Wind Turbine Blade Support Frames for Upright Transport and Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transportation and storage systems for wind turbine blades are inefficient due to multiple handling steps and lack of suitable support mechanisms that allow for upright placement on horizontal surfaces, leading to challenges in handling, storage, and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tip end frame assembly with a tip end receptacle and a tip end frame, which includes a supporting surface allowing upright placement on a horizontal surface, releasable retaining means, and a root end frame assembly with longitudinal positioning and stacking capabilities, enabling efficient handling, storage, and transportation of wind turbine blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transportation steps and reloading are used to transport wind turbine blades from production facility to wind turbine site, then the blades can be transported using existing infrastructure, but the handling complexity and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation system is divided into separate functional components: a base structure with positioning means for ground placement, and a support frame assembly that can be independently positioned and secured to the blade. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall handling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame acts as an intermediary device between the blade and the ground/transportation infrastructure. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies loading and unloading operations, reducing the complexity of direct handling between multiple transportation modes.
2Ease of operation
If traditional support mechanisms are used for blade storage and transportation, then the blades can be supported, but they cannot be placed upright on horizontal surfaces which limits storage and handling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame assembly incorporates movable and adjustable components, including positioning means that can be adjusted along the base and support frames that can be positioned at different locations along the blade. This dynamic adjustability enables the system to adapt to different blade sizes and storage requirements, allowing upright placement on horizontal surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables transition from traditional horizontal blade storage to upright vertical storage by providing support at multiple points along the blade length. This dimensional change in storage orientation improves space utilization and handling efficiency while the positioning means provide the necessary adaptability.
3Device complexity
If support parts are stacked on a base plate without positioning means, then the structure is simpler, but the support parts cannot be properly positioned in the space defined by the base plate
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning means are strategically placed at asymmetric locations along the base and support frames, allowing precise positioning of the support frame assembly relative to the blade while maintaining structural simplicity. The asymmetric positioning enables accurate alignment without requiring complex symmetric positioning mechanisms.
4Reliability
If the intermediate support frame supports the blade at a point within the inboard 50% of the blade length, then the blade can be supported, but the support does not extend to the tip end which limits storage configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame assembly is designed with universal applicability to support blades of different lengths and configurations. The adjustable positioning means and extendable support structure allow the same basic design to function reliably whether supporting at inboard or outboard positions, enabling multiple storage configurations including upright, horizontal, and stacked arrangements.
Data Source
AI summary
A transportation and storage system for a wind turbine rotor blade comprises a tip end frame assembly comprising a tip end receptacle and a tip end frame. The tip end receptacle comprises an upwardly open tip end-receiving space for receiving a portion of the tip end of the blade and having a supporting surface for supporting the blade, a lower surface allowing the tip end receptacle to rest upright on a substantially horizontal surface, such as the ground, and releasable retaining means for releasably retaining the tip end of the blade in the receiving space of the tip end receptacle. The tip end frame comprises an upwardly open receptacle-receiving space for receiving the receptacle and provided with positioning means for positioning the receptacle in the tip end frame. A base part defines a bottom surface allowing the tip end frame to rest upright on the ground.