Wind Turbine Blade Stack Stabilization via Bridging Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting and stacking wind turbine blades face stability challenges due to lateral accelerations during shipping, which compromise the structural integrity of higher blade stacks, limiting the practicality of side-by-side stacking and increasing the length of lashings, thereby reducing stability.
Innovation Solution
The use of bridging elements between root frame elements of adjacent blade stacks and cross-lashing elements diagonally spanning across these frames to laterally secure and increase the stiffness of the stacked array, allowing for higher stacking without relying on longer lashings to the transport deck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If blade stacks are made higher to increase shipping efficiency, then the quantity of blades transported is improved, but the stability of the blade stacks deteriorates due to increased shear and compressive loads under lateral accelerations
Solution Approach 1:
The blade stack is segmented into multiple levels with intermediate support structures. Each level is supported by separate cradles or frames distributed along the blade length, breaking the continuous load path into discrete segments that can be independently stabilized. This allows higher stacking while maintaining stability at each level.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a single-plane lashing system to a three-dimensional framework using bridging elements that connect adjacent blade stacks laterally. This adds a lateral dimension to the support system, creating a rigid spatial configuration that resists lateral accelerations during shipping.
2Stability of the object's composition
If longer lashings are used to secure higher blade stacks, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity and lashing length requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lashing system is extended from a single vertical plane to a three-dimensional configuration using bridging elements that connect adjacent blade stacks. This creates a spatial framework where lashings work in multiple directions simultaneously, providing stability without requiring excessively long individual lashings.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple lashing functions are merged into a unified bridging structure that simultaneously secures multiple blade stacks together. The bridging elements serve as common attachment points for lashings from several blades, consolidating the lashing system and reducing overall complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If more lashings are used to stabilize higher blade stacks, then the stability is improved, but the loss of substance and handling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lashing requirements are merged into shared bridging structures that serve multiple blade stacks simultaneously. A single bridging element can provide attachment points for lashings from several adjacent blades, reducing the total number of lashings needed while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging elements serve multiple functions: they structurally connect adjacent blade stacks, provide attachment points for lashings, and distribute loads across multiple blades. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated components for each function, minimizing material consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for transporting a plurality of wind turbine blades comprising: a plurality of root frame elements (30, 92) that are configured for supporting a root portion of a wind turbine blade, the root frame elements (30, 92) stacked on top of each other to form a plurality of blade stacks that are positioned in a side-by-side fashion with each other so wind turbine blades may be supported in a stacked array (62, 90); at least one bridging element (54, 94) spanning between a root frame element (30, 92) of one blade stack and a root frame element (30) of an adjacent blade stack for laterally securing the blade stacks in the side-by-side fashion; at least one lashing element (100) spanning diagonally across diagonally adjacent root frame elements (30, 92) of adjacent blade stacks and coupled to the said diagonally adjacent root frame elements (30, 92) of the adjacent blade stacks for increasing the stiffness of the blade stacks in the stacked array (62, 90).