Method of transporting a blade The invention relates to a method of transporting a blade for a wind turbine using an adapter flange having a flange body.
In such a method, the adapter flange usually serves to couple the blade to a transport vehicle.
Adapter flanges for coupling a blade to a transport vehicle are, for example, known from the documents WO 2015/035997 A1, WO 2011/076238
A1 or DE 20 2012 009 855 U1.
In general, an adapter flange comprises a flange body which extends in a plane of extent and which has a blade coupling means for releasably coupling the flange body to the blade and a vehicle coupling means for releasably coupling the flange body to the transport vehicle.
By connecting the blade to the transport vehicle by means of the adapter flange, the blade can, for example, be transported from a manufacturing location to an assembly location.
In this respect, the transport of the blade usually takes place via already existing roads.
Current blades have lengths of 50 m to 90 m or more so that a transport rig comprising the transport vehicle and the blade can have a length of up to 100 m.
A tractor, such as a semitrailer tractor, is usually used as the transport vehicle for a speedy transport of such a long transport rig, wherein largely straight roads are required due to the huge length of the transport rig and the horizontal orientation of the blade.
When traveling through tighter bends, such as a motorway junction or a hairpin bend, a part of the blade can, in contrast, come into contact with an object lining the road, whereby both the blade and the object can be damaged.
So that the blade can be maneuvered past the object, a transport vehicle comprising a pivot mechanism, such as a lifting vehicle or a so-called blade lifter, is usually used by means of which the blade can be raised at an angle of up to 70° with respect to the horizontal so that the blade projects across the object.
Before the lifting vehicle is used, it is, however, necessary to uncouple the blade from the tractor and then to couple it to the lifting vehicle.
During this change of the transport vehicles, the blade is usually kept in suspension by means of a crane.
Alternatively, the crane can also be used to move the blade, which has been uncoupled from the transport vehicle, in a hovering manner along the bend across the object without a lifting vehicle being used in this respect.
The use of a crane both for changing the transport vehicles and for moving the blade across the object requires complex preparations and is particularly time-
intensive.
Furthermore, for technical safety reasons, it is necessary to close off a region in the pivot radius of the crane and an additional safety distance for the blade suspended at the crane.
The closing of the road preferably takes place during the night hours since the volume of traffic is lower at this time, but is accompanied by a disturbance of the night rest of the residents.
A closure during the day, in particular a full closure, can, in contrast, lead to a complete standstill of traffic.
Moreover, since the region to be closed off often includes both directions of travel, there is usually a risk of disruption to traffic in both directions.
Thus, there is a need to make the transport of a blade easier and faster.
ltis therefore an object of the invention to provide a method that enables a simpler and faster change of the transport vehicles.
The object is satisfied by a method having the features of claim 1.
The invention is based on the general idea that a change of transport vehicles for transporting a blade for a wind turbine can be carried out more quickly and easily if the blade is held spaced apart from the ground during the change by means of a support formed at an adapter flange instead of by a crane.
The advantage hereby results that any disruption to traffic is at most only of a short duration and the blade can be transported to its destination more quickly overall.
Since no crane is required during the recoupling process, the advantage furthermore results that a region to be closed off to traffic can be significantly smaller.
A complete closure can in particular be omitted.
Furthermore, the advantage results that a recoupling process can also be brought about in places where the spatial conditions are unsuitable for a crane.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be seen from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.
In accordance with a particularly simple embodiment of the adapter flange, the support can be a rigid support.
However, the support can also be vertically adjustable, i.e. displaceable in the vertical direction.
In this way, the flange body of the adapter flange can be brought to a certain height relatively easily, whereby the vehicle coupling means formed at the flange body can be aligned with respect to a mating coupling means provided at the transport vehicle.
It is understood that the flange body can also be aligned with respect to the blade by the vertically adjustable support.
Due to the vertically adjustable design of the support, the advantage furthermore results that the support can remain in a retracted position during the transport of the blade so that the support is spaced apart from the ground during the transport and cannot be damaged.
The vertically adjustable support can be configured as a mechanical or hydraulic telescopic support, for example in the form of a ratchet support, a scissor support, a crank support, a spindle support or a hydraulic support.
ltis generally sufficient if the flange body is supported by means of only one support.
For this purpose, the support can advantageously be formed at a region of the flange body facing the ground.
For a particularly secure standing of the adapter flange, at least one support can, however, also be attached to the side of the flange body in each case.
To additionally increase the structural stability of the adapter flange, the support can be displaced laterally outwardly.
Lateral refers to a short side of the flange body which extends at least approximately at a right angle to the plane of extent of the flange body, in particular which extends substantially in the vertical direction.
The support can preferably be displaced by a lateral displacement in the horizontal direction.
Due to the laterally outwardly directed displacement of the support, it is furthermore possible for a part of the transport vehicle to travel beneath the flange body to enable a safe coupling of the adapter flange to the transport vehicle in this manner.
In general, the support can, however, also be designed such that it can be displaced both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction, i.e. can be obliquely displaced.
A receiver that at least sectionally receives the support is preferably provided at the flange body.
In accordance with a particularly simple embodiment of the adapter flange, the receiver can serve to receive a rigid support.
During the transport, provision can be made to remove the rigid support from the receiver so that the support cannot be lost.
For a particularly stable standing and a particularly compact design of the adapter 5 flange, the receiver can be arranged between the blade coupling means and the vehicle coupling means.
The blade coupling means and the vehicle coupling means are hereby freely accessible.
The receiver is preferably arranged in a plane which is at least approximately coplanar with the plane of extent of the flange body.
However, the receiver can also be arranged in a plane which is spaced apart from the plane of extent and which extends at least approximately in parallel with the plane of extent of the flange body.
The blade coupling means can comprise a plurality of bores which are configured to receive fastening bolts, in particular screw bolts, provided at a root of the blade.
Such a design of the blade coupling means is in particular advantageous since the fastening bolts are anyway provided at the blade root, namely for fastening the blade to a hub of the wind turbine.
However, it is also conceivable that the blade coupling means can be formed by two sleeves engaging around the blade root or by a ring receiving the blade root.
The bores are advantageously arranged along a round line, in particular a circular line, wherein the line can in particular form a closed curve.
It is understood that the shape of the line is predefined by the arrangement of the fastening bolts at the blade root.
Since most blade roots have a circular cross-section for reasons of simplicity, the bores at the adapter flange are advantageously arranged along a circular line.
It is understood that the bores can, however, also be arranged along a circular line which has the shape of an arched cross-sectional blade profile.
For a more versatile use of the adapter flange, a first set of bores can be arranged along a round first line, in particular a circular first line, and at least a second set of bores can be arranged along a round second line, in particular a circular second line, with the first line and the second line having different radial spacings from the center axis of the flange body extending perpendicular through the plane of extent of the flange body.
In other words, the radii of the first line extending through the first set of bores and of the second line extending through the second set of bores differ.
It is hereby possible to transport blades of different sizes and having different root diameters.
It is understood that the adapter flange can also have a plurality of bores which are arranged along differently shaped cross-sectional blade profiles.
Moreover, it is understood that the bores can have diameters of different sizes depending on the size of the fastening bolts.
An even more versatile possibility of use of the adapter flange is furthermore achieved if the adapter flange has a first vehicle coupling means and at least a second vehicle coupling means, with the second vehicle coupling means being formed at the flange body offset at an angle a lying in the plane of extent, in particular of 180°, from the first vehicle coupling means.
In this respect, the first vehicle coupling means and the second vehicle coupling means can be formed identically, whereby the blade can be transported at different positions with respect to a rotation about its longitudinal axis.
A wind load acting on the blade can hereby, for example, be attenuated by a suitable rotation of the blade.
The rotation in this respect takes place about the center axis of the flange body, wherein the center axis of the flange body and a longitudinal axis of the blade can be aligned at least approximately in parallel with, in particular coaxially to, one another in the coupled state.
In general, the first vehicle coupling means and the second vehicle coupling means can, however, also be used together to couple the adapter flange to the transport vehicle, whereby a more stable and more secure coupling between the adapter flange and the transport vehicle is possible.
However, the first vehicle coupling means and the second vehicle coupling means can also be formed differently, whereby different vehicle coupling means for different transport vehicles are available at the adapter flange.
Thus, by rotating the adapter flange, it is possible to couple the adapter flange to different transport vehicles.
The angle a is preferably at least approximately equal to 180°, i.e. the adapter flange can have two vehicle coupling means.
However, it is also conceivable that the angle a amounts to at least approximately 120° and the adapter flange has three vehicle coupling means.
In a corresponding manner, the angle a can also amount to at least approximately 90° when the adapter flange has four vehicle coupling means.
If the flange body has a plurality of vehicle coupling means, at least two of the vehicle coupling means can be formed identically.
However, it is also conceivable that all the vehicle coupling means can be formed differently.
In accordance with a particularly simple embodiment, the vehicle coupling means can have at least one pin, in particular a horizontally oriented pin, which is configured to be received in a dog clutch provided at the transport vehicle.
However, it is also conceivable that the adapter flange is electromagnetically coupled to the transport vehicle, wherein the transport vehicle can have an electromagnet and the vehicle coupling means can, for example, have a magnetic or magnetizable material.
In general, the blade coupling means and/or the vehicle coupling means can at least sectionally be laterally formed at the flange body.
For example, the blade coupling means and/or the vehicle coupling means can be arranged in the plane of extent of the flange body.
In accordance with an embodiment of the adapter flange of an advantageous design, the blade coupling means is formed at a first side of the flange body and the vehicle coupling means is formed at a second side of the flange body disposed opposite the first side.
A particularly lightweight and material-saving design of the adapter flange can be achieved if the flange body is annular, in particular circular.
It may be necessary for the transport with the first transport vehicle to support the blade on a trailer spaced apart from the adapter flange in the longitudinal extent of the blade.
By upwardly pivoting the blade by means of the second transport vehicle, the support of the blade at the trailer can be canceled.
Inthe method, it is by all means conceivable that the adapter flange is not first coupled to the blade and then to the first transport vehicle, but, in reverse order, is first coupled to the first transport vehicle and then to the blade.
In general, however, it is advantageous if the adapter flange is first coupled to the blade since the blade supported by means of the adapter flange can thus be provided in a simple manner for the transporting away by means of the first or second transport vehicle.
The method can further comprise the step of uncoupling the second transport vehicle from the adapter flange behind the bend and coupling the first transport vehicle to the adapter flange again.
Accordingly, the possibly provided trailer can also be provided behind the bend for supporting the blade again.
For reasons of space, the transport of the horizontally oriented blade usually preferably takes place along motorways.
In this respect, the driving of the transport rig onto a motorway and correspondingly the driving off the motorway usually prove to be problematic since the curve radius of motorway junctions is usually so narrow that they cannot be easily driven through by the transport rig.
The use of the adapter flange in accordance with the invention speeds up the change of transport vehicles and thus overall simplifies the driving onto the motorway and the driving off the motorway since neither a full closure of the motorway nor a longer-
lasting partial closure of the motorway is required for this purpose. Rather, it is now possible to drive onto the motorway or to drive off the motorway via a junction for up to two blades by setting up a purely nighttime construction site in which at least one lane in the direction of travel is kept free for regular traffic. It is understood that traffic in the opposite direction is not affected by the upward pivoting of the blade when driving through the junction with the exception of a possible speed limit. Although the invention has been described so far in connection with a blade of a wind turbine, it is by all means conceivable that the invention can also be operated in connection with other long transport goods, for example for transporting a tower or a tower section of a wind turbine. The invention will be described in the following purely by way of example with reference to possible embodiments and to the enclosed drawings. There are shown:
Fig. 1 a perspective view of an adapter flange in accordance with a first embodiment with a retracted support;
Fig. 2 the adapter flange of Fig. 1 with an extended support;
Fig. 3 a perspective view of an adapter flange in accordance with a second embodiment without a support;
Fig. 4 a side view of the adapter flange of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 a perspective view of an adapter flange in accordance with a third embodiment without a support;
Fig. 6 a side view of the adapter flange of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7a a side view of a blade to be transported which is supported by means of the support of an adapter flange coupled to the blade;
Fig. 7b a side view of the blade which is coupled to a first transport vehicle by means of the adapter flange;
Fig. 7c a side view of the blade which is uncoupled from the first transport vehicle again and which is supported;
Fig. 7d a side view of the supported blade and an approaching second transport vehicle;
Fig. 7e a side view of the blade coupled to the second transport vehicle by means of the adapter flange; and
Fig. 7f a side view of the blade pivoted upwardly by means of the second transport vehicle. In the drawings, Figs. 1 to 6 show different embodiments of an adapter flange 10 which serves to couple a transport vehicle 14, 16 to a blade 12 of a wind turbine not shown further. Figs. 7a to 7f show different steps of a method of transporting the blade 12. In the following, the general design of an adapter flange 10 will first be described with reference to a first embodiment of the adapter flange 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein reference is also made to the further embodiments of the adapter flange 10 shown in Figs. 3 to 6.
The adapter flange 10 comprises an annular flange body 18 which extends in a plane of extent E (Figs. 4 and 6). In the embodiments shown, the flange body 18 is circular.
It is understood that the flange body 18 can, however, also have a different geometry.
For example, the flange body 18 can also be rectangular or be formed in the shape of a polygon having, for example, five, six or more corners.
To increase the stability of the flange body 18, a strut arrangement 20 comprising four struts 22 arranged substantially in a diamond shape is provided.
The strut arrangement 20 is oriented at least approximately coplanar with the plane of extent E of the flange body 18. The strut arrangement 20 can generally also have more or fewer than four struts 22. Moreover, the diamond-shaped arrangement of the struts 22 is not absolutely necessary.
For example, the strut arrangement 20 can also be formed by three struts 22 aligned to form a triangle.
Both a blade coupling means 24 for releasably coupling the flange body 18 to the blade 12 and a vehicle coupling means 26 for releasably coupling the flange body 18 to one of the transport vehicles 14, 16 are formed at the flange body 18. As can, for example, be seen from Figs. 4 and 6, the blade coupling means 24 is formed at one side of the flange body 18 and the vehicle coupling means 26 is formed at an oppositely disposed side of the flange body 18, whereby the blade 12 and the transport vehicle 14, 16 can be coupled to the flange body 18 at oppositely disposed sides thereof.
The blade coupling means 24 comprises a plurality of bores 28 which are configured to receive fastening bolts, in particular screw bolts, provided at a root of the blade 12. Since the root 30 of a blade 12 typically has a circular cross- sectional profile, the fastening bolts are arranged in a corresponding manner along a circular line at the root 30 of the blade 12. Accordingly, the bores 28 of the blade
30 coupling means 24 are also arranged along a correspondingly circular line.
It is understood that the bores 28 can, however, also be arranged along a differently shaped line if the root 30 of the blade 12 has a different cross-sectional profile, for example that of an arched blade.
So that the adapter flange 10 can be used for a variety of different blades 12 having different root circumferences, the adapter flange 10 has a plurality of sets of bores 28. Specifically, the adapter flange 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises five sets of bores 28, whereas the adapter flange 10 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 comprises three sets of bores 28 and the adapter flange 10 shown in Figs. 5 and 6 has four sets of bores.
In this respect, the bores 28 of each set of bores 28 are each arranged along a circular line, with the radii of the respective sets of bores 28 being different.
In other words, the sets of bores 28 have different radial spacings from a center axis M of the flange body 18 extending perpendicular to the plane of extent E.
The bores 28 of the blade coupling means 24 are provided in an annular flange plate 32 of a planar design which is fastened to the flange body 18 by means of angle struts 34 to increase stability.
Inthe embodiments shown, the adapter flange 10 has a respective two vehicle coupling means 26a, 26b which are arranged offset from one another at an angle a lying in the plane of extent E.
In the present embodiment, a first vehicle coupling means 26a is arranged at an angle of 180° to a second vehicle coupling means 26b.
The vehicle coupling means 26a, 26b can generally also be arranged at a different angle a to one another.
It is also conceivable that the adapter flange 10 can have more or fewer than two vehicle coupling means 26a, 26b.
Moreover, it is also conceivable that both the first vehicle coupling means 26a and the second vehicle coupling means 26b are used together for coupling to a transport vehicle 14, 16.
In the embodiments shown, each of the vehicle coupling means 26a, 26b comprises two horizontally oriented pins 36 which are configured to be received in a dog clutch provided at the transport vehicle 14, 16. In general, however, at least one pin 36 can also be oriented vertically or at an angle oblique to the vertical or horizontal. As can be seen from Figs. 3 to 6, a pin guide 38 in the form of V-shaped channels is associated with each pin 36 for a simpler assembly and an easier replacement of the pins 36. The pin guide 38 in each case extends in a longitudinal extent of the assembled pin 36 and is configured to receive the pin 36 in the unfastened state. The adapter flange 10 furthermore comprises at least one support 40 which serves — to support the flange body 18 together with the blade 12 coupled thereto spaced apart from the ground 42 in a stationary state, i.e. when the blade is not coupled to a transport vehicle 14, 16 (cf. Figs. 7a, 7c and 7d). In the embodiments shown, the adapter flange 10 comprises two vertically adjustable supports 40 which are laterally attached to the flange body 18 for a secure standing of the adapter flange
10. More precisely, the supports 40 are received in a receiver 44 and are in this respect displaceable at a right angle to the vertical adjustment, in other words, they can be retracted and extended horizontally. In Figs. 3 to 6, the supports 40 are not shown for a better overview. The supports 40 serve not only to keep the flange body 18 or the blade 12 fastened thereto spaced apart from the ground 42, but also to intentionally set a height of the flange body 18 or of the blade 12 above the ground 42, whereby the vehicle coupling means 26 can be oriented with respect to the transport vehicle 14, 16 (cf. Figs. 7c and 7d). Furthermore, the supports 40 can be retracted during the transport of the blade 12 to protect the supports 40.
The vertically adjustable supports 40 can each be configured in the form of a mechanically or hydraulically displaceable telescopic support.
Thus, the telescopic support can, for example, be implemented as a ratchet support, a scissor support, a crank support, a spindle support or a hydraulic support.
Since the supports 40 are displaceable laterally outwardly, they give the adapter flange 10 a more secure standing.
For the purpose of the lateral displacement of the supports 40, the supports 40 each have a square web 46 which is received in areceiver 44 configured as a square tube 48. As can be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, the respective supports 40 and the square webs 46 associated with each of them are oriented at least approximately at a right angle to one another.
In general, the web 46 and the receiver 44 can also have a cross-sectional shape other than a rectangular cross-sectional shape, for example, a polygonal cross-sectional shape or around cross-sectional shape.
Each receiver 44 is associated with one of the pins 36 of the vehicle coupling means 26. It is understood that a respective receiver 44 is associated both with the pins 36 of the first vehicle coupling means 26a and with the pins 36 of the second vehicle coupling means 26b so that by rotating the adapter flange 10 by the angle a, here 180°, receivers 44 are likewise again available for the laterally displaceable supports 40. As can be seen from Figs. 4 and 6, the pins 36 of the first vehicle coupling means 26a and the pins 36 of the second vehicle coupling means 26b are each arranged offset in parallel with the plane of extent E of the flange body 18. A plane oriented at a right angle to the plane of extent E of the flange body 18 and extending through the pins 36 of the first vehicle coupling means 26a is designated as the first plane B'. In a comparable manner, a plane oriented at a right angle to the plane of extent E of the flange body 18 and extending through the pins 36 of the second vehicle coupling means 26b is designated as the second plane B". In the first embodiment of an adapter flange 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the receivers 44, which are each associated with the pins 36, are also disposed in the respective planes B', B". However, the receivers 44 can also be arranged outwardly offset with respect to the respective planes B', B", as can be seen from Figs. 3 to 6. In this respect, the receivers 44 of the adapter flange 10 in accordance with the third embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6 are further away from the planes B', B" than the receivers 44 of the adapter flange 10 in accordance with the second embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It is generally also conceivable that the receivers 44 are offset inwardly with respect to the planes B',
B". — With reference to Figs. /a to 7f, a method of transporting a blade 12 for a wind turbine will be described in the following. First, the adapter flange 10 is coupled to the blade 12 by means of the blade coupling means 24 (Fig. 7a). For this purpose, the adapter flange 10 can be brought to the blade 12 using a lifting crane, not shown, so that the adapter flange 10 has fastening eyelets 50 which serve to fasten a rope of the lifting crane. Once the blade 12 and the adapter flange 10 have been coupled to one another, the supports 40 serve to keep the adapter flange 10 and the blade 12 coupled thereto spaced apart from the ground 42. The blade 12 provided in this way can now be coupled by means of the adapter flange 10 to a first transport vehicle 14, which is here configured in the form of a tractor 14, in particular a semitrailer tractor 14, in order to form a transport rig in which the blade 12 is oriented substantially horizontally along its length, i.e. substantially in parallel with the ground 42 (Fig. 7b). Due to the length of the blade 12 from 50 m to 90 m or more, it is necessary for a horizontal transport of the blade 12 to additionally support the blade 12 using a trailer 52 spaced apart from the adapter flange 10 in the longitudinal extent of the blade 12. The blade 12 can be fastened to the trailer 52 for a safe transport.
The transport rig formed in this way can now be transported along a motorway, for example.
If the transport rig arrives at a junction at which the motorway is to be exited or at a comparably tight bend whose curve radius is too small for the transport rig, the adapter flange 10 together with the blade 12 coupled thereto is supported with the aid of the supports 40 and the first transport vehicle 14 is uncoupled from the adapter flange 10 (Fig. 7c). Once the first transport vehicle 14 has been driven away from the supported adapter flange 10, a second transport vehicle 16, namely a lifting vehicle, is driven up to and coupled to the adapter flange 10 (Figs. 7d and 7e). It may be necessary when uncoupling the first transport vehicle 14 and coupling the second transport vehicle 16 to adjust the height of the flange body 18 above the ground 42 by means of the supports 40 in order to facilitate the uncoupling or coupling process (Figs. 7c and 7d). After the coupling of the blade 12 to the second transport vehicle 16, the supports 40 are retracted again.
After the transport vehicles 14, 16 have been changed, the blade 12 coupled to the second transport vehicle 16 can be pivoted upwardly with respect to the horizontal by means of a pivot mechanism 54 of the second transport vehicle 16. In this respect, the blade 12 is raised from the trailer 52. The pivot mechanism 54 of the second transport vehicle 16 allows the blade 12 to be raised by an angle of up to 70° with respect to the horizontal so that, during the transport along the junction, the blade 12 can move over vehicles located on the motorway and/or obstacles possibly lining the junction, for example traffic signs, trees or buildings.
It is understood that, depending on local conditions, it can be sufficient to raise the blade 12 by an angle of only 10° to 30° with respect to the horizontal.
After driving through the junction or a comparable tight bend, the blade 12 can generally continue to be transported by means of the second transport vehicle 16, for example, if the destination of the blade 12 is not far from the junction.
For a more rapid further transport to a further remote destination, a further vehicle change is, however, recommended during which the blade 12 is coupled to the first transport vehicle 14 again.
For this purpose, the first transport vehicle 14 can already be waiting or provided behind the junction.
For the vehicle change, the blade 12, which is still coupled to the second transport vehicle 16, is first pivoted downwardly into its horizontal position again, is placed on the trailer 52 and fastened thereto and is supported by means of the adapter flange 10. The second transport vehicle 16 is then uncoupled from the supported blade 12 and the first transport vehicle 14 is coupled thereto.
The supports 40 of the adapter flange 10 are then retracted and the blade 12 is transported further by the first transport vehicle 14.
If the change of the transport vehicles 14, 16 takes place on a motorway, it is necessary to close at least one lane of the motorway in the direction of travel of the transport rig.
However, at least one lane in the direction of travel of the transport vehicle can remain open to regular traffic, whereby a full closure of the motorway both in the direction of travel of the transport vehicle and in the opposite direction of travel is avoided.
Ideally, such a partial closure takes place by way of a purely nighttime construction site.
In this respect, due to the supportability of the adapter flange 10, the vehicle change can be carried out so quickly that even two blades 12 can be moved through the junction in a single night by means of the same second transport vehicle 16.
Reference numeral list 10 adapter flange 12 blade 14 first transport vehicle
16 second transport vehicle 18 flange body 20 strut arrangement 22 strut
24 blade coupling means 26 vehicle coupling means 28 bores 30 root 32 flange plate
34 angle strut 70 pin 38 pin guide 40 support 42 ground
44 receiver 46 sguare bar 48 sguare tube 50 fastening eyelets 52 trailer
54 pivot mechanism B' first plane B" second plane E plane
M center axis