Abstract: A lift system for a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes a lifting device having a structural frame body having a root end and a tip end. The root end supports a root cradle and the tip end supports a tip cradle. The root and tip cradles each have a profile that corresponds to at least one exterior surface of the rotor blade so as to receive and support at least a portion of the rotor blade. Due to a shape of the rotor blade, when the rotor blade is installed in the lifting device and lifted uptower, the rotor blade can experience an asymmetric loading. Accordingly, the lift system also includes a variable airflow assembly coupled to tip end of the lifting device. The variable airflow assembly includes at least one surface moveable between a plurality of positions having varying resistances so as to counteract the asymmetric loading.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for cooling a heat-exchanger in a wind turbine that has an electric generator with a cooling air flow directed therethrough. Effluent cooling air flow from the electric generator is directed into an air ejector pump and acts as motive air through the air ejector pump. Cold air is drawn into the air ejector pump by the vacuum generated by the motive air moving through the air ejector pump. The heat exchanger is disposed in-line with the cold air flow so that the cold air is drawn through the heat-exchanger, removes heat from the fluid circulated through the heat-exchanger, and becomes heated air that is combined with the motive air and discharged from the nacelle.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for cooling a heat-exchanger in a wind turbine that has an electric generator with a cooling air flow directed therethrough. Effluent cooling air flow from the electric generator is directed into an air ejector pump and acts as motive air through the air ejector pump. Cold air is drawn into the air ejector pump by the vacuum generated by the motive air moving through the air ejector pump. The heat exchanger is disposed in-line with the cold air flow so that the cold air is drawn through the heat-exchanger, removes heat from the fluid circulated through the heat-exchanger, and becomes heated air that is combined with the motive air and discharged from the nacelle.

Abstract: A lift system for a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes a lifting device having a structural frame body having a root end and a tip end. The root end supports a root cradle and the tip end supports a tip cradle. The root and tip cradles each have a profile that corresponds to at least one exterior surface of the rotor blade so as to receive and support at least a portion of the rotor blade. Due to a shape of the rotor blade, when the rotor blade is installed in the lifting device and lifted uptower, the rotor blade can experience an asymmetric loading. Accordingly, the lift system also includes a variable airflow assembly coupled to tip end of the lifting device. The variable airflow assembly includes at least one surface moveable between a plurality of positions having varying resistances so as to counteract the asymmetric loading.

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: A counterweight system for mounting a rotor blade on a balanced rotatable hub of a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotatable hub can have at least one blade root region configured to receive a blade root of the rotor blade, and also have a pitch system configured to rotate the rotor blade around a pitch axis. The counterweight system can have at least one support structure having a proximal end spaced apart from a distal end with the proximal end mountable to at least one blade root region of the rotatable hub. The at least one counterweight mass can be at least partially filled with fluid and coupled to the distal end of the at least one support structure. The at least one support structure can be arranged substantially parallel to the pitch axis such that the pitch system rotates the counterweight mass about the pitch axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for manufacturing a wind turbine rotor blade that can be easily lifted and lowered to and from a rotor installed atop a tower. The method includes providing a plurality of root inserts for a blade root of the blade and securing at least one cylindrical member to one of the root inserts such that the cylindrical member is substantially perpendicular with the root insert. The method also includes arranging the root inserts in a blade mold of the blade and forming a blade shell with the plurality of root inserts laminated therein. The method may further include securing at least one attachment component within each of the cylindrical members so as to provide an attachment location for a pulley cable used to lift and lower the rotor blade to and from the rotor installed atop the tower.

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 installing a plurality of rotor blades to a rotatable hub secured atop a tower of a wind turbine includes providing a counterweight assembly having, at least, an arm member and a counterweight mass secured at a distal end of the mounting assembly. The method also includes securing the arm member of the counterweight assembly to the hub of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes consecutively installing the plurality of rotor blades onto the hub of the wind turbine. Moreover, the method includes rotating the arm member about a rotation axis of the hub to continuously adjust a position of the counterweight mass between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades to change a center of gravity of the hub and maintain a balanced rotor of the wind turbine during installation of the plurality of rotor blades.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fastener retention assembly for a wind turbine rotor. The fastener retention assembly includes a rotor hub and a pitch bearing race coupled to the rotor hub. One of the pitch bearing race or the rotor hub defines an annular slot. The pitch bearing race and the rotor hub further defines a plurality of passages extending from the slot through the pitch bearing race and the rotor hub. The fastener retention assembly also includes a plurality of fasteners coupling the rotor hub and the pitch bearing race. Each of the plurality of fasteners is at least partially positioned within the slot and one of the plurality of passages. The fastener retention assembly further includes a retaining ring partially positioned within the slot to retain the plurality of fasteners within the plurality of passages.

Abstract: A method for removing a rotor blade from a wind turbine may generally include installing a blade sock around an outer perimeter of the rotor blade, coupling a support cable to the blade root, lowering the rotor blade relative to the hub using the support cable, coupling at least one pulley cable between the rotor blade and a winch using at least one pulley, moving the pulley cable relative to the pulley to lower the rotor blade relative to the hub, applying a force through the blade sock as the pulley cable is moved relative to the pulley in order to control an orientation of the rotor blade and further lowering the rotor blade to a location on or adjacent to the support surface.

Abstract: A counterweight system for mounting a rotor blade on a balanced rotatable hub of a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotatable hub can have at least one blade root region configured to receive a blade root of the rotor blade, and also have a pitch system configured to rotate the rotor blade around a pitch axis. The counterweight system can have at least one support structure having a proximal end spaced apart from a distal end with the proximal end mountable to at least one blade root region of the rotatable hub. The at least one counterweight mass can be at least partially filled with fluid and coupled to the distal end of the at least one support structure. The at least one support structure can be arranged substantially parallel to the pitch axis such that the pitch system rotates the counterweight mass about the pitch axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fastener retention assembly for a wind turbine rotor. The fastener retention assembly includes a rotor hub and a pitch bearing race coupled to the rotor hub. One of the pitch bearing race or the rotor hub defines an annular slot. The pitch bearing race and the rotor hub further defines a plurality of passages extending from the slot through the pitch bearing race and the rotor hub. The fastener retention assembly also includes a plurality of fasteners coupling the rotor hub and the pitch bearing race. Each of the plurality of fasteners is at least partially positioned within the slot and one of the plurality of passages. The fastener retention assembly further includes a retaining ring partially positioned within the slot to retain the plurality of fasteners within the plurality of passages.

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: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for manufacturing a wind turbine rotor blade that can be easily lifted and lowered to and from a rotor installed atop a tower. The method includes providing a plurality of root inserts for a blade root of the blade and securing at least one cylindrical member to one of the root inserts such that the cylindrical member is substantially perpendicular with the root insert. The method also includes arranging the root inserts in a blade mold of the blade and forming a blade shell with the plurality of root inserts laminated therein. The method may further include securing at least one attachment component within each of the cylindrical members so as to provide an attachment location for a pulley cable used to lift and lower the rotor blade to and from the rotor installed atop the tower.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for installing a blade sock onto a rotor blade of a wind turbine may generally include positioning the blade sock adjacent to a blade tip of the rotor blade, wherein the blade sock comprises a sock strap forming a closed-shape. In addition, the method may include moving the blade sock relative to the rotor blade such that the blade tip is received within the closed-shape formed by the sock strap and moving the blade sock spanwise along the rotor blade towards a blade root of the rotor blade until the blade sock is positioned at an intermediate location defined between the blade root and the blade tip, wherein the sock strap is configured to fit tightly around an outer perimeter of the rotor blade at the intermediate location.

Abstract: A wye ring centering system is provided. The system includes a plurality of rollers configured for contacting a wye ring, and a plurality of mounting fasteners configured for supporting the plurality of rollers. Each of the mounting fasteners is configured to pass through a fan hub. The plurality of rollers and the plurality of mounting fasteners are distributed at substantially equal intervals around the fan hub. The wye ring is placed over the plurality of rollers to center the wye ring around a shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for manufacturing a wind turbine rotor blade that can be easily lifted and lowered to and from a rotor installed atop a tower. The method includes providing a plurality of root inserts for a blade root of the blade and securing at least one cylindrical member to one of the root inserts such that the cylindrical member is substantially perpendicular with the root insert. The method also includes arranging the root inserts in a blade mold of the blade and forming a blade shell with the plurality of root inserts laminated therein. The method may further include securing at least one attachment component within each of the cylindrical members so as to provide an attachment location for a pulley cable used to lift and lower the rotor blade to and from the rotor installed atop the tower.