Patent · US Active

Systems and methods for maintaining wind turbine blades

US11047368B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
1References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 18, 2019
Grant dateJun 29, 2021
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 18, 2039

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system for use in maintaining a wind turbine blade includes a motorized apparatus sized to fit within an interior cavity of the wind turbine blade and configured to travel along a length of the wind turbine blade on an interior surface when the wind turbine blade is in a substantially horizontal position. The motorized apparatus includes a body, a drive system configured to move the body, and a camera coupled to the body. The camera is configured to capture at least one image of the interior surface. The system also includes a controller configured to map the at least one image onto a model of the interior surface. The system also includes an operator interface including a display device. The operator interface is configured to display the model on the display device and receive user input allowing an operator to interact with the model.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.