Wind Turbine Blade Transport Frame Tip Saddle Clamping
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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 processes that often result in damage and require frequent switching between different storage or transport structures, especially during sea transport where blades are susceptible to damage from waves.
Innovation Solution
A transport frame with a tip saddle assembly featuring a clamping mechanism and a preventer system that securely holds the blade in place, using a hinged clamping arm and a tensionable preventer to prevent accidental opening during transportation, allowing for secure stacking and handling of multiple blades without the need for auxiliary equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple clamping mechanism is used to hold the blade, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of secure retention during sea transport deteriorates due to wave-induced movements
Solution Approach 1:
The preventer mechanism is pre-configured in the clamping assembly to provide automatic engagement that prevents accidental opening. This beforehand protective measure ensures that even if the primary clamping action is compromised by wave movements, the preventer maintains blade retention security without requiring complex additional systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different storage or transport structures are used for different stages, then the adaptability to various handling stages is improved, but the device complexity and handling time increase due to repeated switching
Solution Approach 1:
The transport frame is designed with universal features including ISO container corner castings that enable the same structure to function across multiple handling stages - from production site storage to sea transport to onshore installation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for repeated switching between different transport structures, reducing both complexity and handling time while maintaining adaptability.
3Reliability
If the blade is secured tightly to prevent damage, then the reliability of damage-free transport is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in quick handling during transfers
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arm is designed as a movable dynamic element that can be quickly adjusted between open and closed positions. This dynamic design allows operators to rapidly secure or release the blade during transfers, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable damage-free transport when clamped. The hinged clamping arm mechanism enables quick manual operation without requiring power tools.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the transport frame is designed for secure stacking, then the reliability of stable storage is improved, but the weight of the frame increases due to additional structural reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The transport frame is segmented into modular components including standardized corner castings and stackable frame sections. This segmentation allows for stable stacking through interlocking features while minimizing unnecessary structural reinforcement, thereby maintaining lighter weight compared to fully reinforced monolithic designs. The modular approach achieves stacking stability without excessive weight gain.
Data Source
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AI summary
Transport frame and method; the transport frame having a longitudinal, lateral and upright extent, and being configured for receiving a tip portion of a longitudinally extending wind turbine blade, said frame being stackable with identical frames, said frame having a tip saddle assembly comprising a saddle with a support surface shaped to receive a blade tip with its chordwise extent lying approximately horizontal, and a clamping mechanism having a hinged clamping arm configured to be operable between a raised, open position and a lowered, closed position; said clamping arm, when open, allowing a blade tip to be lowered into said saddle with its chordwise extent generally horizontal, and when closed, securely restraining said blade tip against upward movement; said clamping arm extending between a hinge point and a free end; said tip saddle assembly further including a preventer serving to maintain said clamping arm in said closed position over a blade and which preventer has a middle portion extending between a first end and a second end; and wherein said tip saddle assembly further includes a fixing for respective said first and second end of said preventer; said tip saddle assembly being configured such that said preventer exerts a downward force on said clamping arm when a middle portion thereof passes under tension over a portion of said clamping arm between said hinge point and said free end, and wherein said preventer is anchored at said first and said second ends to said tip saddle assembly. 26