DE102019001744A1 - Method and system for holding a rotor blade - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for holding a rotor blade of a wind turbine in a holding frame. According to the invention, a transition criterion for a medium is brought about in an interspace between the rotor blade and the holding frame, the medium transitioning from a first state to a second state when the transition criterion is reached. The invention also relates to a system comprising a holding frame, a rotor blade of a wind energy installation and a medium.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a system for holding a rotor blade of a wind turbine in a holding frame.

The rotor blades of a wind energy installation are usually completed at a manufacturing location and mounted on the wind energy installation at an assembly location. Between manufacture and assembly, it is usually necessary to store the rotor blades at the manufacturing location and / or at the assembly location and to transport them from the manufacturing location to the assembly location.

One or more holding frames that support the rotor blade are used for storage and transport. For a secure hold, it is regularly provided that the holding frame encloses a contour of the rotor blade as precisely as possible. Second, it is particularly necessary for the transport that the rotor blade is fastened in the holding frame in a non-slip manner.

Various reasons can lead to the fact that the contour of a rotor blade is not recorded precisely by the holding frame. For example, it can happen that different types of rotor blades are to be supported with the same support frame; in this case, a poor fit between the contour of a rotor blade and the holding frame is generally to be expected. Furthermore, the contour of the cross section of a rotor blade usually changes along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, the longitudinal axis running between the hub and the tip of the rotor blade in the assembled state of the wind turbine; Even in a coordinated system of rotor blade and holding frame, the precise fit around the contour of the rotor blade is therefore only possible in a certain fitting position of the holding frame. Finally, there are certain manufacturing tolerances that can lead to inaccuracies in the fit even in the fitting position of a coordinated system of rotor blade and holding frame.

A poor fit between the holder frame and the rotor blade can lead to the holder frame exerting excessively high pressure forces locally on the rotor blade and / or to the rotor blade not being securely held in the holding frame.

Even with a good fit, the rotor blade can slip in the holding frame. The static friction force between the rotor blade and the holding frame is limited by the normal force, and a maximum normal force that can be applied can be determined by the stability of the rotor blade. Particularly in the case of modern, particularly lightly built rotor blades, the maximum normal force that can be applied can be so low that the static friction force is insufficient to prevent the rotor blade from slipping in the holding frame.

The lack of accuracy of fit and the slipping of the rotor blade in the holding frame are directly related: If the holding frame does not precisely fit the contour of the rotor blade, the contact area is reduced compared to a precisely fitting state; As a result, the holding force is distributed over a smaller area, so that local pressure peaks occur that can damage the rotor blade. If the normal force is then reduced in order to avoid damage to the rotor blade, the frictional force is reduced, so that the rotor blade can slip out of the holding frame. The invention is based on the object of presenting a method and a system for holding a rotor blade of a wind energy installation in a holding frame, so that the rotor blade is held reliably and free of damage. Based on the stated prior art, the object is achieved with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are dealt with in the subclaims.

First some terms are defined.

A holding frame within the meaning of the invention is a structure that can be fixed directly or indirectly to a storage and / or transport base. A storage base can, for example, be the floor of a warehouse; a transport base can, for example, be the loading area of a truck. The holding frame can be fixed to the storage and / or transport base via an intermediate structure; the holding frame does not have to be in direct contact with the storage and / or transport base. A holding frame is designed to hold a rotor blade in a specific position relative to the storage and / or transport base. Several holding frames can be used next to one another and / or one above the other, the holding frames each being able to hold a rotor blade; Additionally or alternatively, several holding frames can be used one behind the other, wherein the holding frames can hold one or more rotor blades.

In a holding state in which the holding frame holds the rotor blade, holding forces can act between the holding frame and the rotor blade. The holding frame can absorb the holding forces via an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the holding frame in the holding state can be aligned essentially parallel to a holding surface of the rotor blade and wherein the holding surface of the rotor blade can absorb the holding forces on the rotor blade. Holding forces are normal forces and frictional forces, with normal forces perpendicular to the The inner surface of the holding frame and / or stand on the holding surface of the rotor blade and frictional forces are parallel to the inner surface of the holding frame and / or to the holding surface of the rotor blade. Forces can for example be components of the gravitational force and / or the mass acceleration force of the rotor blade; alternatively or in addition, clamping forces can be applied between the holding frame and the rotor blade. A normal force can influence a friction force that can prevent the rotor blade from slipping in the holding frame along the contact surface. The maximum frictional force can be proportional to the normal force and to a coefficient of friction.

The holding surface of the rotor blade can extend around the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade over the profile of the rotor blade in a section along the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. The inner surface of the support frame can be continuous and contiguous; the holding frame then forms a holding frame opening which is completely enclosed by the inner surface. The rotor blade and the holding frame can then be brought from a free state into the holding state by inserting the tip of the rotor blade into the holding frame opening relative to the holding frame and continuing the relative movement between the rotor blade and the holding frame until the holding state is reached. Alternatively, the inner surface of the holding frame can consist of several segments. The inner surface preferably consists of two segments. A first segment can be moved relative to a second segment from a free state, the rotor blade being moved between the two segments relative to the two segments; in the holding state, the two segments enclose the holding surface of the rotor blade from two sides. For example, the first segment of the inner surface can serve as a bed for the rotor blade, while the second segment secures the rotor blade against forces pointing away from the ground.

According to the invention, a medium is provided in an intermediate space between the rotor blade and the holding frame, a transition criterion for the medium being brought about according to the method according to the invention, the medium transitioning from a first state to a second state when the transition criterion is reached.

A volume that extends between the inner surface of the holding frame and the holding surface of the rotor blade is referred to as the space between the rotor blade and the holding frame. In the intermediate space there can be a distance from the inner surface of the holding frame to the holding surface of the rotor blade, which can be, for example, between a few millimeters and several centimeters or decimeters; the distance can also have an extent, as is usually found between two surfaces glued together with an adhesive, wherein the intermediate space can be filled by the adhesive. There can be several spaces in the sense of the invention. For example, in the holding state, the inner surface of the holding frame can rest closely on the holding surface of the rotor blade in sections, but can enclose some spaces with the holding surface. There can be a single contiguous space. For example, the inner surface of the holding frame can enclose the holding surface of the rotor blade all around at a distance; in this case the ring-shaped volume that is spanned by the inner surface and the holding surface is an interspace within the meaning of the invention.

According to the invention, the medium is such that it changes from a first state to a second state when a transition criterion is reached. In one embodiment, the medium can reversibly transition from the first state to the second state; the medium can therefore also change over from the second to the first state again when a backward transition criterion is reached.

The medium can be flowable in the first state and dimensionally stable in the second state. A flowable medium is plastically deformable and can have a liquid aggregate state; alternatively, a flowable medium can, for example, have a pasty consistency or be a fine-grain powder. Because the medium is flowable in the first state, it can adapt well to the space between the holding surface of the rotor blade and the inner surface of the holding frame. A dimensionally stable medium is not subject to any plastic deformation when the holding frame is used appropriately; Since the medium is dimensionally stable in the second state, it can give the rotor blade a firm hold in the holding frame. The medium can be elastically deformable in the dimensionally stable state; the medium can be an elastomer, the medium can for example be silicone; an elastically deformable medium can dampen shocks between the holding frame and the rotor blade. Alternatively, the medium is stiff, that is to say not elastically deformable; a rigid medium can fix the rotor blade immovably in the holding frame.

The medium can change its volume between the first state and the second state. For example, the medium can expand before reaching the transition criterion. In the second state, the medium can be in contact with at least a partial surface of the holding surface of the rotor blade; In addition, the medium can in the first state in contact with the holding surface of the Rotor blades stand; furthermore, the medium can be in contact with the inner surface of the holding frame in the first and / or the second state. In the first and in the second state, the medium is preferably in contact with the holding surface of the rotor blade and with the inner surface of the holding frame. The medium can also be in indirect contact, via a mediator layer, with the holding surface of the rotor blade and / or the inner surface of the holding frame; the mediation layer can be a film, for example. By expanding the medium, it can be achieved that the medium in the first state adapts to the space between the rotor blade and the holding frame and automatically penetrates into small spaces, so that the rotor blade is firmly embedded in the medium and the holding frame in the second state .

The medium can adhere to the holding surface of the rotor blade and / or the inner surface of the holding frame. In the context of the invention, adhesion increases the coefficient of static friction between the medium and the holding surface and / or between the medium and the inner surface to a value that is higher than the coefficient of static friction between the holding surface of the rotor blade and the inner surface of the holding frame. In the second state, the medium preferably adheres to the holding surface of the rotor blade and the inner surface of the holding frame. In this way, sufficient frictional forces can be achieved even if the normal forces are kept low; the rotor blade can thus be prevented from slipping in the holding frame and, at the same time, damage to the rotor blade by normal forces can be avoided.

According to the invention, the transition criterion is brought about in one method step.

The transition criterion can be the expiry of a period of time. It is known, for example, from ordinary wet adhesives that a certain waiting time is required for the adhesive to set. For example, the transport of a rotor blade secured according to the invention can only be released according to the invention after a certain period of time, within which the medium has changed from the first state to the second state.

The transition criterion can be a temperature. In particular, the transition criterion can be that the temperature falls below a transition temperature. The transition criterion can then be brought about by lowering the temperature of the medium below the transition temperature. The transition temperature is preferably above a normal ambient temperature; at the same time, the transition temperature is preferably not so high that the rotor blade and / or the holding frame would be damaged in a temperature range around the transition temperature and / or that the heating of the medium in a range around the transition temperature would require an economically unreasonable expenditure of energy; the transition temperature can, for example, be between 30 and 100 ° C, preferably between 50 and 80 ° C. The medium can be heated at a temperature above the transition temperature in order to bring about and / or maintain the first state.

For this purpose, for example, a heating device can be provided in the holding frame. The inner surface of the holding frame can consist of a thermally conductive material. The heating device can comprise a network of electrical heating wires, wherein the heating wires can be arranged under the inner surface of the holding frame. The holding frame can have its own power source; alternatively or additionally, the holding frame can comprise a connection for an external power source. A holding frame for securing a rotor blade of a wind turbine, wherein the holding frame comprises a heating device and wherein the heating device is designed to melt a thermoplastic medium on an inner surface of the holding frame, has independent inventive content.

Alternatively, a heating device can be provided in a space between the rotor blade and the holding frame; for example, a network of electrical heating wires can be deployed in the space between the rotor blade and the holding frame. As a further alternative, a heating device can be integrated in the medium; for this purpose, a network of electrical heating wires can run through the medium; the heating wires can be embedded in the medium. In the second state, the medium can be in the form of a mat; the network of electrical heating wires can run through the mat; the mat can be rolled up together with the heating wires for easier storage and transport.

Falling below the transition temperature can be brought about, for example, by switching off the heating device, with the medium being able to be cooled from the environment. As soon as the temperature falls below the transition temperature in this way, the medium changes to the second state. Alternatively or additionally, a cooling device can be provided with which the medium is cooled; for example, a cooling water circuit can be provided under the inner surface of the holding frame. As a result, falling below the transition temperature can be accelerated, starting from a heated state.

The medium can be, for example, a Thermodur or a thermoplastic. If the medium is a thermoplastic, the medium can be warmed up again from the second state until a reverse transition temperature is exceeded; this allows the medium to be reset to its first state. This can be advantageous in order to remove the rotor blade from the holding frame again: For example, the rotor blade can be embedded in the holding frame by the medium in the second state and / or the medium can adhere to the rotor blade and / or the holding frame in the second state. In contrast, the rotor blade can be loosely embedded in the holding frame by the medium in the first state and / or the medium does not adhere to the rotor blade and / or the holding frame in the first state. The rotor blade can then be removed more easily from the holding frame when the medium is in the first state than when the medium is in the second state. If the medium can change over from the first state to the second state in a reversible manner, the method according to the invention can in principle be repeated several times with the same medium.

The transition criterion can be pressure. The transition criterion can then be brought about by applying a tension force to the medium between the holding frame and the rotor blade.

The transition criterion can be that two components of the medium are brought into contact with one another. Contact within the meaning of the invention means a mixing of a significant proportion of the volumes and / or the masses of a first and a second component of the medium; a significant proportion can be sufficient to describe the medium in a macroscopic view as uniformly and completely mixed. The contact between the first and the second component of the medium can bring about the transition from the first state to the second state immediately or with a time delay. At the beginning of the method, the first component and the second component of the medium can be present separately from one another in the space between the rotor blade and the holding frame; alternatively, the first and the second component of the medium can be introduced into the intermediate space simultaneously or one after the other. The components can mix with one another automatically, with automatic mixing being carried out for example by diffusion, with diffusion being able to begin as soon as a common interface is established between the first and the second component. Alternatively, the components can be actively mixed, in which case active mixing can be, for example, stirring. The first component can be, for example, a resin or synthetic resin; the second component can be, for example, a hardener or a catalyst.

In a method step, the medium can be applied to the holding surface of the rotor blade and / or to the inner surface of the holding frame before the transition criterion is reached. The medium can be discharged before the rotor blade and the holding frame have been brought into the holding state. The medium can be sprayed or spread, for example. Alternatively, the medium can be introduced into the space between the rotor blade and the holding frame after the rotor blade and the holding frame have been brought into the holding state; for example, the medium can be injected into a space between the rotor blade and the holding frame. In another example, the medium can be a thermoplastic; the medium can be dimensionally stable in the second state and be in the form of a mat; for example, the mat can be laid out on the inner surface of the holding frame; the mat can be brought into the first state by heating after or before the rotor blade is in the holding position; the medium can be a flowable paste in the first state and adapt to the holding surface of the rotor blade and the inner surface of the holding frame; from the first state, the medium can cool down to below a transition temperature and, according to the invention, transition again from the first state into the second state.

An expansion of the medium can be brought about before the transition criterion is reached. The medium can expand while the medium is being applied to the holding surface of the rotor blade and / or to the inner surface of the holding frame. As a result, the medium can penetrate into areas of a space between the rotor blade and the holding frame that are difficult to access, without the medium having to be applied in the immediate vicinity of the areas that are difficult to access. The medium can, for example, be propelled by a propellant and inflated to form a foam. Alternatively or additionally, the medium can expand after the medium has been discharged onto the holding surface of the rotor blade and / or on the inner surface of the holding frame. For this purpose, for example, a propellant can be added to the medium; the propellant can be a gas generating substance which inflates the volume of the medium. The medium can be, for example, polyurethane foam, which is also known in particular as assembly foam; alternatively, the medium can be, for example, an epoxy foam resin.

In a method step, a tension force can be created between the holding frame and the rotor blade be created; the tension can be applied before the transition criterion of the medium is reached. The clamping force can be applied before the medium has been applied to the holding surface of the rotor blade and / or to the inner surface of the holding frame; in this case, the medium can be introduced into intermediate spaces between the holding surface of the rotor blade and the inner surface of the holding frame, which spaces still remain after the clamping force has been applied. Alternatively, the clamping force can be applied after the medium has been applied to the holding surface of the rotor blade and / or to the inner surface of the holding frame; in this case, the medium can adapt to the gap between the holding surface of the rotor blade and the inner surface of the holding frame, the gap being able to decrease as the clamping force is applied; the medium can be redistributed in such a way that a larger proportion of the holding surface of the rotor blade and / or the inner surface of the holding frame come into contact with the medium than before the clamping force was applied; an excess portion of the medium can also be displaced from the gap. In this way, the rotor blade can be embedded tightly in the medium and the holding frame. The tension can be applied before or after the transition criterion has been reached; the clamping force can be adapted before and / or after the transition criterion has been reached, for example increased gradually.

After completion of the method according to the invention, the rotor blade can be removed from the holding frame again; for example, the rotor blade can be removed from the holding frame at the installation site. After the rotor blade has been removed from the holding frame, residues of the medium can remain on the holding surface of the rotor blade and / or the inner surface of the holding frame. In order to remove these residues and / or to facilitate removal of the residues under natural influences, the medium can be degradable. Degradable in the sense of the invention can mean that the medium disintegrates under natural influences on a time scale and / or becomes detached from the rotor blade which is significantly longer than the intended storage and / or transport duration, the rotor blade during the intended storage and / or transport time. or the duration of the transport is to remain secured in the holding frame. A natural influence can for example be solar radiation, especially in the UV spectrum; the medium according to the invention can, for example, be a transparent or semitransparent plastic that is particularly sensitive to UV radiation. Alternatively, rainwater and / or condensation water from the ambient air can be a natural influence. Degradable in the sense of the invention can alternatively mean that the medium disintegrates under artificial influences and / or becomes detached from the rotor blade; the disintegration and / or detachment under the artificial influence can take place on a time scale of a few minutes, preferably a few seconds. An artificial influence can be, for example, artificially generated UV radiation; alternatively, an artificial influence can be a low temperature, the low temperature being able to be brought about, for example, by a cold spray. The medium and / or the decomposition products of the medium are preferably not harmful to the environment and more preferably completely biodegradable.

In order to protect the rotor blade and / or the holding frame from residues of the medium, a protective layer can be applied to the rotor blade and / or on the holding frame in a method step before the medium is applied. The protective layer can prevent direct contact between the medium on the one hand and the rotor blade and / or the holding frame on the other hand. The protective layer can be applied as a varnish; alternatively, for example, a thermal shrink tube can be drawn around the rotor blade and narrowed to the contour of the rotor blade; The protective layer is preferably a film, more preferably a self-adhesive film. After removal, the protective layer can leave fewer residues on the rotor blade and / or the holding frame than the medium would leave behind through direct contact with the rotor blade and / or the holding frame. The protective layer and the medium can be applied as a unit; For example, the medium can be in the form of a mat and provided with a protective layer on at least one surface side of the mat. After the rotor blade is removed from the holding frame again, the medium and the protective layer can be removed from the rotor blade and / or the holding frame one after the other or as a unit.

The medium can be in an envelope. The medium can be brought into the space between the rotor blade and the holding frame in one process step with the casing; alternatively, an empty shell can first be brought into the space between the rotor blade and the holding frame, whereupon the shell can be filled with the medium; the volume of the medium can expand during and / or after the medium is conveyed into the envelope; the medium in the shell can thereby adapt particularly closely to the shape of the space between the rotor blade and the holding frame.

If the transition criterion is the contact between two components of the medium, before the transition criterion is brought about, the two components of the medium can be located in two chambers of the envelope, the chambers being separated from one another by a partition can and wherein the partition prevents contact of the two components. The partition can be broken through or removed to bring about contact. The shell with the two chambers can be located in the space between the rotor blade and the holding frame; a tensioning force can be applied between the holding frame and the rotor blade, the pressure conditions in the medium being able to change when the tensioning force is applied in such a way that the partition between the two chambers breaks through. Alternatively, the partition can be broken through before the tension force is applied. The partition wall can be broken before the casing is brought into the space between the rotor blade and the holding frame; the contact between the first and the second component of the medium can bring about the transition from the first state to the second state with a time delay, so that the second state does not occur until the shell has been brought into the interspace.

The invention also relates to a system comprising a holding frame, a rotor blade of a wind energy installation and a medium. The medium is arranged in a space between the rotor blade and the holding frame. The medium can be in a first state or in a second state. The system is designed to transfer the medium from the first state to the second state.

The system can be developed with further features which are described in connection with the method according to the invention. The method can be developed with further features which are described in connection with the system according to the invention.

• 1a: eine Windenergieanlage in halbfertigem Zustand;
• 1b: einen distalen Abschnitt eines Rotorblatts, das durch einen Halterahmen gesichert ist;
• 2a, 2b: verschiedene Ausführungsformen von Halterahmen mit jeweils einem Rotorblatt in der Halteposition.
• 3a-3d: Schritte einer ersten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;
• 4: einen Verfahrensschritt gemäß einer ersten Variante der ersten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;
• 5a, 5b: Verfahrensschritte gemäß einer zweiten Variante der ersten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;
• 6a, 6b: Schritte einer zweiten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;
• 7: eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Halterahmens;
• 8: Komponenten einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Systems.

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings using advantageous embodiments. Show it:

• 1a : a wind turbine in a semi-finished state;
• 1b : a distal portion of a rotor blade secured by a support frame;
• 2a , 2 B : different embodiments of holding frames, each with a rotor blade in the holding position.
• 3a-3d : Steps of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention;
• 4th : a method step according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the method according to the invention;
• 5a , 5b : Method steps according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the method according to the invention;
• 6a , 6b : Steps of a second embodiment of the method according to the invention;
• 7th : an embodiment of a holding frame according to the invention;
• 8th : Components of an embodiment of the system according to the invention.

1a shows a half-finished wind turbine 14th with a tower 15th , a gondola 16 , a hub 17th , and rotor blades 18th . In addition, the longitudinal axis is 19th of a rotor blade 18th drawn. One of the three rotor blades 18th the wind turbine is not installed.

1b shows a rotor blade 18th on a storage and / or transportation basis 20th , the rotor blade 18th by a holding frame 21st is secured. The holding frame 21st is located with the rotor blade 18th in a holding position. The blade root, not shown, of the rotor blade 18th can be carried by another holding device.

2a Figure 10 shows the cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a support frame 21st and a rotor blade 18th in the holding position, with an inner surface 21 * of the holding frame 21st and a holding surface 18 * of the rotor blade 18th run essentially parallel to one another and face one another. Between the rotor blade 18th and the holding frame 21st there is a gap 22nd .

2 B shows the cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a holding frame 21st and a rotor blade 18th in the holding position. Between the rotor blade 18th and the holding frame 21st there are several spaces 22nd . The holding frame comprises two segments 21a , 21b . To the holding frame 21st border intermediate structures 23a , 23b who have favourited the holding frame 21st with a storage and / or transport base 20th can connect (intermediate structures 23a ) or handling of the holding frame 21st , for example when applying a clamping force (intermediate structure 23b ).

The 3a-3d show successive steps of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention:

3a shows a holding frame 21st with a first segment 21a and a second segment 21b . In a first step, protective layers are created 24 on the inner surfaces 21 * of the holding frame 21st upset. At the same time, the holding surface 18 * of a rotor blade 18th with a thermal shrink tube 25th dressed.

3b shows how a medium is used in a next process step 26th in a first state 26a on that of the protective layer 24 protected inner surfaces 21 * is applied. In the example shown, the medium 26th with a spray device 27 sprayed.

3c shows how the segments are in a next step 21a and 21b are moved towards each other, the rotor blade 18th between the segments 21a , 21b is brought. The inner surfaces 21 * of the holding frame 21a , 21b are with a layer of the medium 26th in the first state 26a covered.

The top half of the 3d shows how the medium 26th in the first state 26a in the space 22nd between the rotor blade 18th and the holding frame 21a , 21b has distributed after the rotor blade 18th and the holding frame 21a , 21b have been brought into the holding position. In a main process step, a transition criterion 28 for the transition of the medium 26th from the first state 26a into a second state 26b brought about (arrows and symbols on the edges of the figure). In the example shown, the medium goes 26th in the second state 26b over if the medium 26th is cooled below a transition temperature for a certain time (arrow and clock symbol on the left) (arrow and temperature symbols on the right). In the lower half of the 3d is shown as the medium 26th in the second state 26b is present (indicated by the in the medium 26th distributed crosses). The medium 26th is in the second state 26b not plastically deformable and embeds the rotor blade 18th firmly in the holding frame 21a , 21b a. The rotor blade 18th is in the second state 26b of the medium 26th in the holding frame 21a , 21b secured and can be stored and / or transported without the rotor blade 18th in the holding frame 21a , 21b slips and / or takes damage.

4th shows a last method step which, according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the method according to the invention, is based on the in the 3a-3d The process steps shown can follow: In the last process step, the segments 21a and 21b moved away from each other, with the rotor blade 18th from the holding frame 21a , 21b Will get removed. The medium 26th can together with the protective layers 24 and the shrink tubing 25th from the holding frame 21st or the rotor blade 18th be replaced.

The 5a and 5b show the last method steps which, according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the method according to the invention, are based on the in 3a-3d process steps shown can follow. In the second variant shown is the medium 26th a thermoplastic.

The top half of the 5a shows the holding frame 21a , 21b and the rotor blade 18th in the holding position, the thermoplastic 26th in the second state 26b present. The thermoplastic 26th is in the second state 26b plastically not deformable and embeds the rotor blade 18th firmly in the holding frame 21a , 21b a. After the rotor blade has been stored and or transported in the holding frame, the thermoplastic 26th again from the second state 26b in the first state 26a be reset by adding a backward transition criterion 29 is brought about; the thermoplastic 26th be heated for a certain time above a reverse transition temperature and thereby goes back into the plastically deformable first state 26a over.

5b shows how the segments are in a final step 21a and 21b are moved apart, the rotor blade 18th from the holding frame 21a , 21b Will get removed. By the medium 26th in the first state 26a was set back before the rotor blade 18th from the holding frame 21a , 21b is removed, the rotor blade can be 18th according to the second variant more easily out of the holding frame 21a , 21b remove than according to the first variant (cf. 4th ). Basically, the residues of the thermoplastic 26th , 26a on the holding frame 21a , 21b used to make another rotor blade 18th according to the inventive method in the holding frame 21a , 21b to secure. In this case, the method at the method step from 3c to be resumed.

6a and 6b show successive steps of a second embodiment of the method according to the invention.

6a shows a holding frame 21a , 21b and a rotor blade 18th in the holding position. In the space in between 22nd between the holding frame 21a , 21b and the rotor blade 18th is a shell 30th positioned. In the case 30th is a first component 31 of the medium 26th arranged; from the first component 31 a second component is located separately 32 of the medium 26th in closed departments 33 the shell 30th . The medium 26th is in the first state 26a as long as the first component 31 and the second component 32 exist separately from each other.

6b shows how a tension force between the holding frame in a main process step 21a , 21b and the rotor blade 18th is created. The tension creates pressure in the departments 33 the shell 30th , with printing the departments 33 can burst, so that the second component 32 of the medium 26th in the envelope 30th Exit and with the first component 31 of the medium 26th comes into contact. This establishes the transition criterion according to the second embodiment of the method according to the invention and the medium 26th goes into the second state 26b over.

7th shows an embodiment of the holding frame according to the invention 21st with a first segment 21a and a second segment 21b . Through the segments 21a , 21b a network of electrical heating wires runs in each case 34 . The holding frame 21st can have one or more connectors 35 for an external power source (not shown). The network of electrical heating wires 34 can be used to transform a thermoplastic from a dimensionally stable second state 26b into a flowable first state 26a melt it by putting a current through the grid 34 is driven.

8th shows components of an embodiment of the system according to the invention. A first segment is shown 21a a holding frame 21st as well as a medium 26th in the second state 26b . The medium 26th is in the form of a mat, half of which is on the first segment 21a of the holding frame 21st is rolled out. It is a network of electric heating wires 36 through the medium; in addition, connections 37 for an external power source (not shown) on the medium 26th be provided.

The medium 26th can be a thermoplastic; there can be a current through the grid 36 are driven, causing heat to the thermoplastic 26th is transferred; this allows the thermoplastic 26th from the second state 26b in the first state 26a be convicted. The rotor blade can with the thermoplastic 26th in the first state 26a to be brought into contact; the thermoplastic 26th can then be cooled down again by the current flow through the network 36 is interrupted so that the thermoplastic from the first state 26a in the second state 26b transforms. The thermoplastic 26th can the holding frame 21st and the rotor blade 18th adhere after the thermoplastic 26th in contact with the holding frame 21st and the rotor blade 18th from the first state 26a in the second state 26b has passed over; the thermoplastic 26th can thereby the rotor blade 18th firmly to the holding frame 21st connect. To the rotor blade 18th again from the holding frame 21st to solve, a current flow through the network can again 36 are made so that the thermoplastic 26th from the second state 26b in the first state 26a transforms; the thermoplastic 26th can the rotor blade 18th and the holding frame in the first state 26a either not at all or to a lesser extent than in the second state, so that the rotor blade 18th easily out of the holding frame 21st can solve. The medium 26th can be reused multiple times to make multiple blades 18th one after the other firmly to the holding frame 21st to connect and then to detach again; the medium can be in the first state 26a and in the second state 26b essentially maintaining the shape of a mat.

Claims (15)

Method for holding a rotor blade (18) of a wind turbine (14) in a holding frame (21), wherein a transition criterion (28) for a medium (26) in an intermediate space (22) between the rotor blade (18) and the holding frame (21) is brought about, the medium (21) transitioning from a first state (26a) to a second state (26b) when the transition criterion (28) is reached. Procedure according to Claim 1 wherein the medium (26) is flowable in the first state (26a) and wherein the medium (26) is dimensionally stable in the second state (26b). Method according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 wherein the volume of the medium (26) is made to expand before the transition criterion (28) is reached. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , the medium (26) adhering to the rotor blade (18) and / or the holding frame (21) in the second state (26b). Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , wherein the transition criterion (28) is temperature. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 wherein the transition criterion (28) is the contact between two components (31, 32) of the medium (26). Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , wherein a tensioning force is applied between the holding frame (21) and the rotor blade (18) before the transition criterion (28) is reached. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th , the medium (26) being applied to the rotor blade (18) and / or to the holding frame (21) before the transition criterion (28) is reached. Procedure according to Claim 8 , a protective layer (24, 25) being applied to the rotor blade (18) and / or to the holding frame (21) before the medium (26) is applied. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 wherein the medium (26) is in an envelope (30). System comprising a holding frame (21), a rotor blade (18) of a wind energy installation and a medium (26), the medium (26) in one Gap (22) is arranged between the rotor blade (18) and the holding frame (21), wherein the medium (26) can be in a first state (26a) or in a second state (26b) and wherein the system is designed to to transfer the medium (26) from the first state (26a) to the second state (26b). System according to Claim 11 wherein the holding frame (21) comprises a heating device (34, 35) and wherein the heating device (34, 35) is designed to melt a thermoplastic medium (26) on an inner surface (21 *) of the holding frame (21). System according to Claim 11 wherein the medium (26) in the second state (26a) is in the form of a mat and wherein an electrical heating grid (36) is integrated in the mat. System according to one of the Claims 11 or 13 wherein the medium (36) is degradable. System according to one of the Claim 11 to 14th wherein the medium (26) is an elastomer.

Images