Patent classifications
F03D80/502
METHOD FOR REPAIRING A LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM OF WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE
A method for repairing or improving a lightning protection system of a rotor blade of a wind turbine having a blade root and a blade tip includes identifying a repair or improvement location in the lightning protection system of the rotor blade. The method includes removing one or more layers of material at the repair or improvement location that form part of a shell of the rotor blade so as to expose existing conductive material in the rotor blade. The method also includes placing a conductive layer of material atop the repair or improvement location such that a root-side edge of the conductive layer overlaps the existing conductive material. Moreover, the method includes electrically connecting the root-side edge of the conductive layer with the existing conductive material and a tip-side edge of the conductive layer of material with the blade tip. The method further includes covering the conductive layer with an outer covering.
Method for installing an add-on device on a wind turbine blade
A method is provided for installing a continuous pliant add-on device (e.g., a vibration suppression device) onto a blade of a wind turbine, wherein the blade is mounted to a rotor that is atop a tower. The method includes, with the rotor, positioning the blade to a first position. A first end of the add-on device is fixed to a first end of the blade. The blade is then rotated with a pitch control system while supplying the add-on device in a first direction along a span of the rotating blade to wrap the add-on device around the blade towards an opposite second end of the blade in a first wrap pattern.
DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING A TEMPORARY SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR MAINTENANCE CREW FOR A BLADE OF A WIND TURBINE, METHOD OF PERFORMING MAINTENANCE, WIND TURBINE BLADE, WIND TURBINE AND WIND TURBINE PARK
Device for forming a temporary support structure for maintenance crew for a blade of a wind turbine, the device comprising a sleeve configured to surround the blade, at least a longitudinal section thereof, wherein the sleeve comprises at least one inflatable part which is changeable between a deflated state and an inflated state when the sleeve surrounds the blade, wherein in the deflated state the sleeve is movable with respect to the blade for positioning the sleeve with respect to the blade, wherein in the inflated state the sleeve is configured to clamp the sleeve with respect to the blade, wherein, at least in the inflated state, the sleeve is configured to form a support structure along the blade for supporting maintenance crew for the blade thereon.
DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON OBJECT
A device for performing maintenance on an object is provided. The device for performing maintenance on an object comprises an attaching means that enables the device to attach to a part of an object, the attaching means being configured to deform in accordance with a shape of a part of the object, a moving means that enables the device to move on the object, and a maintenance means that performs maintenance on the object. In one embodiment of the present invention, the attaching means is configured so that the device maintains a state of attaching to the part of the object by the deformation of the attaching means even when a shape of a part of the object changes in association with the movement.
DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON OBJECT
A device for performing maintenance on an object is provided. The device for performing maintenance on an object comprises an attaching means that enables the device to attach to a part of an object, the attaching means being configured to deform in accordance with a shape of a part of the object, a moving means that enables the device to move on the object, and a maintenance means that performs maintenance on the object. In one embodiment of the present invention, the attaching means is configured so that the device maintains a state of attaching to the part of the object by the deformation of the attaching means even when a shape of a part of the object changes in association with the movement.
MITIGATING VIBRATIONS IN WIND TURBINES
The present disclosure relates to wind turbine blades, devices and methods for reducing vibrations in wind turbines, particularly during installation. In an aspect, a device for mitigating vibrations of a blade of a wind turbine during standstill is provided. The device comprises a flexible base having a first connection area and a second connection area, the first connection area being configured to be attached to the second connection area to form a removable attachment. The device further comprises one or more airflow modifying elements attached to the flexible base. The flexible base is configured to fit around a portion of the rotor blade such that the removable attachment is positioned substantially at a leading edge of the blade. The present disclosure further relates to methods for mitigating vibrations in a parked wind turbine blade and to sleeves for wrapping around a portion of a wind turbine blade.
A METHOD OF PROLONGING PITCH BEARING LIFETIME AND PITCH BEARING
The invention relates to a method of prolonging pitch bearing lifetime for a wind turbine as well as the pitch bearing itself. The method comprises the steps of: stopping the rotor (4) from rotating; removing a plurality of first fastening means used for mounting the blade (5) to the outer bearing ring (24); mounting a strengthening arc structure (10) on said outer bearing ring (24), opposite the blade (5); installing a plurality of second fastening means, thereby connecting said blade (5) and said strengthening arc structure (10) to said outer bearing ring (24).
CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING A BLADE ACCESS SYSTEM TO A NACELLE OF A WIND TURBINE AND METHOD OF USING SAME
A blade access system (24) includes a support frame (28) configured to be coupled to a nacelle (14) of a wind turbine (10), the support frame (28) having at least one connecting member (42) configured to be selectively attached to and detached from at least one connecting member (40) included with the nacelle (14). A nacelle (14) includes at least one connecting member (40) configured to be coupled to at least one connecting member (42) of a support frame (28) of a blade access system (24). The at least one support frame connecting member (42) is configured to cooperate with the at least one nacelle connecting member (40) to define an unlocked position which is configured to allow the support frame (28) to attach to and detach from the nacelle (14), and a locked position which is configured to prevent the support frame (28) from detaching from the nacelle (28). A method of connecting the blade access system (24) to the nacelle (14) is also disclosed.
SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING MAINTENANCE OF AT LEAST PART OF AN OBJECT
This system, for performing maintenance of at least one part of an object, is provided with: at least one rope holding device which is configured to move up to said at least one part of said object and to hold at least one rope at said at least one part of said object; and a maintenance device which, configured to perform the maintenance of said at least one part of said object, is configured to move on the aforementioned at least one rope, held by the at least one rope holding device, to said at least one part of said object and to move on said at least one part of said object.
REPAIR OF WIND TURBINE BLADES
A mould tool is disclosed, for use in repairing the eroded leading edge of a wind turbine blade. The mould tool comprises a flexible sheet and a framework which is flexible in one direction, for conforming to the curved edge of the blade, but rigid in the other direction. The mould tool may include tapered side walls. Preferably, a method or repair involves use of a mould tool with tapered side walls, and use of a similar mould tool which lacks the tapered side walls. To repair a section of the edge of a turbine blade, first stripes of resin are injected, spaced apart along the length of the section, using the mould with side walls. The gaps between the stripes are then filled using the mould without side walls.