Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Internal Handling Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assembling and disassembling wind turbine rotor blades are inefficient, particularly when dealing with larger blades, as they require vertical orientation and expose a significant area to wind, and often necessitate external access for handling means removal.

Innovation Solution

The wind turbine rotor blade design features openings on the pressure and suction sides for internal fastening of handling means, such as soft slings made of GRP or CFRP, which can be fastened inside the rotor blade, allowing for horizontal assembly and disassembly, reducing wind exposure and enabling internal removal of handling means without external access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If rotor blades are assembled vertically using external handling means, then assembly can be performed with conventional equipment, but the area exposed to wind increases and crane size requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidwind exposure area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handling means are nested inside the rotor blade structure, with openings in the leading edge allowing the handling means to be inserted through and fastened from the interior. This eliminates the need for external handling equipment and reduces the wind-exposed area during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly approach transitions from vertical orientation (requiring large cranes and exposing more surface area to wind) to horizontal orientation, where the rotor blade is assembled with handling means positioned internally, reducing the effective wind exposure area and allowing smaller crane equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If handling means are attached externally for assembly, then initial assembly is straightforward, but removal requires external access and additional equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling means attachmentVSAvoidremoval process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handling means are fastened inside the rotor blade through openings in the leading edge, allowing both attachment and removal to be performed from the interior. This eliminates the need for external access during removal operations and simplifies the overall process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The handling means are designed to be self-contained within the rotor blade structure, with fastening elements that can be operated from the interior. This allows the handling means to be attached and removed without requiring external equipment or personnel access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If larger rotor blades are assembled horizontally, then wind exposure is reduced, but new assembly methods and internal fastening structures are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind exposure areaVSAvoidfastening unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening units are integrated inside the rotor blade structure, with openings in the leading edge allowing handling means to be inserted and secured from the interior. This enables horizontal assembly while keeping the added structural complexity contained within the blade itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system is segmented into discrete fastening units positioned at specific locations within the rotor blade, allowing for modular integration and simplified installation while maintaining the overall horizontal assembly configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If handling means are fastened inside the rotor blade, then removal without external access is enabled, but openings must be designed and positioned precisely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling means removalVSAvoidopening positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The opening structure is segmented into multiple openings positioned at specific locations in the leading edge, allowing for precise positioning while maintaining ease of operation. The segmented design also allows for distributed fastening points within the rotor blade.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2715114B1Wind turbine rotor blade and method for installing a wind turbine rotor blade

Publication Date: 2017.10.18 WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a wind turbine rotor blade (100), comprising a rotor blade root (110), a rotor blade tip (120), a rotor blade front edge (160), a rotor blade rear edge (170), a pressure side (140), and a suction side (130). The rotor blade (100) further comprises a rotor blade outer shell (180) having at least one opening (190) in the pressure side and/or the suction side for accommodating handling means (200) for installing or removing the rotor blade (100). The rotor blade (100) further comprises at least one fastening unit (300) for fastening the handling means (200) inserted through the at least one opening. The fastening unit (300) is arranged in the interior (150) of the rotor blade outer shell (100) between the pressure side (140) and the suction side (130).