Method and apparatus for cleaning and de-icing wind turbine rotor blades
US8062431B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/72
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of cleaning at least one of grime and built-up ice off a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes, in an exemplary embodiment, positioning a rotor blade in an immobile position in a downward orientation substantially parallel to the tower, positioning a tank containing a cleaning solution directly below the rotor blade, and positioning a plurality of lifting arms adjacent the tank. The plurality of lifting arms are attached to an elliptical spray head with at least one pipe connected to the elliptical spray head and to a pump operatively coupled to the tank. The method also includes raising the lifting arms to lift the elliptical spray head to a predetermined position along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, pumping cleaning solution from the tank to the elliptical spray head, spraying the cleaning solution onto an outer surface of the rotor blade to clean the rotor blade, and collecting the spent cleaning solution in the tank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.