Wind turbine blade bearing removal apparatus and method

A method of replacing a blade root bearing assembly in a wind turbine, in which at least one wind turbine blade is connected to a wind turbine rotor hub via the blade root bearing assembly, the at least one wind turbine blade having a blade body with a blade root portion and a blade support section located at the blade root portion of the blade comprising attachment points for mounting a plurality of actuators between the at least one wind turbine blade and attachment points on the rotor hub of the wind turbine at which the at least one wind turbine blade is attached, wherein one side of the blade support section is left substantially free of attachment points, and wherein the attachment points of the blade extend outwardly of an external surface of the blade body, the method comprising:

• attaching the plurality of actuators between respective attachment points on the wind turbine rotor hub and on the blade support section;
• releasing a connection between the wind turbine rotor hub and the wind turbine blade root bearing assembly;
• activating the plurality of actuators to separate the wind turbine blade root bearing assembly from the wind turbine rotor hub;
• and
• removing the blade root bearing assembly in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the direction in which the actuator is extended through the one side of the blade support section that is left substantially free of attachment points while the blade is suspended from the rotor hub on the plurality of actuators.

A wind turbine blade-hub support apparatus, comprising:

• a wind turbine blade comprising:
• a blade body having a blade root portion and a blade tip portion;
• and
• a blade support section connected to the blade root portion;
• attachment points provided on a wind turbine rotor hub, each respective attachment point corresponding to a respective attachment point on the blade support section;
• and
• a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator is mounted between one of the attachment points on the rotor hub and the corresponding attachment point on the wind turbine blade, and wherein each actuator has an actuated position in which the wind turbine blade is supported in a separated position from the wind turbine rotor hub,
• wherein the plurality of actuators includes a hydraulic or pneumatic ram, and
• wherein the attachment points of the blade extend outwardly of an external surface of the blade body.