Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine blade (1) comprising an outer casing formed at least in part of panels (3) of thermoplastic polymer composite, defining a leading edge (4) and a trailing edge (5) of the wind turbine blade, and at least one longitudinal stiffening member (6) made of polymer composite, extending along a longitudinal axis (A) of the wind turbine blade inside said wind turbine blade (1), said stiffening member (6) being arranged between at least one panel defining the leading edge (4) and at least one panel defining the trailing edge (5), characterized in that the thermoplastic polymer composite comprises a fibrous reinforcement and a (meth)acrylic thermoplastic polymer matrix and in that at least one panel (3) of thermoplastic polymer composite is connected to the stiffening member (6) by a weld-type interface (7).

Abstract: A transportation system for a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The transportation system includes a root fixture adapted to receive the root end of the wind turbine rotor blade, and a tip end fixture adapted to receive a tip end of the wind turbine rotor blade. The root fixture and the tip end fixture are provided as separate transportable units.

Abstract: An integrated shipping and alignment fixture for shipping and aligning a jointed multi-section wind turbine blade is provided. The fixture includes a first shipping fixture supporting a first end of a section of the multi-section wind turbine blade; a second shipping fixture supporting a second end of a section of the multi-section wind turbine blade; supports on the the first shipping fixture and the second shipping fixture for retaining one end of the section of the wind turbine blade; an aligning device for aligning a detached section of the multi-section wind turbine blade with a retained section of the wind turbine blade; and a clamping device for clamping a detached section with a retained section.

Abstract: A blade joint for joining a first blade segment and a second blade segment, each having an aerodynamic profile, in a rotor blade is disclosed. The blade joint includes a first joint segment and a second joint segment each having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness therebetween. The outer surface of each joint segment has an aerodynamic profile. The first joint segment and the second joint segment each further have a joint interface end, a blade interface end, and a length therebetween. The joint interface end of the first joint segment and the joint interface end of the second joint segment are configured to couple the first joint segment and second joint segment together.

Abstract: A blade joint for joining a first blade segment and a second blade segment, each having an aerodynamic profile, in a rotor blade is disclosed. The blade joint includes a first joint segment and a second joint segment each having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness therebetween. The outer surface of each joint segment has an aerodynamic profile. The first joint segment and the second joint segment each further have a joint interface end, a blade interface end, and a length therebetween. The joint interface end of the first joint segment and the joint interface end of the second joint segment are configured to couple the first joint segment and second joint segment together.

Abstract: A retaining apparatus for securing curved wind turbine rotor blades for at least one of storage and transport is described. The retaining apparatus includes an end frame configured to be connected to a root of a first blade and a connecting frame having a first end and a second end. The first end of the connecting frame is rotatably connected to the end frame. The retaining apparatus also includes a portion configured to be positioned at least partially around a tip of a second blade. The portion is rotatably connected to the second end of the connecting frame. The retaining apparatus also includes a turnbuckle having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the turnbuckle is rotatably connected to the end frame, the second end of the turnbuckle rotatably connected to the second end of the connecting frame.

Abstract: A light weight trailer for carrying elongated goods, especially for carrying at least two rotor blades of a wind energy system, having a front support frame; a rear support frame, with said front support frame and said rear support frame being adapted for supporting an elongated good; and a beam connecting said front support frame with said rear support frame, wherein said beam consists substantially of a light weight material. Further, a telescopic beam for a light weight trailer for carrying elongated goods and a method of constructing a light weight trailer are provided.

Abstract: A mounting system includes a plurality of adjacent railcars including a first railcar that includes spaced first and second wheel assemblies each including at least one wheel pair. The mounting system also includes a first and second frames coupled to the first railcar. The first frame includes a space defined between at least two portions of the first frame and at least one cushion selectively positionable within the first frame space. The second frame includes a space defined between at least two portions of the second frame and at least one cushion selectively positionable within said second frame space. The first and second frames are spaced to facilitate at least one of partially containing and partially supporting the load. The first frame is substantially centered over at least one first wheel assembly wheel pair, and the second frame is substantially centered over at least one second wheel assembly wheel pair.

Abstract: A retaining apparatus for securing curved wind turbine rotor blades for at least one of storage and transport is described. The retaining apparatus comprises an end frame configured to be connected to a root of a first blade, a connecting frame having a first end and a second end, the first end of the connecting frame rotatably connected to the end frame, a portion of the retaining apparatus configured to be positioned at least partially around a tip of a second blade, the portion rotatably connected to the second end of the connecting frame, the a turnbuckle having a first end and a second end, the first end of the turnbuckle rotatably connected to the end frame, the second end of the turnbuckle rotatably connected to the second end of the connecting frame.

Abstract: A transportation system for a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The transportation system includes a root fixture adapted to receive the root end of the wind turbine rotor blade, and a tip end fixture adapted to receive a tip end of the wind turbine rotor blade. The root fixture and the tip end fixture are provided as separate transportable units.

Abstract: A mounting system includes a plurality of adjacent railcars including a first railcar that includes spaced first and second wheel assemblies each including at least one wheel pair. The mounting system also includes a first and second frames coupled to the first railcar. The first frame includes a space defined between at least two portions of the first frame and at least one cushion selectively positionable within the first frame space. The second frame includes a space defined between at least two portions of the second frame and at least one cushion selectively positionable within said second frame space. The first and second frames are spaced to facilitate at least one of partially containing and partially supporting the load. The first frame is substantially centered over at least one first wheel assembly wheel pair, and the second frame is substantially centered over at least one second wheel assembly wheel pair.

Abstract: A fixture for at least one of supporting and transporting a load. The fixture includes a frame having a space defined between at least two portions of the frame. The space is configured to receive a portion of the load. The fixture also includes at least one cushion selectively positionable relative to the frame in at least two different positions wherein the at least one cushion is coupled to the frame to facilitate at least one of containing and supporting at least a portion of the load.

Abstract: A method for constructing a wind turbine blade for installation at a wind farm location is described herein. In accordance with the present method, primary components of the wind turbine blade, such as, for example, the root and the spar caps, are manufactured in a first manufacturing facility. Secondary components such as, for example, the skin, are manufactured at a second manufacturing facility, which is closer to the wind farm location than the first manufacturing facility. The manufactured primary and secondary components may be assembled in an assembly location near the wind farm.