A transportation arrangement (10) includes a train (12) including at least first and second railcars (14) operatively coupled to each other for hauling by a locomotive along a railroad and having a first side (20) and a second side (22). The transportation arrangement (10) also includes a blade (40) extending between a root end (42) and a tip end (44), wherein a root region (60) of the blade (40) proximate the root end (42) is supported on the first railcar (14) and pivotable relative thereto about a first vertical axis (V1) spaced apart from the root end (42), and wherein a tip region (64) of the blade (40) proximate the tip end (44) is supported on the second railcar (14) and pivotable relative thereto about a second vertical axis (V2), such that at least a portion of the root region (60) is configured to extend laterally away from the first side (20) of the train (12) when the first and second railcars (14) are longitudinally offset from each other.

A runner for a hydraulic machine comprising a band, a crown, a plurality of blades extending between the crown and the band, wherein the runner comprises a plurality of runner segments which together define the runner, each runner segment comprising a band portion, a crown portion and a blade, which portions are integrally formed with one another, each runner segment being attachable to another segment at a band joining edge and a crown joining edge, wherein the band joining edge and the crown joining edge are each spaced apart from the blade of the segment.

A wind turbine blade suspension and rotation device capable of raising and lowering the blade includes a blade housing configured to receive a blade and having at least one guide on an exterior surface; a base; a first telescopic frame disposed on a first side of the base; a second telescopic frame disposed on a second side of the base; at least one adjustable strap, the adjustable strap disposed between the adjustable frames; wherein the at least one strap extends through the guide on the exterior surface of the housing to suspend the blade.

Systems, methods, and aircraft for managing center of gravity (CG) while transporting large cargo are described. Management of CG is achieved in many ways. In some instances, the aircraft itself is designed to assist in managing CG by providing fuel tanks that minimize the impact of fuel on the net CG of the aircraft. The fuel tanks utilize only a small amount of available volume in the wings for fuel. Disclosures related to properly managing CG while loading wind turbines onto cargo aircraft are also provided. The CG management techniques provided for herein allow for the transportation of wind turbine blades via aircraft, running counter to the typical rail or truck transportation of the same. One such management technique includes accounting for how a rotation of the blades when loading impacts the CG of the blades, and thus taking this into account when placing the blades in the aircraft.

System for transporting an offshore structure, the system comprising: a transport apparatus, in particular a vessel or a vehicle, which is configured to receive an offshore structure and to form a slip joint with a slip joint section of a received offshore structure, wherein the system is configured to enter a releasable state, from a fixing state, wherein, in the releasable state, the slip joint formed by the transport apparatus and the offshore structure is smaller than that force in the fixing state.

A bracket for a transport frame, configured to hold a hub of a wind turbine in place at the transport frame during transport of the hub, the bracket holding the hub during the transport of the hub and mechanically connecting a holding device and the transport frame for attaching the holding device at the transport frame, for moving the holding device relative to the transport frame, and for moving a contacting portion of the holding device against the hub, which is arranged in a predetermined position on the transport frame is provided. A transport frame is also provided that includes, at least one bracket.

The present disclosure relates to tools and methods for handling a tower section of a wind turbine tower. A tool comprises a first wheeled platform, a second wheeled platform, and a frame. The frame comprises a first side portion, and a second side portion. The first side portion is attached to the first wheeled platform and is configured to support a first end portion of a sling. The second side portion is attached to the second wheeled platform and is configured to support a second end portion of the sling. The first and second wheeled platforms are separated along a horizontal direction.

Provided is an installation system for installing a tower of a wind turbine. The present invention further relates to a tower of a wind turbine including the installation system. The present invention further relates to a method of upending a tower of a wind turbine using the installation system. The present invention further relates to a method of installing a tower of a wind turbine using the installation system.

A transport system for transporting a tower of a wind turbine including a frame coupled to a tower end of the tower, a wing coupled to the frame, and a lifting unit configured to lift the tower is provided. A tower of a wind turbine including the transport system is also provided. A method of transporting a tower of a wind turbine using the transport system is also provided.

Systems and methods for loading a cargo aircraft are described. The system includes at least one rail disposed in an interior cargo bay of a cargo aircraft that extends at an angle relative to an interior bottom contact surface of a forward portion of the interior cargo bay, through a kinked portion and an aft portion of the interior cargo bay. Payload-receiving fixtures are described that can be used in conjunction with the rail system, allowing for large cargo, such as wind turbine blades, to be transported by aircraft. Methods of loading a cargo aircraft can include advancing the large payload into the interior cargo bay of the aircraft such that at least one of the payload-receiving fixtures rises relative to a plane defined by the interior bottom contact surface of the forward portion of the interior cargo bay. Various systems, methods, components, and related tooling are also provided.