Temporary maintenance enclosures and methods of maintaining turbine blades

1. A temporary maintenance enclosure for the maintenance of at least part of a turbine blade, said enclosure comprising a number of side walls which substantially surround the circumference of a blade in need of maintenance; and a roof extending from said side walls towards said blade; wherein said roof comprises an aperture through which said blade is received; wherein said enclosure comprises a platform which is bounded by each of said side walls; and wherein said roof incorporates an inflatable portion, a seal about said aperture and a flexible sheath extending from said aperture to said inflatable portion.

2. A temporary maintenance enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein said enclosure is at least partially inflatable.

3. A temporary maintenance enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein said roof is inflatable.

4. A temporary maintenance enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein said side walls are collapsible.

5. A temporary maintenance enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein said seal incorporates a member defining said aperture.

6. A temporary maintenance enclosure according to claim 5 , wherein said member is inflatable.

7. A temporary maintenance enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein said enclosure further comprises suspension means for suspending said enclosure in position relative to said blade.

8. A temporary maintenance enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein said side walls and said roof comprise a plurality of inflatable compartments.

9. A temporary maintenance enclosure according to claim 8 , wherein said inflatable compartments have a tubular configuration.

10. A temporary maintenance enclosure for the maintenance of at least part of a turbine blade, said enclosure comprising a number of side walls which substantially surround the circumference of a blade in need of maintenance; and a roof extending from said side walls towards said blade; wherein said roof comprises an aperture through which said blade is received; and wherein said enclosure comprises a platform which is bounded by each of said side walls, wherein said platform incorporates a barrier, and said barrier is collapsible.

11. A method of maintaining a turbine blade, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a platform on which maintenance of a turbine blade can occur;

b. deploying a temporary maintenance enclosure which is adapted to fit around said platform; said enclosure comprising a number of side walls which bound said platform and substantially surround the circumference of a blade; and a roof extending from said side walls towards said blade; said roof comprising an aperture through which said blade is received;

c. securing a flexible sheath, which extends from the aperture in said roof, to said turbine blade.

12. A method according to claim 11 , comprising the step of inflating an inflatable portion of said roof.

13. A method according to claim 11 , comprising the step of raising said enclosure prior to securing said flexible sheath to said blade.

14. A method according to claim 11 , comprising the step of lowering said enclosure subsequent to securing said flexible sheath to said blade.

15. A method according to claim 11 , comprising the step of at least partially inflating said enclosure.

16. A temporary maintenance enclosure for the maintenance of at least part of a turbine blade, said enclosure comprising a number of side walls which substantially surround the circumference of a blade in need of maintenance; and a roof extending from said side walls towards said blade; wherein said roof comprises an aperture through which said blade is received; and a sheath which extends between said aperture and said blade; wherein the sheath incorporates a seal where the sheath is attached to said blade; and wherein said enclosure is at least partially inflatable.