Retainer for transporting and storing a segment of a stator adapted to be part of a generator of a wind turbine

Abstract

A retainer for transporting and storing a segment of a stator which is part of a generator of a wind turbine includes a fastening device which is adapted to releasably fasten the segment to the retainer. The fastening device is attached to a base element of the retainer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A retainer for transporting and storing a segment of a stator adapted to be part of a generator of a wind turbine, comprising:
 a base element, and   a fastening device attached to the base element, wherein the fastening device releasably fastens the segment to the retainer.   
     
     
         2 . The retainer according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device engages the segment with positive locking. 
     
     
         3 . The retainer according to  claim 2 , wherein the fastening device comprises at least one translatable member with at least one bolt adapted to engage into the segment with positive locking. 
     
     
         4 . The retainer according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one translatable member is translatably arranged relative to a frame of the fastening device. 
     
     
         5 . The retainer according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one translatable member is adapted to be translated upon actuation of an actuating device. 
     
     
         6 . The retainer according to  claim 5 , wherein the actuating device comprises a rotatable member adapted to translate the translatable member upon rotation. 
     
     
         7 . The retainer according to  claim 6 , wherein the rotatable member includes a screw. 
     
     
         8 . The retainer according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device is indirectly attached to the base element via at least one intermediately arranged dampening unit which comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         9 . The retainer according to  claim 8 , wherein a connection between the dampening unit and the base element and/or the fastening device is a form fit connection. 
     
     
         10 . The retainer according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wall structure which extends perpendicularly from the base element and at least partially surrounds the segment.   
     
     
         11 . The retainer according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein corresponding mating structures are arranged on a top face of the wall structure and on a bottom face of the base element, and   wherein the mating structures are adapted to positively engage each other when a first retainer is stacked upon a second retainer.   
     
     
         12 . The retainer according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein a male member is arranged on the top face of the wall structure or on the bottom face of the base element of the first retainer,   wherein a female member is arranged on a top face of a wall structure or a bottom face of a base element of the second retainer, and   wherein the male member of the first retainer is adapted to positively engage the female member of the second retainer when stacked upon the first retainer.   
     
     
         13 . The retainer according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein the base element has a rectangular shape and the wall structure comprises four pillars having a dimension extending perpendicular from the base element, and   wherein each pillar is arranged in one corner of the rectangular base element.   
     
     
         14 . The retainer according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein the wall structure comprises side walls arranged around borders of the base element,   wherein at least two side walls are arranged along opposite sides of the rectangular base element having dimensions extending perpendicular from the base element,   wherein the dimensions correspond to at most half of the dimension of the pillars.   
     
     
         15 . The retainer according to  claim 1 , wherein connecting portions are arranged on the base element and are adapted to be accessed by a lifting device. 
     
     
         16 . The retainer according to  claim 15 , wherein the lifting device comprises a fork of a fork lift. 
     
     
         17 . The retainer according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one bolt of the fastening device engages in a hole in a frame of the stator segment, wherein a lamination and coils and/or windings of the stator are attached to the frame.