Wind Turbine Blade Maintenance Platform With Rainwater Drain Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inspection and maintenance of wind turbine blades are difficult under bad weather conditions due to rainwater running down the rotor blade, making the surface wet and unsuitable for repairs.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine blade maintenance platform with a drain path that directs rainwater away from the working area by opening into the blade access area, using sealing means with a trailing edge and inclined design to guide water away from the platform, and adjustable wall elements to maintain desired humidity and temperature conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the platform is used for maintenance under rain conditions, then the maintenance can be performed outdoors, but the rainwater running down the blade makes the surface wet and unsuitable for repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is divided into separate functional zones: a dry working area protected by walls and a separate drainage path. The sealing means divide the blade surface into a sealed working area and an open drainage area, allowing water to be directed away from the work zone while maintaining access to the blade for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain path acts as an intermediary element between the blade and the platform surface. It provides a controlled route for rainwater to flow from the blade to the platform's drainage system, preventing water from directly contacting the working area while maintaining the necessary drainage function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealing means are used to protect the working area, then the working area can be kept dry, but the sealing means must be designed to effectively divert water away from the platform
Solution Approach 1:
The water diversion function is extracted from the sealing means and integrated into a separate drain path system. The sealing means focus solely on creating the sealed working area, while the drain path handles the water diversion function, simplifying the overall design by separating these two functions into distinct components.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain path utilizes the vertical dimension by directing water downward along the inclined platform surface toward the trailing edge. This vertical component of water flow, combined with the horizontal sealing barrier, creates an effective two-dimensional water diversion system that simplifies the sealing means design.
3Quantity of substance
If the drain path opens into the blade access area, then rainwater can be drained directly without flowing over the platform cover, but the platform structure must accommodate this drainage configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The drain path is pre-configured to open directly into the blade access area before water can accumulate on the platform cover. This preliminary drainage arrangement prevents water from reaching the platform cover, reducing the water load and eliminating the need for complex water dispersal structures across the platform surface.
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 platform keeps the working area dry and maintains optimal conditions for repairs by efficiently draining rainwater, allowing maintenance to be conducted under nearly all-weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the drain path is arranged at the trailing edge of the sealing means... the rainwater flowing down the blade is separated from the blade by means of the sealing means. It is then directly guided over the sealing means to the blade access area
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine blade maintenance platform (8) including a frame having a blade access area (20) structured and arranged to accommodate blade (6) of a wind turbine, a tower end (18), and a front end (19), and sealing means (21) structured and arranged to contact the blade (6) is described. Such a platform should allow working at the blade (6) even at rainy weather. To this end the sealing means (21) includes a drain path (25), wherein the drain path (25) opens into the blade access area (20).