Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Self-Locking Coupling Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Installation of wind turbines poses safety risks due to the need for technical personnel to be present during the initial fastening of rotor blades to the hub, especially in hazardous environments like offshore locations, where compliance with safety regulations requires the absence of personnel.
Innovation Solution
A coupling arrangement featuring blade bolts and locking means that allow provisional fastening of rotor blades to the hub without human intervention from within the nacelle, utilizing spring-loaded or actuator-activated locking elements to secure the blade root to the hub in a direction opposite to the mounting direction, enabling self-locking without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If technical personnel are present in the nacelle during initial fastening of rotor blades to the hub, then the fastening process can be monitored and adjusted manually, but work safety is compromised in hazardous environments such as offshore locations
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arrangement enables self-service operation through automatic locking mechanisms. The locking means automatically engage when the blade root is moved toward the hub, securing the blade without requiring personnel inside the nacelle. This self-securing function resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for human presence while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling arrangement performs preliminary action by providing provisional fastening capability before final securing. The locking means are pre-configured to automatically engage and hold the blade in position during the mounting process, enabling subsequent operations to be completed safely without personnel exposure to hazardous environments.
2Reliability
If locking means are introduced to secure the blade root to the hub automatically, then work safety is improved by eliminating personnel presence, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arrangement is segmented into distinct functional components: blade bolts for initial attachment and separate locking means for automatic securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving automatic safety-based locking while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
3Reliability
If provisional fastening is performed without personnel in the nacelle, then work safety is improved, but the ability to handle unexpected situations during mounting is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arrangement performs preliminary action by providing provisional fastening capability before final securing. The locking means are pre-configured to automatically engage and hold the blade in position during the mounting process, enabling subsequent operations to be completed safely without personnel exposure to hazardous environments.
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
This solution enhances work safety during wind turbine installation by allowing provisional locking of rotor blades without technical personnel inside the nacelle, ensuring secure attachment and reducing the risk of accidents during the installation process.
Implementation Method 1
The locking means are spring loaded for self-locking
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling arrangement in the field of wind turbines is proposed, the coupling arrangement comprising a blade root having a plurality of blade bolts, a hub having a plurality of bolt holes, the blade bolts being insertable in the bolt holes by moving the blade root and the hub towards each other in a mounting direction, and locking means for locking the blade root to the hub in a direction opposite to the mounting direction. According to a further aspect, a method for assembling said coupling arrangement is proposed. The coupling arrangement and the method improve work safety during the installation of wind turbines.