Figure 1: Typical Wind Turbine Ring Flange Joints consisting of 120-200 bolts per flange connection.
Figure 2: Comparison of bolt preload as % of target preload = 100%. Proposed, modified EICM compares well with the original EICM but with significantly fewer sensors and or sensor measurements. Note: 4-STAR pattern on the right.
Figure 3: (A) Basic elements of the integrated wrench-sensor system, (B) The wrench-sensor system can also be mounted to a rotating arm for automated positioning and even fully automated tightening of all bolts based on the 4-STAR pattern. The single rotating arm can even be replaced by 2 or 4 arms for simultaneously tightening 4 bolts in a 4-STAR pattern
