Wind Turbine Blade Transport Frame With Self-Aligning Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size and weight of wind turbine blades pose logistical challenges during storage, transportation, and handling, leading to costly, time-consuming, and damage-prone processes, particularly during multi-stage transitions and shipping, where existing solutions often require frequent switching between different support structures and lack efficient stacking and lifting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A transport frame design with stackable features, including locating fingers and recesses at the corners, and a retractable connector arm system, allowing for easy alignment and secure stacking of multiple frames, facilitating quick and reliable transportation and lifting of wind turbine blades, especially for larger blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple different support structures are used for different storage and transport stages, then each stage can be optimized individually, but the process becomes costly, time-consuming and increases damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The transport frame is designed to perform multiple functions across different storage and transportation stages. The same frame structure with locating fingers and recesses is used for both storage and transport operations, eliminating the need to switch between different support structures and reducing both cost and damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame incorporates retractable connector arms that can extend or retract based on operational needs. This dynamic feature allows the frame to adapt to different stacking configurations and handling requirements while maintaining a unified structure, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices.
2Productivity
If traditional stacking methods are used without alignment features, then frames can be stacked, but the process is time-consuming and requires precise manual alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The locating fingers and recesses create a self-aligning stacking system. When frames are placed together, the locating fingers automatically guide the upper frame into correct alignment with the lower frame through the recesses, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations and speeding up the stacking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating fingers act as intermediary elements between stacked frames. These fingers protrude into the recesses of adjacent frames, serving as alignment mediators that automatically position frames correctly relative to each other during stacking operations.
3Ease of operation
If additional lifting elements are provided on frames, then lifting operations can be performed, but the frame design becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The locating fingers serve dual purposes: they provide alignment features during stacking and simultaneously serve as lifting points for crane operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate lifting elements, reducing frame complexity and cost while maintaining full lifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting function is merged with the alignment function by making the locating fingers load-bearing. The same structural elements that align frames during stacking also bear the lifting loads, combining two previously separate functions into a single integrated feature.
4Stability of the object's composition
If frames are designed for secure stacking, then transportation stability is improved, but the stacking mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking mechanism is self-securing through the locating finger-recess interface. When frames are stacked, the locating fingers automatically engage with the recesses, creating both alignment and secure connection without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex fastening systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment and securing functions are merged into a single mechanism. The locating fingers not only align frames during stacking but also secure them in place through engagement with the recesses, eliminating the need for separate alignment and securing systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Transport frame and method; the transport frame having a longitudinal, lateral and upright extent, and configured for transporting a root end or tip portion of a longitudinally extending wind turbine blade, the frame being stackable with similar frames, the frame having four top shoulders and four feet, the feet of the frame being conformed to be stackable on corresponding shoulders of another similar frame, wherein each shoulder is provided with a locating finger, each finger having a height above the shoulder, and wherein each foot is provided with a recess conformed to receive a locating finger, and wherein a first locating finger has a height greater than each of the three remaining locating fingers.