Wind Turbine Blade Access Chamber With Segmented Support Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for inspecting, maintaining, and repairing rotor blades of wind turbines suffer from issues such as increased mass, reduced tilting stability, limited all-around access, and lack of support frames, leading to potential collisions and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a segmented imprint frame with adjustable longitudinal beams, a weatherproof chamber with hinged elements, a chassis with guide devices, and a suspension system with L-shaped suspension arms, allowing all-around access and adaptable positioning on the wind turbine tower.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a platform with several sub-platforms movably connected to one another is used, then access to rotor blade is enabled, but mass of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple functional modules: a support frame with guide elements, a weatherproof capsule, and a lifting device. These segmented components can be independently positioned and assembled, enabling access to rotor blades without requiring a heavy integrated platform structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a support frame with guide elements as an intermediary structure that facilitates the movement and positioning of the weatherproof capsule along the rotor blade. This mediator enables access functionality while distributing the mechanical loads, reducing the overall mass requirement compared to a self-contained movable platform.
2Weight of moving object
If a weatherproof capsule with segmented impression carrier is used, then mass is reduced, but all-around access requires repositioning the capsule
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is designed with guide elements that enable the weatherproof capsule to access all sides of the rotor blade through a single integrated structure. The frame's geometry allows the capsule to move along multiple axes without requiring complete repositioning operations, providing universal access capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a lifting platform with pivot joints is used, then platform elements can be opened or closed, but support frame for positioning on tower is missing
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is constructed from multiple modular elements including longitudinal beams, crossbeams, and guide elements that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmented design provides both the adaptability to configure the platform opening/closing and the stability needed for reliable positioning on the tower structure.
4Ease of operation
If maintenance chamber is vertically movable by support cables, then access is provided, but bending stresses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the cable suspension system with a lifting device that integrates directly with the support frame structure. This substitution eliminates the bending stresses associated with cable-based vertical movement while maintaining the ability to provide access to the maintenance chamber.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for the inspection, maintenance and/or repair of rotor blades of a wind turbine, wherein the wind turbine comprises at least one tower, comprising at least the following components: • a launching frame comprising at least two longitudinal beams consisting of segments and a crossbeam; • at least one undercarriage comprising several guide devices and arranged on the crossbeam; • a weatherproof chamber comprising at least several chamber elements connected to one another by means of hinges; • a support structure which connects the weatherproof chamber to the longitudinal beams and comprises at least first guide elements for guiding the longitudinal beams and second guide elements for guiding the chamber elements;• a suspension system comprising at least two suspension arms connected to the support structure by means of joints and at least three suspension devices, wherein at least two suspension devices are arranged on the suspension arms and one suspension device is arranged on the crossbeam.;