Support module for a wind turbine component

Abstract

1. A module (1) for supporting a wind turbine component during transport or storage said module comprising a main body (10) made from a resilient material integral with a base plate (20), where the module (1) has a width, a length and a thickness (11) orthogonal to a plane defined by the width and the length, said module has a lowersurface (13) and an opposite upper surface (12), said upper surface having two or more contact areas (14) separated by one or more first grooves (15) extending with a first groove depth (16) into the thickness (11) of the module (1), and where the contact areas (14) are suitable for contact with the wind turbine component and wherein the main body (10) and base plate (20) are configured with one or more apertures (40) extending from the upper surface (12) to the lower surface (13), wherein the apertures (40) are configured for receiving one or more fasteners, wherein one or more contact areas (14) are configured with a plurality of second grooves (31) forming for each con- tact area a second set of grooves (30), where each groove (31) extends with a second groove depth (36) into the thickness (11) of the module (1), wherein the second groove depth is smaller than the first groove depth (36).

Description

[0001] [Support module for a wind turbine component]

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a module for supporting a wind turbine component, or any other similar large objects with or without a round or aerofoil shape, e.g., a wing for an airplane, a wind turbine tower, blade, rotor or nacelle, during storage and transport. One or more modules are adapted to be placed on a bed or cradle for supporting the wind turbine component or in a clamp for applying pressure to two or more sides of the wind turbine component.

[0004] The modules are configured to provide a high friction to the supported surface so that the supported object stays in place during storage and transport and to provide a resilient support which does not damage the wind turbine component.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] Handling and transport of large constructions such as wind turbine components pose several challenges due to dimensions, weight, and logistics.

[0007] The components are typically handled using two independent support stations, a root support supporting the component at or near the root end, and a tip support arranged to support the component closer to the tip.

[0008] The two independent support stations are connected through the wind turbine component and moving or pivoting the wind turbine component is achieved by moving or rotating the support stations. It is therefore crucial that the component is arranged in a fixed position on the two support stations for optimal support and for preventing the component from sliding during handling to secure a safe transport, handling, or storage.

[0009] DK202270032A discloses a support module for being placed onto the support stations and in-between the support stations and the wind turbine components. In this disclosure the module is provided with a resilient body having a smooth surface adapted for supporting a wind turbine component, the smooth surface is separated by a number of large grooves so that a thickness of the resilient body varies over the mounting face, i.e. to accommodate a curved mounting face.

[0010] When wind turbine component handling and storage equipment is designed, the coefficient of friction is considered when determining holding forces required to prevent components from moving during transport or handling. The required coefficient of friction may vary depending on the weather conditions which the wind turbine component is exposed to. E.g., wet, cold and snowy weather reduces friction between one or more support modules and the wind turbine component than warm and dry weather. Based on the worst case allowable weather scenario the required friction is determined at design stage and according to specified requirements. These requirements become the foundation on which the operation of the equipment is based.

[0011] Object of the Invention

[0012] One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a module for supporting a wind turbine component during transport and storage, wherein the module has an improved coefficient of friction to a supported wind turbine component during low friction conditions, i.e. weather conditions such as rain, hail or snow or during ocean transport.

[0013] As such an objective of the invention is to achieve a support module which ensures that fewer support modules are required to support a wind turbine during low friction conditions.

[0014] Description of the Invention

[0015] One objective of the invention is achieved by a module for supporting a wind turbine component during transport and storage.

[0016] The module comprises a main body made from a resilient material integral with a base plate, where the module has a width, a length and a thickness orthogonal to a plane defined by the width and the length, the module has a lower surface and an opposite upper surface, the upper surface has two or more contact areas separated by one or more first grooves extending with a first groove depth into the thickness of the module, and where the contact areas are suitable for contact with the wind turbine component and wherein the main body and base plate are configured with one or more apertures extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, wherein the apertures are configured for receiving one or more fasteners, wherein one or more contact areas are configured with a plurality of second grooves forming for each contact area a second set of grooves, where each groove extends with a second groove depth into the thickness of the module, wherein the second groove depth is smaller than the first groove depth. The module is also usable for transport and storage of any other similar large objects with or without a round or aerofoil shape, e.g., a wing for an airplane, a wind turbine tower, rotor, nacelle, etc.

[0017] The modules may be molded into any given shape and size, e.g. a quadratic or rectangular square with a length and width each ranging from e.g. 100 to 1000 mm, to cover a carrying surface. Ideally the modules are produced in a smaller size relative to the carrying surface, so that an array of modules is required to cover the entire carrying surface. Thus, if one small module is damaged during use, it is easier and less expensive to replace compared to a large and heavy module.

[0018] The carrying surface or substrate may be a part of known wind turbine transport and storage apparatuses, wherein the part clamps around or supports a wind turbine component. To protect the wind turbine component one or more modules cover a mounting surface of the carrying surface or substrate by fastening the modules to the mounting surface. When fastened to the mounting surface, the lower surface of the module faces the mounting surface. Furthermore, the modules may be provided to increase the friction to the wind turbine component, the friction is increased in part due to the characteristics of the resilient material.

[0019] The base plate is integral with the main body of the module. E.g. integral through gluing or vulcanization. In one aspect, this may be achieved through applying a primer to the base plate and a bonding agent in the main body such that a substantial non-flexible bonding is achieved during curing of the main body. Integral with may be understood as substantially non-flexible fixed to the main body.

[0020] The base plate may be made of a steel, aluminium, metal, polymer or composite material so that it is rigid enough to provide stability to the main body when the module is mounted on a carrying surface or substrate. Le., it is the base plate which the one or more fasteners engage when the module is fastened to a carrying surface or substrate.

[0021] The base plate may be made in a bendable material or shape, so that the module can conform to a curved, concave or convex mounting surface, thereby accommodating a wind turbine component with a round or aerofoil shape and / or accommodating a mounting surface with a concave and / or convex shape. A bendable material may be any of the aforementioned materials, wherein the characteristics of the material make it bendable, e.g., specific metal alloys or fibre composites which are bendable. A bendable shape refers to e.g. the thickness of the base plate (measured similarly to the thickness of the main body) making the base plate bendable.

[0022] The one or more first grooves are provided to divide the upper surface into at least two contact areas. Preferably at least four contact areas may be provided by providing at least two first grooves. Similarly, eight contact areas may be provided by providing at least four first grooves.

[0023] One effect of providing the one or more first grooves is that if the module is arranged on a curved mounting surface, the resilient material and first grooves allow the module to conform to the curved mounting surface.

[0024] In one aspect, each contact area may be shaped as a pyramid stub, wherein the first groove depth is the height of the pyramid stub. One advantage of shaping the contact area as a pyramid stub is that the first grooves allow drainage of lubricant and for the module to conform to a curved carrying surface or substrate.

[0025] Lubricant may be e.g., water, sea water, snow, lubrication oil, grease, or any other liquid or combined liquid which reduces surface friction.

[0026] The plurality of second grooves provided into one or more contact areas, are configured so that the second grooves do not impair the contact area’s friction to the wind turbine component. This is achieved by providing the second grooves with specific second groove depths and a second groove spacing being measured between each second groove in the second set of grooves, so that the upper resilient material of each contact area remains rigid.

[0027] One effect of providing the second set of grooves is that the edge of the second grooves will create a wiping effect that will guide the friction reducing lubricant off the upper resilient material of each contact area and thus improve the friction between the contact area and the wind turbine component. The grooves may be adapted to guide the lubricant off to one or more edges of the module and / or into the first grooves, wherein the first grooves may guide the lubricant off to the edges of the module.

[0028] This effect of guiding the lubricant away from the contact area and thus improving a coefficient of friction, has been verified in custom tests where a contact area with a plurality of second grooves was compared with a contact area with a smooth surface clear of any second grooves. This custom test is similar to the standardised tests described in ASTM D1894 and ISO 151 13. The custom test does, however, deviate in terms of specified load on the test part.

[0029] The tests showed that the contact area with a plurality of second grooves quickly drains the lubricant applied to the contact area and reaches a much higher coefficient of friction in a short amount of time whereas the contact area with a smooth surface clear of any second grooves is not capable of reaching similar performance.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the module the second grooves in each second set of grooves are a pattern with parallel-straight grooves, parallel-curved grooves, orthogonal grooves and / or a combination thereof.

[0031] In one aspect the straight or curved grooves are adapted so that the grooves at least start or terminate at an edge of the contact area, or preferably start and terminate at one or more edges of the contact area, as such lubricant accumulated in the grooves can spill over the edge of the contact area, thereby draining the lubricant and as such improving the friction of the contact area to the wind turbine component.

[0032] One advantage of providing the second grooves with a second groove depth smaller than the first groove depth is that any grooves terminating at an edge of the contact area arranged adjacent or over a first groove will be able to drain lubricant into the first groove.

[0033] In a further aspect, the second grooves are adapted to cover the entire area of the contact area with a second groove spacing between adjacent parallel or orthogonal grooves to be defined.

[0034] In this disclosure a pattern or a groove pattern covers only a single orientation of a given pattern with parallel-straight grooves, parallel-curved grooves, orthogonal grooves or a combination thereof. That is, if the same parallel-straight grooves (or any other pattern) is rotated anywhere from 1 to 359 degrees, that rotation constitutes a new pattern compared to the former at 0 or 360 degrees rotation. Similarly, if the pattern is transformed by e.g. being flipped or mirrored and the resulting transformed pattern is different from the non-transformed pattern, then the transformed pattern is a new pattern relative to the non-transformed pattern. Generally, a pattern covers a single contact area. However, a combined pattern may be achieved by two or more contact areas comprising different patterns which combine to a larger combined pattern as illustrated in figure 2c to 2e.

[0035] One advantage of the parallel-straight, parallel-curved grooves, orthogonal grooves and / or a combination thereof is that lubricant can be drained from the entire surface area of the contact area, thereby improving the coefficient of friction in low friction conditions.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the module, the second grooves in each second set of grooves are a pattern of curved grooves with a geometrically defined cylindrical pattern.

[0037] A geometrically defined cylindrical pattern may be shaped with a given curvature following the shape of a cylindrical object, aerofoil, crescent object, arched object, conic object, ellipsoid object, or a combination thereof. The pattern may contain a number of second grooves in the aforementioned curved shape.

[0038] Each second groove in the geometrically defined cylindrical pattern may be arranged in parallel or substantially in parallel to each other, however, the grooves may generally be arranged in any direction independently.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the module the grooves in the second set of grooves are in a different pattern of second grooves for each contact area with respect to an adjacent contact area so that a coefficient of friction is homogeneous in any direction along the plane defined by the width and the length of the module.

[0040] An adjacent contact area relative to one contact area is defined as a contact area being placed in the vicinity of the former contact area, i.e. , a neighboring contact area.

[0041] In one aspect, specific transport or storage applications may require that lubricant drainage and the friction provided by the module is homogenous in any direction. To accommodate this, the pattern of the second grooves for each contact area may be arranged as a flipped, mirrored or rotated pattern, so that the effects of the grooves are obtained in any direction. Thus, the module may be placed in any orientation which improves the useability of the module. In a further embodiment of the module the grooves in the second set of grooves are arranged in a different orientation and / or an alternating orientation for each contact area with respect to an adjacent contact area so that a coefficient of friction is homogeneous in any direction along the plane defined by the width and the length of the module.

[0042] In one aspect, specific transport or storage applications may require that lubricant drainage and the friction provided by the module is homogenous in any direction. To accommodate this, the pattern of the second grooves for each contact area may be arranged in a different orientation or an alternating orientation, so that the effects of the grooves are obtained in any direction or one or more specific directions.

[0043] In a further embodiment of the module the first groove depth is in the range of 7 to 14 mm or 8 to 12 mm or 9 to 10 mm.

[0044] One effect of providing the herein disclosed first groove depth is that the main body of the module may conform to a curved surface, because a sufficient spacing is provided between the contact areas.

[0045] In a further embodiment of the module the second groove depth is in the range of 2 to 7 mm or 3 to 6 mm or 4 to 5 mm.

[0046] One effect of providing the herein disclosed second groove depth is that lubricant is quickly removed from each contact area by the second grooves which ensures that a high coefficient of friction is maintained.

[0047] A further effect is achieved by the second groove depth being smaller than the first groove depth, as lubricant drained from the second grooves will be guided into the deeper first grooves which ensures that little to no lubricant remains on the surface of the contact areas.

[0048] In a further embodiment of the module the second grooves take up in the range of 10% to 30% or 15% to 25% or 18% to 20% of the entire area of the upper surface.

[0049] In one aspect the first grooves and / or second grooves may be shaped as circular, rectangular, trapezoidal or triangular grooves. Limiting the uptake of the grooves to the herein disclosed area means that the contact areas take up an area of the upper surface in the range of 70% to 90%, correspondingly. This ensures that the contact area maintains a sufficiently high coefficient of friction.

[0050] In another aspect, a second groove width measured at the upper surface of the second grooves may be 0 mm when unloaded, and since it is a cut groove, the material will close on itself after the cut when unloaded, thereby making the area up-take of the second grooves nearly 0% of the entire area.

[0051] In a further embodiment of the module the resilient material is ethylene propylene diene monomer or polyurethane.

[0052] In a further aspect of the resilient material, the resilient material may be made with a Shore hardness in the range of Sh.A 35 to Sh.D 72 according to ISO 48-1 . The Shore hardness may be measured using a durometer measuring a Shore A or Shore D hardness scale. The specific Shore hardness of the resilient material ensures that the module does not damage the wind turbine component during contact and further ensures that the module can sustain wear and tear over a long period of use.

[0053] In a further embodiment of the module the second grooves arranged in each contact area are configured with a higher coefficient of friction in low friction conditions relative to a contact area without any second grooves.

[0054] A low friction condition refers to a condition wherein the upper surface of the module is fully or partially covered by lubricant or lubricant droplets. In a further aspect of the low friction condition, lubricant may continuously be applied to the upper surface of the module in varying amounts.

[0055] The higher coefficient of friction for the module of the present invention is obtained as a direct result of the second grooves arranged in each contact area. Tests have shown that the module of the present invention obtains a higher coefficient of friction relative to prior art modules without grooves. The same tests have also shown that the module of the present invention obtains the higher coefficient of friction over a smaller time duration which is directly related to the lubricant drainage by the second grooves. The test performed on the module of the present disclosure and prior art modules is a custom test developed by the inventors of the present invention, wherein the custom test is based on the standardized tests ASTM D1894 and ISO 15113.

[0056] The custom test places a module or a part of the module under a load simulating the load of a surface of a wind turbine component. The load may exert a pressure of approximately 0.25 Mega Pascal (MPa). The custom test may be performed under two conditions, one being the aforementioned low friction condition and another being a dry condition, wherein there is no lubrication dispersed onto a surface of the module and / or a surface of the test load.

[0057] The custom test is performed to prove the effectiveness of configuring each contact area with a plurality of second grooves and as a comparison to prior art modules without second grooves. The test results are further described and shown in figures 3a and 3b.

[0058] The test results for the dry condition shows that 30 seconds after the accumulated pulling forces are starting to be applied, the load exceeds the load applied by the normal load perpendicular to the surface and as a result the test piece starts to slide on the surface below. This represents the static peak coefficient of friction, and the test transits into measuring kinematic coefficient of friction as the test piece moves across the test surface. From test initialization at 0 seconds to 20-30 seconds after initialization, the coefficient of friction rises from a 0 with the same slope. Le., the test results for the dry condition indicate that the module with second grooves maintains approximately the same coefficient of friction as the prior art modules without second grooves.

[0059] The test results for the low friction condition shows that after 20 and 40 seconds the module with second grooves has attained a coefficient of friction of approximately 0.65 and 0.80, respectively whereas the prior art module without second grooves has a coefficient of friction of approximately 0.20 and 0.25, respectively. After approximately 120-140 seconds, the prior art module has attained a higher coefficient of friction of approximately 0.55-0.65 as lubricant is cleared off the upper surface of the module or the test load surface. However, in practical storage and transport scenarios this slow lubricant drainage which increases the coefficient of friction is not applicable as low friction conditions tend to last over a long period of time where lubricant is continuously applied to the upper surface of the module or the test load surface. An objective of the invention is achieved by a further embodiment of a module, the module comprises a main body made from a resilient material, where the module has a width, a length and a thickness orthogonal to a plane defined by the width and the length, the module has a lower surface and an opposite upper surface, the upper surface has two or more contact areas separated by one or more first grooves extending with a first groove depth into the thickness of the module, and where the contact areas are suitable for contact with the wind turbine component, wherein one or more contact areas are configured with a plurality of second grooves forming for each contact area a second set of grooves, where each groove extends with a second groove depth into the thickness of the module, wherein the second groove depth is smaller than the first groove depth.

[0060] The advantages and effects of this further embodiment of the module are the same effects disclosed herein for the other embodiments in relation to the friction.

[0061] Description of the Drawing

[0062] Various examples are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the examples. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated example need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular example is not necessarily limited to that example and can be practiced in any other examples even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

[0063] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in the figures, wherein:

[0064] Fig. 1 a and 1 b illustrate a perspective view of a module.

[0065] Fig. 2a to 2h illustrate a top view of a module.

[0066] Fig. 3a and 3b illustrate graphs of coefficient of friction from friction tests performed on two different modules.

[0067] Fig. 3c illustrates the two different modules used in the friction tests.

[0068] Fig. 4 illustrates an integrated base plate in a module. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0069] Exemplary examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this regard, the present examples may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the examples are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects.

[0070] Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, the element is “directly connected” to the other element, “electrically connected”, “fluidically connected” or “communicatively connected” to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed there between.

[0071] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the terms “comprises" "comprising" "includes" and / or "including" when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0072] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined in the present specification.

[0073] Figure 1 a illustrates one embodiment of a module 1 for supporting a wind turbine component during transport or storage. The module 1 comprises a main body 10 made from a resilient material. The module has a width and a length, wherein the length is longer than the width in this embodiment. Furthermore, a thickness 11 of the module 1 is defined, wherein the thickness 11 is orthogonal to a plane defined by the width and the length. Furthermore, the module 1 comprises an upper surface 12 and an opposite lower surface 13.

[0074] The upper surface 12 is shaped with two or more contact areas 14, in the illustrated embodiment the upper surface 12 is shaped with eight contact areas 14. The contact areas 14 are separated by a number of first grooves 15 wherein the first grooves 15 extend with a first groove depth 16 into the thickness 1 1 of the module 1. In the embodiment illustrated there are four first grooves 15. The contact areas 14 are configured for being in contact with the wind turbine component and are shaped as a pyramid stub, wherein the height of the pyramid stub is equal to the first groove depth 16.

[0075] Each contact area 14 is configured with a plurality of second grooves 31 forming each a second set of grooves 30 on each contact area 14. The second grooves 31 extend with a second groove depth 36 into the thickness 11 of the module 1 . In this embodiment, the second grooves 31 are parallel-straight lines, where at least one of the straight-line grooves follows a diagonal of the square top surface of the contact area 14. In this embodiment, the module 1 is split into two sides wherein the split is made in the width-wise middle of the module 1 . As such four contact areas 14 in one side are each configured with a second set of grooves 30, wherein the second grooves 31 in each set are parallel to one another. On the opposite side of the width-wise middle, each second set of grooves 30 are mirrored. This orientation of all of the second grooves 31 ensures that lubricant is drained efficiently from the contact area 14.

[0076] Figure 1 b illustrates another embodiment of a module 1 , wherein three apertures 40 are arranged through the main body 10 between the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13.

[0077] In this embodiment the contact areas 14 are each configured with parallel-straight line second grooves 31 , wherein the orientation of each second set of grooves 30 is arranged in an alternating orientation. Le. an adjacent contact area 141 has a mirrored orientation relative to the former contact area 14. As a result, a cluster of four contact areas 14 arranged around two of the three apertures 40 have their second grooves 31 pointing towards the centred aperture 40 of the cluster.

[0078] In general, the mirrored orientation or alternating orientation of the second sets of grooves 30 ensure that a coefficient of friction is homogeneous in any direction along the plane defined by the width and the length of the module 1 .

[0079] Figure 2a and 2b each illustrate a top view of two embodiments of the module 1 , where the first embodiment in fig. 2a is similar to the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1 a wherein the second sets of grooves 30 are parallel-straight grooves 32. The second embodiment in fig. 2b is a module 1 similar to the embodiments illustrated in fig. 1 , wherein the second sets of grooves 30 are curved grooves 33.

[0080] Figure 2c illustrates another embodiment of the module 1 , wherein the second sets of grooves 30 are in a pattern that each comprises one or more circular rings that are shaped like one or more ripples in a pond’s surface, wherein the rippling rings may meet and combine into grooves.

[0081] Figure 2d and 2e illustrate two further embodiments of the module 1 , wherein the second sets of grooves 30 are in a pattern that combines across several contact areas 14 to circle sections or circle slices. Figure 2f illustrates another embodiment of the module 1 , where the second set of grooves 30 are in a pattern similar to fig. 2b with curved grooves 33, wherein the only distinction is that a cluster of four contact areas 14 arranged around two of the three apertures 40 have their second grooves 31 pointing towards the centred aperture 40, similar to the parallel-straight grooves 32 in fig. 1 b.

[0082] Figure 2g illustrates another embodiment of the module 1 , where the second set of grooves 30 are in a pattern where two pluralities of parallel-straight grooves meet and combine to become orthogonal grooves 34. At the intersection or corner of the orthogonal grooves 34, a further second groove 31 may be arranged and connected to each corner. In another aspect, the two pluralities of parallel-straight grooves may also meet and combine at other angles than 90 degrees.

[0083] Figure 2h illustrates another embodiment of the module 1 , where the second set of grooves 30 are curved grooves 33 wherein at least one further second groove intersects a plurality of the curved grooves 33.

[0084] Figure 3a illustrates a graph of the test results performed in the dry conditions as disclosed herein. The solid lines indicate the coefficient of friction for the module 1 with second grooves of the present invention and the dashed lines indicate the coefficient of friction for a prior art module without second grooves. The y-axis indicates the coefficient of friction, and the x-axis indicates the time duration of the test measured in seconds.

[0085] Figure 3b illustrates a graph of the test results performed in the low friction conditions as disclosed herein. The solid lines indicate the coefficient of friction for the module 1 with second grooves of the present invention and the dashed lines indicate the coefficient of friction for a prior art module without second grooves. The y-axis indicates the coefficient of friction, and the x-axis indicates the time duration of the test measured in seconds.

[0086] Figure 3c illustrates two test modules 101 ,102 used for the custom tests performed, where the results of the tests are illustrated in figure 3a and 3b. The first test module 101 is a module with second grooves 31 according to the present invention and the second test module 102 is a prior art module without any second grooves. The two test modules 101 ,102 are a quarter (1 / 4) the size of the previously illustrated modules, i.e., the modules only comprise two contact areas 14 separated by a single first groove 15. Furthermore, the two test modules 101 ,102 both comprise a main body 10 with an integral base plate 20.

[0087] Figure 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of a module 1 , wherein a base plate 20 is arranged integrally with the main body 10 of the module 1. Furthermore, a number of apertures 40 are arranged through the main body 10 and the base plate 20, so that the module 1 is configured for being fastened with e.g. fasteners, bolts or rivets to a supporting surface.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A module (1 ) for supporting a wind turbine component during transport or storage, said module comprising a main body (10) made from a resilient material integral with a base plate (20), where the module (1 ) has a width, a length and a thickness (11 ) orthogonal to a plane defined by the width and the length, said module has a lower surface (13) and an opposite upper surface (12), said upper surface having two or more contact areas (14) separated by one or more first grooves (15) extending with a first groove depth (16) into the thickness (11 ) of the module (1 ), and where the contact areas (14) are suitable for contact with the wind turbine component and wherein the main body (10) and base plate (20) are configured with one or more apertures (40) extending from the upper surface (12) to the lower surface (13), wherein the apertures (40) are configured for receiving one or more fasteners, wherein one or more contact areas (14) are configured with a plurality of second grooves (31 ) forming for each contact area a second set of grooves (30), where each groove (31 ) extends with a second groove depth (36) into the thickness (1 1 ) of the module (1 ), wherein the second groove depth is smaller than the first groove depth (36).

2. The module (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the second grooves (31 ) in each second set of grooves (30) are a pattern with parallel-straight grooves (32), parallel-curved grooves, orthogonal grooves (34) and / or a combination thereof.

3. The module (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second grooves (31 ) in each second set of grooves (30) are a pattern of curved grooves (33) with a geometrically defined cylindrical pattern.

4. The module (1 ) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the grooves (30) in the second set of grooves (30) are in a different pattern of second grooves (31 ) for each contact area (14) with respect to an adjacent contact area (141 ) so that a coefficient of friction is homogeneous in any direction along the plane defined by the width and the length of the module (1 ).

5. The module (1 ) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the grooves (30) in the second set of grooves (30) are arranged in a different orientation and / or an alternating orientation for each contact area (14) with respect to an adjacent contact area (141 ) so that a coefficient of friction is homogeneous in any direction along the plane defined by the width and the length of the module (1 ).

6. The module (1 ) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first groove depth (16) is in the range of 7 to 14 mm or 8 to 12 mm or 9 to 10 mm.

7. The module (1 ) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second groove depth (36) is in the range of 2 to 7 mm or 3 to 6 mm or 4 to 5 mm.

8. The module (1 ) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second grooves (31 ) take up in the range of 10% to 30% or 15% to 25% or 18% to 20% of the entire area of the upper surface (12).

9. The module (1 ) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient material is ethylene propylene diene monomer or polyurethane.

10. The module (1 ) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second grooves (31 ) arranged in each contact area (14) are configured with a higher coefficient of friction in low friction conditions relative to a contact area (14) without any second grooves.

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