US 12,343,828 B2
Universal supporting member for wind turbine blade
Gokhan Sarbalkan, Izmir (TR); and Mustafa A. Dalgic, Izmir (TR)
Assigned to TPI Composites, Inc., Warren, RI (US)
Filed by TPI Composites, Inc., Warren, RI (US)
Filed on Nov. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/535,205.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/118,363, filed on Nov. 25, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0161375 A1, May 26, 2022
Int. Cl. B23P 15/02 (2006.01); B25B 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC B23P 15/02 (2013.01) [B25B 11/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wind turbine blade handling apparatus comprising:
a frame, the frame including at least one beam and a plurality of downwardly extending legs,
the frame having at least one attachment structure with linear walls defining an opening oriented horizontally and configured to receive a tine of a forklift to lift the wind turbine handling apparatus;
the frame having at least one attachment with linear walls defining an opening oriented vertically to receive a pulley to lift the wind turbine handling apparatus;
a truss extending vertically upward from the frame;
at least one bracket rotatably coupled to the truss;
a base plate, the base plate having a generally rectangular shape with a width smaller than a width of the frame, and coupled to the at least one bracket at a midpoint of the base plate along opposing sides, the at least one bracket disposed between the truss and the base plate, and wherein the base plate and the at least one bracket configured to rotate relative to the frame;
a plurality of adjustable support members disposed on the base plate;
each support member having:
a pillar, the pillar having a top surface and a bottom surface, with the bottom surface coupled to the base plate
a moveable shaft, the shaft having a first end and a second end, with the first end disposed at least partially within the pillar and the second end disposed above the top surface of the pillar, and
a moveable pad, the pad pivotably coupled to the second end of the shaft via a pin, wherein the moveable pad is configured to pivot about an axis of the pin; and
wherein at least one of the plurality of adjustable support members are moveable relative to the base plate to reconfigure an arrangement of adjustable support members.