Abstract: An articulated support fixture for a wind turbine blade includes a base frame with first and second bearing slide areas and first and second bearing blocks disposed to slide thereabout, each bearing block including a laterally oriented bearing. A fixture mount with a laterally oriented axle engages the laterally oriented bearings enabling the fixture mount to articulate about the lateral axle. The first and second bearing slide areas are configured to enable the first and second bearing blocks, together with the fixture mount, to slide along a generally longitudinal path, and to enable rotation of the fixture mount about a vertical axis as the first and second bearing blocks cooperatively slide upon the first and second bearing slide areas. A wind turbine blade interface is attached to the fixture mount, to enable engagement with, and support of, the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for securing a tower section to a deck includes a lower support bracket, columns, and a pair of upper upper support brackets, which all have vertical plates with circular apertures. Each circular aperture spans at least two tower flange bolt holes. Attachment yokes are inserted into the circular apertures, and each have at least two bolt apertures, which match the bolt holes size and spacing. The yokes are rotated to align the holes for insertion of bolts. Specific yokes are provided to fit various tower sizes. The brackets can be stacked, and the yoke arrangement substantially reduces bolt torque requirements.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for securing a tower section to a deck includes a lower support bracket, columns, and a pair of upper upper support brackets, which all have vertical plates with circular apertures. Each circular aperture spans at least two tower flange bolt holes. Attachment yokes are inserted into the circular apertures, and each have at least two bolt apertures, which match the bolt holes size and spacing. The yokes are rotated to align the holes for insertion of bolts. Specific yokes are provided to fit various tower sizes. The brackets can be stacked, and the yoke arrangement substantially reduces bolt torque requirements.

Abstract: A system and method are used for transporting a plurality of tower sections of a wind turbine on beds of transport devices, such as flat railcars. Supports affix at support locations on beds to accommodate at least one of the tower sections on each of the transport devices. The supports can include bed supports, such as tabs, extending from the beds, and can include cradle supports with slots that engage on the tabs. A circumferential dimension of a cradle is adjusted on each of the supports against which the tower section rests. Each of the tower sections is then supported with at least two of the supports by loading the tower sections on the transport devices. An end of each of the tower sections is then affixed to a flange on at least one of the supports on each of the transport devices.

Abstract: An articulated support fixture for a wind turbine blade includes a base frame with first and second bearing slide areas and first and second bearing blocks disposed to slide thereabout, each bearing block including a laterally oriented bearing. A fixture mount with a laterally oriented axle engages the laterally oriented bearings enabling the fixture mount to articulate about the lateral axle. The first and second bearing slide areas are configured to enable the first and second bearing blocks, together with the fixture mount, to slide along a generally longitudinal path, and to enable rotation of the fixture mount about a vertical axis as the first and second bearing blocks cooperatively slide upon the first and second bearing slide areas. A wind turbine blade interface is attached to the fixture mount, to enable engagement with, and support of, the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A system and method are used for transporting a plurality of tower sections of a wind turbine on beds of transport devices, such as flat railcars. Supports affix at support locations on beds to accommodate at least one of the tower sections on each of the transport devices. The supports can include bed supports, such as tabs, extending from the beds, and can include cradle supports with slots that engage on the tabs. A circumferential dimension of a cradle is adjusted on each of the supports against which the tower section rests. Each of the tower sections is then supported with at least two of the supports by loading the tower sections on the transport devices. An end of each of the tower sections is then affixed to a flange on at least one of the supports on each of the transport devices.

Abstract: A fixture system for rail transport of wind turbine blades upon a consist of flatcars using a root-support fixture, a blade-support fixture, and first and second guide post that intermittently engage the tip-end portion of the wind turbine blade to limit lateral movement thereof, such that movement of the consist around a curved railway section urges the wind turbine blade against the first or second guide posts, which urges the wind turbine blade to urge the blade-support fixture to move laterally, thereby laterally reorienting the blade upon the consist.

Abstract: A railcar consist of flatcars for transporting continuous rail sections configured for top loading and end unloading of the rail sections. The consist includes a tie-down flatcar and plural support flatcars. The tie-down flatcar includes a rail securement rack with plural removable rail clamping shelves that facilitate top loading and clamping of the rail sections in place. Each of the plural support flatcars have a roller rack fixed to it. The roller racks include plural roller shelves with rollers to support the rail sections. The roller shelves are pivotally mounted to the roller racks between a loading position that provides clearance for placement of the rail sections from above the consist, and a transport position that supports the rail sections.

Abstract: A railcar consist of flatcars for transporting continuous rail sections configured for top loading and end unloading of the rail sections. The consist includes a tie-down flatcar and plural support flatcars. The tie-down flatcar includes a rail securement rack with plural removable rail clamping shelves that facilitate top loading and clamping of the rail sections in place. Each of the plural support flatcars have a roller rack fixed to it. The roller racks include plural roller shelves with rollers to support the rail sections. The roller shelves are pivotally mounted to the roller racks between a loading position that provides clearance for placement of the rail sections from above the consist, and a transport position that supports the rail sections.

Abstract: A rail fixture system for wind turbine blades on a consist three flatcars, includes a root-support fixture that enables lateral movement, a mid-support fixture with a pair of lateral guides on opposing sides of the to limit the blade's lateral movement, and blade-pusher posts adjacent a curved portion of the blade, coupled to gravity weights, that intermittently engage sides of the blade and apply gravity forces in response to relative lateral movement thereof around rail curves, and which bends the blade, applies a fulcrum force against the lateral guides, and translates the root end of the blade in an opposing lateral direction.

Abstract: A fixture system for rail transport of wind turbine blades upon a consist of flatcars using a root-support fixture, a blade-support fixture, and first and second guide post that intermittently engage the tip-end portion of the wind turbine blade to limit lateral movement thereof, such that movement of the consist around a curved railway section urges the wind turbine blade against the first or second guide posts, which urges the wind turbine blade to urge the blade-support fixture to move laterally, thereby laterally reorienting the blade upon the consist.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for securing a tower section to a deck includes a lower support bracket, columns, and a pair of upper upper support brackets, which all have vertical plates with circular apertures. Each circular aperture spans at least two tower flange bolt holes. Attachment yokes are inserted into the circular apertures, and each have at least two bolt apertures, which match the bolt holes size and spacing. The yokes are rotated to align the holes for insertion of bolts. Specific yokes are provided to fit various tower sizes. The brackets can be stacked, and the yoke arrangement substantially reduces bolt torque requirements.

Abstract: A rail fixture system for wind turbine blades on a consist three flatcars, includes a root-support fixture that enables lateral movement, a mid-support fixture with a pair of lateral guides on opposing sides of the to limit the blade's lateral movement, and blade-pusher posts adjacent a curved portion of the blade, coupled to gravity weights, that intermittently engage sides of the blade and apply gravity forces in response to relative lateral movement thereof around rail curves, and which bends the blade, applies a fulcrum force against the lateral guides, and translates the root end of the blade in an opposing lateral direction.

Abstract: A support fixture for a wind turbine blades transported by rail. A main frame pivots about a first vertical axis and a first lateral axis, and has a frame arm extending from it. The main frame supports the wind turbine blade on a blade cradle. A root end stand is pivotally supported from the frame arm about a second vertical axis. A mounting flange adapter, coupled to the wind turbine blade, pivots about a second lateral axis and a longitudinal axis, and is supported by the root end stand. Fixture has universal adaptability by virtue of the plural axes of pivot.

Abstract: A support fixture for a wind turbine blades transported by rail. A main frame pivots about a first vertical axis and a first lateral axis, and has a frame arm extending from it. The main frame supports the wind turbine blade on a blade cradle. A root end stand is pivotally supported from the frame arm about a second vertical axis. A mounting flange adapter, coupled to the wind turbine blade, pivots about a second lateral axis and a longitudinal axis, and is supported by the root end stand. Fixture has universal adaptability by virtue of the plural axes of pivot.

Abstract: A railcar consist of flatcars for transporting continuous rail sections configured for top loading and end unloading of the rail sections. The consist includes a tie-down flatcar and plural support flatcars. The tie-down flatcar includes a rail securement rack with plural removable rail clamping shelves that facilitate top loading and clamping of the rail sections in place. Each of the plural support flatcars have a roller rack fixed to it. The roller racks include plural roller shelves with rollers to support the rail sections. The roller shelves are pivotally mounted to the roller racks between a loading position that provides clearance for placement of the rail sections from above the consist, and a transport position that supports the rail sections.

Abstract: Fixtures for supporting wind turbine blades that have a root end flange, which may be interconnected with twistlock fasteners and stacked for use in plural modes of transportation, including ocean transportation. A root fixture includes a bearing that rotatably engages a mounting flange adapter that is coupled to the blade's root flange. A bearing pivot is coupled to the bearing to allow the blade to pivot during loading, unloading and transport. A tip stand assembly is provided to engage the blade along a tip end support region.

Abstract: A support fixture for a wind turbine blade that enables rotation of the blade about its longitudinal axis, and which includes a conformal insert. A selectively deployable stacking frame portion is provided. The support fixture is interchangeably useful for rail, ocean, barge, and truck transportation modes, as well as for static storage.

Abstract: A lashing pawl for engaging a hole in member to retainably engage a lashing line thereto, and thereby facilitate lashing the member to a fixture or vehicle, wherein the member has a distal face and a proximal face spaced apart by a depth of the hole, and wherein the lashing pawl includes a pin hole formed therethrough for engaging the lashing line, and an engagement face that engages the distal face of the member to retain the lashing pawl in place.

Abstract: Fixtures for supporting wind turbine blades that have a root end flange, which may be interconnected with twistlock fasteners and stacked for use in plural modes of transportation, including ocean transportation. A root fixture includes a bearing that rotatably engages a mounting flange adapter that is coupled to the blade's root flange. A bearing pivot is coupled to the bearing to allow the blade to pivot during loading, unloading and transport. A tip stand assembly is provided to engage the blade along a tip end support region.