Device for positioning a rope access technician in relation to a blade of a wind turbine

Abstract

A device for positioning a rope access technician next to a blade of a wind turbine, including a rigid spine, one or more clamp assemblies with each clamp assembly connected to the rigid spine and each clamp assembly capable of clamping to a blade of a wind turbine, and a lower platform connected to a lower portion of the rigid spine with a substantially flat top surface on which a technician may sit, stand or place items.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 346,885, entitled DEVICE FOR POSITIONING A ROPE ACCESS TECHNICIAN NEXT TO A BLADE OF A WIND TURBINE, filed on May 20, 2010 by inventors Josh Crayton et al.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to wind turbine maintenance. More specifically, it concerns a device that positions and stabilizes a rope access technician, while suspended on his / her own independent rope access system, in relation to a blade of a wind turbine while working on the tip of the blade.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]After initial installation, wind turbine blades are inspected, maintained and repaired from time-to-time as they can be damaged during transportation to the installation site, during installation or, for example, due to lightning, hail, dust storms, normal wear and tear, poor initial structural design and birds.[0004]It is generally understood that the most difficult part...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention concerns a device for positioning a rope access technician at tip of a blade of a wind turbine. This device, although not the primary support for the rope access technician, who depends on an independent rope access system anchored to the top of the wind turbine to prevent him / her from falling, provides a stable platform on which a rope access technician may stand or sit while working. The invention includes a clamping device that applies compressive force against two opposing sides of the blade to maintain the positioning device in a fixed position relative to the blade.

Problems solved by technology

After initial installation, wind turbine blades are inspected, maintained and repaired from time-to-time as they can be damaged during transportation to the installation site, during installation or, for example, due to lightning, hail, dust storms, normal wear and tear, poor initial structural design and birds.

It is generally understood that the most difficult part of the blade to perform maintenance and repair upon is the tip, as it moves the most in the wind.

One challenge commonly encountered by a rope access technician, or also referred to herein as simply technician, is that the blade and the technician move independently of each other due to wind and weather.

Another challenge faced by a technician is that there is nothing below the tip as a leverage point to stabilize himself / herself with while working.

Another challenge for the technician is that the blade typically cannot be locked out, or fixed, exactly vertically and, thus, the technician has to work at an angle.

Yet another challenge is the lack of ability of the technician to stabilize the part of his or her body that dangles below the blade while working on the tip.

One problem with these platforms is that they are bulky and heavy and often cannot be readily checked in as luggage on a commercial airline.

Another problem with these platforms is that they make use of more complex anchoring of cables or ropes from the top of the turbine, to support their weight, than a rope access system typically used by rope access technicians.

Thus, it can be time consuming or difficult to erect or set up such a platform.

Finally, being large and heavy, such devices may damage the blade when moving independently from the blade in the wind, or make it difficult for the technician to work on a support device that is moving independently from the blade.

Even when such devices are partially fixed to the blade, for example using an elastic cable, such difficulties and dangers remain.

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