Patent ID: 8061999
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: F03D,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An access and lifting system, adapted for gaining entry to a rotor hub for a wind turbine, comprising: a wind turbine tower with a nacelle including a rotor hub mounted at a forward end, wherein the rotor hub supports a plurality of rotor blades distributed circumferentially around the rotor hub and includes an entry hatch and a pitching mechanism for each rotor blade including a pitch bearing; and a plurality of ladder-like structures, each structure positioned over a surface of the rotor hub centered between adjacent rotor blades and each structure including a plurality of rungs distributed axially along a length, opposing side-members, and mounting elements on both the opposing side-members, wherein the mounting elements attach the structure to the rotor hub at a junction between the rotor hub and the pitch bearing for the adjacent rotor blade.