US 7,591,621 B1
Wind turbine blade transportation system and method
Scott C. Landrum, Southlake, Tex. (US); and T. Christopher King, Keller, Tex. (US)
Assigned to Transportation Technology Services, Inc., Southlake, Tex. (US)
Filed on Sep. 11, 2008, as Appl. No. 12/208,697.
Int. Cl. B60P 3/40 (2006.01); B61D 3/12 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 410—45  [410/44] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for transporting an airfoil, having a root end, a tip end, and a midsection, over a railroad utilizing a first railcar coupled to a second railcar, the system comprising:
a bracket fixed to the root end of the airfoil and connected to the first railcar, said bracket oriented to align the tip end of the airfoil toward the second railcar;
a sliding support connected to the first railcar at a position between said bracket and the second railcar, said sliding support adapted to engage the midsection of the airfoil and support the airfoil while enabling the airfoil to move laterally, and
a lateral guide structure connected to the second railcar, and aligned to engage the airfoil to limit the lateral movement thereof.