Transportation method for a wind turbine blade

Abstract

A method of transporting a wind turbine blade is described, wherein the blade comprises an inner extender section and an outer blade section. The inner extender section is approximately half the length of the outer blade section, and the method comprises securing a pair of inner extender sections together to form an extender transport section, which can be more easily transported as it is approximately the same length as an outer blade section.

1 . A method of transporting a plurality of wind turbine rotor blades, said blades having a length of at least 50 metres, wherein said blades comprise an inner blade extender and an outer blade section adapted to mount to said inner blade extender, wherein the length of said outer blade section is approximately twice the length of said inner blade extender, the method comprising the step of:
 providing at least two of said blades as separate inner blade extenders and outer blade sections;   coupling a first inner blade extender to a second inner blade extender to form an extender transport section, wherein the length of said extender transport section is approximately equal to the length of said outer blade sections; and   transporting said extender transport section and said outer blade sections using a plurality of transport apparatus adapted to receive blade sections having a length approximately equal to the length of one of said outer blade sections.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said inner blade extender comprises a root end for mounting to a wind turbine rotor hub and a distal end for coupling to an outer blade section, and wherein said step of coupling comprises coupling one of said root end or distal end of said first inner blade extender to one of said root end or distal end of said second inner blade extender. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the method comprises the step of providing a joining part between one of said ends of said first inner blade extender and one of said ends of said second inner blade extender, and wherein said step of coupling comprises mounting said first inner blade extender and said second inner blade extender to said joining part. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said step of coupling comprises bolting said first inner blade extender and said second inner blade extender to said joining part. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said rotor blades are partial pitch rotor blades having a pitch system provided at the distal end of said inner blade extender, and wherein said step of transporting comprises supporting said extender transport sections such that said pitch systems are unloaded during transportation. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said step of supporting comprises supporting said first inner blade extender at the centre point of mass of the first inner blade extender and supporting said second inner blade extender at the centre of mass of the second inner blade extender. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said step of coupling comprises coupling said distal end of said first inner blade extender to said distal end of said second inner blade extender. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said step of providing comprises providing inner blade extenders having a length of approximately 20 metres, and outer blade sections having a length of approximately 40 metres. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said step of transporting comprises arranging a first extender transport section adjacent a second extender transport section or a first outer blade section on a first transport apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said step of coupling comprises directly mounting said first inner blade extender to said second inner blade extender.