Transportation and storage system for wind turbine blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transportation, storage, and handling systems for wind turbine blades are inefficient due to multiple transportation steps, reloading requirements, and inadequate support mechanisms, which complicate the handling and storage of these large and delicate structures.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tip end frame assembly with a tip end receptacle and a root end frame assembly, where the tip end receptacle has a supporting surface that can rest upright on a horizontal surface and releasable retaining means to securely hold the blade, and the root end frame includes positioning and stacking features for efficient handling and transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transportation steps and reloading are used to transport wind turbine blades, then the blades can be transported from production facility to wind turbine site, but the handling complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation system is divided into separate functional components: a blade support device with positioning means, a transportation device with loading/unloading capability, and a storage device. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall handling complexity while maintaining transportation flexibility across different modes (truck, train, ship).
Solution Approach 2:
The blade support device incorporates positioning means that can adapt to different blade positions and orientations, and the transportation device is designed to load and unload blades for multiple transport modes. This multi-functionality allows a single system to handle various transportation scenarios without requiring completely different equipment for each mode, thereby reducing handling complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Reliability
If traditional support mechanisms are used for wind turbine blades, then the blades can be supported during transport, but the support adequacy and blade protection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A blade support device acts as an intermediary between the blade and the transportation/storage system. This device includes positioning means that provide adequate support and protection to the blade during handling and transport, ensuring blade support reliability without requiring complex integrated support mechanisms in the transportation equipment itself.
3Productivity
If blades are stored at both production facility and wind turbine site, then the blades can be kept ready for transport and installation, but the storage efficiency and space utilization are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is designed to store blades in an upright position using the vertical dimension, rather than horizontal stacking. This dimensional change allows for more efficient space utilization and enables the storage of multiple blades in a compact arrangement, improving storage efficiency while reducing the horizontal space requirement at both production facilities and wind turbine sites.
4Adaptability or versatility
If reloading between different transportation modes is required, then the blades can be transported via truck, train, or ship, but the time consumption and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation device is designed with loading and unloading capabilities that prepare the blade support device in advance for transfer between different transport modes. This preliminary preparation reduces the time required for reloading operations when transitioning between truck, train, or ship, thereby maintaining transport mode flexibility while minimizing transportation time losses.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transportation and storage system for a wind turbine rotor blade (1) comprises a tip end frame assembly comprising a tip end receptacle (12) and a tip end frame (11). The tip end receptacle (12) comprises an upwardly open tip end-receiving space (22) for receiving a portion of the tip end of the blade and having a supporting surface (23) for supporting the blade, a lower surface (20) allowing the tip end receptacle to rest upright on a substantially horizontal surface, such as the ground, and releasable retaining means (26) for releasably retaining the tip end of the blade in the receiving space (22) of the tip end receptacle (12). The tip end frame (11) comprises an upwardly open receptacle-receiving space (50) for receiving the receptacle and provided with positioning means for positioning the receptacle (12) in the tip end frame. A base part (35) defines a bottom surface (36) allowing the tip end frame to rest upright on the ground.