Abstract: A wind turbine blade lifting device having a length, a width and a height and is suitable for lifting and handling a wind turbine blade or a part of a wind turbine blade, also having a length, a width and a height, where the lifting device has a chassis with at least one set of connection for coupling to a lifting apparatus, and a mechanism for engaging a wind turbine blade or blade part. Also, a method for installing at least a part of a wind turbine blade, e.g. a full wind turbine blade or an inner blade part for a partial pitch wind turbine blade having an inner blade part and an outer blade part.

Abstract: A lifting device and method is provided for lifting and turning a rotor during the erection process of wind turbine structure. The lifting device comprises a base unit with a mounting adapted to be mounted to an outer surface of the hub. The lifting device is able to turn the rotor using a pivotal lifting arm arranged between two end plates or a moveable trolley assembly arranged on a track of the base unit. A power pack unit or another power unit is used to power the turning unit which turns the rotor around a turning point into an installation position. The lifting point is preferably aligned with the center of gravity of the rotor for providing a balanced lift.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting device and method for lifting and turning a rotor during the erection process of wind turbine structure. The lifting device comprises a base unit with mounting means adapted to be mounted to an outer surface of the hub. The lifting device is able to turn the rotor using a pivotal lifting arm arranged between two end plates or a moveable trolley assembly arranged on a track of the base unit. A power pack unit or another power unit is used to power the turning unit which turns the rotor around a turning point into an installation position. The lifting point is preferably aligned with the centre of gravity of the rotor for providing a balanced lift.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation tool for assembling a main rotor shaft unit and an assembly method thereof. The installation tool comprises a first element for supporting the generator end of the rotor shaft and a rotatable support plate is coupled to a second element of the installation tool via engaging coupling elements. The rotor shaft is rotated by a single crane unit via lifting elements mounted to the generator end, and then lifted out of the installation tool and placed on a floor. The bearing units are then mounted to the outer surface of the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft is afterwards lifted onto the installation tool so that the coupling element is brought into engagement and the rotor shaft is rotated on to the first element. This provides an installation tool that eliminates the need for two crane units to rotate the rotor shaft and reduces the amount of man-hours needed to assemble the rotor shaft unit by up to six hours.

Abstract: A method for installing an inner blade part or a wind turbine blade and to a lifting bracket for use in performing said method, e.g., a inner blade part for a partial pitch wind turbine blade comprising an inner blade part and an outer blade part, said inner blade part comprising a first flange for connection to a hub flange at a wind turbine hub and a second flange for connection to an outer blade part, said flanges all comprising a number of bolts and/or bolt holes. The lifting bracket has a flange for connection to a suitable number of bolts and/or bolt holes at said second flange on the inner blade part, the flange having a first surface and an opposite second surface arranged for interfacing with the first flange, and further the lifting bracket also has at least one lifting lug and at least one counter weight.

Abstract: A method for assembly and installation of an offshore wind turbine, where components such as a nacelle, one or more tower sections and/or blades for at least one wind turbine is manufactured, assembled at or transported to a harbor area, where said components are loaded onto a transport and installation vessel and subsequently transported to an erection site. The method involves at least the steps of assembling at least one nacelle for a two-bladed wind turbine having hub with two sets of blade installation interfaces facing in a radial direction, the blade installation interfaces having a 180 degree angular distance therebetween, installing at least one, but preferably two inner blade parts to the hub, and arranging the at least one nacelle with the at least one inner blade part attached to the hub on the deck of a transport and installation vessel.

Abstract: An assembly stand and an assembly method for assembling a gear unit and a main shaft unit of a wind turbine in which the assembly stand has a main shaft frame unit and a gear frame unit arranged on a base frame, wherein both frame units have adjustment means for adjusting the position of the main shaft unit and the gear unit in at least a horizontal or vertical direction. The main shaft unit and the gear unit are aligned by using a light source emitting a light beam onto removable guiding elements. The main shaft unit is positioned on a slidable seat and pulled into contact with the gear unit by pulling elements located on a moveable unit. The pulling element is connected to the gear unit via a wire extending through the main shaft unit.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade lifting device having a length, a width and a height and is suitable for lifting and handling a wind turbine blade or a part of a wind turbine blade, also having a length, a width and a height, where the lifting device has a chassis with at least one set of connection means for coupling to a lifting apparatus, and a mechanism for engaging a wind turbine blade or blade part. Also, a method for installing at least a part of a wind turbine blade, e.g., a full wind turbine blade or an inner blade part for a partial pitch wind turbine blade having an inner blade part and an outer blade part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting two or three pre-bend wind turbine blades for a wind turbine and to a wind turbine blade transport unit, the wind turbine blades each having a length extending from a first end, e.g. a root end describing a first end plane, to a second end, e.g. a tip end, where the length is at least 35 meters, the wind turbine blades each having a central longitudinal axis extending perpendicular from the first end plane and towards the second end, the wind turbine blade additionally having an aerodynamically shaped body having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The wind turbine blades are fixed in specific positions in relation to one or two other wind turbine blades as a single transport unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tower assembly system, a method of assembling a wind turbine tower and a wind turbine thereof. Three or more guidance devices may be mounted to a mounting flange in the upper end of a lower tower section and/or in the lower end of an upper tower section. The guidance device comprises a contact surface for contacting a mating contact surface on the opposite tower section. The guidance device comprises a mounting flange for mounting the device to the mounting flange of the tower section using fastening means. This allows the guidance devices to catch and guide the free hanging tower section into the correct position on the stationary tower section. This enables the assembly time to be reduced with up to 50% compared with the present assembly methods. The guidance devices allow the workers to guide the free hanging tower section into position from the ground.

Abstract: A method of installing an offshore wind turbine and a transport vessel for use therewith in which a part of a wind turbine is secured to the transport vessel by raising the part in a perpendicular direction relative to the transport vessel into a transport position using a lifting device arranged on the transport vessel at a loading site. The transport vessel is then moved from the loading site out to an installation site. The transport vessel is secured to an offshore foundation which is located at the installation site by a holding device. The wind turbine is then lowered onto an upper part of the offshore foundation using the lifting device. Finally, the transport vessel is released and moved away. The lifting device is at least one set of jack-up device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation tool for assembling a main rotor shaft unit and an assembly method thereof. The installation tool comprises a first element for supporting the generator end of the rotor shaft and a rotatable support plate is coupled to a second element of the installation tool via engaging coupling elements. The rotor shaft is rotated by a single crane unit via lifting elements mounted to the generator end, and then lifted out of the installation tool and placed on a floor. The bearing units are then mounted to the outer surface of the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft is afterwards lifted onto the installation tool so that the coupling element is brought into engagement and the rotor shaft is rotated on to the first element. This provides an installation tool that eliminates the need for two crane units to rotate the rotor shaft and reduces the amount of man-hours needed to assemble the rotor shaft unit by up to six hours.

Abstract: A method for assembly and installation of an offshore wind turbine, where components such as a nacelle, one or more tower sections and/or blades for at least one wind turbine is manufactured, assembled at or transported to a harbor area, where said components are loaded onto a transport and installation vessel and subsequently transported to an erection site. The method involves at least the steps of assembling at least one nacelle for a two-bladed wind turbine having hub with two sets of blade installation interfaces facing in a radial direction, the blade installation interfaces having a 180 degree angular distance therebetween, installing at least one, but preferably two inner blade parts to the hub, and arranging the at least one nacelle with the at least one inner blade part attached to the hub on the deck of a transport and installation vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting two or three pre-bend wind turbine blades for a wind turbine and to a wind turbine blade transport unit, said wind turbine blades each having a length extending from a first end, e.g. a root end describing a first end plane, to a second end, e.g. a tip end, where said length is at least 35 metres, said wind turbine blades each comprising a central longitudinal axis extending perpendicular from said first end plane and towards said second end, said wind turbine blade further comprises an aerodynamically shaped body comprising a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge. According to the invention the wind turbine blades are fixated in specific positions in relation to one or two other wind turbine blades as one single transport unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tower assembly system, a method of assembling a wind turbine tower and a wind turbine thereof. Three or more guidance devices may be mounted to a mounting flange in the upper end of a lower tower section and/or in the lower end of an upper tower section. The guidance device comprises a contact surface for contacting a mating contact surface on the opposite tower section. The guidance device comprises a mounting flange for mounting the device to the mounting flange of the tower section using fastening means. This allows the guidance devices to catch and guide the free hanging tower section into the correct position on the stationary tower section. This enables the assembly time to be reduced with up to 50% compared with the present assembly methods. The guidance devices allow the workers to guide the free hanging tower section into position from the ground.

Abstract: A method of installing an offshore wind turbine and a transport vessel for use therewith in which a part of a wind turbine is secured to the transport vessel by raising the part in a perpendicular direction relative to the transport vessel into a transport position using a lifting device arranged on the transport vessel at a loading site. The transport vessel is then moved from the loading site out to an installation site. The transport vessel is secured to an offshore foundation which is located at the installation site. The wind turbine is then lowered onto an upper part of the offshore foundation using the lifting means. Finally, the transport vessel is released and moved away. This method eliminates the need for specially designed installation vessels using a crane to install an offshore wind turbine, thereby reducing the total installation costs.

Abstract: A method for installing an inner blade part or a wind turbine blade and to a lifting bracket for use in performing said method, e.g., a inner blade part for a partial pitch wind turbine blade comprising an inner blade part and an outer blade part, said inner blade part comprising a first flange for connection to a hub flange at a wind turbine hub and a second flange for connection to an outer blade part, said flanges all comprising a number of bolts and/or bolt holes. The lifting bracket has a flange for connection to a suitable number of bolts and/or bolt holes at said second flange on the inner blade part, the flange having a first surface and an opposite second surface arranged for interfacing with the first flange, and further the lifting bracket also has at least one lifting lug and at least one counter weight.