U.S. patent application number 11/663708 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for container for the transport of blades.
Invention is credited to Jose Ignacio Llorente Gonzalez, Sergio Velez Oria.
Application Number | 20070199847 11/663708 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36406858 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070199847 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Llorente Gonzalez; Jose Ignacio ;
et al. |
August 30, 2007 |
Container For The Transport Of Blades
Abstract
The container for the transport of blades is comprised of side
walls made of tubular trusses diagonally crossed by stays, the
different trusses are coupled at the bottom with a bolt with lock
pin and at the top with a nut and screw. Both side walls are joined
at the top and bottom by adjustable stays. On the upper part, as
well as the stays there are transversal spacers. At the bottom of
the container the tables which act as support for the storage and
transport of the blades are installed, said tables incorporate
retractable and telescopic support feet. Both ends of the container
are closed using two types of cover, the front cover has anchor
points for two blades and the rear cover has an anchor point for
one blade.
Inventors: |
Llorente Gonzalez; Jose
Ignacio; (Pamplona, ES) ; Velez Oria; Sergio;
(Pamplona, ES) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY
26 WEST 61ST STREET
NEW YORK
NY
10023
US
|
Family ID: |
36406858 |
Appl. No.: |
11/663708 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
November 10, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/ES05/70155 |
371 Date: |
March 23, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/448 ;
206/527 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 88/121 20130101;
Y02E 10/72 20130101; F03D 13/40 20160501; B65D 85/68 20130101; B65D
2585/6897 20130101; B65D 88/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/448 ;
206/527 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/48 20060101
B65D085/48; B65D 79/00 20060101 B65D079/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 11, 2004 |
ES |
P200402845 |
Claims
1. Container for the transport of blades comprised of side walls
formed by trusses that are each of a tubular structure and in
squared sections and which has support tables (7) for the storages
and later transport of blades are installed in the lower part,
incorporating support feet, and which couples both side walls using
adjustable stays, characterised in that it is formed by side walls
(20), upper and lower part, and in that the trusses (1) of a same
wall are coupled together using a bolt (2) with lock pin at the
bottom and using a screw (3) at the top, with both coupled trusses
(1) being able to turn in the bolt (2) fitting together at the
bottom and being separated at the top therefore enabling the
thickness of the separators (4) to be varied.
2. Container for the transport of blades, according to claim one,
characterised in that the tables (7) that serve as a support and
are installed at the bottom of the container, incorporating
retractable support feet (11) which are also telescopic and which
serve as a guide for the assembly of the side walls.
3. Container for the transport of blades, according to claim one,
characterised in that the tables (7) are coupled to the container
using stubs which fit into holes on the corresponding wall and
which are locked with a bolt and lock pin or interlocking bolt
(14).
4. Container for the transport of blades, according to claim one,
characterised in that the containers are closed at the front and
rear by a front cover (13) which has the necessary anchor points
for one blade and another rear cover (12) which has the necessary
anchor points for two blades; both covers (12) and (13) being
coupled to the walls of the container (20) with the same type of
coupling as the trusses (1), a bolt (2) and screw (3).
5. Container for the transport of blades, according to claim one,
characterised in that the lower part is supported on three
correctly aligned and distanced support tables (7a, 7b, 7c) with
support feet (11) that are telescopic and which have seven locking
positions locked with an interlocking bolt (14).
6. Container for the transport of blades, according to claim one,
characterised in that the support feet (11) are placed in the
horizontal position, i.e. retracted, using the bolt (14) and lock
pin.
7. Container for the transport of blades, according to claim one,
characterised in that the support feet (11) are placed in the
vertical position using a stay (12) which is fixed to the support
foot (11) using a rotating stub and to the table (7) with the bolt
(14) which fixes the support feet (11) in the horizontal position
but by changing the bolt (14) hole.
8. Container for the transport of blades, according to claim one,
characterised in that the walls of both sides of the container are
joined together at the top using adjustable stays (5) with a screw
ratchet (6) and using spacers (24) along the walls (20), in such a
way that the stays (5) and the spacers (24) can be removed for
loading and unloading the blades.
9. Container for the transport of blades, according to claim one,
characterised in that the arrangement of the blades (21) is such
that their transversal axis is arranged horizontally to the
container base or slightly sloped in relation to the base and in
that they blades contained inside cradles (22).
Description
SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The container for the transport of blades which is the
subject of this invention has been designed considering the
restrictions presented these days by land transport in the majority
of countries both in terms of weight, size and road safety. A
solution for the storage of the containers has also been taken into
account, so that they occupy the least space possible when both
empty and loaded, with consideration also of the quickest and
safest method for assembling and disassembling the containers both
on site and at the factory using minimum labour and mechanisms
possible.
[0002] Finally, the possibilities for transporting said containers
by maritime transport and for stacking them have been
contemplated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An example of a known wind turbine container is patent WO
02/083523 which shows a transport method that incorporates two
counter facing blades in such a way that located on each side is
the tip of one blade and the base of the other, with both blades
able to be situated in one same container, as although they are
separate containers they can the joined to make one sole container.
The ends of the container are formed by a frame which is reinforced
on the corners with metal laminate parts. However, the container
which is the subject of this invention optimises the interior space
to enable three blades to be transported in each container. The
blades are arranged so that the transverse axis is situated
horizontally along the floor or slightly sloped in relation to the
floor.
[0004] Another example of a known blade container is US
2003/0175089 the main characteristic of which is that said
container is modular, which allows it to be extended in length in
order to adapt it to the length of the blade to be transported.
Each module is formed by a frame, the interior of which is covered
with corrugated walls. There are connection mechanisms between the
modules and an inner cradle formed by two trusses which support
each of the blades. As in the previous case, the container includes
two counter facing blades in its interior.
[0005] The proposed container vastly differs from the known
containers and although it is re-usable, as they all are, it has
the added characteristic that it can be folded and stacked in a
minimum space and can be grouped 2 or 3 containers at a time for
return transport.
DESCRIPTION
[0006] The container for the transport of blades is comprised of
the following elements: walls, upper part and lower part. The walls
are formed by tubular structured trusses in square sections crossed
by one or two diagonal stays. The trusses of each wall are coupled
at the bottom by a bolt with lock pin and at the top by a nut and
screw. This coupling enables camber to be given to the structure,
as the two coupled trusses turn in the bolt fixture at the bottom
whilst on the upper part they can be separated enabling the
thickness of the separating wedge to be varied to achieve
flexibility in height. The walls of both sides of the container are
joined together by the upper part using adjustable stays with screw
ratchets and transversal spacers on the walls, so that both the
stays and the spacers can be removed for loading and unloading the
blades.
[0007] On the lower part of the container the tables that act as
support in transport or storage of the blade are installed, the
tables have stubs which fit into the holes arranged on the side
walls. The closing elements of the container are comprised of two
types of cover, the front cover has anchor points for two blades
and the rear cover has an anchor point for one blade, the covers
are coupled to the container walls by the same type of joint as the
trusses, a bolt and screw, both front and rear covers have a
hoisting lug in the centre.
[0008] The tables which provide support for transport and
storage.of the blades are of three different types, a rear table
which serves as support for the extendable platform, another front
table for coupling directly to the truck as this table has a
King-pin assembled on it and finally, a central table which serves
as a support to the container on the central supporting feet. The
King-pin is a pivot assembled on the tie plate or fifth wheel of
the tractor truck. When connecting the welded King-pin to a table,
it is coupled directly to the tractor which therefore decreases the
height in relation to other coupling mechanisms.
[0009] The design of the tables is such that they act as a guide
for assembling the side walls of the container, in such a way that
said tables are joined by the two stubs which fit into two the
holes on the corresponding wall, they are then secured with a bolt
and lock pin which facilitates the correct positioning of the walls
as well as their alignment and the separation between them. All
tables incorporate two retractable support feet, which are also
telescopic with seven fixture points in order to adapt to the
different terrain heights.
[0010] The support feet are secured using a bolt and lock pin. The
support feet are positioned in the horizontal or retracted position
with a bolt and lock pin also, and they are positioned in the
vertical position with a stay which is fixed to the foot by a
rotating stub and to the table with the same bolt which locks the
horizontal foot position but by changing the bolt hole.
[0011] The stays which join the both sides of the walls at the top
have two lugs with a stub welded on, each lug is placed at one end
of the stay so that they can be fit into the holes on the side
walls. On one end of the stay, welded to one of the lugs, there is
an extendable ratchet, the other lug is welded to a circular
section tube which in turn is welded to the other end of the
ratchet. The spacers are arranged transversally across the sides of
the walls.
[0012] The ratchet is an element comprised of two spindles, one
left and another right, and a threaded bushing which contains a
lever to vary the length and a spring trigger which sets the
position reached by the lever. As we turn the lever by small
rotations, the trigger does not allow it to return thanks to the
pressure exercised on the spindle, therefore the operation of this
element is similar to that of a torque wrench or ratchet
wrench.
[0013] The container has the following anchor points: on one hand
each table has two lugs for crane hoisting, and on the other, each
of the walls and each of the covers has another lug.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0014] For a better understanding of that described in this report,
FIGURES are attached which show all of the elements which form the
container for the transport of blades which is the subject of this
invention, summarising briefly:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows the elements which constitute the trusses that
form the walls of the container.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows an adjustable stay with a screw ratchet of the
type which is used for joining together the walls of both sides of
the container.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows one of the tables which acts as a support for
the transport or storage of the containers and the telescopic
support foot with seven locking positions.
[0018] FIGS. 4 and 5 show the two types of cover designed for
transporting the blades.
[0019] FIG. 6 shows the final arrangement of the blades inside the
container.
[0020] FIGS. 7 and 8 shows the complete container once the assembly
of the different elements is complete.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the walls are formed by trusses (1) of a
square tubular structure, structured in such a way that each of the
side walls is formed by different trusses (1) joined together to
form a side wall module.
[0022] The trusses (1) of a same wall are coupled together at the
bottom using a bolt (2) with lock pin and at the top using a screw
(3) which allows camber to be given to the structure, as the two
coupled trusses (1) rotate in the bolt (2) fixed at the bottom and
can be separated at the top allowing the thickness of the
separators to be changed (4). The walls of both sides are joined
together by the upper part using adjustable stays (5) with a screw
ratchet (6) as shown in FIG. 2, in such a way that said adjustable
stays (5) may be removed for loading and unloading the
container.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, on the lower part of the container the
tables (7) are installed, which act as support in transport or
storage and which have stubs (8) that fit into the holes arranged
on the side walls. Three types of tables have been designed, a rear
table (7c) which serves as support for the extendable platform,
another front table (7a) for coupling directly to the truck which
has the King-pin assembled on it and finally, a central table (7b)
which serves as a support to the container on the central
supporting feet (11). All of the tables (7) incorporate retractable
support feet (11) which are also telescopic with seven locking
points in order to adapt to the different terrain heights in the
areas where the container is loaded--unloaded. The retractable
support feet (11 ) have been designed so that they act as a guide
for assembling the side walls and are fixed by two stubs which fit
into holes on the corresponding walls and are locked using a bolt
(14) and lock pin, this facilitates the positioning of the walls as
well as their alignment and the spacing between them.
[0024] The support feet (11) of the table (7) are telescopic and
have seven locking positions which are locked with a bolt and lock
pin or an interlocking bolt (14). The support feet (11) are
positioned in the horizontal or retracted position with a bolt and
lock pin (14) and they are positioned in the vertical position with
a stay (12) which is fixed to the support foot (11) by a rotating
stub and to the table (7) with the same bolt (14) which locks the
support foot (11) in the horizontal foot (11) position but by
changing the bolt (14) hole.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 two types of cover have been
designed, one rear cover (12) which has anchor points for two
blades, FIG. 4, and another front cover which has an anchor point
for one blade (13), FIG. 5, so that the tractor units has the
greatest traction possible provided that load limits for said unit
are not exceeded. Both covers (12) and (13) are coupled to the
walls of the container (20) with the same type of fixture, bolt (2)
and screw (3) that the trusses have (1).
[0026] Once the blades (21) are in place inside the container, each
blade root is fixed to the covers (12) and (13) with two screws and
two plates. Said blades (21) are inserted into metal cavities (22)
located in the centre of the container (central table 7b) which
avoids any damage being suffered during transport, as shown in FIG.
6.
[0027] Finally, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, to assemble the
container, the three tables (7a, 7b and 7c) are firstly aligned and
situated at the correct distance. The rear truss (1 ) is then
lifted by a central hook (not shown in the FIGURE) and it is
inserted in the pivots of the corresponding table (7). The rear
truss (1) of the other side is then inserted in the same way. The
rear cover (12) is then positioned, which is the cover that has
anchor points for two blades (21).
[0028] The next trusses are then assembled, the trusses with the
intermediate section, which are hoisted by their central hook and
aligned with the rear trusses. When this process is complete, the
pivots of the second (7b) and third tables (7c) are inserted. At
this point the adjustment bolts (2) of the lower part of the
coupling between the trusses are put in place and the screw, nuts
and counternuts (3) of the upper part are adjusted. The same
process is followed with the front trusses (1).
[0029] The front cover (13), is then put in place in the same way
as the rear cover (12), the front cover is that which has an anchor
point for only one blade. Once the container is so assembled, the
loading of the blades (21) and their respective intermediate
supports (22) can take place.
[0030] Finally, the upper adjustable stays (5) and the lower stays
are put in place along with the spacers (24) which complete the
container assembly process.
* * * * *