Lift system and method for constructing a wind turbine
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsScott Gabell Riddell, Qi Zhu, Matthew Nathan Crawfoot
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lift system and a method for constructing a wind turbine are disclosed. The lift system includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root. The lift system further includes a lift device including a sling and a quick release device. The sling is coupled to the rotor blade and includes a first end and a second end spaced apart by an intermediate portion. The second end is releasably joined to the first end by the quick release device. The quick release device is operable to release the second end from the first end to uncouple the sling from the rotor blade.
Claims20
A lift system for a wind turbine, the lift system comprising:
- a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root;
- and,
- a lift device comprising a sling and a quick release device, the sling formed from a generally flexible material and coupled to the rotor blade and comprising a first end and a second end spaced apart by an intermediate portion, the second end releasably joined to the first end by the quick release device, the quick release device operable to release the second end from the first end to uncouple the sling from the rotor blade.
A method for constructing a wind turbine, the method comprising:
- coupling a sling to a rotor blade, the rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root, the sling formed from a generally flexible material and comprising a first end and a second end spaced apart by an intermediate portion, the second end releasably joined to the first end;
- lifting the rotor blade to a desired position;
- and,
- releasing the second end of the sling from the first end such that the sling is uncoupled from the rotor blade.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.