Wind Turbine Blade Transport Frame with Adjustable Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size and fragility of modern wind turbine blades pose challenges in transportation, requiring solutions that are lightweight, flexible, and cost-efficient while maintaining structural stability and safety, as existing systems often fail to adapt to varying transportation modes and regulations.
Innovation Solution
A transportation and storage system comprising a root frame assembly with a center beam and inclined beams, along with a tip frame assembly, allowing for alternating root end to tip end stacking and flexible inter-blade spacing, with features like hinged receptacles and adaptable bolt patterns to accommodate different blade types and sizes, and a design that prioritizes mechanical stability and weight reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid packaging systems are used for transporting wind turbine blades, then structural stability is maintained, but weight increases and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system is divided into modular components including frame structures, support elements, and fastening mechanisms that can be independently assembled and configured. This segmentation allows the system to achieve structural stability through proper component arrangement while minimizing overall weight by including only necessary elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging system incorporates adjustable and adaptable elements that can be dynamically configured for different blade sizes and transport conditions. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain optimal structural stability for each specific application without requiring excessive weight for all possible scenarios.
2Strength
If fixed-distance package frames are used to support blades, then structural support is provided, but adaptability to different blade lengths and transport regulations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The package frames incorporate adjustable support positions and configurable spacing mechanisms that allow the distance between support points to be modified according to blade length and specific transport requirements. This dynamic adjustability maintains structural support effectiveness while enabling compliance with various transport regulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging system is designed with universal components that can accommodate multiple blade types, lengths, and transport modes through configurable arrangements. The same basic frame structure can be adapted for road, rail, or sea transport by adjusting support distances and configurations.
3Reliability
If increased inter-blade spacing is implemented for sea transport, then blade contact during sea disturbance is avoided, but height restrictions for land transport are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system allows inter-blade spacing to be dynamically adjusted based on the transport mode. For sea transport, increased spacing prevents blade contact during disturbances, while for land transport, the spacing is optimized to meet height restrictions. This dynamic configuration maintains reliability across different transport scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spacing parameter between blades according to the specific transport conditions. By adjusting this critical parameter, the system achieves optimal protection against blade contact for sea transport while complying with height regulations for land transport.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transportation modes are used for blade transport, then delivery flexibility is improved, but the risk of blade damage during loading and unloading increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system is segmented into robust protective components that shield the blade during transfers between different transport modes. The modular design includes specialized interface elements for secure handling during loading and unloading operations, reducing damage risk while maintaining transport flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging system incorporates protective cushioning elements positioned in advance at critical locations where damage is most likely to occur during loading and unloading. This prior protection mitigates the increased damage risk associated with multiple transport mode transitions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a transportation and storage system for a wind turbine blade (10), the system comprising a root frame assembly and a tip frame assembly. The frame assemblies comprise lateral frame parts (72, 74) each having a top member (84), a bottom member (86), a center beam (88), a first and a second upper inclined beam (90, 92) and a first and a second lower inclined beam (94, 96). The present invention also relates to the use of the system for transporting and/or storing one or more wind turbine blades.