Wind Turbine Blade Support Frame with Load Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbine blade transport systems fail to adequately prevent damage, particularly at the mid-tip region, and lack effective methods to detect damage during transport, leading to increased costs and downtime due to repair complexities.
Innovation Solution
A support frame with integrated load indicators that monitor and communicate the movement of wind turbine blades during loading and transport, using contact elements, biasing members, and movement indicators to ensure proper positioning and detect excessive shocks or vibrations indicative of potential damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional support frames are used for blade transport, then the blade can be transported, but damage occurs at the mid-tip region and damage detection is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements load indicators with contact elements that provide real-time feedback on blade position and movement during transport. These indicators detect and communicate blade shifts, shocks, and vibrations, enabling immediate awareness of potential damage conditions and allowing corrective actions to be taken before damage occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary cushioning and positioning measures during blade loading into the support frame. Load indicators are pre-positioned to detect improper loading conditions before transport begins, and support structures are configured in advance to prevent damage at critical regions like the mid-tip area.
2Loss of time
If damage detection during transport is not implemented, then transport cost is reduced, but repair costs and downtime increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The load indicator system provides continuous feedback during transport about blade condition and position. This enables detection of damage events while the blade is still in transit, allowing for immediate inspection and repair planning before installation, thereby minimizing downtime without requiring complex post-installation diagnostic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade transport system performs self-diagnosis through the load indicators that automatically detect and record damage events during transport. This eliminates the need for separate complex detection systems at the installation site, as the transport system itself provides the diagnostic function.
3Measurement precision
If load indicators are added to support frames, then blade movement can be detected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load indicator system is divided into discrete, modular components including contact elements, indicators, and support structures positioned at specific locations along the blade. This segmentation allows for precise local measurement of blade movement and loading conditions without requiring a complex integrated system, making the indicators easy to install and maintain.
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
The support frame effectively reduces the likelihood of damage during transport by ensuring proper loading and detecting potential damage, allowing for timely repair before installation and reducing overall installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured to bias the contact element away from the base
Data Source
AI summary
A support frame (44) and method are described herein for support of a wind turbine blade (22) on a vehicle during transport to an installation site. A load indicator (46) is provided adjacent one or more support pads (52) when using the support frame (44), with the load indicator (46) being configured to determine and communicate an amount of movement of the wind turbine blade (22) relative to the support frame (44) during initial loading into the support frame (44) and during transport. To this end, the load indicator (46) helps assure that the wind turbine blade (22) is properly loaded into the support frame (44) in a desired transport position, while also confirming whether significant shocks or other movements have occurred during transport that could lead to a higher likelihood of internal or external damage at the blade (22).