Wind Turbine Blade Transport Packaging Using Tip-to-Root Frame Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing length and fragility of wind turbine blades pose challenges in transportation, as they are prone to damage and require complex, costly logistics that often violate local regulations due to size and weight restrictions.

Innovation Solution

A transport system using stackable root and tip end frames that allow wind turbine blades to be arranged in a 'tip-to-root' layout with overlapping frames, supporting the blades at their stronger sections and enabling closer frame placement to comply with regulations, while allowing for parallel or stacked orientations to optimize space and reduce damage risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blades are transported using traditional packaging systems with frames at root end and tip end, then blades can be supported, but the distance between frames becomes approximately equal to blade length, violating local regulations on maximum distances between supports

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade protection from damageVSAvoidcompliance with transport regulations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system is divided into multiple intermediate frames positioned along the blade length, rather than using a single two-point support system. This segmentation allows the blade to be supported at multiple locations, reducing the distance between supports to comply with regulations while maintaining blade protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediate frames are introduced as mediator elements between the root end frame and tip end frame. These intermediate frames act as additional support points that reduce the span distance, allowing compliance with regulatory requirements while maintaining the protective packaging function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple blades are transported using the same packaging system, then transport costs are reduced, but restrictions on large loads, maximum heights, and maximum widths make it difficult to provide suitable transport solutions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport cost efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to transport restrictions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable frame positions that can be dynamically adapted to different blade lengths and transport restrictions. This allows the same packaging system to be optimized for various transport modes (truck, train, ship) and their specific dimensional constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows modification of key parameters such as frame spacing, frame height, and blade orientation to adapt to different transport restrictions. By changing these parameters, the packaging system can accommodate various load restrictions while maintaining cost-efficient multi-blade transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of stationary object

If tip end frames support blades at the very tip where they are mechanically most fragile, then compact storage is achieved, but the fragile tip sections are at high risk of damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage compactnessVSAvoidblade integrity at tip section

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the blade receive different support qualities through the frame system. The intermediate frames provide enhanced support at critical locations along the blade span, while the tip end frame provides compact positioning. This localized quality differentiation protects fragile sections while maintaining storage compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging system incorporates protective cushioning elements at the tip end frame and intermediate frames to protect the fragile tip sections before any potential damage can occur. This prior cushioning allows the tip frames to support blades at compact positions without compromising tip section integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9874235B2Method and system for transporting and storing at least two wind turbine blades

Publication Date: 2018.01.23 LM WP PATENT HLDG AS

AI summary

A transportation and storage system for at least two wind turbine blades include a first wind turbine blade and a second wind turbine blade is described. The wind turbine blades each have a root end and a tip end. The system includes a packaging system adapted to place the first wind turbine blade so that the tip end of the first wind turbine blade points in a first direction, with the tip end of the second wind turbine blade pointing in a second direction, which is substantially opposite to the first direction. The tip end of the second wind turbine blade extends beyond the root end of the first wind turbine blade, and the tip end of the first wind turbine blade extends beyond the root end of the second wind turbine blade, when the first and the second wind turbine blades are arranged in the packaging system.