Abstract: A mounting tool includes a base component and an attachment means. The base component includes a mounting portion defining an attachment location for receiving and securing a repair tool so as to maintain the repair tool at a desired repair location and a first receiving portion defining a first cavity for receiving a portion of a wind turbine so as to be externally secured to the wind turbine. The attachment means may be adjustably secured to the first receiving portion of the base component and securable to the portion of the wind turbine so as to secure the mounting tool to the wind turbine at the desirable repair location.

Abstract: A mounting tool includes a base component and an attachment means. The base component includes a mounting portion defining an attachment location for receiving and securing a repair tool so as to maintain the repair tool at a desired repair location and a first receiving portion defining a first cavity for receiving a portion of a wind turbine so as to be externally secured to the wind turbine. The attachment means may be adjustably secured to the first receiving portion of the base component and securable to the portion of the wind turbine so as to secure the mounting tool to the wind turbine at the desirable repair location.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a nacelle, a generator housed with the nacelle, a rotor having a rotatable hub with at least one rotor blade mounted thereto, at least one shaft rotatably coupled to the hub for driving the generator, and a rotor lock arranged with the shaft(s) for locking the shaft(s) in a locked position. The wind turbine also includes a bolted-joint connection at an interface between the hub and the shaft(s). The bolted-joint connection includes a first plurality of fasteners extending through the hub, the shaft(s), and the rotor lock. As such, a load transfer path from the hub to the shaft(s) travels through each of the hub, the shaft(s), and the rotor lock so as to increase a load capacity of the interface.

Abstract: A rotor turning device for balancing a rotor secured atop a tower of a wind turbine during installation and/or repair of one or more rotor blades of the wind turbine includes a hydraulic drive mechanism for operably engaging with a brake disc of the wind turbine. The brake disc is positioned adjacent to a gearbox of the wind turbine. The rotor turning device also includes a mounting device for securing the rotor turning device adjacent to the brake disc of the wind turbine. Thus, when the hydraulic drive mechanism engages the brake disc, the rotor is rotated to a desired position so as to position one or more rotor blades of the wind turbine in a balanced configuration.

Abstract: A system for enabling servicing of a rotor of a wind turbine has a rotor blade sling with at least one strap configured to be placed over the top of a rotor blade in a ten o'clock position or a two o'clock position. One or more rigid bars extend from the hub and out away from the hub, and the one or more rigid bars are coupled to the at least one strap. One or more support straps are coupled to the at least one strap, and the one or more support straps are configured to couple and support a rotor blade in a six o'clock position.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hub crane assembly for a wind turbine. The hub crane assembly includes an adjustable articulating arm mountable at a first height on a hub of the wind turbine at a hinge point, a first hoist mountable at a second height of the wind turbine, the second height being greater than the first height, and a support component secured to the first hoist and a first attachment point of the articulating arm. Further, the first hoist is configured to rotate the articulating arm about the hinge point via the support component such that, as the articulating arm rotates, a clearance distance between the wind turbine and the articulating arm changes.

Abstract: A rotor turning device for balancing a rotor secured atop a tower of a wind turbine during installation and/or repair of one or more rotor blades of the wind turbine includes a hydraulic drive mechanism for operably engaging with a brake disc of the wind turbine. The brake disc is positioned adjacent to a gearbox of the wind turbine. The rotor turning device also includes a mounting device for securing the rotor turning device adjacent to the brake disc of the wind turbine. Thus, when the hydraulic drive mechanism engages the brake disc, the rotor is rotated to a desired position so as to position one or more rotor blades of the wind turbine in a balanced configuration.

Abstract: A method for detaching or installing a rotor blade from or to a hub of a wind turbine includes positioning the rotor blade toward a ground location between a three o'clock position and a nine o'clock position. The method also includes mounting a mechanical arm to an uptower location of the wind turbine. Further, the mechanical arm includes a torqueing tool at a distal end thereof. Thus, the method also includes removing or installing, via the torqueing tool, each of the plurality of hub fasteners so as to detach or attach the rotor blade from or to the hub.

Abstract: A method for replacing an existing generator frame that supports a generator of a wind turbine includes removing the generator from atop the existing generator frame. The method also includes dismounting a control cabinet of the wind turbine from the existing generator frame. More specifically, the control cabinet is electrically connected to one or more wind turbine components via a plurality of cables. The method further includes relocating and securing the control cabinet to an uptower location within a nacelle of the wind turbine with the plurality of cables remaining electrically connected. As such, the method includes removing the existing generator frame from within the nacelle. Moreover, the method includes installing a new generator frame in place of the removed existing generator frame. Thus, the method also includes remounting the control cabinet to the new generator frame.

Abstract: A maintenance tool and method for detaching mechanically-connected components of a drive train in a wind turbine is disclosed. The method involves positioning the maintenance tool below a hoist and hoisting only the lift assembly portion of the maintenance tool into a nacelle of a wind turbine. Connecting the lift assembly portion to a power source in the nacelle and extending at least two induction cables from an induction generator disposed on the lift assembly portion to wrap at least a portion of a component of the mechanically-connected components. Then operating the induction generator to pass alternating current through the induction cables and inductively heat the wrapped component such that thermal expansion creates a clearance between the mechanically-connected components thereby assisting in separating the mechanically-connected components.

Abstract: A method for detaching or installing a rotor blade from or to a hub of a wind turbine includes positioning the rotor blade toward a ground location between a three o'clock position and a nine o'clock position. The method also includes mounting a mechanical arm to an uptower location of the wind turbine. Further, the mechanical arm includes a torqueing tool at a distal end thereof. Thus, the method also includes removing or installing, via the torqueing tool, each of the plurality of hub fasteners so as to detach or attach the rotor blade from or to the hub.

Abstract: A method for replacing an existing generator frame that supports a generator of a wind turbine includes removing the generator from atop the existing generator frame. The method also includes dismounting a control cabinet of the wind turbine from the existing generator frame. More specifically, the control cabinet is electrically connected to one or more wind turbine components via a plurality of cables. The method further includes relocating and securing the control cabinet to an uptower location within a nacelle of the wind turbine with the plurality of cables remaining electrically connected. As such, the method includes removing the existing generator frame from within the nacelle. Moreover, the method includes installing a new generator frame in place of the removed existing generator frame. Thus, the method also includes remounting the control cabinet to the new generator frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hub crane assembly for a wind turbine. The hub crane assembly includes an adjustable articulating arm mountable at a first height on a hub of the wind turbine at a hinge point, a first hoist mountable at a second height of the wind turbine, the second height being greater than the first height, and a support component secured to the first hoist and a first attachment point of the articulating arm. Further, the first hoist is configured to rotate the articulating arm about the hinge point via the support component such that, as the articulating arm rotates, a clearance distance between the wind turbine and the articulating arm changes.

Abstract: A system for enabling servicing of a rotor of a wind turbine has a rotor blade sling with at least one strap configured to be placed over the top of a rotor blade in a ten o'clock position or a two o'clock position. One or more rigid bars extend from the hub and out away from the hub, and the one or more rigid bars are coupled to the at least one strap. One or more support straps are coupled to the at least one strap, and the one or more support straps are configured to couple and support a rotor blade in a six o'clock position.

Abstract: A method for enabling servicing of a wind turbine rotor includes coupling a support cable to the blade root, the support cable extends from the blade root to a hub of the wind turbine. A lowering step lowers a rotor blade relative to the hub using the support cable so the rotor blade is spaced apart from the hub by an initial vertical distance. An installing step installs a rotor blade sling on the rotor, the rotor blade sling supports the rotor blade. Other steps are used for coupling the rotor blade to the rotor blade sling, lowering the rotor blade such that the rotor blade is spaced apart from the hub by a distance greater than the initial vertical distance, de-coupling the support cable from the blade root, and interposing a rotor servicing fixture between the rotor blade and hub. The rotor servicing fixture is configured to transport a rotor part.

Abstract: A method of replacing a wind turbine blade includes connecting a plurality of first hoisting devices between a wind turbine support hub and the wind turbine blade, suspending the wind turbine blade from the wind turbine support hub through the plurality of first hoisting devices, connecting a plurality of second hoisting devices between the wind turbine support hub and the wind turbine blade, supporting the wind turbine support blade with the plurality of second hoisting devices, disconnecting the plurality of first hoisting devices from the wind turbine blade, and lowering the wind turbine blade to the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a sling or sock configured for contacting a wind turbine blade. A reinforcement member attached to the sling or sock. The reinforcement member configured to resist sling or sock collapse and maintain the sling or sock in an open configuration. A method is also provided for moving a wind turbine part, such as a rotor or blade. The method includes the step of attaching a sling or sock to the wind turbine part, where the sling includes a reinforcement member attached thereto.

Abstract: A method for enabling servicing of a wind turbine rotor includes coupling a support cable to the blade root, the support cable extends from the blade root to a hub of the wind turbine. A lowering step lowers a rotor blade relative to the hub using the support cable so the rotor blade is spaced apart from the hub by an initial vertical distance. An installing step installs a rotor blade sling on the rotor, the rotor blade sling supports the rotor blade. Other steps are used for coupling the rotor blade to the rotor blade sling, lowering the rotor blade such that the rotor blade is spaced apart from the hub by a distance greater than the initial vertical distance, de-coupling the support cable from the blade root, and interposing a rotor servicing fixture between the rotor blade and hub. The rotor servicing fixture is configured to transport a rotor part.

Abstract: A method of replacing a wind turbine blade includes connecting a plurality of first hoisting devices between a wind turbine support hub and the wind turbine blade, suspending the wind turbine blade from the wind turbine support hub through the plurality of first hoisting devices, connecting a plurality of second hoisting devices between the wind turbine support hub and the wind turbine blade, supporting the wind turbine support blade with the plurality of second hoisting devices, disconnecting the plurality of first hoisting devices from the wind turbine blade, and lowering the wind turbine blade to the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a sling or sock configured for contacting a wind turbine blade. A reinforcement member attached to the sling or sock. The reinforcement member configured to resist sling or sock collapse and maintain the sling or sock in an open configuration. A method is also provided for moving a wind turbine part, such as a rotor or blade. The method includes the step of attaching a sling or sock to the wind turbine part, where the sling includes a reinforcement member attached thereto.