In-Situ Wind Turbine Blade Cutting and Lowering for Decommissioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for decommissioning wind turbine blades require significant effort, time, and cost due to the need for demounting the blades, which are difficult to handle and dispose of because of their large size.
Innovation Solution
A blade decommissioning tool that cuts and manipulates wind turbine blades in situ, using cutting means to form proximal and distal parts, and lowering means to detach the distal part while the blade remains installed, facilitated by clamping and support means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wind turbine blade is demounted before decommissioning, then the blade can be handled and disposed of, but the process requires great deal of work, time and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is cut into manageable sections while still installed on the turbine, before demounting occurs. This preliminary cutting action simplifies subsequent demounting and disposal operations, as smaller sections are much easier to handle than the complete long blade.
Solution Approach 2:
The long wind turbine blade is divided into multiple smaller sections through cutting at the installed position. This segmentation transforms one difficult-to-handle long object into several manageable pieces that can be easily removed and disposed of.
2Ease of manufacture
If the wind turbine blade is demounted before decommissioning, then the blade can be processed, but the process requires great deal of work and costs
Solution Approach 1:
Cutting operations are performed while the blade remains installed on the turbine, completing the decommissioning process in situ. This eliminates the need for separate demounting operations, significantly reducing both time and costs while simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
3Productivity
If the blade is cut into sections while installed, then the decommissioning process is simplified, but the tool must be able to support and lower the blade sections at height
Solution Approach 1:
The decommissioning tool is designed as a multi-functional system that integrates cutting means, support means, and lowering means into a single apparatus. This universal tool performs multiple operations (cutting, supporting, lowering) that would otherwise require separate equipment, making the complex task manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The support means and lowering means are combined with the cutting means in a single integrated tool assembly. This merging of functions allows the blade to be cut, supported, and lowered in a coordinated manner, improving productivity while managing device complexity through integration.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a blade decommissioning tool for decommissioning an installed wind turbine blade. The blade decommissioning tool comprises cutting means for cutting through the wind turbine blade in a transversal direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction L of the wind turbine blade to form a proximal and distal part of the wind turbine blade; lowering means for lowering the distal part of the wind turbine blade relative to the proximal part; support means for supporting the cutting means and the lowering means; and clamping means for clamping the support means to wind turbine blade.