Methods for managing center of gravity while loading wind turbine blades on a cargo aircraft using internally-extending rails
US12145745B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 11, 2022 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/80
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems, methods, and aircraft for managing center of gravity (CG) while transporting large cargo are described. Management of CG is achieved in many ways. In some instances, the aircraft itself is designed to assist in managing CG by providing fuel tanks that minimize the impact of fuel on the net CG of the aircraft. The fuel tanks utilize only a small amount of available volume in the wings for fuel. Disclosures related to properly managing CG while loading wind turbines onto cargo aircraft are also provided. The CG management techniques provided for herein allow for the transportation of wind turbine blades via aircraft, running counter to the typical rail or truck transportation of the same. One such management technique includes accounting for how a rotation of the blades when loading impacts the CG of the blades, and thus taking this into account when placing the blades in the aircraft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.