Abstract: A method for repairing a wind turbine is described. The method may include preparing the surface of the blade, removing a plurality of mounting bolts, and replacing the mounting bolts with rod members. The rod members may be bonded to the blade root thereby strengthening the blade root and/or repairing any damaged or weakened regions. This repair may be performed on blades and blade coupling regions of various characteristics as well in modular fashion using pre-molded sections attached together around the blade root. The method of repair may be performed while the blade is still attached to the turbine hub. Wind turbines repaired according to these methods are also described. The method may also be used for attaching and otherwise handling new turbine blades and new wind turbines.
Abstract: A wind turbine with a nacelle, a base, and a plurality of blades operably connected around a turbine hub is described. The wind turbine is configured to house a winch mechanism for servicing a portion of a blade. The winch mechanism may have any of a number of components or configurations. Features included as part of a winch mechanism are a winch, a cable, pulleys and a securing element. Methods of servicing blades of a wind turbine with the winch mechanism including repair, removal, installation, replacement of the blades is also described. The winch mechanism may be removably or statically housed in the wind turbine for performing of the described methods and may be mounted by hoisting through the tower. A device for temporarily applying attachment points to a wind turbine blade, such that the attachment points can be remotely removed, is also described.
Abstract: A method for repairing a wind turbine is described. The method may include preparing the surface of the blade, removing a plurality of mounting bolts, and replacing the mounting bolts with rod members. The rod members may be bonded to the blade root thereby strengthening the blade root and/or repairing any damaged or weakened regions. This repair may be performed on blades and blade coupling regions of various characteristics as well in modular fashion using pre-molded sections attached together around the blade root. The method of repair may be performed while the blade is still attached to the turbine hub. Wind turbines repaired according to these methods are also described. The method may also be used for attaching and otherwise handling new turbine blades and new wind turbines.