the outer surface of the wind turbine blade (1).

2. The tip marking device (6) according to claim 1, further comprising an end marking component (8) at a second end of the sleeve component (7) opposite to the first end of the sleeve component (7), the end marking component (8) having an end marking surface (13), and when the sleeve component (7) is mounted around the tip end (2) of the wind turbine blade (1), at least a portion of the end marking surface (13) is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wind turbine blade (1) and away from the tip end (2) of the wind turbine blade (1).

3. The tip marking device (6) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The sleeve member (7) is made of elastic fabric or elastic mesh or made of elastic polymer material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or thermoplastic polyurethane.

4. The tip marking device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The material from which the sleeve member (7) is made is a high visibility material having luminescent and / or reflective properties and / or a color that is easily discernible from almost any background.

5. The tip marking device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The sleeve member (7) is configured as a cylindrical tube or a tapered tube before the sleeve member (7) is mounted around the tip end (2) of a wind turbine blade (1).

6. The tip marking device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The sleeve member (7) comprises an adhesive tape (12) along the edge at the first end of the sleeve member (7) for fastening the edge of the sleeve member (7) to the outer surface of the wind turbine blade (1).

7. The tip marking device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The sleeve part (7) comprises one or more areas on an inner surface (10) of the sleeve part (7), the one or more areas, such as along the edge at the first end of the sleeve part (7), the one or more areas being at least partially covered with a friction enhancing material (11), such as a rubber material.

8. The tip marking device (6) according to claim 7, wherein: The friction enhancing material (11) is incorporated into the material from which the sleeve member (7) is made.

9. The tip marking device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The end marking component (8) comprises a plate (20) made of a solid material such as wood, metal or plastic, and wherein one side of the plate constitutes the end marking surface (13).

10. The tip marking device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein The end marking component (8) comprises a plate (20) or a frame (14) made of a solid material such as wood, metal, plastic or bamboo, and wherein the end marking surface (13) is composed of a flexible material covering the plate (20) or frame (14).

11. The tip marking device (6) according to claim 10, wherein: The flexible material is the same material as the elastic material that the sleeve member (7) is made of.

12. The tip marking device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The end marking surface (13) and / or the outer surface of the sleeve member (7) is provided with one or more reflective markings (5), such as reflective stickers or adhesive reflective tapes.

13. The tip marking device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The sleeve member (7) and / or the end marking surface (13) are made of a fabric or a mesh, and wherein the reflective marker (5) is woven into or otherwise incorporated into the fabric or mesh.

14. The tip marking device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The sleeve member (7) is provided with a plurality of safety straps (16, 17) configured for fastening to the outer surface of the wind turbine blade (1).

15. The tip marking device (6) according to claim 14, wherein The plurality of safety straps (16) are configured for being fastened to the outer surface of the wind turbine blade (1) by means of adhesive tape (12).

16. The tip marking device (6) according to claim 14, wherein The plurality of safety tapes (17) are adhesive and are configured to adhere to the outer surface of the wind turbine blade (1) without requiring any additional adhesive tape (12).

17. The tip marking device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein When the sleeve member (7) is mounted around the tip end (2) of a wind turbine blade (1), the length of the sleeve member (7) from the first end of the sleeve member (7) to the second end of the sleeve member (7) is between 20 cm and 2 m, preferably between 40 cm and 80 cm.

18. The tip marking device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The area of ​​the end mark surface (13) is 100cm 2 and 5,000cm 2 Between, preferably 300cm 2 and 2,500cm 2 between 600cm and 1000cm 2 and 1,500cm 2 between.

Images