Wind Turbine Blade Holding Apparatus with Rotatable Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling and processing of long wind turbine rotor blades are challenging due to their large size and weight, requiring time-consuming and expensive procedures, with existing holding apparatuses often causing damage and compromising aerodynamic properties.
Innovation Solution
A blade holding apparatus with a support structure and clamping arrangement that uses moveable blade gripping elements to distribute force evenly around the circumference, allowing secure and damage-free access to most of the blade surface, and a rotatable support structure for easy access to all surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stationary screw mechanism is used to clamp the blade, then the blade can be held securely, but the blade surface can be damaged and access to the top side is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arrangement uses movable blade gripping elements that can move relative to the support structure, allowing the clamping force to be applied dynamically as the blade is inserted and locked into position, rather than requiring a stationary screw mechanism that applies continuous pressure on a fixed surface
2Ease of operation
If the blade is held at two points with a screw mechanism, then the blade can be supported, but most of the blade surface is exposed requiring workers to use cranes and moveable platforms to access surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed with a rotatable section that can be divided into different operational positions, allowing the blade to be accessed from multiple angles without requiring additional lifting equipment or moveable platforms
3Reliability
If a screw mechanism is used to hold the blade, then the blade can be clamped, but the securing relies exclusively on operator manpower making secure fastening unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arrangement is designed to automatically lock into position through a locking mechanism that engages when the blade is inserted, eliminating the need for continuous operator intervention to maintain secure fastening
4Ease of operation
If the blade is held horizontally with minimal surface coverage, then most blade surface can be accessed, but the clamping force must be evenly distributed to avoid damage
Solution Approach 1:
The blade gripping elements are designed with specific surface characteristics and geometry that match the blade surface, allowing the clamping force to be distributed evenly across the contact area while maintaining minimal overall surface coverage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus securely holds the blade with minimal surface coverage, ensuring safe and efficient access for treatment while reducing the risk of damage, thus improving handling efficiency and worker safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least one blade gripping element is moveably mounted along its side of the opening in the support structure, whereby a downward motion of the blade gripping element relative to the opening of the support structure is effected by the weight of the blade
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention describes a blade holding apparatus (1) for holding one end of a wind turbine blade (4) during a handling step, which blade holding apparatus (1) comprises a support structure (10) comprising an opening (11) for accommodating one end of the wind turbine blade (4); a clamping arrangement (2, 20, 21, 22) arranged in the opening (11), which clamping arrangement (2, 20, 21, 22) is realised to exert a clamping force (FC) on the wind turbine blade (4); and a locking arrangement (3, 30, 31) for locking the clamping arrangement (2,) relative to the support structure (10). The invention further describes a method of operating such a blade holding apparatus (1) during a handling procedure of a wind turbine blade (4).