Method of repairing a wind turbine blade

1. A method of repairing a wind turbine blade ( 100 ) while mounted on a tower ( 500 ) without removing the blade ( 100 ) from the tower ( 500 ), comprising:

positioning the blade ( 100 ) in a substantially vertical orientation;

positioning a containment structure ( 620 ) adjacent to a damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 );

enclosing the damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 ) with a portion of the containment structure ( 620 ) and creating a seal above the damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 );

heating the air within the containment structure ( 620 );

removing the damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 );

installing a repair portion ( 240 ) to the blade ( 100 ) where the damaged portion ( 230 ) was removed;

curing the repair portion ( 240 ) within the containment structure ( 620 ); and

removing the containment structure ( 620 ) from the blade ( 100 ).

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the containment structure ( 620 ) includes a work platform.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the containment structure ( 620 ) includes a waterproof shell.

4. The method of claim 3 , further including the step of shielding the repair portion ( 240 ) from the wind with the containment structure ( 620 ).

5. The method of claim 4 , further including the step of creating a seal around the entire repair portion ( 240 ).

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the containment structure ( 620 ) includes a dust collection system.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the containment structure ( 620 ) includes a HVAC system to heat and cool the containment structure ( 620 ) and the repair portion ( 240 ) of the blade ( 100 ).

8. The method of claim 7 , further including the step of controlling the humidity of the air within the containment structure ( 620 ).

9. The method of claim 4 , further including the step of applying a load to the blade ( 100 ) to reduce the stress on the blade ( 100 ).

10. The method of claim 4 , further including the step of suspending the containment structure ( 620 ) from a nacelle ( 400 ) via a hoisting system ( 1600 ) including at least one cable and at least one hoist, and further including the step of operating the hoist to position the containment structure ( 620 ) adjacent to a damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 ).

11. A method of repairing a wind turbine blade ( 100 ) while mounted on a tower ( 500 ) without removing the blade ( 100 ) from the tower ( 500 ), comprising:

positioning the blade ( 100 ) in a substantially vertical orientation;

positioning a waterproof containment structure ( 620 ), including a work platform and a dust collection system, adjacent to a damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 );

enclosing the damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 ) with a portion of the containment structure ( 620 ) and creating a seal above the damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 );

heating the air within the containment structure ( 620 );

removing the damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 ) and controlling particulate debris with the dust collection system;

installing a repair portion ( 240 ) to the blade ( 100 ) where the damaged portion ( 230 ) was removed;

curing the repair portion ( 240 ) within the containment structure ( 620 ); and

removing the containment structure ( 620 ) from the blade ( 100 ).

12. The method of claim 11 , further including the step of shielding the repair portion ( 240 ) from the wind with the containment structure ( 620 ).

13. The method of claim 12 , further including the step of creating a seal around the entire repair portion ( 240 ).

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the containment structure ( 620 ) includes a HVAC system to heat and cool the containment structure ( 620 ) and the repair portion ( 240 ) of the blade ( 100 ).

15. The method of claim 14 , further including the step of controlling the humidity of the air within the containment structure ( 620 ).

16. The method of claim 11 , further including the step of applying a load to the blade ( 100 ) to reduce the stress on the blade ( 100 ).

17. The method of claim 12 , further including the step of suspending the containment structure ( 620 ) from a nacelle ( 400 ) via a hoisting system ( 1600 ) including at least one cable and at least one hoist, and further including the step of operating the hoist to position the containment structure ( 620 ) adjacent to a damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 ).

18. A method of repairing a wind turbine blade ( 100 ) while mounted on a tower ( 500 ) without removing the blade ( 100 ) from the tower ( 500 ), comprising:

positioning the blade ( 100 ) in a substantially vertical orientation;

positioning a waterproof containment structure ( 620 ), including a work platform and a dust collection system, adjacent to a damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 ) and shielding the damaged portion from water and wind;

enclosing the damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 ) with a portion of the containment structure ( 620 ) and creating a seal around the damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 );

heating the air within the containment structure ( 620 );

removing the damaged portion ( 230 ) of the blade ( 100 ) and controlling particulate debris with the dust collection system;

installing a repair portion ( 240 ) to the blade ( 100 ) where the damaged portion ( 230 ) was removed;

curing the repair portion ( 240 ) within the containment structure ( 620 ); and

removing the containment structure ( 620 ) from the blade ( 100 ).

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the containment structure ( 620 ) includes a HVAC system to heat and cool the containment structure ( 620 ) and the repair portion ( 240 ) of the blade ( 100 ).

20. The method of claim 18 , further including the step of applying a load to the blade ( 100 ) to reduce the stress on the blade ( 100 ).