Abstract: A system and method for removing or installing wind turbine blades, comprising a single spreader-type bar fitted with specialized end units with rotatable chain and/or cable for supporting the blade at two or more lift points. The inventive device allows for a single-crane lift of a wind turbine blade, with the ability to remotely control and fine tune the level and pitch of the blade during all portions of the lifting, lowering, installation and/or removal operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing and installing a blade for a wind turbine is provided, comprising a first set of cable guides mounted within the nacelle, and a second set of cable guides positioned on an exterior surface of the rotor hub. An upper pulley block is suspended from a first hub flange and a second hub flange, wherein the upper pulley block is positioned above a third hub flange in a position for accepting the blade. A winch is positioned at a ground level, and the winch contains a lifting cable guided by the cable guides, and then reeved through the upper pulley block and a lower pulley block on a blade holding bracket, allowing the lower pulley block to be raised and lowered relative to the upper pulley block. The blade holding bracket attaches to the root end of the blade, and the lower pulley block is allowed to pivot and swivel relative to the blade holding bracket.

Abstract: A device for removal and installation of a pitch bearing on a wind turbine having a plurality of blades is provided, comprising a platform having a frame, wherein the platform includes a first bearing attachment member on a first side of the frame, and having a first pair of opposing bearing connectors matably engageable to the pitch bearing; a second bearing attachment member on a second side of the frame, and having a second pair of opposing bearing connectors matably engageable to the pitch bearing; and a rigging member attached to the frame, wherein the rigging member includes at least one cable bracket adapted to receive a lifting cable. A method of removal and installing a pitch bearing using the platform is also provided.

Abstract: A device for removal and installation of a pitch bearing on a wind turbine having a plurality of blades is provided, comprising a platform having a frame, wherein the platform includes a first bearing attachment member on a first side of the frame, and having a first pair of opposing bearing connectors matably engageable to the pitch bearing; a second bearing attachment member on a second side of the frame, and having a second pair of opposing bearing connectors matably engageable to the pitch bearing; and a rigging member attached to the frame, wherein the rigging member includes at least one cable bracket adapted to receive a lifting cable. A method of removal and installing a pitch bearing using the platform is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing and installing a blade for a wind turbine is provided, comprising a first set of cable guides mounted within the nacelle, and a second set of cable guides positioned on an exterior surface of the rotor hub. An upper pulley block is suspended from a first hub flange and a second hub flange, wherein the upper pulley block is positioned above a third hub flange in a position for accepting the blade. A winch is positioned at a ground level, and the winch contains a lifting cable guided by the cable guides, and then reeved through the upper pulley block and a lower pulley block on a blade holding bracket, allowing the lower pulley block to be raised and lowered relative to the upper pulley block. The blade holding bracket attaches to the root end of the blade, and the lower pulley block is allowed to pivot and swivel relative to the blade holding bracket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine enabling a cost effective and easy attachment/replacement of rotor blades and to a method of attaching a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine. The wind turbine in accordance with the invention comprises a tower resting on a base, at least one rotor blade having a blade connector portion, a nacelle housing a shaft to which a hub is attached, the nacelle being mounted atop the tower. Said hub of the wind turbine comprises a plurality of hub connection flanges, each hub connection flange being adapted to be detachably connected to a blade connector portion of a rotor blade.