Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for cleaning a wind turbine blade or a solar panel with a wind cinch device. The method includes applying a cleaning solution to a surface of a wind turbine blade or solar panel; affixing a wind cinch device around a high point of the wind turbine blade or solar panel; applying tension to one or more lines attached to the wind cinch device to control the pressure the wind cinch device applies to the surface of the wind turbine blade or solar panel; and applying tension to the one or more lines attached to the wind cinch device to pull the wind cinch device from the high point on the wind turbine blade or solar panel to a low point on the wind turbine blade or solar panel. Other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a Wind Cinch device. The Wind Cinch device includes a main body, the main body being an elongated member having a cleaning surface sufficient in length to form a loop around a wind turbine blade when wrapped around a wind turbine blade. The Wind Cinch device also includes a plurality of rigging points, each rigging point adapted to receive a line. Applying tension to one or more of the lines attached to the rigging points changes the circumference of the loop formed by wrapping the wind cinch device around the wind turbine blade.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for cleaning a wind turbine blade or a solar panel with a wind cinch device. The method includes applying a cleaning solution to a surface of a wind turbine blade or solar panel; affixing a wind cinch device around a high point of the wind turbine blade or solar panel; applying tension to one or more lines attached to the wind cinch device to control the pressure the wind cinch device applies to the surface of the wind turbine blade or solar panel; and applying tension to the one or more lines attached to the wind cinch device to pull the wind cinch device from the high point on the wind turbine blade or solar panel to a low point on the wind turbine blade or solar panel. Other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a Wind Cinch device. The Wind Cinch device includes a main body, the main body being an elongated member having a cleaning surface sufficient in length to form a loop around a wind turbine blade when wrapped around a wind turbine blade. The Wind Cinch device also includes a plurality of rigging points, each rigging point adapted to receive a line. Applying tension to one or more of the lines attached to the rigging points changes the circumference of the loop formed by wrapping the wind cinch device around the wind turbine blade.

Apparatus and methods for the automated non-destructive inspection of wind turbine blades. In one embodiment, the automated apparatus includes: a cart comprising a cart frame, a multiplicity of wheels, and a cart motor for driving rotation of at least one wheel; a multiplicity of cables depending from the cart; a multiplicity of crawler vehicles respectively attached to the multiplicity of cables, each crawler vehicle comprising a crawler vehicle frame and a set of wheels; and a multiplicity of maintenance tools respectively coupled to the crawler vehicle frames of the multiplicity of crawler vehicles. The crawler vehicles are equipped with suction devices to enable adherence to the surface and may be configured for holonomic motion during such adherence.

Apparatus and methods for the automated non-destructive inspection of wind turbine blades. In one embodiment, the automated apparatus includes: a cart comprising a cart frame, a multiplicity of wheels, and a cart motor for driving rotation of at least one wheel; a multiplicity of cables depending from the cart; a multiplicity of crawler vehicles respectively attached to the multiplicity of cables, each crawler vehicle comprising a crawler vehicle frame and a set of wheels; and a multiplicity of maintenance tools respectively coupled to the crawler vehicle frames of the multiplicity of crawler vehicles. The crawler vehicles are equipped with suction devices to enable adherence to the surface and may be configured for holonomic motion during such adherence.

The present invention is an automated wind turbine servicing system that includes a rover, and uses an active electro-mechanical gripping roller system to attach to the horizontally positioned airfoil and navigate along it in order to clean, inspect, service (paint, remove material or repair), or otherwise maintain the wind turbine airfoil. An electromechanical compression system adapts to various turbine airfoil profiles so that it can be used to service many different types of wind turbines. The rover operates on a horizontal airfoil rather than a vertical airfoil to utilize gravity and prevent movement along the chord of the airfoil. Once secured to the airfoil, the rover activates a drive system that propels the rover along the airfoil as it travels along the upper edge, using wind pressure, the rover wheels' frictional adherence to the airfoil, and gravity to assist in coupling the rover to the airfoil. The rover, which preferably includes a robotic arm, is able to utilize multiple tools to perform various tasks such as inspecting, cleaning, sanding, repairing, painting and laying leading edge protection tape as well as vortex generators on the surface of the airfoil.

A disk brake for a brake disk ring of an azimuth drive of a wind turbine includes a brake housing which has two housing halves that, on opposite sides, flank receiving jaws for the brake disk ring. At least two brake pistons which hydraulically act upon friction lining carriers assigned to the receiving jaws are mounted in each housing half. At least one housing half has a cleaning channel, extending from a rear side of the housing and towards a front housing area, in which the receiving jaws and the friction lining carriers are provided.

A disk brake for a brake disk ring of an azimuth drive of a wind turbine includes a brake housing which has two housing halves that, on opposite sides, flank receiving jaws for the brake disk ring. At least two brake pistons which hydraulically act upon friction lining carriers assigned to the receiving jaws are mounted in each housing half. At least one housing half has a cleaning channel, extending from a rear side of the housing and towards a front housing area, in which the receiving jaws and the friction lining carriers are provided.

An apparatus (1) for movement along a tower structure (11) is disclosed, the apparatus (1) being configured to be arranged at least partly circumferentially around the tower structure (11). The apparatus (1) comprises a plurality of sliding rails (2) and a frame structure comprising a plurality of frame elements (3). Each frame element (3) is slidably connected to at least one of the sliding rails (2), and the frame elements (3) and the sliding rails (2) are interconnected to form a scissor structure. An upwardly directed lifting force applied, by means of a hoisting mechanism (8), at connecting points (10) at or near positions where the frame elements (3) are connected to the sliding rails (2), in combination with gravity working on the frame structure, causes the frame elements (3) to slide along the sliding rails (2), thereby causing the scissor structure to contract or expand to adjust a diameter of the frame structure to an outer diameter of a tower structure (11) having the apparatus (1) mounted thereon.

An apparatus (1) for movement along a tower structure (11) is disclosed, the apparatus (1) being configured to be arranged at least partly circumferentially around the tower structure (11). The apparatus (1) comprises a plurality of sliding rails (2) and a frame structure comprising a plurality of frame elements (3). Each frame element (3) is slidably connected to at least one of the sliding rails (2), and the frame elements (3) and the sliding rails (2) are interconnected to form a scissor structure. An upwardly directed lifting force applied, by means of a hoisting mechanism (8), at connecting points (10) at or near positions where the frame elements (3) are connected to the sliding rails (2), in combination with gravity working on the frame structure, causes the frame elements (3) to slide along the sliding rails (2), thereby causing the scissor structure to contract or expand to adjust a diameter of the frame structure to an outer diameter of a tower structure (11) having the apparatus (1) mounted thereon.

Disclosed is a device for the inspection or maintenance of devices, for example rotor blades of wind power plants. A frame structure can encompass the device, e.g. a rotor blade, and be used for the inspection or examination or cleaning of the rotor blade or other object. The frame structure has, for example, an inner opening which encloses the object during use. Propellers allow a horizontal movement of the frame structure and thus, for example, of a robot for examining the object. A vertical movement of the robot can be controlled by a cable suspension so that the vertical position of the examination device can be changed. A detection, cleaning, or monitoring system can be provided on the frame structure for detecting the condition of the object, cleaning, monitoring or treatment. A control station can be provided on the ground or on a transporter or other device.