Abstract: A replacement insert for the repair of a joint connecting a wind turbine blade to a rotor hub of a wind turbine is disclosed. The replacement insert includes a bushing having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an internal passageway. The replacement insert further includes a cover around at least a portion of the outer surface of the bushing. The replacement insert may have a non-circular cross-sectional profile. The cover defines an outer surface, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the outer surface of the cover. The protrusions are configured to operate as spacers when the replacement insert is positioned in a bushing cavity in the wind turbine blade to define a gap between the replacement insert and the walls of the bushing cavity.

Abstract: A method of repairing a joint connecting a wind turbine blade to a rotor hub of a wind turbine, wherein the joint includes a plurality of bushings in a root end of the wind turbine blade is disclosed. The method includes extracting a selected bushing from the wind turbine blade, the extraction resulting in a bushing cavity in the wind turbine blade; reconditioning the bushing cavity in the wind turbine blade; providing a replacement insert, wherein the insert includes a replacement bushing and a cover disposed around at least a portion of the replacement bushing; positioning the replacement insert into the reconditioned bushing cavity; and securing the replacement insert to the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A method of repairing a joint connecting a wind turbine blade to a rotor hub of a wind turbine, wherein the joint includes a plurality of bushings in a root end of the wind turbine blade is disclosed. The method includes extracting a selected bushing from the wind turbine blade, the extraction resulting in a bushing cavity in the wind turbine blade; reconditioning the bushing cavity in the wind turbine blade; providing a replacement insert, wherein the insert includes a replacement bushing and a cover disposed around at least a portion of the replacement bushing; positioning the replacement insert into the reconditioned bushing cavity; and securing the replacement insert to the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A replacement insert for the repair of a joint connecting a wind turbine blade to a rotor hub of a wind turbine is disclosed. The replacement insert includes a bushing having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an internal passageway. The replacement insert further includes a cover around at least a portion of the outer surface of the bushing. The replacement insert may have a non-circular cross-sectional profile. The cover defines an outer surface, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the outer surface of the cover. The protrusions are configured to operate as spacers when the replacement insert is positioned in a bushing cavity in the wind turbine blade to define a gap between the replacement insert and the walls of the bushing cavity.