Wind turbine blade transportation system and method

• US 7,591,621 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2008
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transportation Technology Services, Inc. (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Transportation Technology Services, Inc. (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Landrum, Scott C., King, T. Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): ENGLE, PATRICIA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US12/208,697
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 410/44, 410/45, 410/53, 410 32- 35, 410/49, 410/120, 410/156, 105/396, 105/404, 105/407, 105/411, 105/355, 105/393, 220/1.5
• US Class Current: 410/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/40 for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load supporting elements E04G21/14 takes precedence; signal devices to be attached to overhanging load B60Q7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 3/16 adapted for carrying special loads
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 45/003 Fixing of logs, beams, barrels, pipes, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 13/40 Arrangements or methods specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

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.

Claims

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, and

a lateral guide structure connected to the second railcar, and aligned to engage the airfoil to limit the lateral movement thereof.

2. The system of claim 1, and wherein said first railcar and said second railcars are flat cars.

3. The system of claim 1, and wherein

said bracket is removably connected to first railcar.

4. The system of claim 3, and wherein

said bracket is removably connected with a twist lock coupler.

5. The system of claim 1, and wherein:

said bracket is flexibly connected to the first railcar, thereby accommodating movement of the airfoil about a vertical axis during transit over the railroad.

6. The system of claim 1, and wherein the midsection of the airfoil is designated as a suitable support section of the airfoil.

7. The system of claim 1, and wherein said sliding support further comprises:

a rail fixed to the first railcar along a lateral axis, and

a carriage slidably engaged with said rail, said carriage adapted to engage the midsection of the airfoil.

8. The system of claim 7, and wherein said carriage further comprises:

a polymer skid disposed to slidably engage said rail.

9. The system of claim 7, and wherein said carriage further comprises:

a wheel disposed to rotatably engage said rail, thereby enabling said slideable engagement therewith.

10. The system of claim 7, and wherein said carriage further comprise:

a trolley slidably engaged with said rail, and

a fixture connected to said trolley and adapted to support the midsection of the airfoil.

11. The system of claim 10, and wherein

said fixture is removably connected to said trolley.

12. The system of claim 11, and wherein

said fixture is removably connected to said trolley using a twist lock couplers.

13. The system of claim 1, and wherein said lateral guide structure further comprises:

a first guide post connected to the second rail car and oriented to engage a first side of the airfoil, and

a second guide post connected to the second rail car and oriented to engage a second side of the airfoil.

14. The system of claim 13, and wherein

said first guide post and said second guide post are padded to protect the surface of the airfoil.

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:

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.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

removably connecting the bracket to the first railcar.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

flexibly connecting the bracket to the first railcar, thereby accommodating movement of the airfoil about a vertical axis during transit over the railroad.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said connecting a sliding support step further comprising the steps of:

fixing a rail to the first railcar along a later axis, and

slidably engaging a carriage with the rail, and engaging the carriage with the midsection of the airfoil.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

padding the lateral guide structure, thereby protecting the airfoil.