Vestas Wind Systems A/s

Michael Kastrup

Joris Kofman

Adrian Botwright

Troels Vahle

Kristoffer Lolk Fredriksen

Lucia Quintana

Jacob Antonsen

Martin Damm

Peter Frans Thomsen

Kurt Jensen

Peter Fynbo

Carsten Jasper

Kennet Hvid Nielsen

Marcus Amery

Lucía Quintana

Kristoffer Lolk Frederiksen

Marcus James Amery

Martin Dam

A method for handling a load () including a wind turbine component (). The method includes, while a crane () is supported by a supporting element (G), arranging a control arrangement (), which is at least partly elongated and flexible, so as to extend, while the load () is lifted in a suspended manner with the crane (), from the load () to an actuator (), located on the supporting element (G), at a distance from the crane (). The actuator () controls the orientation of the load () by the control arrangement (), and the control arrangement () is extended, during the load orientation control, via a redirection device () which is connected to the supporting element (G).

Method for handling a wind turbine component with a control arrangement

Method of lifting a wind turbine part () at a wind turbine site (), the method includes: providing a lifting apparatus () and a wind turbine part () to be lifted; providing a shield (); providing manipulation equipment () associated with said shield (); and suspending said part () from said lifting apparatus (); moving said part () by means of said lifting apparatus (); the method further including holding said shield () proximate and upwind of said part () being lifted by means of said manipulation equipment (). The shield () may be held proximate the part () being lifted such that it acts to reduce the ambient wind force incident on the part (). Preferably the method may be implemented such that wind speed conditions (w) at the part () being lifted are lower than ambient wind conditions (W) at said site (). A kite-flying apparatus includes a power kite () and associated manipulation equipment (), including cables () at least one steering winch (), the winch being received in a winching module () including a ballast receiving fitment and a winch control system.

Wind turbine service or construction method and apparatus

A support frame () and method are described herein for support of a wind turbine blade () on a vehicle during transport to an installation site. A load indicator () is provided adjacent one or more support pads () when using the support frame (), with the load indicator () being configured to determine and communicate an amount of movement of the wind turbine blade () relative to the support frame () during initial loading into the support frame () and during transport. To this end, the load indicator () helps assure that the wind turbine blade () is properly loaded into the support frame () in a desired transport position, while also confirming whether significant shocks or other movements have occurred during transport that could lead to a higher likelihood of internal or external damage at the blade ().

Support frame and method for determining movements of a wind turbine blade during transport to an installation site

Transport frame and method; the transport frame having a longitudinal, lateral and upright extent, and configured for transporting a root end or tip portion of a longitudinally extending wind turbine blade, the frame being stackable with similar frames, the frame having four top shoulders and four feet, the feet of the frame being conformed to be stackable on corresponding shoulders of another similar frame, wherein each shoulder is provided with a locating finger, each finger having a height above the shoulder, and wherein each foot is provided with a recess conformed to receive a locating finger, and wherein a first locating finger has a height greater than each of the three remaining locating fingers.

Transport frame for a wind turbine blade

A transport frame having a longitudinal, lateral and upright extent for receiving a tip portion of a wind turbine blade is disclosed. The frame is stackable with identical frames and has a tip saddle assembly including a saddle with a support surface shaped to receive a blade tip, and a clamping mechanism having a hinged clamping arm operable between an open position and a closed position, the clamping arm, when open, allowing a blade tip to be lowered into the saddle, and when closed, securely restraining the blade tip against upward movement. The tip saddle assembly further includes a preventer serving to maintain the clamping arm in the closed position over a blade. A method of using the transport frame to clamp a wind turbine blade is also disclosed.

Lifting yoke and method; the lifting yoke configured for connecting to, and lifting, a wind turbine blade transport frame, said yoke being generally rectangular and comprising four corner posts connected by struts; each corner post being configured for internally receiving therein an upwardly oriented locating finger atop a said transport frame shoulder; said corner post having a housing enclosing an internal space and extending between a lower foot face and a top; said corner post having, at said lower foot face, an aperture dimensioned to receive a said locating finger into said internal space; said corner post further comprising guide surfaces enclosed within said housing and spaced apart to define a locking space and configured to snugly receive a said locating finger; each guide surface comprising a locking aperture; wherein a movable locking element is configured to engage both said locking apertures to thereby bridge said locking space; said locking element being configured to engage a lifting point at said locating finger; said movable locking element constituting the primary lifting element of said lifting yoke.

Lifting frame for a wind turbine blade

Transport frame and method; the transport frame having a longitudinal, lateral and upright extent, and configured for transporting a root end of a longitudinally extending wind turbine blade having a root face with protruding stud-bolts, said frame comprising a root saddle, said frame further comprising a releasable interface clamp configured for fixing a said blade root in said frame, said interface clamp extending from a forward nose through a rear hinge point in said root frame and, said interface clamp comprising a body with a forward abutment surface and a bearing surface rearward of said abutment surface, said body being hingedly movable into or out of engagement with one or more stud bolts protruding from the root face of a blade when positioned in said saddle, said interface clamp having a retracted position with its body away from said blade root face and away from said protruding stud-bolts, said interface clamp having an engagement position in which its said bearing surface extends transverse and adjacent to one or more said stud-bolts such that a tightening force applied to a said bearing surface pushes said abutment surface against said root face.

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Ebeltoft, Denmark

Michael Kastrup