CPC B60P 3/40 (2013.01) [B61D 3/166 (2013.01); B61D 45/003 (2013.01); E04H 12/00 (2013.01); E04H 12/344 (2013.01); F03D 13/40 (2016.05); F05B 2240/122 (2013.01); F05B 2240/912 (2013.01); Y02E 10/728 (2013.01)] | 33 Claims |
1. A method of transporting a tower section of a wind turbine, the tower section having a longitudinal length and a circumference, the method comprising:
positioning end supports at end locations on a bed of a transport device;
positioning at least one intermediate support at at least one intermediate location on the bed of the transport device;
adjusting at least one of the end supports as at least one adjustable end support in a longitudinal direction to accommodate the longitudinal length of the tower section;
loading the tower section on the transport device by supporting a circumference of the tower section on pivoting cradle surfaces pivotable about longitudinal pivots disposed on opposing cradle saddles;
accommodating differences in the circumference of the tower section along the longitudinal length of the tower section by:
adjusting a lateral separation between the longitudinal pivots disposed on the opposing cradle saddles, the opposing cradle saddles being moveable in a lateral direction on the at least one intermediate support against which the tower section rests and the opposing cradle saddles attaching to a base component of the at least one intermediate support; and
allowing the pivoting cradle surfaces to pivot in a radial direction about the longitudinal pivots, wherein the longitudinal pivots are attached to the opposing cradle saddles without attaching to the base component of the at least one intermediate support; and
affixing the tower section to the end supports.
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