Rotating Rotor Blade Transport Device for Wind Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting wind turbine rotor blades require multiple frames and cranes for land and sea transport, leading to time-consuming and costly realignment, with a risk of damage due to frequent relocation and the need for different transport orientations.
Innovation Solution
A single transport device with a rotating assembly, comprising a root frame and a tip frame, allows the rotor blade to be rotated within the device for both land and sea transport, eliminating the need for frame changes and reducing handling risks by maintaining stability and secure attachment during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different frames are used for land transport and sea transport, then the rotor blade can be optimized for each transport mode, but the realignment and relocation process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The transport device is designed as a universal frame that can accommodate both land transport requirements (height optimization) and sea transport requirements (space optimization) without needing to be changed or realigned. The same frame structure serves multiple functions for different transport modes, eliminating the time-consuming realignment process while maintaining adaptability to both transport scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rotor blade is removed from one frame and relocated to another frame, then the orientation can be optimized for the next transport section, but the risk of damage increases due to handling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The universal frame remains attached to the rotor blade throughout the entire transport process, serving both land and sea transport requirements without requiring the blade to be removed and reattached. This eliminates handling operations that could cause damage while maintaining the ability to optimize orientation for different transport modes through the frame's design.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is pre-configured with features that allow it to accommodate different transport orientations and requirements without requiring realignment operations. The frame structure is designed in advance to handle both land and sea transport conditions, so no additional handling or reconfiguration is needed during the transport process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If realignment takes place on port premises, then the rotor blade can be prepared for the next transport section, but the costs increase due to expensive port works
Solution Approach 1:
The universal frame eliminates the need for port-based realignment operations by being capable of serving both land and sea transport requirements simultaneously. All preparation and orientation optimization is done in advance through the frame's design, allowing transport to proceed directly from land to sea without expensive port works, thereby reducing overall transport costs.
4Length of stationary object
If the rotor blade is transported in a rigid frame optimized for land transport, then the height constraint is satisfied, but the space utilization on watercraft is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The universal frame is designed with a structure that satisfies land transport height constraints while simultaneously optimizing space utilization for sea transport. The frame geometry and configuration are engineered to meet both requirements, allowing the rotor blade to be transported efficiently on watercraft without requiring a different frame structure.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for transporting a rotor blade of a wind turbine using a land vehicle and a watercraft, wherein the rotor blade is transported, for example, by the land vehicle on roads to a loading point where it is loaded onto the watercraft for onward transport. The rotor blade is arranged for transport in a two-part transport device consisting of a root frame located at the blade root and a tip frame located at the blade tip. The method comprises the following steps: arranging the rotor blade in a position favorable for road transport within the two-part transport device, arranging the two-part transport device on the land vehicle, transporting the rotor blade to the loading point, and loading the rotor blade remaining in the transport device from the land vehicle onto the watercraft.wherein the rotor blade is arranged in a position advantageous for sea transport within the transport device, which differs from the position for road transport, transport of the rotor blade by watercraft, and is characterized in that the rotor blade is rotatably arranged in the transport device about its longitudinal axis and the transport device has a rotating device, wherein, after reaching the loading point and before further transport by watercraft, the rotor blade in the transport device is rotated by the rotating device from the position advantageous for road transport to the position advantageous for sea transport. The device is designed to enable the execution of the method.