Apparatus and methods for handling rotor blades

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for handling rotor blades of wind power installations. An apparatus for simplified handling of rotor blades is afforded by a carrier element and at least one rotor blade receiving structure coupled to the carrier element. A rotor blade is received in the apparatus during a blade fitting procedure. The apparatus may reduce the effect of wind and the effect of mass inertia during the blade fitting procedure.

1 . An apparatus for handling rotor blades of wind power installations, the apparatus comprising:
 a carrier element;   a receiving structure configured to receive at least one rotor blade, the receiving structure being coupled to the carrier element and including a carrier frame, the carrier frame in cooperation with the carrier element being configured to at least partially extend adjacent at least three sides of at least one rotor blade and allow maneuvering the rotor blade toward the wind power installation, to reduce an effect of wind on the rotor blade when the at least one rotor blade is being installed on the wind power installation; and   a ball rotary joint arranged on the carrier element.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rotary mechanism drive at the ball rotary joint.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of eyes mutually spaced in a longitudinal direction of the carrier element for receiving cables.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the carrier frame in cooperation with the carrier element is configured to enclose the at least one rotor blade about four sides upon handling. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a locking member pivotably coupled to one side of the rotor blade receiving structure.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the rotor blade receiving structure is configured to engage the at least one rotor blade in a complementary locking relationship. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of cushions provided throughout the rotor blade receiving structure.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the cushions are inflatable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the cushions include valves for inflating/deflating the cushions. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one of an energy storage device, a pressure storage device, and a plug connector configured to connect at least one of an electrical line, a hydraulic line, and a pneumatic line, wherein the energy storage device, pressure storage device, or plug connector is used to maintain a first pressure in a plurality of cushions located in the rotor blade receiving structure.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the rotor blade receiving structure includes at least one carrier bar extending perpendicularly with respect to the carrier element, from a location between terminating ends of the carrier element, and configured to facilitate retention of the rotor blade. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a carrier bar configured to extend through a through hole of the rotor blade.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a carrier plate and a carrier bar-releasably coupled to the carrier plate, the carrier bar extending into a space between the carrier element and the carrier frame.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a carrier bar extending into a space between the carrier element and the carrier frame, a cross-section of the carrier bar being variable over at least one region.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a device configured to couple the apparatus to a roller head of a crane. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of container corner members positioned on at least one of a top side and an underside of the apparatus, the container corner members configured to be engaged to container corner members of another apparatus configured to handle rotor blades or for supporting the apparatus on a structure.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the carrier element is rigid. 
     
     
         18 . A method for securing and handling at least one rotor blade, the method comprising:
 placing the at least one rotor blade into a space at least partially bound by a carrier element and a carrier frame configured to reduce an effect of wind on the at least one rotor blade, the carrier element in cooperation with the carrier frame at least partially surrounding the at least one rotor blade on at least three sides;   protecting the at least one rotor blade against damage associated with a contact of the at least one rotor blade with the carrier element; and   maneuvering the carrier element and the carrier frame with the at least one rotor blade placed in the space therein, toward a wind power installation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 handling the carrier element and the at least one rotor blade via a ball rotary joint mounted on the carrier element.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 opening the carrier element to release the at least one rotor blade.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein protecting the at least one rotor blade includes inflating cushions located in the carrier element and substantially around the at least one rotor blade. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus comprising:
 a receiving structure for receiving at least one rotor blade, the receiving structure configured to reduce an effect of wind on the at least one rotor blade when the at least one rotor blade is installed on a wind power installation; and   an attachment device for maneuvering the receiving structure comprising a ball rotary joint arranged on the carrier element to allow maneuvering the rotor blade receiving structure, with the rotor blade received therein, toward the wind power installation, to reduce an effect of wind on the rotor blade when the at least one rotor blade is installed on the wind power installation.   
     
     
         23 . An apparatus for handling rotor blades of wind power installations, the apparatus comprising:
 a carrier element;   means for receiving at least one rotor blade coupled to the carrier element, the rotor blade receiving means including a carrier frame configured to enclose at least one rotor blade about at least three sides upon handling and at least one carrier bar extending into a space between the carrier element and the carrier frame.