Abstract: A method of installing a cable system (30) including a cable assembly (32a-c) on a wind turbine (10) having a tower (12), a rotor (22), and a central hub (24). A plurality of blades (26a-c) is coupled to the hub (24). The cable assembly (32a-c) includes multiple cables (40a-c, 42a-c, 44a-c). A crane (102) has a hoist line (104, 106) and is attached to one of the cables (44a-c). The crane (102) lifts the cable assembly (32a-c) to the hub (24). The cable (44a-c) is then coupled to the hub (24). The hoist line (104, 106) is attached to another of the cables (40a-c, 42a-c), is moved to one of the blades (26a-c), and the cable (40a-c, 42a-c) is coupled to the one of the plurality of blades (26a-52c). Moving the cable (40a-c, 42a-c) may include pulling an end of the second cable (40a-c, 42a-c) to the one of the plurality of blades (26a-c). Pulling the end of the second cable (40a-c, 42a-c) may include moving the first crane (102) toward the one of the plurality of blades (26a-c).

Abstract: A method is provided of replacing a tension adjusting component (44) included in a cable support assembly (30) connected with a plurality of wind turbine blades (26) on a wind turbine (10). The method includes releasing tension in the cable support assembly (30), disconnecting a tension cable (36) from a free end (46) of the tension adjusting component (44) located away from the hub (24), and securing the tension cable (36) to the wind turbine (10). A second end (48) of the tension adjusting component (44) located within the hub (24) is connected to a hoisting device (72), and also disconnected from the hub (24 ). The hoisting device (72)—which may include a winch (73) or jib crane (82), and a lift cable (74)—is then used to lower the tension adjusting component (44) down to the ground surface, where a replacement tension adjusting component (44a) is connected to the hoisting device (72).

Abstract: Installing a cable system on a wind turbine. The method includes coupling a pulley to the hub or a blade, operatively coupling a hoist cable to the pulley, attaching the hoist cable to the cable, pulling the hoist cable to draw the cable toward the pulley, and coupling the cable to the hub or to the blade. Another cable is coupled to the hub or to another blade while holding the cable assembly in position with the hoist cable. Pulling the hoist cable includes operating a winch to draw the hoist cable onto the winch.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a nacelle (14) for a wind turbine generator (10), and a method for transferring components into and out of a wind turbine generator (10). The nacelle (14) comprises a housing (26) surrounding an internal volume (24) of the nacelle (14). The housing (26) has a maintenance opening (50). The nacelle comprises a carriage (54) configured to hold a component (48), the carriage (54) being movable between a first position and a second position to transfer the component (48) through the maintenance opening (50). When the carriage (54) is in the first position, the component (48) is held within the internal volume (24). When the carriage (54) is in the second position, the component (48) is held such that at least a portion of the component (48) is outside the housing (26).

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a nacelle (14) for a wind turbine generator (10), and a method for transferring components into and out of a wind turbine generator (10). The nacelle (14) comprises a housing (26) surrounding an internal volume (24) of the nacelle (14). The housing (26) has a maintenance opening (50). The nacelle comprises a carriage (54) configured to hold a component (48), the carriage (54) being movable between a first position and a second position to transfer the component (48) through the maintenance opening (50). When the carriage (54) is in the first position, the component (48) is held within the internal volume (24). When the carriage (54) is in the second position, the component (48) is held such that at least a portion of the component (48) is outside the housing (26).

Abstract: An alignment tool (1) for aligning a bore (13) extending through a first structural member (14) with a bore (19) extending through a second structural member (15) is disclosed. The alignment tool (1) comprises two shaft portions (2, 3) having a cylindrical or cylindrical like configuration. The second shaft portion (3) is arranged adjacent to the first shaft portion (2). A portion of the second surface forms a continuation of a portion of the first surface. A first bushing (8) is arranged along the first shaft portion (2) and substantially covering the first surface, and a second bushing (9) is arranged along the second shaft portion (3) and substantially covering the second surface. Mutual rotational movements are allowed between the first shaft portion (2) and the first bushing (8) and between the second shaft portion (3) and the second bushing (9).

Abstract: A method of lifting a rotor of a wind turbine, the rotor having a center of gravity and including a hub and first, second, and third blades projecting outwardly from the hub at locations circumferentially distributed thereabout, includes positioning first and second slings around the first and second blades, respectively, to define first and second lifting zones delineating a lifting envelope, wherein the lifting envelope encompasses the center of gravity. The method also includes lifting the rotor above a surface via the first and second slings wherein the rotor is in one of a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical orientation, with the aid of at least one of the first and second slings while continuing to fully support the rotor by the first and second slings.

Abstract: A method of lifting a rotor of a wind turbine, the rotor having a center of gravity and including a hub and first, second, and third blades projecting outwardly from the hub at locations circumferentially distributed thereabout, includes positioning first and second slings around the first and second blades, respectively, to define first and second lifting zones delineating a lifting envelope, wherein the lifting envelope encompasses the center of gravity. The method also includes lifting the rotor above a surface via the first and second slings wherein the rotor is in one of a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical orientation, with the aid of at least one of the first and second slings while continuing to fully support the rotor by the first and second slings.

Abstract: An alignment tool (1) for aligning a bore (13) extending through a first structural member (14) with a bore (19) extending through a second structural member (15) is disclosed. The alignment tool (1) comprises two shaft portions (2, 3) having a cylindrical or cylindrical like configuration. The second shaft portion (3) is arranged adjacent to the first shaft portion (2). A portion of the second surface forms a continuation of a portion of the first surface. A first bushing (8) is arranged along the first shaft portion (2) and substantially covering the first surface, and a second bushing (9) is arranged along the second shaft portion (3) and substantially covering the second surface. Mutual rotational movements are allowed between the first shaft portion (2) and the first bushing (8) and between the second shaft portion (3) and the second bushing (9).

Abstract: An alignment tool for the alignment of a pair of vertical flanges for the connection of the longitudinal edges of adjacent segments of a cylindrical section of a wind turbine tower, comprises mounting means for connecting the alignment tool to a portion of a vertical flange of a tower segment; and a longitudinal alignment head for aligning the vertical flange with an opposing vertical flange of an adjacent tower segment. The alignment head comprises a front portion extending in a forwards direction from the mounting means, the front portion comprising a lower guiding surface adapted to abut with a top guiding edge of the opposing vertical flange or a bracket or tool mounted thereon and to guide the alignment head over the top edge of the opposing flange, bracket or tool as the vertical flanges are brought towards each other during connection of the adjacent tower segments.

Abstract: The application relates to an alignment tool (200) for the alignment of a pair of vertical flanges for the connection of the longitudinal edges of adjacent segments of a cylindrical section of a wind turbine tower, and to a system and method utilising one or more such alignment tools (200). The alignment tool comprises mounting means (202) for connecting the alignment tool to a portion of a vertical flange of a tower segment; and a longitudinal alignment head (204) for aligning the vertical flange with an op posing vertical flange of an adjacent tower segment.