Wind turbine blade transportation system and method
First Claim
1. A system for transporting an airfoil, having a root end, a tip end, and a midsection, over a railroad utilizing a first railcar coupled to a second railcar, the system comprising:
- a bracket fixed to the root end of the airfoil and connected to the first railcar, said bracket oriented to align the tip end of the airfoil toward the second railcar;
a sliding support connected to the first railcar at a position between said bracket and the second railcar, said sliding support adapted to engage the midsection of the airfoil and support the airfoil while enabling the airfoil to move laterally, anda lateral guide structure connected to the second railcar, and aligned to engage the airfoil to limit the lateral movement thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for transporting an airfoil, which has a root end, a tip end, and a midsection, over a railroad utilizing a first railcar coupled to a second railcar. The system includes a bracket fixed to the root end of the airfoil and connected to the first railcar, and, the bracket is oriented to align the tip end of the airfoil toward the second railcar. A sliding support is connected to the first railcar at a position between the bracket and the second railcar. The sliding support is adapted to engage the midsection of the airfoil and support the airfoil while enabling the airfoil to move laterally. A lateral guide structure is connected to the second railcar, and aligned to engage the airfoil to limit its lateral movement.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for transporting an airfoil, having a root end, a tip end, and a midsection, over a railroad utilizing a first railcar coupled to a second railcar, the system comprising:
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a bracket fixed to the root end of the airfoil and connected to the first railcar, said bracket oriented to align the tip end of the airfoil toward the second railcar; a sliding support connected to the first railcar at a position between said bracket and the second railcar, said sliding support adapted to engage the midsection of the airfoil and support the airfoil while enabling the airfoil to move laterally, and a lateral guide structure connected to the second railcar, and aligned to engage the airfoil to limit the lateral movement thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for transporting an airfoil having a root end, a tip end, and a midsection over a railroad, utilizing a first railcar and a second rail car, the method comprising the steps of:
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coupling the first railcar to the second railcar; connecting a sliding support to the first railcar, and orienting the sliding support along a lateral axis; fixing a bracket to the root end of the airfoil; connecting the bracket to the first rail car, and orienting the airfoil midsection to engage the sliding support, and orienting the tip end of the airfoil toward the second railcar, and connecting a lateral guide structure to the second railcar to engage the tip end of the airfoil, thereby limiting the lateral movement of the tip end of the airfoil. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification