A method of retrofitting a wind turbine having a tower and a first energy generating unit with a second energy generation unit is disclosed. The wind turbine has been operated for a first period of time at a first tower life rate and has a first tower life expectancy design value. The method includes determining the tower life of the wind turbine tower used during the first period of time; determining the remaining tower life of the wind turbine tower; replacing the first energy generating unit with the second energy generating unit; and operating the retrofitted wind turbine at a second tower life rate less than the first tower life rate so as to extend the life expectancy value of the tower beyond the first tower life expectancy design value.

A method of retrofitting a wind turbine having a tower and a first energy generating unit with a second energy generation unit is disclosed. The wind turbine has been operated for a first period of time at a first tower life rate and has a first tower life expectancy design value. The method includes determining the tower life of the wind turbine tower used during the first period of time; determining the remaining tower life of the wind turbine tower; replacing the first energy generating unit with the second energy generating unit; and operating the retrofitted wind turbine at a second tower life rate less than the first tower life rate so as to extend the life expectancy value of the tower beyond the first tower life expectancy design value.

A coating applicator tool head configured for use with a robotic maintenance device includes a tool head body with a frame, a supply container, a drive for actuating delivery of flow of coating from the supply container, a feed tube, a nozzle receiving flow from the feed tube, and a spreading tool such as a roller brush or a spatula receiving flow from the nozzle. The coating applicator tool head is moved by an articulated arm of the maintenance device over surface of a wind turbine blade containing damage such that the roller brush or spatula can apply layers of the coating to cover and fill in the damage. The nozzle directly supplies coating continuously onto the roller brush or the spatula, and the drive can be configured to independently adjust supply of two or more different components in the supply container that may be mixed to form the coating.

A coating applicator tool head configured for use with a robotic maintenance device includes a tool head body with a frame, a supply container, a drive for actuating delivery of flow of coating from the supply container, a feed tube, a nozzle receiving flow from the feed tube, and a spreading tool such as a roller brush or a spatula receiving flow from the nozzle. The coating applicator tool head is moved by an articulated arm of the maintenance device over surface of a wind turbine blade containing damage such that the roller brush or spatula can apply layers of the coating to cover and fill in the damage. The nozzle directly supplies coating continuously onto the roller brush or the spatula, and the drive can be configured to independently adjust supply of two or more different components in the supply container that may be mixed to form the coating.

In a main bearing replacement method for a wind turbine power generation facility including a nacelle, a rotor head rotatably supported by the nacelle, a drive shaft to which rotation of the rotor head is transmitted, a main bearing disposed between the rotor head and the nacelle, and a coupling connecting the rotor head and the drive shaft on a radially inner side of the main bearing, the wind turbine power generation facility includes a main bearing sleeve fitted and fixed to an inner ring of the main bearing and mounted with the rotor head, and the main bearing is replaced at least while the main bearing sleeve is fitted and fixed to the inner ring of the main bearing.

Provided is a leading-edge protector for a wind turbine rotor blade, including a curved body shaped for attachment to the rotor blade along at least a section of its leading edge; a plurality of fins, each fin extending radially outward from the curved body and terminating in a blunt outer face; and a plurality of reinforcement bands, wherein a reinforcement band is attached to the blunt outer face of a fin. Also provided is a method of manufacturing such a leading-edge protector.

An operation locking device for a climb-free system includes a locking assembly, a fixing block and a triggering assembly. The fixing block is mounted on a climb-free system trolley. The locking assembly is connected to the fixing block by the triggering assembly. The triggering assembly is configured to control the locking assembly to be switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state. When the climb-free system trolley is out-of-control, the triggering assembly triggers the locking assembly to switch to the locked state and to be clamped in a sliding rail, such that the climb-free system trolley stops operating. When the climb-free system trolley needs to adjust a working position by sliding up and down, the triggering assembly triggers the locking assembly to switch to the unlocked state and to be disengaged from the sliding rail.

A jacking tool (70, 162, 174) for a wind turbine component (60) having an outer housing (62) and an internal rotatable member (64) disposed in the outer housing (62) and rotatable about a rotational axis (66) is disclosed. The jacking tool (70, 162, 174) includes a support pin (74, 164, 176) having a proximal end and a distal end that includes a bearing (112). The support pin (74, 164, 176) is configured to be selectively movable relative to the outer housing (62). The bearing (112) is configured to contact the internal rotatable member (64) to support the internal rotatable member (64) relative to the outer housing (62), and to allow the internal rotatable member (64) to rotate within the outer housing (62) while being supported by the jacking tool (70, 162, 174).

A jacking tool (70, 162, 174) for a wind turbine component (60) having an outer housing (62) and an internal rotatable member (64) disposed in the outer housing (62) and rotatable about a rotational axis (66) is disclosed. The jacking tool (70, 162, 174) includes a support pin (74, 164, 176) having a proximal end and a distal end that includes a bearing (112). The support pin (74, 164, 176) is configured to be selectively movable relative to the outer housing (62). The bearing (112) is configured to contact the internal rotatable member (64) to support the internal rotatable member (64) relative to the outer housing (62), and to allow the internal rotatable member (64) to rotate within the outer housing (62) while being supported by the jacking tool (70, 162, 174).

A method for monitoring at least one rotor blade of a wind turbine includes implementing, via a controller, a control scheme for monitoring blade damage of the at least one rotor blade. The control scheme includes monitoring at least one electrical condition of a pitch system of the wind turbine. The method also includes converting the electrical condition(s) of the pitch system into a frequency domain. Further, the method includes determining one or more peaks of the frequency domain around a frequency component related to a natural frequency of the rotor blade. Moreover, the method includes determining a frequency deviation between the one or more peaks of the frequency domain and the frequency component related to the natural frequency of the rotor blade. As such, a frequency deviation outside of a predetermined frequency range is indicative of a rotor blade anomaly. Thus, the method includes implementing a control action when the frequency deviation is outside of the predetermined frequency range.