Abstract: A method for suspending a rotor blade uptower includes mounting a first end of a support structure at a first uptower location of the wind turbine. The method also includes securing the rotor blade to a second end of the support structure. Further, the method includes mounting at least one pulley block assembly between a second uptower location and the support structure. Moreover, the method includes routing at least one pulley cable from at least one winch over the at least one pulley block assembly. In addition, the method includes detaching the rotor blade from the hub of the wind turbine. Once the rotor blade is detached, the method includes rotating the support structure about the first end via coordinated winch operation so as to lower the rotor blade a predetermined distance away from the hub. Thus, the method also includes suspending the rotor blade at the predetermined distance away from the hub via the support structure.

Abstract: A voltage detection device for detecting proximity to an active alternating current (AC) voltage source is provided. The device includes a housing, at least one antenna configured to generate a signal in response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation, signal processing circuitry configured to process the signal generated by the at least one antenna, a processing device embedded in the housing and communicatively coupled to the signal processing circuitry, the processing device configured to determine, from the processed signal, whether the voltage detection device is proximate to the active AC voltage source, and an electronic switch embedded in the housing and one of included within the processing device and communicatively coupled to the processing device, the electronic switch configured to reduce an impact of interference on detection of the active AC voltage source.

Abstract: A voltage detection device for detecting proximity to an active alternating current (AC) voltage source is provided. The device includes a housing, at least one antenna configured to generate a signal in response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation, signal processing circuitry configured to process the signal generated by the at least one antenna, a processing device embedded in the housing and communicatively coupled to the signal processing circuitry, the processing device configured to determine, from the processed signal, whether the voltage detection device is proximate to the active AC voltage source, and an electronic switch embedded in the housing and one of included within the processing device and communicatively coupled to the processing device, the electronic switch configured to reduce an impact of interference on detection of the active AC voltage source.

Abstract: A method for suspending a rotor blade uptower includes mounting a first end of a support structure at a first uptower location of the wind turbine. The method also includes securing the rotor blade to a second end of the support structure. Further, the method includes mounting at least one pulley block assembly between a second uptower location and the support structure. Moreover, the method includes routing at least one pulley cable from at least one winch over the at least one pulley block assembly. In addition, the method includes detaching the rotor blade from the hub of the wind turbine. Once the rotor blade is detached, the method includes rotating the support structure about the first end via coordinated winch operation so as to lower the rotor blade a predetermined distance away from the hub. Thus, the method also includes suspending the rotor blade at the predetermined distance away from the hub via the support structure.