Wind Turbine Blade Handling Using Independent Support Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for handling horizontal axis wind turbine blades during maintenance or repair pose risks of damage and productivity losses due to unintentional movement and safety concerns related to suspended crane loads, particularly in offshore applications where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of multiple support devices and cranes to securely transfer and position wind turbine blades on support elements, allowing for controlled movement and isolation from crane activity areas, reducing the risk of damage and enabling uninterrupted maintenance or repair work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a blade is suspended by a crane for maintenance or repair, then the blade can be positioned and accessed, but the blade may move unintentionally causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support devices are engaged with the blade before the crane fully suspends it, establishing stability before the potentially harmful suspension phase begins. The support devices are positioned and locked onto the blade while it is still partially supported, preventing unintentional movement during subsequent operations.
2Productivity
If staff work on a blade suspended by a crane, then maintenance can be performed, but personnel safety is at risk
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element (crane suspension) is extracted from the maintenance process. The blade is transferred from crane suspension to independent support devices, separating the maintenance activity from the hazardous suspended load zone. This allows staff to work on the blade without being in the danger zone of suspended crane loads.
3Ease of operation
If a blade is kept in a crane suspended load area for maintenance, then easy access is provided, but productivity decreases due to interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The support devices act as an intermediary between the crane and the blade during maintenance. The blade is placed on the support devices which remain stationary while the crane moves away. This intermediary structure allows the blade to stay accessible for maintenance while the hazardous crane operations are relocated, enabling continuous work without interruptions.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a method for handling a blade (11) for a horizontal axis wind turbine (1), the blade extending longitudinally between a blade root (111) and a blade tip (112), the method comprising—supporting the blade (11) with one or more cranes (3), moving, by means of the one or more cranes (3), the supported blade (11) so as to be placed on one or more first support elements (4111) of a first support device (411) and on one or more second support elements (4121) of a second support device (412), removing the support of the one or more cranes (3), so as for the blade (11) to be supported by the one or more first support elements (4111) and the one or more second support elements (4121) on which the blade is placed, the second support device (412) being located between the blade root (111) and the blade tip (112), and the first support device (411) being, compared to the second support device, located closer to the blade root, moving the first and second support devices (411, 412) so as to move the blade (11) supported by the first and second support elements (4111, 4121), and/or moving a third support device (413), so that the third support device (413) assumes a support position between the second support device (412) and the blade tip (112), and removing, while the third support device (413) is in the support position, the support of the one or more second support elements (4121) so as for the blade (11) to be supported by one or more third support elements (4131) of the third support device, and by the one or more first support elements (4111).