FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10; RULE 13)
MODULAR TIP PROTECTION CAGE SYSTEM FOR TURBINE BLADES
10
SUZLON ENERGY LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT 1956, WHOSE ADDRESS IS BLOCK NO. 93, VILLAGE: VADASALA - VARNAMA, 15 N.H. 8, VADODARA 391242
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE NATURE OF THE INVENTION AND 20 THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to the transportation systems and more particularly to a modular cage adapted for turbine blades.
Background of the invention
Wind energy is known to be a most common mode for generation of electricity. 5 Accordingly, wind turbines are most popularly used for generation of electricity. The wind turbines include a plurality of rotor blades of predefined lengths. Generally, the length of the turbine blades substantially varies per amount of power production and application area. These rotor blades are manufactured at the production house which is situated away from the installation site. Hence, these rotor blades need to be 10 transported from the production house to installation site via various modes such as ships, trucks, trains and the like.
Transportation of the rotor blades on road is always a challenging task. During transportation, the rotor blade has to pass through various critical pathways such as canals, tunnels, side trees, heavy vehicles, traffic conditions and the like. These 15 blades are generally transported using trailer vehicles such that at least some portion of the blade overhangs from the body of the trailer. Hence, there are high chances that the overhanging portion of the blade in general and tip of the rotor blade in particular would hit by a solid object or other foreign obstacle during its entire journey from production house to installation site. It is highly essential to protect the rotor blade tip 20 as it is extremely fragile and susceptible to get easily damaged even with small jerks or hits.
Various attempts have been made to develop systems for safe transportation and storage of the turbine blades. For example, US Patent document no. US20130319891A1 discloses an arrangement that is provided for holding the blades 25 for a wind turbine. The arrangement includes a first end frame and a first centre 3
frame. The first end frame is configured for holding a first root end of a first blade. The first end frame is formed for being coupled to a supporting base. The first centre frame is configured for holding a first centre section of the first blade in such a way that the first centre section is spaced from a first tip end of the first blade. Also, International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2003/00161 teaches a modularly 5 extendable container system for transporting wind turbine blades. The extendable container system includes at least one module that is configured to be connected to other modules. The module includes a box-shaped frame and corrugated side walls attached to the frame. The extendable container system further includes a connecting member positioned at each end of the module for connection between the module and 10 the other module to extend the length of the container system.
The systems and methods disclosed in the prior art that are used for transportation of turbine blades involve fixedly connected segmental frames that form a fixed structure which can accommodate specific width and length of the blade. Hence, these support structures are incompetent to accommodate varying blade profiles as they lack 15 modularity. In addition, handling and storage of these fix type of support structures is a tiresome task. Also, the fixed type of support frame structures cannot be catered for varying blade lengths and profiles.
Accordingly, there is need of a modular tip protection cage system for turbine blades that overcomes all the drawbacks of the prior art. 20
Summary of the invention
The present invention provides a modular tip protection cage system that connects to a rear end portion of a trailer to accommodate and securely hold an overhanging portion of a turbine blade. The modular tip protection cage system comprises a plurality of modular segmental frames or telescopic segmental frames. The segmental 25 frames form a rectangular frame structure. The rectangular frame structure includes a plurality of vertical frames and a plurality of horizontal frames interconnected 4
through a plurality of diagonal frames. The modular tip protection cage system includes a plurality of connecting plates respectively mounted along either side of the vertical and horizontal frames. The connecting plates connect through a plurality of high strength nut and bolt assemblies. Each connecting plate has a lashing clamp connected thereto. Each lashing clamp connects to at least one lashing chain. The 5 lashing clamps and lashing chains facilitate lashing of the tip protection cage with the trailer. The connecting plates connect each two adjacent modular segmental frames for increasing or decreasing the length of the protection cage as per required length of the turbine blade. The modular tip protection cage system includes a tip arrestor mounted on a horizontal frame. The tip arrestor includes a concave base profile, a 10 telescopic rod and a mounting frame. The concave base profile includes a cushioning material such as rubber, polymer, felt, water resistance chute and the like. The telescopic rod facilitates vertical adjustment of the tip arrestor. The mounting frame facilitates horizontal adjustment of the tip arrestor. The tip arrestor arrests the flapping movement of a tip of the rotor blade during transportation thereof. 15
The modular tip protection cage system advantageously accommodates varying lengths of the blades to drastically save design and equipment cost. The modular tip protection cage system is also meant for multiple usages as the modular tip protection cage system can be brought back to factory/site for reuse. The modular tip protection 20 cage system advantageously facilitates the low cost reverse logistics. The modular tip protection cage system advantageously employs telescopic or segmented modular segmental frames which save at least 3 to 4 times less space than that of ordinary tip protection cage.
Brief Description of the Drawings 25
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular tip protection cage system for turbine blade constructed in accordance with the present invention; 5
FIG. 2A is perspective view of an embodiment of the modular tip protection cage system of FIG. 1 including telescopic segmental frames;
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the modular tip protection cage system of FIG. 1 including modular segmental frames;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the modular segmental frame of the modular tip 5 protection cage system of FIG. 2B;
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the modular segmental frame of the modular tip protection cage system of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the segmental frame of the modular tip protection cage system of FIG. 3; 10
FIG. 6 shows an assembly and operational procedure of the modular segmental frames of the modular tip protection cages system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 shows an assembly and operational procedure of the modular segmental frames of the modular tip protection cages system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 shows an assembly and operational procedure of the telescopic segmental 15 frames of the modular tip protection cages system of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 9 shows an assembly and operational procedure of the telescopic segmental frames of the modular tip protection cages system of FIG. 1.
Detailed Description of the invention
The invention described herein is explained using specific exemplary details for 20 better understanding. However, the invention disclosed can be worked on by a person skilled in the art without the use of these specific details. 6
References in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 5
References in the specification to “preferred embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in detail thereby omitting known constructions and functions for clear description of the present invention.
The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be 10 exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
Referring to FIG. 1, a modular tip protection cage system 100 in accordance with the present invention is shown. The modular tip protection cage system 100 is adapted to 15 be connected to a rear end portion of a trailer 110. The cage system 100 preferably accommodates and securely holds an overhanging portion 120 of a turbine blade 130 extending from rear end portion of the trailer 110. The modular tip protection cage system 100 includes a plurality of segmental frames 140 interconnected with each other. Each of the segmental frames 140 in accordance with the present invention has 20 a predefined length of 2 meters. However, it is understood that the length of segmental frames 140 may vary in other alternative embodiments of the present invention. Each of the segmental frames 140 is made of material such as mild steel, stainless steel, and the like. The segmental frames 140 are high tensile strength tubes with different cross section hollow sections such as square tubes, rectangular tubes, 25 round tubes, beam sections, channels, angles and the like. 7
As shown in FIG. 2, an embodiment of the modular tip protection cage system 100 is shown that includes a plurality of telescopic segmental frames 210. In this one embodiment, the modular tip protection cage system 100 includes five telescopic segmental frames 210. However, it is understood here that the number of telescopic segmental frames 210 may vary per desired length of the turbine blade 130 in other 5 alternative embodiments of the present invention. In this one embodiment, the telescopic segmental frames 210 are telescopically interconnected in order to be longitudinally stretched or compressed per required length of the turbine blade 130 extending from the rear end portion of the trailer 110. In this one embodiment, the telescopic segmental frames 210 have an ability to slide over adjacent segmental 10 frame 210 in order to be longitudinally stretched or compressed per required length of the turbine blade 130.
Referring to FIG. 2A and 3, an alternative embodiment of the modular tip protection cage system 100 is shown that includes the modular segmental frames 210 which are bolted with each other using a plurality of high strength fasteners 220. In this one 15 embodiment, each modular segmental frame 210 is detachable from the adjacent segmental frame 210 such that each individual segmental frame needs to be removed or attached as per required length of the turbine blade 130.
Each of the modular segmental frames 210 includes a plurality of vertical frames 310 and a plurality of horizontal frames 320 that are interconnected through a plurality of 20 diagonal frames 330 to form a rectangular shaped structure. Each modular segmental frame 210 includes an opposed pair of sliders 340 disposed along top and bottom portion of the rectangular shaped structure.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each modular segmental frame 210 includes a plurality of connecting plates 410 mounted along vertical and horizontal frames 310, 320 of the 25 modular tip protection cage system 100. The connecting plates 410 are preferably positioned on either side of the vertical and horizontal frames 310, 320. Each two 8
adjacent connecting plates 410 are located at a predefined distance on the frames 310, 320 as shown. The connecting plates 410 facilitate connection between adjacent modular segmental frames 210 in order to increase or decrease the length of the protection cage 100 as per required blade length. The segmental frames 210 are connected through the connecting plates 410 thereby using a plurality of high strength 5 nut and bolt assemblies 420. A plurality of lashing clamps 430 is mounted on each connecting plate 410. The lashing clamps 430 are adapted to facilitate lashing of the tip protection cage 100 with the trailer 110. The lashing clamps 430 may be bolted or welded with the modular segment frames 210 in accordance with the present invention. A plurality of lashing chains 440 are adapted to be connected to the lashing 10 clamps 430. The lashing chains 440 assist in lashing of the tip protection cage 100 with the trailer 110.
Referring to FIG. 5, the modular tip protection cage system 100 includes a tip arrestor 510 mounted on a predefined horizontal frame 320. The tip arrester 510 is mounted on the horizontal frame 320 using of Nut bolt and washer assembly. The tip arrestor 15 510 arrests the tip of the rotor blade 120 during transportation thereof. The tip arrestor 510 includes a concave base profile 520, a telescopic rod 530 and a mounting frame 540. The concave base profile 520 preferably includes a cushioning material such as rubber, polymer, felt, water resistance chute and the like. The cushioning material acts as a rotor blade resting part of the tip arrestor 510. The telescopic rod 530 is 20 adapted to be vertically adjusted as indicated by an arrow-A. The mounting frame 540 is adapted to be horizontally adjusted along the horizontal frame 320 as indicated by an arrow-B. The telescopic rod 530 and the mounting frame 540 mutually facilitate the concave base profile 520 to be respectively moved vertically and horizontally to accommodate profile of the blade 520. The tip arrester 510 is used to 25 arrest the flapping movement of a tip of the blade 130 during transportation.
Referring to FIGS. 6-7, in operation, the modular segmental frames 210 are aligned with each other along the directions shown by arrows C and D during assembly of tip 9
protection cage system 100. The segmental frames 210 are connected to each other using the connecting plates 410 and respective high strength nut and bolt assemblies 420 as shown in FIG. 7.
As shown in FIGS. 8-9, in operation, the telescopic segmental frames 210 may be retracted or expanded in order to be longitudinally stretched or compressed per 5 required length of the turbine blade 130 that is extending from the rear end portion of the trailer 110. In this one embodiment, each telescopic segmental frame 210 has an ability to slide over adjacent segmental frame 210 along the respective directions E, F, G and H as illustrated.
The modular tip protection cage system 100 advantageously accommodates varying 10 lengths of the blades 130 to drastically save design and equipment cost. The modular tip protection cage system 100 is also meant for multiple usages as the modular tip protection cage system 100 can be brought back to factory/site for reuse. The modular tip protection cage system 100 advantageously facilitates the low cost reverse logistics. The modular tip protection cage system 100 advantageously employs 15 telescopic or segmented modular segmental frames 210 which save at least 3 to 4 times less space than that of ordinary tip protection cage.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various 20 modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 25 10
We Claim:
1. A modular tip protection cage system connecting to a rear end portion of a trailer for accommodating and securely holding an overhanging portion of a turbine blade, the modular tip protection cage system comprising:

a plurality of modular segmental frames forming a rectangular frame 5 structure, the rectangular frame structure having a plurality of vertical frames and a plurality of horizontal frames interconnected through a plurality of diagonal frames;
a plurality of connecting plates respectively mounted along either sides of the vertical and horizontal frames through a plurality of high strength nut and bolt assemblies, each connecting plate having a lashing clamp connected thereto, each 10 lashing clamp connecting to at least one lashing chain; and
a tip arrestor mounted on a horizontal frame, the tip arrestor having a concave base profile, a telescopic rod and a mounting frame, the concave base profile having a cushioning material positioned therein, the telescopic rod facilitating vertical adjustment of the tip arrestor, the mounting frame facilitating horizontal adjustment 15 of the tip arrestor.
2. The modular tip protection cage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular segmental frame is a telescopic segmental frame.

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3. The modular tip protection cage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cushioning material is selected from rubber, polymer, felt and water resistance chute.

4. The modular tip protection cage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting plates facilitate connection of the adjacent modular segmental frames to 25 vary length of the turbine blade.
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5. The modular tip protection cage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lashing clamps and lashing chains mutually facilitate lashing of the tip protection cage with the trailer.

6. The modular tip protection cage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tip 5 arrestor arrests flapping movement of a tip of the rotor blade during transportation thereof.