Deformable Protection Pad for Wind Turbine Blade Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling of wind turbine blades is challenging due to their size and structure, and aerodynamic add-on elements, such as vortex generators, are prone to damage during handling due to conflicts with handling equipment, leading to potential damage and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine blade handling tool with deformable protection pads that accommodate protruding add-on elements, allowing for safe handling and reducing the risk of damage by distributing loads through the pads during lifting, turning, transportation, and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If add-on elements are mounted on the outer surface of the blade during production to enhance aerodynamic properties, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the add-on elements become prone to damage during subsequent handling operations
Solution Approach 1:
A deformable protection pad is introduced as an intermediary element between the handling tool's supporting segment and the blade surface. This protection pad accommodates protruding add-on elements (such as vortex generators) during handling operations, preventing direct contact between the supporting segment and the add-on elements, thereby eliminating the damage risk while maintaining aerodynamic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The protection pad is pre-installed on the supporting segment of the handling tool before the blade handling operation begins. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the add-on elements are protected from the outset during lifting, turning, transportation, installation, and storage operations, preventing damage before it can occur
2Stability of the object's composition
If the supporting segment directly contacts the blade surface during handling, then handling stability is improved, but protruding add-on elements may be damaged due to direct contact with the supporting segment
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable protection pad serves as a mediator between the supporting segment and the blade surface. It maintains the stabilizing contact between the handling tool and the blade while accommodating protruding add-on elements, preventing direct harmful contact between the supporting segment and the add-on elements during handling operations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The deformable protection pads effectively prevent damage to aerodynamic add-on elements, facilitating efficient handling and installation while maintaining the aerodynamic performance of the blades, reducing repair needs and installation time, and allowing for optimal placement of add-on elements during production.
Implementation Method 1
the protection pad is deformed in such manner that at least one blade add-on element protruding from the support surface portion is completely accommodated in the deformed protection pad
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine blade handling tool includes at least one supporting segment for supporting a surface portion of an outer surface of the blade during handling of the wind turbine blade, wherein the supporting segment includes at least one deformable protection pad, which is deformable in such manner that at least one blade add-on element protruding from the supported surface portion is completely accommodated in the deformed protection pad.