Method for moving wind turbine components and a transport system for moving wind turbine components

A transport system for moving a wind turbine component into or out of a wind turbine having a tower with a door for closing off an opening through the tower, the transport system comprising:

• a track having a first end configured to be positioned outside of the tower and a second end configured to be coupled to an inner wall of the tower such that the track extends through the opening in the tower;
• a carriage configured to be movably coupled to the track and further configured to receive the wind turbine component thereon for movement of the wind turbine component into or out of the wind turbine through the opening;
• a powered drive device configured to be coupled to the first end of the track;
• one or more feed cables operatively coupled to the powered drive device;
• and
• a hoist assembly configured to be coupled to a support structure of the tower above the opening in the tower and above the wind turbine component, the hoist assembly including a plurality of sheaves,
• wherein when the transport system is assembled and installed relative to the wind turbine, the powered drive device is configured to be operatively coupled to the wind turbine component via the hoist assembly and the one or more feed cables and operable to move the wind turbine component vertically within the tower and away from or toward the track.