Abstract: A system for repairing dents in a wind turbine tower section may generally include a dent repair tool having a tool hub and a plurality of arms configured to extend radially outwardly from the tool hub towards an inner surface of the tower section. The tool may also include a linear actuator configured to linearly actuate a plunger of the actuator arm relative to the tool hub such that the plunger applies a radially outward force against the inner surface of the tower section at or adjacent to a location of a dent formed in the tower section. In addition, the system may include a load sensor configured to provide an indication of a load associated with the radially outward force applied against the inner surface of the tower section by the plunger and a controller configured to monitor the load based on signals received from the load sensor.

Abstract: A system for repairing dents in a wind turbine tower section may generally include a dent repair tool having a tool hub and a plurality of arms configured to extend radially outwardly from the tool hub towards an inner surface of the tower section. The tool may also include a linear actuator configured to linearly actuate a plunger of the actuator arm relative to the tool hub such that the plunger applies a radially outward force against the inner surface of the tower section at or adjacent to a location of a dent formed in the tower section. In addition, the system may include a load sensor configured to provide an indication of a load associated with the radially outward force applied against the inner surface of the tower section by the plunger and a controller configured to monitor the load based on signals received from the load sensor.

Abstract: A method of cleaning at least one of grime and built-up ice off a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes, in an exemplary embodiment, positioning a rotor blade in an immobile position in a downward orientation substantially parallel to the tower, positioning a tank containing a cleaning solution directly below the rotor blade, and positioning a plurality of lifting arms adjacent the tank. The plurality of lifting arms are attached to an elliptical spray head with at least one pipe connected to the elliptical spray head and to a pump operatively coupled to the tank. The method also includes raising the lifting arms to lift the elliptical spray head to a predetermined position along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, pumping cleaning solution from the tank to the elliptical spray head, spraying the cleaning solution onto an outer surface of the rotor blade to clean the rotor blade, and collecting the spent cleaning solution in the tank.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a wind turbine includes at least one acoustic sensor configured to measure an acoustic emission generated by at least one component of the wind turbine, and a control system configured to calculate at least one wear characteristic of the component based on the measured acoustic emission. The wear characteristic includes at least one of a current amount of wear on the component, a rate of wear on the component, and a predicted amount of wear on the component.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a wind turbine includes at least one acoustic sensor configured to measure an acoustic emission generated by at least one component of the wind turbine, and a control system configured to calculate at least one wear characteristic of the component based on the measured acoustic emission. The wear characteristic includes at least one of a current amount of wear on the component, a rate of wear on the component, and a predicted amount of wear on the component.

Abstract: A split wind turbine rotor blade includes a first rotor blade member, a second rotor blade member, a joint between the first rotor blade member and the second rotor blade member, and a joint monitoring device disposed in an area of the joint for monitoring a structural integrity of the joint.

Abstract: A method of cleaning at least one of grime and built-up ice off a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes, in an exemplary embodiment, positioning a rotor blade in an immobile position in a downward orientation substantially parallel to the tower, positioning a tank containing a cleaning solution directly below the rotor blade, and positioning a plurality of lifting arms adjacent the tank. The plurality of lifting arms are attached to an elliptical spray head with at least one pipe connected to the elliptical spray head and to a pump operatively coupled to the tank. The method also includes raising the lifting arms to lift the elliptical spray head to a predetermined position along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, pumping cleaning solution from the tank to the elliptical spray head, spraying the cleaning solution onto an outer surface of the rotor blade to clean the rotor blade, and collecting the spent cleaning solution in the tank.