Tool kits and methods for replacing blade bearings, and methods for operating wind turbines.

Abstract

A method for replacing a previously installed blade bearing (1) with a replacement blade bearing (2) in a wind turbine (3), the method comprising the steps of: - orienting a rotatable component (4) of the wind turbine (3) into a maintenance position (5) in which the previously installed blade bearing (1) is arranged on the underside of the rotatable component (4); - disconnecting a rotor blade (6) from the previously installed blade bearing (1) and lowering the rotor blade (6) to create a free space (7) below the previously installed blade bearing (1); - installing a maintenance platform (8) within the free space (7) by: attaching a connecting device (9) for the maintenance platform (8) to the rotatable component (4) of the wind turbine (3) and / or at least one support component (10) in such a manner that the weight of the maintenance platform (8) is at least partially supported by the rotatable component (4) and / or the support component (10); - Remove the previously installed blade bearing (1) from the rotatable component (4) and install the replacement blade bearing (2) onto the rotatable component (4), wherein the previously installed blade bearing (1) is on the maintenance platform (8) during and / or after its removal, and / or wherein the replacement blade bearing (2) is on the maintenance platform (8) before and / or during its installation, and unload the maintenance platform (8) and connect the rotor blade (6) to the replacement blade bearing (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for replacing previously installed blade bearings with replacement blade bearings in wind turbines, particularly in offshore wind turbines, and even more particularly in floating offshore wind turbines. Additionally, this invention relates to a toolkit for replacing previously installed blade bearings with replacement blade bearings in wind turbines, and a method for operating wind turbines and / or for feeding electrical and / or chemical energy to power and / or chemical and / or electrical storage devices. Background Technology

[0002] Wind turbines, especially offshore wind turbines, are large structures, making maintenance of components mounted on top of the turbine tower technically challenging. Such maintenance tasks include, for example, replacing the blade bearings of the turbine rotor blades, which may fail and require replacement during the turbine's lifespan.

[0003] For land-based wind turbines, this task can be performed by the following steps: using a ground-based crane to lower the rotor blades supported by the previously installed blade bearings to the ground; then, after removing the previously installed blade bearings, lower them to the ground; then raise the replacement blade bearings from the ground and attach them to the wind turbine; and then, raise and attach the previously lowered rotor blades to the installed replacement blade bearings.

[0004] For offshore wind turbines fixed to the seabed, the blade bearings can be replaced using essentially the same method, where a ground-based crane is replaced by a crane on a jack-up vessel, which also serves as the lowering area for the rotor blades and blade bearings.

[0005] As wind turbines grow larger, increasingly larger cranes and jack-up vessels become necessary for this task, significantly increasing the complexity and cost of maintenance operations. The procedures discussed also become problematic when replacing blade bearings in floating wind turbines. Since this type of wind turbine is typically deployed in deep water, the use of jack-up vessels is usually impossible, and even in some cases where they are theoretically feasible, it will be necessary to somehow impede or compensate for the relative movement of the crane and the wind turbine. Currently, replacing bearings in floating wind turbines therefore requires towing the wind turbine into shallow water and anchoring it there to allow the previously discussed methods to be used.

[0006] The objective problem is to provide an optimized solution for replacing the blade bearings of wind turbines and avoiding their drawbacks, particularly optimizing the workload and cost of such replacement. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect, the problem is solved by providing a method for replacing a previously installed blade bearing with a replacement blade bearing in a wind turbine, particularly in an offshore wind turbine, and further particularly in a floating offshore wind turbine, the method comprising the following steps: - Orient the rotatable component of the wind turbine that carries the previously installed blade bearing into a service position, in which the previously installed blade bearing is positioned under the rotatable component. - Disconnect the rotor blades from the previously installed blade bearings and lower the rotor blades to create free space below the previously installed blade bearings. - The maintenance platform is installed in free space by the following steps: the connecting devices for the maintenance platform are attached to the rotatable parts and / or at least one support member of the wind turbine in such a way that the weight of the maintenance platform is at least partially supported by the rotatable parts and / or the support member. - Remove the previously installed blade bearing from the rotatable component and install a replacement blade bearing onto the rotatable component, wherein the previously installed blade bearing is located on the maintenance platform during and / or after its removal, and / or wherein the replacement blade bearing is located on the maintenance platform before and / or during its installation, and - Unload the maintenance platform and connect the rotor blades to the replacement blade bearings.

[0008] In particular, this problem is addressed by providing the method and toolkit according to the independent claims.

[0009] The installation of the maintenance platform avoids the need to lower previously installed blade bearings to the ground or the deck of a vessel (e.g., a jack-up ship) and / or to lift replacement bearings from the ground or the deck of a vessel. As discussed in more detail below, this allows the use of cranes that are part of the wind turbine or can be mounted on components of the wind turbine to perform all or most of the lifting tasks necessary during the replacement procedure. Therefore, the use of ground-based or vessel-based cranes can be avoided, or at least limited to tasks that are less sensitive to relative movement between the crane and the wind turbine and / or require less time. This reduces the cost and time requirements of maintenance and, in particular, allows for the replacement of blade bearings on floating wind turbines at their operating location without first towing them into shallow water.

[0010] In the method according to the invention, it is potentially possible to perform any lifting task that a crane on or mounted on a wind turbine cannot perform, using a helicopter or some other flying device. This allows for maintenance of wind turbines at substantially any height without needing to determine the size of the one or more cranes used. Since the weight of the maintenance platform is at least partially supported by one or more components of the wind turbine, the relative movement between the maintenance platform and the rotatable and other related components of the wind turbine can be negligible or at least very small.

[0011] In this document, the invention will be discussed primarily using a global coordinate system encompassed by a vertical direction and a horizontal plane. The vertical direction generally coincides with the main extension direction of the wind turbine tower. In the horizontal plane, wind direction is particularly relevant and can be distinguished as upwind and leeward. During normal operation of the wind turbine, the hub (or generally, the portion of the rotor that carries the rotor blades) will be oriented upwind. Therefore, upwind corresponds to the forward direction and is generally the direction away from the nacelle and / or tower of the wind turbine. In other words, it is assumed that the rotor blades are arranged upwind of the tower and the tower is positioned leeward of the rotor blades. The direction orthogonal to the upwind direction in the horizontal plane can be referred to as the crosswind direction.

[0012] In the maintenance position, the axis of rotation of the previously installed blade bearing can be substantially vertical, for example, at an angle of less than 30° or less than 15° to the vertical direction. The rotatable component is specifically formed by or connected to the rotor of a wind turbine, and can be formed, for example, by the hub of a wind turbine. The axis of rotation of the rotatable component can be substantially horizontal, for example, at an angle of less than 30° or less than 15° to the horizontal plane.

[0013] In many wind turbines, at least the outer ends of the turbine blades may extend at an angle to the vertical direction to increase the distance between the tower and the tips of the rotor blades during operation. While this can be achieved through appropriate shaping of the rotor blades themselves, it is additionally or alternatively possible that the axis of rotation of the corresponding blade bearing is tilted upwind to increase this distance, thus defining a lower threshold for the angle between the axis of rotation of the blade bearing and the vertical direction, which can be achieved by rotating the rotatable components.

[0014] The maintenance platform can be installed in the free space between the previously installed blade bearings and the lowered rotor blades, while the lowered rotor blades are attached to rotatable components or other parts of the wind turbine via blade attachment devices.

[0015] Installing a maintenance platform while the rotor blades are still attached has several advantages. Firstly, in this configuration, the rotor blades do not need to be lowered to the ground or the ship's deck. This allows, in particular, the lowering of the rotor blades without the use of ground-based or ship-based cranes. Additionally, a dedicated lowering area (e.g., on a ship's deck) is not required to hold the lowered rotor blades during blade bearing replacement. Secondly, the lowered rotor blades can be used to provide additional support for the maintenance platform.

[0016] The blade attachment device may include wires, via which descending rotor blades are connected to a rotatable component and / or at least one additional rotor blade attached to the rotatable component.

[0017] While the initial descent of the rotor blades to at least a portion of the descent distance can be performed, for example, by a piston driven by a hydraulic actuator, the use of a line to support the rotor blades in their descent position allows for a greater extension of free space in the horizontal direction. Although the piston for lowering the rotor blades is preferably positioned within the diameter of the blade bearing and extends in at least a near-vertical direction, the line for supporting the rotor blades can preferably extend at an angle to the vertical direction, for example, when the unattached ends of the line are held at a diameter far exceeding the outer diameter of the blade. This allows for free space, and therefore the maintenance platform extends in the horizontal plane beyond the outer diameter of the blades in all directions, thus allowing for more robust support and better handling of the blade bearings. The increased free space can additionally or alternatively facilitate the installation of the maintenance platform.

[0018] Each corresponding wire can be attached, for example, to an eyelet or a similar fastener to the rotor blade. The corresponding fastener can be attached to the rotor blade, specifically via bolts, which can be screwed into corresponding threaded openings for attaching the rotor blade to the blade bearing, for example, by the corresponding bolts during normal operation of the wind turbine.

[0019] A favorable connection providing ample free space can be achieved, for example, by arranging a corresponding loop around each of the two additional rotor blades. This corresponding loop can then be connected to the rotor blade by a corresponding additional wire. The length of the corresponding loop and / or the downward extension of the corresponding additional wire can be controlled, for example, via a winch or some other actuator.

[0020] At least one pair of wires can be horizontally pushed apart by an extension component that guides the pair of wires before and / or after the service platform is installed. The extension component can be installed, for example, before the service platform is installed to allow for a wider gap between the wires, through which the service platform will be inserted.

[0021] However, using extension components after the maintenance platform is installed can be advantageous. In this case, the extension components can be, for example, part of or attached to the maintenance platform, and / or can be used, for example, to extend a pair of lines after the maintenance platform is installed. The extension components can be used to improve access to the maintenance platform. This can be useful for allowing, for example, easier lifting of replacement blade bearings onto the maintenance platform via a crane and / or lifting of previously installed blade bearings off the support platform.

[0022] While extension components can in principle be installed at a higher vertical position than the maintenance platform, an arrangement at a lower height (especially below the maintenance platform) can be advantageous to allow unobstructed access to the maintenance platform from above, for example, for cranes.

[0023] The extension component can be, for example, a rigid bar with guides for the respective lines of the pair at each end, or a telescopic bar that can be extended by the actuator to extend the lines after the actuator is connected to the pair of lines.

[0024] Additionally or alternatively, the blade attachment device may include at least one offsetting member, wherein at least one of the lines is connected via a corresponding offsetting member to a descending rotor blade or rotatable component or another rotor blade or a plurality of other rotor blades, wherein the corresponding line is connected to the corresponding offsetting member at a connection point horizontally spaced from the descending rotor blade and / or rotatable component and / or the corresponding other rotor blade. The horizontal extension between the lines (especially in the vertical range where a maintenance platform is mounted) can be increased by using the at least one offsetting member to horizontally offset the connection point of at least one of the lines.

[0025] The steps of installing the maintenance platform may include installing additional connecting devices to attach the maintenance platform to the descending rotor blades. This can improve accessibility to the maintenance platform from above, which is particularly relevant when the method involves placing replacement blade bearings onto the maintenance platform by a crane and / or removing previously installed blade bearings from the maintenance platform.

[0026] Limiting the number of connections from the maintenance platform to rotating components or any other components of the wind turbine located above the maintenance platform can be advantageous to improve access to the maintenance platform. In an advantageous embodiment, only two of these connections may be used. While such a limited number of connections may be sufficient to support the weight of the maintenance platform and one or more blade bearings located on it, it may be advantageous to provide additional support to the maintenance platform in this case to prevent it from tilting. This additional support may be provided by the descending rotor blades via connecting devices. This connection serves only to prevent the maintenance platform from tilting. In this case, using lines as connecting devices may, for example, be sufficient. However, it may be advantageous to use load-bearing connecting devices (e.g., at least one support beam) between these components.

[0027] As discussed in more detail below, it is possible to allow the maintenance platform to move vertically to increase or decrease the distance to the rotatable components. In this case, the connecting devices can be shortened or lengthened to compensate for changes in the distance between the descending rotor blades and the maintenance platform. This can be achieved, for example, by using a winch to shorten and lengthen the connecting line or by using a telescopic push rod as a connecting device or as part of a connecting device.

[0028] The push rod can be mounted to a tower or tower platform, which is mounted to the tower, wherein the end of the push rod, specifically shaped as a fork, receives the supported section of the descending rotor blade. The supported section of the rotor blade can be located, specifically, in the lower 20% or 40% of the rotor blade. The push rod can push the lower end of the rotor blade away from the tower. When at least a portion of the rotor blade extends at an angle to the vertical direction during normal operation of the wind turbine, as discussed above, once the rotor blade disconnects from the previously installed blade bearing, the torque due to gravity will generally push the rotor blade toward the push rod. If necessary, additional securing tools (e.g., guy ropes extending across the side of the descending rotor blade away from the tower and, for example, attached to the tower platform or tower) can be used to further stabilize the position of the lower portion of the descending rotor blade.

[0029] The push rod can be telescopic to allow adjustment of the position of its end as it contacts the descending rotor blade, and thus to allow adjustment of the distance between the supported section and the tower. This is particularly useful when the push rod is used to support the rotor blade as it is descending and / or as it is being raised back to the replacement bearing.

[0030] The use of fork-shaped pushers can be advantageous because this shape can also support the descending rotor blades in relation to movement along the crosswind direction.

[0031] Tower platforms can be, in particular, platforms that are formed as part of a transition between the lower tower section and the upper tower section and / or can be located in the lower half of the tower.

[0032] The rotor blade can be lowered to at least the first part of the descent distance by means of the following steps: the bolts attached to the rotor blade are displaced parallel to the axis of rotation of the previously installed blade bearing by at least one actuator.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the rotor blades can be lowered to at least a second portion of the descent distance by using a winch to lower lines that connect the rotor blades to a rotatable component and / or at least one additional rotor blade attached to the rotatable component.

[0034] Preferably, an actuator is used to displace the bolts parallel to the axis of rotation to initially lower the rotor blades through the first portion of the descent distance. The corresponding bolts may extend through corresponding through-holes in the blade bearings. The actuators may be, for example, hydraulic or electric actuators. The through-holes can be used, particularly during normal operation of the wind turbine, to attach the rotor blades to the blade bearings. This portion of the descent process will be described in more detail later.

[0035] Following this initial descent, the contact surfaces at the blade root, which are attached to the blade bearing during normal operation of the wind turbine, are exposed. In this intermediate descent position, bolts and / or actuators used to displace these bolts can be disconnected and / or wires can be connected to the rotor blades, as discussed above. These wires can then be used to perform a further descent through a second portion of the descent distance.

[0036] While it is theoretically possible to achieve the full descent distance using a hydraulic actuator, winch, or some other descent device, the combination discussed is particularly advantageous. During the initial descent, any tilting of the rotor blades should be avoided to prevent damage to the wind turbine. Therefore, the force distribution across the upper surface of the blade root should be carefully controlled, especially when the rotor blade's center of gravity is offset relative to the axis of rotation of the blade bearing and / or when the axis of rotation is at an angle to the vertical, as gravity exerts a torque on the rotor blade in both cases. Since it is generally not possible to apply this descent force (which compensates for this torque) to the various portions of the upper surface of the blade root using a line, this portion of the descent is advantageously performed by shifting bolts. In many cases, such as when using a hydraulic piston as an actuator, achieving a sufficient descent distance solely by this method would require a fairly large actuator. Therefore, the second part of the descent process can advantageously be performed using a line and a winch.

[0037] To lower the blades using a hydraulic actuator, some of the bolts that previously connected the blade bearings to the rotor blades can be removed during the preparation step. These bolts typically extend through the corresponding through-holes in the previously installed blade bearings. Longer bolts can then be inserted into these through-holes and connected to the rotor blades, for example, by screwing these bolts into the threaded openings of the rotor blades.

[0038] These longer bolts can be installed onto corresponding actuators, which can be supported, for example, by the previously installed blade bearings themselves and / or other components of the wind turbine. The actuators can be, for example, hydraulic or electric actuators, which can cause the newly installed longer bolts to move downwards to lower the blades and / or upwards to raise the blades.

[0039] Once the actuators are installed, the rotor blades can be supported by these actuators, and thus the remaining bolts connecting the rotor blades to the previously installed blade bearings can be removed.

[0040] Once these additional bolts are removed, the actuators can be actuated to lower the rotor blades by vertically displacing the corresponding bolts connected to the respective actuators. Because rigid bolts are used to connect the respective actuators to the corresponding sections of the blade bearings, the actuators can apply thrust and / or pull to the corresponding sections at the blade root. This can be used, for example, to compensate for torque applied to the rotor blades by gravity when the rotor blade's center of gravity is not vertically positioned below the center of the previously installed blade bearings.

[0041] Cranes used for installing components of a wind turbine into its nacelle or in the upper third of the wind turbine tower can be used for: -Install and maintain the maintenance platform, and / or - Place the replacement bearing on the maintenance platform, and / or Remove the previously installed bearing from the maintenance platform.

[0042] Because the maintenance platform is installed relatively close to the rotatable components and therefore relatively close to the top of the nacelle and / or tower, the location is easily accessible by a crane installed in the location in question. Such a crane is often already present in the wind turbine during normal operation, or it can be installed during the preparation phase.

[0043] Extending the reach of a crane can be advantageous before using it for all or some of the purposes given above, for example, by extending the crane's boom by installing a jib. This may be necessary, for example, when the crane is part of the wind turbine during normal operation and can be used to lift supplies airlifted to a platform on top of the nacelle to different locations on the wind turbine. Without such an extension, the crane may not be able to reach all the necessary locations for the methods discussed. The use of jibs for cranes is well known from other applications and will therefore not be discussed in detail. Utilizing an additional jib to extend the crane allows the methods discussed to be implemented with relatively little cost and effort.

[0044] The wind turbine may include a storage platform disposed on top of or attached to the nacelle or in the upper third of the wind turbine tower, wherein the steps of installing the maintenance platform include: moving the maintenance platform from the storage platform to free space, and / or wherein the steps of unloading the maintenance platform include: moving the maintenance platform from the free space to the storage platform, and / or wherein a previously installed blade bearing is moved from the maintenance platform to the storage platform after its removal, and / or wherein a replacement blade bearing is moved from the storage platform to the maintenance platform before its installation.

[0045] The maintenance platform and / or replacement blade bearing can be placed on the storage platform by helicopter or some other type of air transport, or for example by a marine crane. After the blade bearing replacement is completed, the maintenance platform and / or the previously installed blade bearing can be removed from the storage platform in the same manner. Because the precision required for placing and / or removing these components on the storage platform is less than the precision required for handling these components during other steps of the method, relative movement of the helicopter or external crane relative to the storage platform is acceptable.

[0046] It is also possible to use a vessel (e.g., a jack-up vessel) and / or the ground as a lowering area for the maintenance platform and / or previously installed blade bearings and / or replacement blade bearings. This avoids the need for a storage platform or, for example, reduces the load placed on a storage platform. Therefore, it is possible that the steps of installing the maintenance platform include moving it from the vessel or the ground to free space, and / or the steps of unloading the maintenance platform include moving it from free space to the vessel or the ground, and / or moving previously installed blade bearings from the maintenance platform to the vessel or the ground after their removal, and / or moving replacement blade bearings from the vessel or the ground to the maintenance platform before their installation. The two methods can be combined, for example, by using a storage platform to store the maintenance platform before and after its use, and by using a vessel or the ground to support the corresponding blade bearings.

[0047] Instead of moving the replacement bearing to the maintenance platform after installation, it is also possible that the replacement bearing is already positioned on the maintenance platform when it is moved to free space and installed. Alternatively, the previously installed blade bearing may initially remain on the maintenance platform and be removed from free space along with the maintenance platform during unloading.

[0048] The maintenance platform may include: a mounting section that connects to rotatable parts and / or support components of the wind turbine after the maintenance platform is installed; and a sliding section that is movable relative to the mounting section along a movement path. Previously installed blade bearings may then be positioned on the sliding section during and / or after their removal, and / or replacement blade bearings may be positioned on the sliding section before and / or during their installation.

[0049] The sliding part can be moved along the movement path after the previously installed blade bearing is removed and placed on the sliding part of the maintenance platform to move the previously installed blade bearing horizontally away from the previously installed position of the previously installed blade bearing, and / or the sliding part can be moved along the movement path before the replacement blade bearing is installed on the rotatable part to move the replacement blade bearing toward the previously installed position of the previously installed blade bearing.

[0050] The movement of the sliding part after the previously installed blade bearing is removed and placed on the sliding part, and the movement of the sliding part before the replacement blade bearing is installed on the rotatable part, can be the same (especially linear) movement of the sliding part.

[0051] Preferably, the previously installed blade bearing moves substantially vertically downward during its removal. It may, for example, be pushed onto or lowered onto a support platform during the process and / or descend with the support platform. Therefore, the horizontal position of the previously installed blade bearing typically does not change, or hardly changes, during its removal from the rotatable component.

[0052] In an advantageous embodiment, the sliding portion has a free area below the mounting position of the previously installed blade bearing and thus below the rotatable component, and an additional area extending beyond that area, for example, in the crosswind direction. The replacement blade bearing may already be located in the additional area when the maintenance platform is installed or placed there after the maintenance platform is installed. Since the additional area preferably extends beyond the area of ​​the maintenance platform covered by the rotatable component, the replacement blade bearing can be easily placed in the additional area, for example, by a crane.

[0053] After the previously installed blade bearing is unloaded, it can be located in the free area. By moving the sliding part, in particular linearly, the previously free area of ​​the sliding part, including the previously installed blade bearing, can be moved out of the area below the rotatable component, while simultaneously moving the other area, and therefore the replacement blade bearing, below the mounting position for the blade bearing. Therefore, the replacement blade bearing can be easily installed, while the previously installed blade bearing can be easily accessed by a crane or similar device to remove it from the maintenance platform.

[0054] However, the use of the sliding portion is also advantageous when the sliding portion carries only one blade bearing at a time during the execution of this method. For example, it is possible to first position the sliding portion below the previously installed blade bearing, thereby allowing it to be pushed onto or lowered onto the sliding portion when unloading the previously installed blade bearing. Once the previously installed blade bearing rests on the sliding portion, the sliding portion can be moved out of the area below the rotatable component to allow easy access to the surface of the sliding portion by a crane. In this position, the previously installed blade bearing can therefore be easily lifted from the sliding portion and placed, for example, on a storage platform. A replacement blade bearing can then be placed onto the sliding portion, for example, from the storage platform. Afterward, the sliding portion can be moved below the rotatable component to allow easy installation of the replacement blade bearing.

[0055] The maintenance platform may include a retaining surface, wherein a previously installed blade bearing rests on the retaining surface during and / or after its removal, and / or wherein a replacement blade bearing rests on the retaining surface before and / or during its installation. The maintenance platform may particularly include a counterweight that is movable relative to the retaining surface to shift the center of gravity of the maintenance platform. The counterweight may, for example: -Movement occurs when the previously installed bearing and / or replacement blade bearing is lowered onto and / or lifted from the retaining surface, and / or -Move the maintenance platform after attaching it to the rotatable parts and / or support components during the installation of the support platform, and / or - Move the maintenance platform before disconnecting it from the rotatable parts and / or support components during unloading of the support platform, and / or - The sliding portion or a sliding portion of the maintenance platform moves relative to the mounting portion or a mounting portion of the maintenance platform, which is connected to the rotatable parts and / or support parts of the wind turbine after the maintenance platform is installed.

[0056] The movement of the counterweight can therefore be used, for example, to at least partially compensate for the displacement of the maintenance platform's center of gravity caused by the movement of the sliding parts and / or by lowering and / or lifting the corresponding blade bearings. This can be particularly used to ensure that the maintenance platform's center of gravity is at least approximately centered between the different points where the maintenance platform is supported.

[0057] However, additionally or alternatively, the movement of the counterweight can be used to intentionally shift the center of gravity of the maintenance platform. As discussed above, the maintenance platform can be moved into free space, specifically by a crane. In this case, it is easiest to install the maintenance platform when at least some part of the platform has been moved under the rotatable component while it is still exclusively or at least primarily supported by the crane. To avoid tilting of the maintenance platform during installation, the center of gravity should preferably be located at least approximately under the crane boom. However, once the maintenance platform is installed, the center of gravity should preferably be placed under the rotatable component. However, for many typical crane and wind turbine geometries, the center of gravity of the maintenance platform cannot be moved under the rotatable component and remains approximately under the crane boom. Therefore, a counterweight can be used to initially place the center of gravity approximately under the crane boom. Once the maintenance platform is supported by the rotatable component and / or support components, the counterweight can then be moved to shift the center of gravity under the rotatable component. Afterward, the crane can be disconnected from the support platform. In the same way, when unloading the maintenance platform, once the crane is attached, the center of gravity can be shifted to below the crane's boom.

[0058] The retaining surface can be formed, in particular, by a sliding portion of the maintenance platform. In this case, the counterweight can be particularly movably attached to the sliding portion or the mounting portion. The maintenance platform can particularly include an actuator for moving the counterweight, especially for automatically moving the counterweight.

[0059] After the maintenance platform is installed, at least one actuator can be used to adjust the distance between the maintenance platform and the rotatable component. This may, for example, allow the maintenance platform to be raised until it contacts the installed blade bearing or until a small gap (e.g., less than 30 cm or less than 10 cm) is left between the top of the maintenance platform and the top of the previously installed blade bearing. In this position of the maintenance platform, the previously installed blade bearing may disengage from the rotatable component while it is supported by the maintenance platform or with only a very shallow drop to the maintenance platform. Using a certain gap may be advantageous, for example, when it is necessary to push the previously installed blade bearing out of the rotatable component, as discussed in detail below.

[0060] The maintenance platform can then be lowered to allow, for example, horizontal movement of the previously installed blade bearing, such as by moving the sliding portion of the maintenance platform. Similarly, the maintenance platform can be used to lift the replacement blade bearing upwards toward the rotatable component to allow for easy installation of the replacement blade bearing.

[0061] Actuators (e.g., winches or pneumatic pistons) can, for example, modify the length of the cable segment connected to the maintenance platform and / or move the bolts or similar connecting devices that connect the maintenance platform to the rotatable and / or support components upward and / or downward. When the maintenance platform is attached to the descending rotor blades, additional connecting devices that connect the maintenance platform to the descending rotor blades can also move and / or extend and / or retract to compensate for the movement of the maintenance platform. Additionally or alternatively, the descending rotor blades can be raised or lowered to reduce the relative movement between the maintenance platform and the descending rotor blades.

[0062] The step of removing a previously installed blade bearing from a rotatable component may include: installing a corresponding removal tool to the previously installed blade bearing by screwing a threaded portion of at least one removal tool into a corresponding threaded through-hole of the previously installed blade bearing, wherein the threaded portion is tubular and accommodates a push rod movable relative to the threaded portion by an actuator of the removal tool, wherein, after installation of the removal tool, the actuator of the removal tool is actuated to push the push rod through the threaded portion and thus through the threaded through-hole of the previously installed blade bearing and against the opposing surface of the rotatable component, thereby pushing the threaded portion and thus the previously installed blade bearing away from the opposing surface.

[0063] The corresponding blade bearing is typically attached to the rotatable component by multiple bolts. Even after removing these bolts, relatively large force may still be required to remove the previously installed blade bearing from the rotatable component, especially when the previously installed blade bearing is at least partially contained within an opening in the rotatable component, as the previously installed blade bearing may be held in place, for example, due to friction. Therefore, using at least one of the removal tools discussed above may be advantageous.

[0064] The corresponding threaded through-hole for installing the corresponding removal tool can, in particular, accommodate a through-hole for mounting a previously installed blade bearing to one of the bolts of the rotatable component.

[0065] Preferably, a plurality of removal tools and / or a removal tool having a plurality of push rods extending through a plurality of through holes in the previously installed blade bearing are used to apply a relatively uniformly distributed thrust around the entire circumference of the previously installed blade bearing.

[0066] In addition to the inventive method, the present invention also relates to a tool kit for replacing previously installed blade bearings with replacement blade bearings in wind turbines, particularly in offshore wind turbines, and even more particularly in floating offshore wind turbines, the tool kit comprising: - A maintenance platform, designed to be installed in the free space created below the previously installed blade bearings once the rotor blades of the wind turbine are disconnected from them. - A connecting device for connecting a maintenance platform to at least one component of a wind turbine in such a manner that the weight of the maintenance platform is at least partially supported by said at least one component, and - Replacement blade bearing.

[0067] The toolkit can be specifically designed to implement the previously discussed inventive method for replacing previously installed blade bearings with alternative blade bearings in wind turbines.

[0068] The various features discussed above in the context of the inventive method that may exist in the repair platform and / or connecting device may also exist in the corresponding components of the toolkit with the advantages discussed.

[0069] The toolkit may additionally include any or all of the additional components discussed above that can be used in the inventive method. The toolkit may, for example, include additional connection devices for connecting the maintenance platform to the descending rotor blades and / or the tools discussed for descending the rotor blades and / or removal tools and / or blade attachment devices for holding the rotor blades in their descended position, etc.

[0070] As discussed above, the crane useful for moving maintenance platforms and / or replacing blade bearings and / or previously installed blade bearings may already be part of the wind turbine itself. In this case, the kit may optionally include an auxiliary boom for extending the crane boom. However, it is also possible that such a crane is part of the kit and is only temporarily mounted on the wind turbine.

[0071] The kit may additionally or alternatively include, for example, helicopters and / or other devices for initially lifting various components to the storage platform and / or removing various components from the maintenance platform, as discussed above.

[0072] The present invention also relates to a system comprising a toolkit and a wind turbine including previously installed blade bearings.

[0073] The present invention also relates to a wind turbine that is created by installing replacement blade bearings using the methods and / or toolkits previously discussed.

[0074] Additionally, the present invention relates to a method for operating a wind turbine, particularly an offshore wind turbine, and further particularly a floating offshore wind turbine, and / or for feeding electrical and / or chemical energy to an electric and / or chemical grid and / or chemical and / or electrical storage device, the method comprising the following steps: - Implementing embodiments of the method for replacing previously installed blade bearings according to the invention, and / or using embodiments of the toolkit according to the invention to replace previously installed blade bearings in a wind turbine with replacement blade bearings, thereby providing a refurbished state for the wind turbine. - Electricity and / or electrical energy are generated from wind turbines in a refurbished state, and in particular, at least in part, from electrical energy, and even more particularly, from chemical energy in gaseous or liquid form, especially in the form of hydrogen, by electrolyzing electrical energy into hydrogen. - To transmit, at least partially, electrical, and / or chemical energy to an energy receiving arrangement, particularly wherein the receiving arrangement is not located in international waters, but is located on land and / or within a 12-mile zone of a sovereign state having jurisdiction over that zone, and - To supply electricity, electrical energy and / or chemical energy, at least in part, to electricity and / or chemical utilities, particularly to onshore electricity and / or chemical utilities and / or chemical / electricity storage facilities.

[0075] The term "chemical energy" includes devices for storing energy in chemical substances, such as hydrogen. A chemical energy network can be, for example, a gas (hydrogen) network and / or a gas storage device.

[0076] It will be understood that the features mentioned above (e.g., mounting the maintenance platform in the free space between the previously installed blade bearing and the lowered rotor blades, including the auxiliary arm in the tool kit, and features to be explained below) can be used not only in the indicated corresponding combinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, features of different aspects, embodiments, and / or methods of the invention can be combined with each other unless noted otherwise. Attached Figure Description

[0077] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, similar reference numerals denote similar elements.

[0078] Figure 1 This is a schematic representation of an intermediate step in an embodiment of a method for replacing a previously installed blade bearing according to the present invention, and also discloses an embodiment of a toolkit according to the present invention. Figure 2This is a detailed view of another intermediate step in this embodiment of the method. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic representation of the maintenance platform. Figure 4 Detailed views of further intermediate steps in embodiments of the inventive method, and Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating embodiments of the methods for operating a wind turbine and for feeding electrical and / or chemical energy to an electric and / or chemical grid and / or chemical and / or electrical storage device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0079] Figure 1 This is a schematic representation of an intermediate step in a method for replacing a previously installed blade bearing 1 with a replacement blade bearing 2 in a wind turbine 3. The method will be discussed primarily using a global coordinate system encompassed by a vertical direction 62 and a horizontal plane, which is further encompassed by an upwind direction 60 and a crosswind direction 61. In this example, the wind turbine 3 is a floating offshore wind turbine 3 with a floating base 60 attached to the seabed via at least one anchoring element 61, shown only schematically.

[0080] In order to achieve the normal operating state of wind turbine 3 Figure 1 The intermediate configuration shown can be achieved, for example, by landing the toolkit on storage platform 35 using a helicopter or marine crane. The toolkit includes a maintenance platform 8, a connection device 9 for connecting the maintenance platform 8 to the wind turbine 3, and replacement blade bearings 2. In this example, storage platform 35 is located on top of the nacelle 11 of the wind turbine 3. The toolkit may also include various other tools and parts, discussed below, used in replacing previously installed blade bearings 1.

[0081] The rotatable component 4 of the wind turbine 3, which carries the previously installed blade bearing 1, then rotates to a maintenance position 5, in which the previously installed blade bearing 1 is arranged at the bottom of the rotatable component 4, as shown. Figure 1 As shown in the example. In this example, the rotatable component 4 is formed by the hub of the wind turbine 3.

[0082] Next, the rotor blade 6 is disconnected from the previously installed blade bearing 1 and lowered to create free space 7 below the previously installed blade bearing 1. In this example, this is first achieved by the hydraulic actuator 27 (such as...). Figure 2 (Illustrated in the diagram) The rotor blade 6 is lowered to the first part 23 of the descent distance 24.

[0083] To install these hydraulic actuators 27, some of the bolts (not shown) that previously connected the blade bearings 1 to the rotor blades 6 during normal operation of the wind turbine 3 can first be removed. These bolts extend through the corresponding through holes 30 of the inner ring 31 of the previously installed blade bearings 1. Longer bolts 25 can then be inserted into these through holes and connected to the rotor blades 6, for example, by screwing these bolts into the threaded openings of the rotor blades 6.

[0084] These longer bolts 25 can be mounted to the corresponding actuator 27, which can be supported, for example, by the previously installed blade bearing 1 itself and / or by the rotatable component 4. In this example, the actuator 27 is a hydraulic actuator 27.

[0085] Once the actuators 27 are installed, they support the rotor blades 6, and thus the remaining bolts (not shown) that connect the rotor blades 6 to the previously installed blade bearings 1 can be removed.

[0086] Once these additional bolts are removed, actuator 27 can be actuated to lower rotor blade 6 by displacing the bolts 25 attached to rotor blade 6 parallel to the axis of rotation 26 of the previously installed blade bearing 1.

[0087] Once rotor blade 6 descends to Figure 2 The intermediate position shown allows at least two holes 64 to be attached to the rotor blade 6, for example, by screwing bolts attached to the corresponding holes into the openings of the rotor blades. These openings can be used, for example, during normal operation of the wind turbine to accommodate bolts that connect the rotor blade 6 to the previously installed blade bearing 1.

[0088] In this example, a corresponding wire 15 (which is used to support the lowered rotor blade 61 when replacing the previously installed blade bearing 1 in a later step), which is part of the blade attachment device 13, is then attached to the corresponding eyelet and via winch 29 to a wire loop, which is attached to a corresponding additional component 12 of the wind turbine 3, i.e., in this example, to another rotor blade 14. The rotor blade 6 is then lowered to the second portion 28 of the descent distance 24 using the winch 29.

[0089] Specifically, during the descent of rotor blade 6 via winch 24, rotor blade 6 can be supported by push rod 20, such as... Figure 1 As shown in the diagram, push rod 20 is mounted to tower platform 34, which is mounted to tower 33, specifically as part of a transition piece. The end of push rod 20 (in this example, the end is shaped as a fork 21) receives the supported section 22 of the descending rotor blades 6. The distance between the supported section 22 and the tower 33 can be adjusted by the actuator 63 of push rod 20.

[0090] To increase the amount of free space 7 available for maintenance platform 8, the pair of lines 15 used to support the descending rotor blades 6 are horizontally pushed apart by an extension member 16, which guides the lines 15 and in this example is formed by a telescopic rod with eyelets at each end for the corresponding lines.

[0091] Additional or alternative land can be obtained by using Figure 1 The offset component 17, shown only schematically, is used to extend the free space 7. This offset component is used to horizontally shift the connection point 18 where the corresponding line 15 is connected away from the descending rotor blade 6 and / or the rotatable component 4 and / or the additional rotor blade 14.

[0092] Next, the maintenance platform 8 is installed within the free space 7. In this example, the maintenance platform is attached to the crane 32 while still positioned on the storage platform 35. The crane is then used to move the maintenance platform 8 to... Figure 1 In the position shown, the maintenance platform extends at least partially into the free space below the rotatable component 4 and the previously installed blade bearing 1. Once in this position, the connecting device 9 is used to mount the maintenance platform 8 to the rotatable component 4 in such a way that the weight of the maintenance platform 8 is at least partially supported by the rotatable component 4. In an alternative embodiment, the maintenance platform 8 may additionally or alternatively be at least partially supported by different support components 10 of the wind turbine 3 (e.g., nacelle 11).

[0093] In this example, the connecting device 9 is formed of wires attached to the support platform 8 via a corresponding actuator 44 (in this example, the actuator is formed as a winch), and attached to the rotatable member 4 via hardpoints on the outside of the rotatable member 4. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting device may include, for example, a telescopic rod, and / or may be attached to the inside of the rotatable member 4, for example, through a manhole or other opening.

[0094] In principle, it would also be possible to allow at least some of the connecting devices 9 to pass through the central opening of the previously installed blade bearing 1. However, in this case, it would be advantageous to use segmented blade bearings 1, 2 that are segmented in the circumferential direction to allow the removal or installation of the respective blade bearings 1, 2 when the connecting devices 9 pass through the central opening.

[0095] In this example, the crane 32 is disconnected from the maintenance platform 8 after installation, and the connecting device 9 consists of only two wires to allow easy access to the maintenance platform 8 via the crane 32. To further stabilize the maintenance platform 8, an additional connecting device 19 (e.g., at least one additional wire and / or at least one additional push rod) is used to connect the maintenance platform 8 to the descending rotor blades 6.

[0096] Then, the previously installed blade bearing 1 is removed from the rotatable part 4 and placed on the retaining surface 43 of the maintenance platform 8, as follows. Figure 3 As shown in the example, the distance 45 between the maintenance platform 8 and the rotatable part 4 is reduced by the actuator 44 until the maintenance platform 8 is immediately below the previously installed blade bearing 1. The blade bearing 1 can then be disconnected from the rotatable part 4, and the maintenance platform 4 can be lowered again with the previously installed blade bearing 1 attached. The previously installed blade bearing 1 can then be removed from the maintenance platform 8 via the crane 32 and placed on the storage platform 35, and the replacement blade bearing 2 can be lifted from the storage platform 35 onto the maintenance platform 8.

[0097] Since access through the crane 32 to the area immediately below the previously installed position 42 of the previously installed blade bearing 1 is restricted, it is advantageous for the maintenance platform to include a sliding portion 37 movable along a movement path 38 relative to the mounting portion 36 of the maintenance platform 8, which can be substantially parallel to the crosswind direction 61. In this case, the crane 32 can operate in an area where the extension of the holding surface 43 extends beyond the area below the rotating component 4. (See below for further details.) Figure 3 Exemplary embodiments of this maintenance platform are discussed.

[0098] The replacement blade bearing 2 can then be installed onto the rotatable component 4, for example, by first moving the sliding portion 37 of the support platform 8 in such a way that the replacement blade bearing 2 is positioned below the previously installed blade bearing 1 at its previous mounting position 42. The maintenance platform 8 can then be lifted by the actuator 44 to move the replacement blade bearing 2 into that mounting position 42. It can then be easily attached to the rotatable component, for example, by bolts or similar means.

[0099] Afterwards, the maintenance platform 8 can be unloaded and lifted onto the maintenance platform 35 by, for example, a crane 32. Then, the rotor blade 6 can be attached to the replacement blade bearing 2, for example, by performing the previously discussed steps for removing and lowering the rotor blade 6 in reverse order.

[0100] The wind turbine 3 is now in a refurbished state, in which the previously installed blade bearing 1 has been replaced with a replacement blade bearing 2, and the wind turbine 3 can be restored to normal operation. The maintenance platform 8 and the previously installed blade bearing 1 can be removed from the storage platform 35 later, for example, by helicopter, marine crane or by any other means.

[0101] The previous discussion assumed that the replacement blade bearing 2 would be placed on the maintenance platform 8 after it has been installed in the free space 7, and that the previously installed blade bearing 1 would be removed from the maintenance platform 8 before unloading it. However, it is also possible to unload the support platform 8 while the replacement blade bearing 2 is already on the maintenance platform 8, and / or while the previously installed blade bearing 1 is still on the maintenance platform 8. This could reduce the number of steps necessary to perform the replacement.

[0102] Figure 3 An example of a maintenance platform 8 including a sliding section 37, as discussed above, is shown. The maintenance platform 8 includes: a mounting portion 36, which is connected to the rotatable component 4 after the maintenance platform 8 is installed; and a sliding portion 37, which is movable relative to the mounting portion 36 along a movement path 38, particularly along a crosswind direction 61. In the example shown, the replacement blade bearing 2 is already present on the retaining surface 43 before the previously installed blade bearing 1 is removed from the rotatable component 4 and placed on the free area of ​​the retaining surface 43 formed by the sliding portion 37. For example, it is possible that the maintenance platform 8 is installed such that the replacement blade bearing 2 is already on the retaining surface 43 or is placed there before the previously installed blade bearing 1 is removed (e.g., by a crane 32).

[0103] The sliding portion 37 can be moved relative to the mounting portion 36 by the actuator 39. This can be used to horizontally displace the previously mounted blade bearing 1 away from the previously mounted position 42, and / or to displace the replacement blade bearing 2 below the previously mounted position 42, as discussed above.

[0104] To compensate for different load conditions of the maintenance platform 8 and to shift the center of gravity during the installation of the maintenance platform 8 (as discussed above), the maintenance platform 8 may also include a counterweight 40, which may be shifted by an additional actuator 41.

[0105] It is possible that once any bolts 50 and / or other connecting devices that connect the previously installed bearing 1 to the rotatable component 4 are removed, considerable frictional forces need to be overcome to remove the previously installed blade bearing 1 from the rotatable component 4. Therefore, the step of removing the previously installed blade bearing 1 from the rotatable component 4 may include: screwing the threaded portion 48 of the corresponding removal tool 46 into the corresponding threaded through hole 49 of the outer ring 47 of the previously installed blade bearing 1 to... Figure 4 The corresponding removal tool 46 shown is installed onto the previously installed blade bearing 1. The threaded through hole 49 can accommodate, in particular, one of the corresponding through holes 49 for bolts 50 used to attach the previously installed blade bearing 1 during normal operation of the wind turbine 3.

[0106] In this example, the threaded portion 48 is tubular and houses a push rod 51, which is movable relative to the threaded portion 48 by the actuator 52 of the removal tool 46. Once a plurality of removal tools 46 are installed along the circumference of the previously installed blade bearing 1, the actuator 52 of the removal tool 46 is actuated to push the push rod 51 through the threaded portion 48 and thus through the threaded through-hole 49 of the previously installed blade bearing 1 and against the opposing surface 52 of the rotatable member 4, thereby pushing the threaded portion 48 and thus the previously installed blade bearing 1 away from the opposing surface 52.

[0107] Figure 5 A flowchart is shown of a method for operating a wind turbine 3 and for feeding electrical energy 55 and / or chemical energy 56 to an electric and / or chemical utility grid 58 and / or a chemical and / or electrical storage device 59.

[0108] In step S1, the previously installed blade bearing 1 of the wind turbine 3 is replaced with a replacement blade bearing 2 to provide the wind turbine 3 with a refurbished state 53, as discussed above.

[0109] In step S2, the wind turbine 3 is used in its refurbished state 53 to generate electricity 54 and / or electrical energy 55. The electrical energy 55 can be at least partially converted into chemical energy 56, for example, by electrolyzing the electrical energy 55 into hydrogen.

[0110] In step S3, electricity 54, electrical energy 55, and / or chemical energy 56 are at least partially transferred to an energy receiving arrangement 57, which is preferably not located in international waters. The energy receiving arrangement 57 may be located, for example, on land or within a 12-mile zone of a sovereign state over which the state has jurisdiction.

[0111] In step S4, at least a portion of the electricity 54, electrical energy 55, and / or chemical energy 57 is supplied to the electricity and / or chemical utility grid 58, particularly to the onshore electricity and / or chemical utility grid 58 and / or chemical and / or electrical storage device 59.

[0112] While specific embodiments have been disclosed herein, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments are to be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and all changes derived from the meaning and equivalents of the appended claims are intended to be covered therein.

[0113] It should be noted that embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to different subjects. In particular, some embodiments have been described with reference to equipment type claims (such as using a secondary arm as part of a toolkit), while others have been described with reference to method type claims (such as providing electricity to an onshore site). However, those skilled in the art will recognize from the above description that, unless otherwise notified, any combination of features relating to different subjects (particularly between features of equipment type claims and features of method type claims) (such as using a toolkit including a maintenance platform with a sliding portion, which is installed after the blade bearing has been lowered first by displacing bolts and then further lowered by a line) is also considered to be disclosed with this application, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter.

Claims

1. A method for replacing a previously installed blade bearing (1) with a replacement blade bearing (2) in a wind turbine (3), particularly in an offshore wind turbine (3), and even more particularly in a floating offshore wind turbine (3), the method comprising the steps of: The rotatable component (4) of the wind turbine (3) carrying the previously installed blade bearing (1) is oriented into a maintenance position (5), in which the previously installed blade bearing (1) is arranged on the underside of the rotatable component (4). The rotor blade (6) is disconnected from the previously installed blade bearing (1) and the rotor blade (6) is lowered to create free space (7) below the previously installed blade bearing (1). The maintenance platform (8) is installed in the free space (7) by the following steps: the connecting device (9) for the maintenance platform (8) is attached to the rotatable part (4) and / or at least one support part (10) of the wind turbine (3) in such a way that the weight of the maintenance platform (8) is at least partially supported by the rotatable part (4) and / or the support part (10). Remove the previously installed blade bearing (1) from the rotatable component (4) and install the replacement blade bearing (2) onto the rotatable component (4), wherein the previously installed blade bearing (1) was on the maintenance platform (8) during and / or after its removal, and / or wherein the replacement blade bearing (2) was on the maintenance platform (8) before and / or during its installation, and Unload the maintenance platform (8) and connect the rotor blade (6) to the replacement blade bearing (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The maintenance platform (8) is installed in the free space (7) between the previously installed blade bearing (1) and the lowered rotor blade (6), while the lowered rotor blade is attached to the rotatable component (4) or another component (12) of the wind turbine (3) via a blade attachment device (13).

3. The method according to claim 2, in, The blade attachment device (13) includes a wire (15), and The descending rotor blade (6) is connected via the line (15) to the rotatable component (4) and / or at least one additional rotor blade (14), which is attached to the rotatable component (4).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, At least one pair of the wires (15) are horizontally pushed apart by an extension member (16) that guides the pair of wires (15) before and / or after the installation of the maintenance platform (8). The blade attachment device (13) includes at least one offset member (17), wherein at least one of the lines (15) is connected via the corresponding offset member (17) to a corresponding one of the descending rotor blade (6) or the rotatable member (4) or the other rotor blade (14), wherein the corresponding line (15) is connected to the corresponding offset member (17) at a connection point (18) of the offset member (17), the connection point being horizontally spaced from the descending rotor blade (6) and / or the rotatable member (4) and / or the corresponding other rotor blade (14).

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The steps of installing the maintenance platform (8) include: installing additional connecting devices (19) to connect the maintenance platform (8) to the descending rotor blades (6).

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, A push rod (20) is mounted to the tower or tower platform (34), the tower platform being mounted to the tower (33), wherein the end of the push rod (20) is specifically shaped as a fork (21) to receive the supported section (22) of the descending rotor blade (6).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The rotor blade (6) is lowered to at least the first portion (23) of the descent distance (24) by the following steps: the bolt (25) attached to the rotor blade (6) is displaced by at least one actuator (27) parallel to the axis of rotation (26) of the previously installed blade bearing (1), and / or The rotor blade is lowered to at least a second portion (28) of the descent distance (24) by using a winch (29) to lower a line (15), the line connecting the rotor blade (6) to the rotatable component (4) and / or at least one additional rotor blade (14) attached to the rotatable component (4).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, A crane (32) is used to install the nacelle (11) of the wind turbine (3) or to install the components of the wind turbine (3) in the upper third of the tower (33) of the wind turbine (3). Install the maintenance platform (8), and / or Place the replacement bearing (2) on the maintenance platform (8), and / or Remove the previously installed bearing (1) from the maintenance platform (8).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The wind turbine (3) includes a storage platform (35) which is arranged on top of the nacelle (11) or attached to the nacelle (11) or attached to the upper third of the tower (33) of the wind turbine (3). The step of installing the maintenance platform (8) includes: moving the maintenance platform (8) from the storage platform (35) to the free space (7), and / or The step of unloading the maintenance platform (8) includes: moving the maintenance platform (8) from the free space (7) to the storage platform (35), and / or The previously installed blade bearing (1) is moved from the maintenance platform (8) to the storage platform (35) after it is removed, and / or The replacement blade bearing (2) is moved from the storage platform (35) to the maintenance platform (8) before its installation.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The maintenance platform (8) includes: The mounting portion (36), which connects to the rotatable component (4) and / or support component (10) of the wind turbine (3) after the maintenance platform (8) is installed, and The sliding portion (37) is movable relative to the mounting portion (36) along the moving path (38). The previously installed blade bearing (1) is located on the sliding portion (37) during and / or after its removal. The replacement blade bearing (2) is located on the sliding portion (37) before and / or during its installation. The sliding portion (37) After removing the previously installed blade bearing (1) and placing it on the sliding portion (37) of the maintenance platform (8), move along the movement path to move the previously installed blade bearing (1) horizontally away from its previous installation position (42), and / or Before installing the replacement blade bearing (2) onto the rotatable component (4), the replacement blade bearing (2) is moved along the moving path to move the replacement blade bearing (2) toward the previous installation position (42) of the previously installed blade bearing (1).

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The maintenance platform (8) includes a retaining surface (43). The previously installed blade bearing (1) is located on the retaining surface (43) during and / or after its removal, and / or The replacement blade bearing (2) is located on the retaining surface (43) before and / or during its installation. The maintenance platform (8) includes a counterweight (40) that is movable relative to the holding surface (43) to shift the center of gravity of the maintenance platform (8). The counterweight (40) is: Moved during the placement of the previously installed bearing (1) and / or the replacement blade bearing (2) onto and / or removal from the retaining surface (43), and / or After the maintenance platform (8) is attached to the rotatable component (4) and / or the support component (10) during installation, it is moved, and / or Move the maintenance platform (8) before disconnecting it from the rotatable component (4) and / or the support component (10) during unloading of the support platform (8), and / or The sliding portion (37) or a sliding portion of the maintenance platform (8) moves relative to the mounting portion (36) or a mounting portion of the maintenance platform (8), which is connected to the rotatable component (4) and / or support component (10) of the wind turbine (3) after the maintenance platform (8) is installed.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, After the maintenance platform (8) is installed, at least one actuator (44) is used to adjust the distance (45) between the maintenance platform (8) and the rotatable component (4).

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The step of removing the previously installed blade bearing (1) from the rotatable component (4) includes installing at least one removal tool (46) onto the previously installed blade bearing (1) by screwing the threaded portion (48) of the corresponding removal tool (46) into the corresponding threaded through hole (49) of the previously installed blade bearing (1). The threaded portion (48) is tubular and houses a push rod (51), which is movable relative to the threaded portion (48) by an actuator (52) of the removal tool (46). After the removal tool (46) is installed, the actuator (52) of the removal tool (46) is actuated to push the push rod (51) through the threaded portion (48) and thus through the threaded through hole (49) of the previously installed blade bearing (1) and against the opposing surface (52) of the rotatable component (4), thereby pushing the threaded portion (48) and thus the previously installed blade bearing (1) away from the opposing surface (52).

14. A tool kit for replacing a previously installed blade bearing (1) with a replacement blade bearing (2) in a wind turbine (3), particularly in an offshore wind turbine (3), and even more particularly in a floating offshore wind turbine (3), said tool kit comprising: A maintenance platform (8) is designed to be installed in the free space (7) once the rotor blades (6) of the wind turbine (3) are disconnected from the previously installed blade bearings (1) and lowered to create free space (7) below the previously installed blade bearings (1). A connecting device (9) for connecting the maintenance platform (8) to at least one component (4, 10) of the wind turbine (3) in such a manner that the weight of the maintenance platform (8) is at least partially supported by the at least one component (4, 10), and Replacement blade bearing (2).

15. A method for operating a wind turbine (3), particularly an offshore wind turbine (3), and further particularly a floating offshore wind turbine (3), and / or for feeding electrical energy (55) and / or chemical energy (56) to an electric and / or chemical utility grid (58) and / or a chemical and / or electrical storage device (59), said method comprising the steps of: Perform the steps of an embodiment of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and / or use the toolkit according to claim 14 to replace the previously installed blade bearing (1) with a replacement blade bearing (2) in the wind turbine (3), thereby providing the wind turbine (3) in a refurbished state (53). Electricity (54) and / or electrical energy (55) is generated by the wind turbine (3) in the refurbished state (53), and in particular, at least in part, chemical energy (56) in gaseous or liquid form, especially in the form of hydrogen, is generated from the electrical energy (55) by electrolysis of the electrical energy (55) into hydrogen. The electricity (54), electrical energy (55), and / or chemical energy (56) are at least partially transmitted to an energy receiving arrangement (57), wherein, in particular, the receiving arrangement (57) is not located in international waters, but is located on land and / or within a 12-mile zone of a sovereign state over which the sovereign state has jurisdiction, and The electricity (54), the electrical energy (55) and / or the chemical energy (56) shall be supplied at least in part to the electricity and / or chemical utility grid (58), particularly to the onshore electricity and / or chemical utility grid (58) and / or chemical / electric storage devices (59).

Images