Wind turbine blade reaction fixture for railway transport

A fixture system for rail transport of wind turbine blades upon a consist of flatcars using a root-support fixture, a blade-support fixture, and first and second guide post that intermittently engage the tip-end portion of the wind turbine blade to limit lateral movement thereof, such that movement of the consist around a curved railway section urges the wind turbine blade against the first or second guide posts, which urges the wind turbine blade to urge the blade-support fixture to move laterally, thereby laterally reorienting the blade upon the consist.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Related Applications

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to support fixtures for the transportation of wind turbine blades. More particularly, the present invention relates to support fixtures useful for transporting long wind turbine blades via rail on a consist of flatcars.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The continued growth of wind power utilization has led to increasingly larger wind turbine structures. This presents a number of challenges in the field of logistics for transporting wind turbine components from the points of manufacturer to the points of utilization. An important mode of transporting wind turbine blades, in particular, is railroad transport. In the case of very long and relatively fragile wind turbine blades, it becomes necessary to join plural railcars together to provide adequate length. This approach presents several logistical challenges relate to the movement, articulation, and clearances along railways.

The assignee of the present disclosure holds a range of US patents that are germane to the logistics of wind turbine blade transportation. These patents are listed below, and the entire contents and teachings of all of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference, in their entirety and for all purposes.A) U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,621 issued on Sep. 22, 2009 to Landrum et al. for Wind Turbine Blade Transportation System and Method.B) U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,090 issued on Mar. 2, 2010 to Landrum et al. for Wind Turbine Blade Transportation System and Method.C) U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,625 issued on Apr. 29, 2014 to Landrum et al. for Wind Turbine Blade Railroad Transportation System and Method.D) U.S. Pat. No. 8,834,082 issued on Sep. 16, 2014 to Landrum et al. for Wind Turbine Blade Railroad Transportation System and Method.E) U.S. Pat. No. 9,315,200 issued on Apr. 19, 2016 to Landrum et al. for Wind Turbine Blade Railroad Transportation With Two Axis Translation.F) U.S. Pat. No. 9,347,426 issued on May 24, 2016 to Landrum et al. for Wind Turbine Blade Railroad Transportation System and Method.G) U.S. Pat. No. 9,494,140 issued on Nov. 15, 2016 to Sigurdsson for Frame Support Assembly For Transporting Wind Turbine Blades.H) U.S. Pat. No. 9,567,969 issued on Feb. 14, 2017 to Sigurdsson for Systems and Methods For Transporting Wind Turbine Blades.I) U.S. Pat. No. 9,790,927 issued on Oct. 17, 2017 to Landrum et al. for Wind Turbine Blade Double Pivot Transportation System and Method.J) U.S. Pat. No. 10,030,633 issued July 24, 2018 to Sigurdsson for System and Method for Transporting Wind Turbine Blades.K) U.S. Pat. No. 10,697,437 issued Jun. 30, 2020 to Alvarez et al. for Rotatable Support Fixture for Wind Turbine Blade.

Wind turbine blades lengths now require as many as three standard length rail flatcars joined in a consist of railcars to provide adequate length for transport. For example, a seventy-one meter wind turbine blade necessitates the use of three standard eighty-nine foot flatcars. The flatcars, of course, are capable for movement along railways without special railway clearance consideration because the railcar couplers articulate movement between adjacent flatcars to accommodate track curvature and passage through standard railway clearance profiles, as are understood by those skilled in the art. However, the wind turbine blade resting on such a consist does not articulate and will overhang the sides of the consist to such a degree that standard railway clearance profiles are violated, thereby greatly reducing the possible routes available for transport. It is beneficial to shift the position of the wind turbine blade upon the consist of flatcars during transport, to thereby reduce as much as possible, the degree of overhang beyond the railway clearance profile as a train rounds curved sections of railway track.

Whenever any load on a railcar exceeds the standard railway clearance profile, it becomes incumbent upon logistics professionals to determine the extent of the overhang issues, minimize the extent of the overhang as much as is practicable, and then identify railway routes that can accommodate such overhang. This, of course, reduces the possible railway routes available for such loads, and increases the transportation costs. Thus it can be appreciated that there is a need in the art for improved fixtures designed to minimize the extend of railway profile clearance overhang for long wind turbine blades.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The need in the art is addressed by the systems and methods of the present invention. The present disclosure teaches a fixture system for railway transport of wind turbine blades that extend longitudinally from a root-end portion though a support region to a tip-end portion, upon a consist of a root-support flatcar, an idler flatcar, and a blade-support flatcar. The system includes a root-support fixture with a root-end support member that engages the wind turbine blade along the root-end portion, and that has a pivot base, that is attached to the root-support flatcar, which supports the root-end support member about a vertical axis of rotation. The system also includes a blade-support fixture with a base frame that has a first lateral guide member, and that is is attached to the blade-support flatcar, and which has a blade sling slung from a support frame, for supportively engaging the wind turbine blade along the support region. The support frame has a second lateral guide member that engages the first lateral guide member to enable lateral movement of the support frame and the blade sling with respect to the base frame. A first and second guide post are attached to the blade-support flatcar, both extending vertically, to intermittently engage a first and second side, respectively, of the tip-end portion of the wind turbine blade to thereby limit lateral movement thereof in a first and second lateral direction. In operation, movement of the consist around a curved railway section urges the wind turbine blade against the first and second guide posts, which urges the wind turbine blade to urge the blade-support fixture to move laterally, thereby laterally reorienting the blade upon the consist and rotating the root support fixture about the vertical axis of rotation. This action also tends to straighten curved portions of the wind turbine blade itself.

In a specific embodiment of the foregoing system, the root-end support member is a blade cradle conformed to the root-end portion shape. In a refinement to this embodiment, a strap is connected to the blade cradle and wrapped about about the root-end portion of the wind turbine blade to secure it in place.

In a specific embodiment of the foregoing system, where the wind turbine blade has a mounting flange at its root end, the root-end support member further includes an extension member with a flange plate at a distal end thereof for connection to the wind turbine blade mounting flange. In a refinement to this embodiment the extension member further includes a jack stand that extends downwardly to engage the root-support flatcar to balance the root support fixture at times when no wind turbine blade is engaged therewith.

In a specific embodiment of the foregoing system, the first lateral guide member is a pair of opposing lateral guide channels and the second lateral guide member is a plurality of rollers attached to the support frame, arranged such that the plurality of rollers engage with, and are guided by, the pair of opposing lateral channels.

In a specific embodiment of the foregoing system, at least a first bump stop is disposed between the base frame and the support frame, to limit the degree of lateral movement therebetween, and to cushion impact at the end of travel therebetween.

In a specific embodiment of the foregoing system, the first guide post and second guide posts are attached to the blade-support flatcar by a blade-guide frame, to limit bending torque applied to the blade-support flatcar.

In a specific embodiment, the foregoing system further includes cylindrical cushions disposed about the first and second guide posts to cushion and protect the wind turbine blade upon engagement therewith.

The present disclosure teaches method for railway transport of wind turbine blades that extend longitudinally from a root-end portion though a support region to a tip-end portion, upon a consist of a root-support flatcar, an idler flatcar, and a blade-support flatcar, using a root-support fixture with a root-end support member and a pivot base, and, a blade-support fixture with a base frame with a first lateral guide member and a blade sling slung from a support frame, where the support frame has a second lateral guide member, and, first and second guide posts. The method includes attaching the pivot base of the root-support fixture to the root-support flatcar and engaging the root-end portion of the wind turbine blade with the root-end support member, which rotatably supports the root-end portion of the wind turbine blade about a vertical axis of rotation. The method further includes attaching the base frame of the blade-support fixture to the blade-support flatcar, engaging the second lateral guide of the support frame with the first lateral guide of the base frame, which enables lateral movement of the support frame with respect to the base frame, and further includes slinging the blade sling from the support frame, and supportively engaging the support region of the wind turbine blade with the blade sling. The method further includes attaching the first and second guide posts to the blade-support flatcar, extending them vertically, so as to intermittently engage a first and second side of the tip-end portion of the wind turbine blade, and limit lateral movement thereof. In operation, movement of the consist about a curved railway section urges the wind turbine blade against the first and second guide posts, thereby urging the wind turbine blade in lateral directions, and further urging the blade-support fixture to move laterally, which laterally reorients the blade on the consist and rotates the root support fixture about the vertical axis.

In a specific embodiment of the foregoing method, the root-end support member is a blade cradle that conforms to the root-end portion shape. In a refinement to this embodiment, a strap is connected to the blade cradle and wrapped about about the root-end portion of the wind turbine blade.

In a specific embodiment of the foregoing method, where the wind turbine blade includes a mounting flange at its root end, the method includes connecting an extension member, which as a flange plate attached to its distal end, to the root-end support member, and connecting the flange plate to the wind turbine blade mounting flange. In a refinement to this embodiment, the method includes extending a jack stand down from the extension member, and connected to the root-support flatcar, which balances the root support fixture when not transporting a wind turbine blade.

In a specific embodiment of the foregoing method, where the first lateral guide member is a pair of lateral guide channels, and the second lateral guide member is a plurality of rollers attached to the support frame, the method includes engaging the plurality of rollers with the pair of opposing lateral channels, to guide the lateral movement therebetween.

In a specific embodiment, the foregoing method includes placing at least a first bump stop between the base frame and the support frame to limit the degree of lateral movement therebetween, and further cushioning impact at the end of travel therebetween.

In a specific embodiment, the foregoing method includes attaching the first guide post and the second guide post to the blade-support flatcar using a blade-guide frame, to limit bending torque applied to the blade-support flatcar.

In a specific embodiment, the foregoing method includes placing cylindrical cushions about the first guide post and the second guide post, thereby cushioning and protecting the wind turbine blade upon engagement therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope hereof, and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.

In considering the detailed embodiments of the present invention, it will be observed that the present invention resides primarily in combinations of steps to accomplish various methods or components to form various apparatus and systems. Accordingly, the apparatus and system components, and method steps, have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the present teachings so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the disclosures contained herein.

Those skilled in the art of wind turbine blade logistics, particularly with regard to railroad transport, will be aware of the challenges in loading, securing, and transporting long structures, such as wind turbine blades (also referred to herein as a “blade”). At the time of this writing, commercial wind turbine blades range in length from approximately 48 meters to 71 meters, and longer blades are envisioned by suppliers. As such, these blades are much longer than the typical railcar. For example, the common rail flatcar is about 27 meters in length. Therefore, multiple railcars must be coupled together to provide adequate length to carry a single wind turbine blade, which may require two, three, or even four railcars joined together. The coupling of plural railcars to provide adequate length may hereinafter be referred to as a “consist” of railcars. The blade must be supported on at least two support fixtures and aligned along the longitudinal axis of the consist of railcars. As a side note for this disclosure, an axis generally aligned with the length of a consist of railcars will be referred to as a “longitudinal” axis. An axis that is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis, such as side-to-side of a railcar, will be referred to as a “lateral” axis. And, vertically aligned axes will be referred to as “vertical” axes. For example, the longitudinal axis of a wind turbine blade is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of a consist of railcars. Although, there may be several degrees of angular misalignment with respect to these reference directions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Since two support fixtures, minimum, are required to support a wind turbine blade, and since a consist may include more than two railcars, some of the railcars in a consist may be load bearing cars, referred to as “load” cars, and some railcars may be non load bearing cars, which may also be referred to a “idler” cars. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the total mass borne by a railcar must result in a center of mass that is close to the longitudinal axis of the railcar and of the consist of railcars so as to avoid excessive tipping forces. Sometimes it is necessary to add counterweights to a railcar where the actual load cannot be so aligned. This is sometime the case for long, curved, wind turbine blades.

Longer wind turbine blades are commonly designed with a curved airfoil design, generally toward the tip-end portion of the blade, that ‘flattens’ out under wind loading. However, during transport, the curved shape, sometimes referred to as a “hockey stick” shape, must be addressed with respect to railway clearances. The logistics of wind turbine blade rail transport are facing increasing clearance issues as the blades become longer, and this challenge is exacerbated where the blade is curved. Considering the curvature of railroad tracks, and the undulations over hills and valleys, and the differences between how a consist of railcars traverse a curved section of rail, as compared to the relatively fixed shape of wind turbine blades, and it can be appreciated that clearance logistics is a major consideration in support fixture design and placement. With a two-point support system as discussed above, and the consist of railcars following a curved track, it can be appreciated that the blade axis generally defines a geometric chord along the curved track, where the ends and center portions of the blade overhang the clearance profile more so than where the track section is straight.

As noted above, wind turbine blades flex and flatten out curved portions during operation on a wind turbine generator, so it can be appreciated that the blade itself can endure dynamic bending forces over years of operation. This feature of the blade is advantageously utilized under the teachings of the present disclosure to reduce the amount of railway clearance profile overhang, which enables a greater range of railroad routing options for logistics professionals. It will also be noted that as a consist of railcars traverses right and left turns, and considering the aforementioned hockey-stick blade curvatures, the amount of overhang at the root end of the blade, the tip end of the blade, and the mid-section of the blade varies with the direction and degree of track curvature. A goal under the present disclosure is to balance these various overhang issues so as to minimize the maximum extent of any one of them. This improves the clearance issues and increases the number of railway routing options. It is also noted that the arrangement of blade load supporting fixtures and blade guiding fixtures can apply lateral forces to the blade, particularly towards the tip-end portion, such that the hockey stick shape is ‘straightened’ to a degree that is similar to the straightening that occurs under operational wind loads. As the blade rest upon the support fixtures, it will be noted that the curvatures of the blade enhance railway profile clearance in first railway curve direction, such as a right-handed curve, and exacerbates railway profile clearance in the opposite railway curve direction, such as a left-handed curve. The arrangement of support and guide fixtures presented under the teachings of the present disclosure advantageously utilize this characteristic of current wind turbine blades.

Reference is directed toFIGS.1A,1B, and1C, which are side view drawings of a rail flatcar consist2loaded to transport a wind turbine blade10according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.FIG.1Aillustrates the entire length of the consist2, including a root-support flatcar4, an idler flatcar6, and a blade support flatcar8.FIGS.1B and1Cillustrate portions of the consist, which have been enlarged to show more details in the limited space available for the drawing figures. Note that portions of the wind turbine blade10are identified for reference in this disclosure. A root end portion13is located directly adjacent the root-end mounting flange12, and is generally cylindrical in cross section. A support region14is also identified, and may be located along the mid portion (not labeled), which is designed by the blade10manufacturer as a region reinforced to accommodate concentration support loads during transit, as opposed to operational loads. A tip-end portion15is also identified, and generally comports with that portion of the blade10that has the greatest degree of curvature into the aforementioned hockey stick shape.

The blade10inFIGS.1A,1B, and1Cis supported along the root-end portion13by a root-support fixture20. The blade10is further supported along the support region14by a blade support fixture16. The fixture system of the illustrative embodiment further includes a blade guide fixture18that present a first guide post26and a second guide post24, which intermittently engage the tip-end portion15of the blade10to apply lateral force thereto for blade straightening purposes.

Reference is directed toFIGS.2A,2B, and2C, which are top view drawings of a rail flatcar consist2loaded to transport a wind turbine blade10according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.FIGS.2A,2B, and2Ccorrespond toFIGS.1A,1B, and1C, including the views enlarged for detail.FIGS.2A and2Cillustrate the aforementioned hockey stick curvature of the blade10, particularly along the tip-end portion15. Again, the root end portion13is identified, as well as the support region14, and the tip-end portion15. The blade10inFIGS.2A,2B, and2Cis supported along the root-end portion13by a root-support fixture20, and along the support region14by a blade support fixture16. The blade guide fixture18is also illustrated, including the first guide post26and the second guide post24. Note that the first guide post26in this illustrative embodiment comprises an adjacent pair of post, which serve to mitigate the concentrated loads applied to the blade10during transit.

Reference is directed toFIG.3, which is an end view drawing of a rail flatcar consist2loaded to transport a wind turbine blade10according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The root-support flatcar4is illustrated with the blade10supported on the root-support fixture20. Note that a strap29is wrapped about the blade10to retain it in place. The root end flange12is illustrate, having plural mounting bolts17evenly distributed about its circumference, which are used during assembly of the wind turbine (not shown). A portion of the blade-support fixture16can be seen, with the first guide post26and the second guide post24located beyond.

Reference is directed toFIG.4, which is a partial side view drawing illustrating further details of the root-support fixture20supporting a wind turbine blade10on the root-support flatcar4according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. This drawing presents further details the the root-support fixture20and its engagement with the wind turbine blade10, adjacent to the root end flange12. Note that the mounting bolts17are also illustrated, protruding from the root end flange12. The blade10rests on a root-end support member39, which is a blade cradle that conforms to the shape of the blade in this embodiment. Plural webbing straps29are connected to the root-end support member39and wrap about the blade10to retain it in place. The blade cradle39is supported by pivot base36,38, which includes an internal pivot (not shown) that enables rotation therebetween about a vertical axis of rotation.

ConsideringFIG.4, note that while the blade10is strapped29to the blade cradle39, the entire root-support fixture's position is controlled by its engagement with the blade10, however, those skilled in the art will recognize that longitudinal movement may still occur as the straps29could slide along the length of the blade10. To control this degree of movement, an extension member30reaches back from the root-support fixture20and presents a flange plate32, which is bolted17to the flange12of the blade10, so as to control longitudinal movement thereof. Note that during unloaded transport, the root-support fixture movement is uncontrolled. To alleviate this issue, the root-support fixture20includes a jack stand34that selectively connects the extension member30to the deck of the flatcar4, to control movement of the root-support fixture20, as illustrated.

Reference is directed toFIG.5, which is a partial end view drawing of a root-support fixture20supporting a wind turbine blade10on flatcar4according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In this view, the flange plate32includes plural bolt slots33, which align with the bolts17on the flange12of the wind turbine blade10. Nuts (not shown) are added to secure the flange plate32to the flange12. Note that the blade10rests in the blade cradle39. The jack stand34is illustrated between the extension member30and the deck of the flatcar4. A portion of the root support frame36is also visible in this view.

Reference is directed toFIG.6andFIG.7, which are a top view drawing and a side view drawing, respectively, of a rail flatcar consist2for transporting a wind turbine blade (not shown) according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. These view are similar toFIGS.2A and1A, but with the blade removed to show details. The consist includes a root-support flatcar4, an idler flatcar6, and a blade-support flatcar8. The root-support flatcar4has the root-support fixture20fixed thereto, as illustrated. The precise location of the root-support fixture20is dependent upon the particular blade being transported, and the requirements for balancing that blade on the consist2. Since the root-support fixture20is offset from the centerline of the root-support flatcar4in this embodiment, plural counterweights40are added on the opposite side of the flatcar4to balance the load, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The idler flatcar6has no fixtures or modifications, serving only to add sufficient length to the consist2to accommodate the length of the blade (not shown).

The blade-support flatcar8inFIGS.6and7includes the blade support fixture16and a blade guide frame18with a pair of vertical blade guide posts26,24fixed thereto. The blade-support flatcar8also includes plural counterweights,42,44, and46, which serve to balance the weight of these fixtures, as well as the blade, along the longitudinal centerline of the flatcar8, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Note that the weight of the blade (not shown) is borne by the root-support fixture20and blade-support fixture16, and that the blade guide posts26,24are located outside of the space between these two support fixtures20,16. This arrangement enables the blade guides26,24to both straighten the blade's (not shown) hockey-stick-like tip-end curve, and to urge the blade-support fixture laterally, as will be more fully discussed hereinafter.

Reference is directed toFIG.8, which is a top view drawing of a root-support flatcar according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The root-support flatcar4has the root-support fixture20fixed thereto, as illustrated. The precise location of the root-support fixture20is dependent upon the particular blade being transported, and the requirements for balancing that blade on the flatcar4. Since the root-support fixture20is offset from the centerline of the root-support flatcar4in this embodiment, plural counterweights40are added on the opposite side of the flatcar4to balance the load, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Reference is directed toFIG.9andFIG.10, which are a side view drawing and an exploded perspective view drawing, respectively, of a root-support fixture20attached to a root-support flatcar4according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The root-support fixture includes of a pivot base comprised of a pivot base frame36and a pivot frame38that are joined to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation by a pivot41, as illustrated. The well know twist-lock fasteners may be used to selectively and releasably connect the various elements together, as illustrated. A root-end support member39, in the form of a blade cradle, is coupled to the pivot frame38, and rotates together therewith during transport of a wind turbine blade (not shown). The blade cradle39includes plural webbing ratchets48, which provide anchor points and adjustment to the blade webbing straps (not shown) discussed hereinbefore. Extension member30is coupled to the blade cradle30, and presents the aforementioned flange plate32, which is bolted to the flange12(not shown) of the blade10(not shown), so as to control longitudinal movement of the blade. The jack stand34that selectively connects the extension member30to the deck of the flatcar4, to control movement of the root-support fixture20, is also illustrated. InFIG.10, the counterweights40are also visible.

Reference is directed toFIG.11, which is a top view drawing of a blade-support flatcar8according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The blade-support fixture16is fixed to the blade-support flatcar8, and is offset from the longitudinal centerline thereof. For this reason, among others, plural counterweights42,44, and46are fixed to the blade-support flatcar8, and positioned to balance loads, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The blade-support fixture16is comprised of three major components, which are a base frame50, a support frame60, and a blade sling62, which is slung from the support frame60. Other fixtures (not shown) are fixed to the blade-support flatcar8, and will be more fully discussed hereinafter.

Reference is directed toFIG.12andFIG.13, which are a top view drawing and an end view drawing, respectively, of a tip-end support assembly base frame50fixed to a blade-support flatcar8according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The attachment between the base frame50and the flatcar8may be by welding or with brackets and removable fasteners. The base frame50is a steel plate that includes a pari of parallel lateral guide members56,58, which are structural steel C-channels in the illustrative embodiment. The lateral guide members56,58serve as guide support rails for a support frame (not shown), enabling the support frame to shift laterally in position. The extend of the lateral movement is limited by a pair of opposing bump stop assemblies52,54, which include mounting brackets51,55and polymeric impact pads53,57, as illustrated. Thus, the extent of lateral movement of the support frame (not shown) is limited by the space between the polymeric impact pads53,57, as illustrated.

Reference is directed toFIG.14andFIG.15, which are a side view drawing and an end view drawing, respectively, of a blade-support fixture16attached to a blade-support flatcar8according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The base frame50is attached to the deck of the blade-support flatcar8, and includes a pair of lateral guide members56,58, which are opposingly aligned C-channels rails in this embodiment. The blade-support fixture16includes a support frame60that is fabricated from mild steel structural shapes, tubes and plates, as illustrated. Along the lower side portions of the support frame60are plural rollers68,70, which correspondingly engage the lateral guide members56,58to thereby define a laterally aligned path of travel59of the support frame60. Opposing bump stops52,54limit the extend of the path of travel59, as illustrated. This this arrangement, lateral forces against the wind turbine blade (not shown) urge the blade laterally, with the extend of lateral movement limited by the path of travel59.

The support frame60extends upwardly to sling mounts66on either side thereof, which support a webbing material sling62slung therefrom using plural chain assemblies64in the illustrative embodiment. Note that other sling materials could be employed, using either natural or man-made materials of suitable strength, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Note that inFIG.15, some of the aforementioned counterweights42,44can be seen, as well as the vertical blade guide posts24,26, which will be more fully discussed hereinafter.

Reference is directed toFIG.16, which is an exploded perspective view drawing of a blade support fixture16according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. This view show further details of the assembly of the blade support fixture16. The base frame50includes a first lateral guide member56,58, which are a pair of opposingly orient C-channels, as illustrated. A pair of opposing bump stop assemblies52,54are fixed to the base frame50and limit the lateral path of movement of the support frame60. Note that each bump stop52,54includes an angle bracket51,55and plural polymeric impact cushions53,57, as illustrated. Along the lower sides of the support frame60are second lateral guide members in the form of plural industrial rollers70,68, which rollingly engage the first lateral guide members56,58, respectively. The support frame60extends upwardly to sling mounts66on either side thereof, which support a webbing material sling62slung therefrom using plural chain assemblies64in the illustrative embodiment.

Reference is directed toFIG.17andFIG.18, which are top view drawings of a blade-support flatcar8according to an illustrative embodiment fo the present invention.FIG.18is a somewhat enlarged view for added details. These view corresponds to the view ofFIG.11, but add details of the blade guide assembly18. InFIGS.17and18, The blade guide assembly18includes a blade guide frame22, which is fabricated from mild steel structural sections and fixed to the flatcar8deck with suitable brackets, and a pair of vertically oriented guide posts24,26, extending upwardly therefrom.FIG.18also illustrates plural counterweights42,44,46, as discussed hereinbefore.

Reference is directed toFIG.19, which is an exploded perspective view drawing of a blade guide assembly18, consisting of a blade guide frame22and blade-guide posts24,26according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The blade guide frame22serves to resist bending and torque loads applied by the blade (not shown) against the blade guide posts24,26during transit, particularly prevalent when rounding tight curves in the railway. Otherwise, those loads would be borne by the flatcar (not shown). The condition of the flatcar is cannot be known for certain, so this design approach assures competent structural integrity. The blade guide frame comprises plural sub-frames78,80,82, and84fabricated from structure steel shapes, which are specified for convenience in fabrication, transport, and assembly in field operations. The sub-frames are connected to one another at the loading site using various alignment pins, bolt sets and brackets, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

FIG.19also illustrates the blade guide posts24,26, which are steel tubing sections rigidly fixed to the blade guide frame22by welded connection. Blade guide post26comprises a pair of vertically aligned steel tubes, welded and braced74against bending. This guide post26is located closest to the blade-support fixture (not shown), so it resists the higher lateral loads. Each of the blade guide posts24,26is padded with a tubular closed cell polymeric wrap, which serves to protect the blade (not shown) surface when engaged therewith. A tubular pad is preferred because it tends to rotate on the blade guide post on the manner of a wheel, which prevents the pad from dragging on the blade surface, which may otherwise damage the finish of the blade (not shown).