Patent ID: 8453797
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: F03D,F05B,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of servicing a wind turbine, the wind turbine having a tower, a nacelle positioned on top of the tower, and a rotor rotatably connected to the nacelle, the method comprising: rotating the rotor until a blade of the rotor extends downwardly next to the tower, wherein the distance between the blade and the tower varies along the length of the blade; positioning a work platform next to the tower with at least one steering wheel of the work platform in contact with the tower, the at least one steering wheel being configured to roll along a surface of the tower; connecting the work platform to an upper part of the wind turbine with at least one cable; moving the work platform vertically and horizontally to a first position, wherein the at least one steering wheel contacts the tower when the work platform is moved to the first position; servicing a section of the blade within reach of the work platform in the first position; moving the work platform vertically and horizontally to a second position, wherein the at least one steering wheel contacts the tower when the work platform is moved to the second position; and servicing a different section of the blade within reach of the work platform in the second position, wherein the at least one steering wheel is mounted to at least one holding arm of a gripper, the method further comprising: holding the work platform against the tower with the gripper, wherein moving the work platform vertically and horizontally to the first position or second position further comprises: extending or retracting a horizontal forcer connecting the gripper to the work platform.