IP Library Granted Patent US 10,024,299
Granted Patent B2
US 10,024,299 · App. 15/257,488 · Granted Jul 17, 2018

Method and apparatus for transporting wind turbine blades

Inventor: Thomas P. Kelly (Fort Worth, TX)
Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
F03D1/005B60P3/40F03D13/40Y10T29/49764Y10T29/49815Y10T29/49826Y10T29/49947
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,024,299
App. No.
15/257,488
Granted
Jul 17, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for transporting wind turbine blades includes a frame assembly for retaining a set one or more wind turbine blades and a plurality of inflatable devices coupled to the frame assembly.

Claims (19)

1. A method of transporting a set of one or more wind turbine blades, comprising:

releasably attaching the set of one or more wind turbine blades to a frame assembly;

supporting a portion of the set of one or more wind turbine blades by inflating a plurality of inflatable devices coupled to the frame assembly

determining if leakage has occurred for the plurality of inflatable devices during transport of the set of one or more wind turbine blades; and

re-inflating the plurality of inflatable devices from a source in response to a determination that leakage has occurred for the plurality of inflatable devices during transport of the set of one or more wind turbine blades.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the releasably attaching the set of one or more wind turbine blades to the frame assembly comprises:

supporting at least a portion of the one or more wind turbine blades with a flexible tension member.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

releasably attaching a mechanical fastener to an end of one of the one or more wind turbine blades via a support bracket.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

releasably attaching an enclosure component to the frame assembly to form an enclosure.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

releasably attaching the frame assembly to a support structure, wherein the support structure is coupled to a mode of transportation.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

detaching the frame assembly from the support structure;

detaching an enclosure component from the frame assembly;

detaching a mechanical fastener attaching an end of one of the one or more wind turbine blades to a support bracket;

deflating the plurality of inflatable devices; and

detaching the set of one or more wind turbine blades from the frame assembly.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 7, 2016
From: KELLY, THOMAS P.
To: BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 039660/0436 →
Continuity (3)
Division 13273991 · Oct 14, 2011
Provisional Application 61393404 · Oct 15, 2010
Related Publication 20160369769A1 · Dec 22, 2016
Cited By (1)
US 12,535,050