Abstract: A rotor lock assembly for locking a rotor of a wind turbine. The rotor lock assembly has at least one relocatable rotor lock. The relocatable rotor lock has a housing, a bushing element, a pin shaft position within the bushing element, and a locking mechanism. The housing includes a mounting portion adapted for mounting to a bearing housing adjacent to a rotor lock plate of the rotor.

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 lock assembly for locking a rotor of a wind turbine. The rotor lock assembly has at least one relocatable rotor lock. The relocatable rotor lock has a housing, a bushing element, a pin shaft position within the bushing element, and a locking mechanism. The housing includes a mounting portion adapted for mounting to a bearing housing adjacent to a rotor lock plate of the rotor.

Abstract: A repair system for a gearbox of a wind turbine includes for removably coupling to the first portion of the gearbox housing of the gearbox. The lifting apparatus is adapted for lifting the first portion of the gearbox housing relative to the second portion gearbox housing. The repair system also includes at least one gearbox housing support member for mounting to the second portion of the gearbox housing. The at least one gearbox housing support member provides a support surface for the first portion of the gearbox housing during a repair procedure of the gearbox. The support surface is offset from the second portion of the gearbox housing.

Abstract: A repair system for a gearbox of a wind turbine includes for removably coupling to the first portion of the gearbox housing of the gearbox. The lifting apparatus is adapted for lifting the first portion of the gearbox housing relative to the second portion gearbox housing. The repair system also includes at least one gearbox housing support member for mounting to the second portion of the gearbox housing. The at least one gearbox housing support member provides a support surface for the first portion of the gearbox housing during a repair procedure of the gearbox. The support surface is offset from the second portion of the gearbox housing.

Abstract: An external ladder assembly for a nacelle of a wind turbine includes at least one ladder having parallel side legs and a plurality of rungs arranged between the parallel side legs. The ladder assembly also includes a ladder platform arranged with the ladder and configured for placement atop the nacelle. Further, the ladder assembly includes a mounting assembly for affixing the ladder platform atop the nacelle. More specifically, the mounting assembly is adjustable between multiple positions so as to level the ladder platform atop the nacelle. Thus, the ladder assembly provides access to one or more uptower, external features of the wind turbine.

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: An external ladder assembly for a nacelle of a wind turbine includes at least one ladder having parallel side legs and a plurality of rungs arranged between the parallel side legs. The ladder assembly also includes a ladder platform arranged with the ladder and configured for placement atop the nacelle. Further, the ladder assembly includes a mounting assembly for affixing the ladder platform atop the nacelle. More specifically, the mounting assembly is adjustable between multiple positions so as to level the ladder platform atop the nacelle. Thus, the ladder assembly provides access to one or more uptower, external features of the wind turbine.

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: An inspection system for a cylindrical member includes at least one retention member positionable about at least a portion of a circumference of the cylindrical member. The inspection system also includes a positioning system and at least one housing. The at least one housing is coupleable to the at least one retention member at each of a series of circumferential inspection locations. The at least one housing includes at least one probe. The positioning system cooperates with the at least one retention member to position the at least one probe at each of the circumferential locations. The at least one probe is configured to send and receive a signal through an interior of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an ultrasonic detection method, performed using an ultrasonic detection system having a set of corresponding transmitting phased array devices and receiving phased array devices, the method including: for each of a plurality of static positions about a portion of a machine rotor: transmitting, at a corresponding transmitting phased array device, a set of ultrasonic waves through the portion of the machine rotor, and receiving, at the corresponding receiving phased array device, the set of ultrasonic waves after transmission through the portion of the machine rotor, to obtain a set of ultrasonic detection information about the machine rotor; and forming an ultrasonic representation of the machine rotor by aligning the sets of the ultrasonic detection information about the machine rotor obtained from each of the plurality of static positions about the portion of the machine rotor.

Abstract: A tool measures relative concentricity deviations in a confined space between two circumferential elements, such as a turbine rotor and a turbine diaphragm. The tool includes a housing, and a sensor coupled with the housing that measures a distance from the housing to one of the two circumferential elements. An axial spring plunger is connected to the housing, and a radial spring plunger is connected to the housing and arranged orthogonal to the axial spring plunger. The tool also includes a sliding or rolling surface on a side of the housing opposite from one of the axial spring plunger and the radial spring plunger.

Abstract: A test fixture, system and method are provided for concentricity measurement tool calibration. A test fixture may include a rotor simulating member including a rotor mount; a stator simulating member including a stator mount; an adjustable positioner for positioning the rotor simulating member and the stator simulating member in a selected one of a plurality of predetermined concentricity positions relative to one another; and a support for positioning the rotor simulating member and the stator simulating member on the ground. The test fixture can be used to calibrate concentricity measurement tool, such as an electronic radial alignment gauge, prior to use and/or in situations where the actual rotor or stator have not been manufactured.

Abstract: A tool measures relative concentricity deviations in a confined space between two circumferential elements, such as a turbine rotor and a turbine diaphragm. The tool includes a housing, and a sensor coupled with the housing that measures a distance from the housing to one of the two circumferential elements. An axial spring plunger is connected to the housing, and a radial spring plunger is connected to the housing and arranged orthogonal to the axial spring plunger. The tool also includes a sliding or rolling surface on a side of the housing opposite from one of the axial spring plunger and the radial spring plunger.

Abstract: A bearing manipulator for supporting and manipulating a bearing is provided. In one embodiment, the bearing manipulator includes a frame having at least one adjustable roller to support the bearing, and at least one adjustable arm to secure the bearing to the frame. The bearing manipulator further includes a motor configured to incrementally rotate the bearing.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring concentricity between a first component and a second component is provided. The system includes a fixture having a first spring element and a second spring element. The first spring element is configured to apply force in an orthogonal direction to the second spring element. A sensor is mounted to the fixture, and the sensor is configured to measure a distance to the second component. The fixture is configured to slide substantially inside a groove of the first component.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring concentricity between a first component and a second component is provided. The system includes a fixture having a first spring element and a second spring element. The first spring element is configured to apply force in an orthogonal direction to the second spring element. A sensor is mounted to the fixture, and the sensor is configured to measure a distance to the second component. The fixture is configured to slide substantially inside a groove of the first component.

Abstract: A bearing manipulator for supporting and manipulating a bearing is provided. In one embodiment, the bearing manipulator includes a frame having at least one adjustable roller to support the bearing, and at least one adjustable arm to secure the bearing to the frame. The bearing manipulator further includes a motor configured to incrementally rotate the bearing.