Wind Turbine Blade Maintenance Support Structure with Sealed Workplaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Maintenance of wind turbine blades is challenging due to safety risks and high costs, especially in offshore environments, as existing support structures are not effective in adverse weather conditions and require complex logistics.

Innovation Solution

A support structure with two complementary sheltered workplaces that swivel between open and closed positions, sealingly receiving a blade portion, providing a controlled environment for maintenance, and allowing for easier and safer operations in various weather conditions, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the blade is taken down from the turbine for maintenance, then safety for maintenance crew is improved, but time consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple modular components including a base structure, a hoisting mechanism, and a work platform that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the structure to be easily installed and removed from the turbine blade without requiring the blade to be taken down, thereby maintaining safety while reducing maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure acts as an intermediary device between the maintenance crew and the blade. It provides a stable platform and access mechanism that enables safe maintenance operations while the blade remains installed on the turbine, eliminating the need to remove and reinstall the blade and thus reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If maintenance crew access the blade at height without support structure, then operational flexibility is maintained, but safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure incorporates a hoisting mechanism that can dynamically adjust the position of the work platform along the blade. This dynamic capability allows the structure to adapt to different blade lengths and maintenance requirements while providing a safe, stable working environment, thus maintaining operational flexibility without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is designed with universal features that can be applied to various blade types and turbine configurations. The modular design and adjustable components enable the same structure to serve multiple functions and adapt to different operational scenarios, providing both safety and flexibility across various maintenance situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If existing support structures are used in adverse weather conditions, then maintenance operations can continue, but effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance continuityVSAvoideffectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure employs flexible, weather-resistant materials in the construction of its protective coverings and shielding elements. These flexible shells can withstand adverse weather conditions while maintaining structural integrity and providing effective protection for maintenance operations, thereby ensuring both continuity and effectiveness in challenging environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Stability of the object's composition

If complex logistics are used for support structure installation, then structural stability is achieved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into modular segments that can be independently transported and assembled. This segmentation reduces the complexity of installation by allowing smaller, more manageable components to be used, while still achieving the required structural stability through proper assembly of the modular units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure incorporates self-aligning and self-securing features that automatically position and stabilize components during assembly. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex installation procedures and specialized equipment, achieving structural stability through the structure's own design features rather than complex external logistics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250334103A1A support structure, a wind turbine blade, a wind turbine and a method

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 AMPELMANN HLDG BV

AI summary

The invention relates to a support structure for maintenance crew for performing maintenance activities on a blade of a wind turbine. The support structure comprises two complementary sheltered workplaces, each workplace having a hinge end and a tail end. The support structure further comprises a hinge mechanism connected to the respective hinge ends of the sheltered work-places, allowing the sheltered workplaces to swivel between an open position wherein the tail ends are offset from each other, and a closed position wherein the tail ends are adjacent to each other. The sheltered workplaces also include a deformable receiving structure for sealingly receiving a blade portion between the sheltered workplaces, in the closed position thereof.