US 12,404,841 B2
Device, system and method for forming a temporary support structure for maintenance crew for a blade of a wind turbine, method of performing maintenance, wind turbine blade, wind turbine and wind turbine park
Adrianus Huibert De Ruiter, Delft (NL); and Jan Van Der Tempel, Delft (NL)
Assigned to Ampelmann Holding B. V., Delft (NL)
Appl. No. 18/032,462
Filed by Ampelmann Holding B.V., Delft (NL)
PCT Filed Oct. 29, 2021, PCT No. PCT/NL2021/050663
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 18, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/093027, PCT Pub. Date May 5, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2026805 (NL), filed on Oct. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0383732 A1, Nov. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. F03D 80/50 (2016.01)
CPC F03D 80/502 (2023.08) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
19. A device for forming a temporary support structure for maintenance crew for a blade of a wind turbine,
the device comprising a sleeve configured to surround the blade, at least a longitudinal section thereof, wherein the sleeve comprises at least one inflatable part which is changeable between a deflated state and an inflated state when the sleeve surrounds the blade,
wherein in the deflated state the sleeve is movable with respect to the blade for positioning the sleeve with respect to the blade, wherein in the inflated state the sleeve is configured to clamp the device with respect to the blade,
wherein, at least in the inflated state, the sleeve is configured to form a support structure along the blade for supporting maintenance crew for the blade thereon,
wherein the sleeve comprises a first sleeve channel and a second sleeve channel substantially parallel to each other, wherein the first sleeve channel is configured to receive at least a section of the blade therein, wherein the second sleeve channel is configured to receive the maintenance crew therein,
wherein the sleeve provides at least one window between the first and second sleeve channels to enable maintenance on the blade which is received in the first sleeve channel from within the second sleeve channel, and
wherein the first and second sleeve channels have respective proximal entrances substantially adjacent to each other.