Pneumatically operated web lifting tongs

A lifting assembly (65) for lifting a shear web for a wind turbine blade, the lifting assembly (65) comprising:

• at least one crane device (68);
• a lifting rail (69) suspended from the at least one crane device (68);
• and
• a plurality of lifting clamps, wherein each of the lifting clamps is connected to the lifting rail (69), and wherein each of the lifting clamps comprise:
• a clamp body (74) comprising a fixed support (75, 76), the clamp body defining a receiving space (77) for receiving at least part of the shear web for the wind turbine blade;
• a pair of jaws (80, 82) arranged on opposite sides of the receiving space (77), the pair of jaws (80, 82) being pivotably mounted to the fixed support;
• a pair of linear actuators (90, 92), each of the linear actuators being connected to a respective one of the pair of jaws (80, 82) for opening and closing the pair of jaws (80, 82) between a retracted position and engagement position, wherein the pair of linear actuators (90, 92) are arranged within the clamp body (74);
• a pair of arms (83, 84), each of the arms having a first end (83a, 84a) and an opposing second end (83b, 84b);
• and
• a pair of sector gears (85, 86), wherein each of the arms (83, 84) is connected to one of the jaws (80, 82) at the first end (83a, 84a) thereof and to a respective one of the sector gears (85, 86) at the second end (83b, 84b) thereof, and wherein the pair of sector gears (85, 86) is engaged together to provide a synchronized movement of the pair of jaws (80, 82),
• wherein the fixed support comprises a pair of spaced side plates (75, 76) defining a cavity therebetween, wherein each of the spaced side plates (75, 76) has a slot (75a, 76a) defining the receiving space (77), wherein the pair of jaws (80, 82) extend into the receiving space (77) in the engagement position and are clear from the receiving space (77) and accommodated within the cavity in the retracted position, and
• wherein the pair of linear actuators (90, 92) are mounted between the pair of spaced side plates (75, 76).