Function
Fabrications are often required to stiffen the blade bearing support and provide a connection for hydraulic pitch system actuators.
Other items are required for personnel protection, to facilitate access and maintenance activities and to provide a lightning path from the blades into the nacelle.
What it costs*
The fabricated steel component cost varies significantly with rotor design.
Who supplies them
These items are supplied by a range of steel fabricators and machinists including: Gartsherrie, George Mcdade and Sons, Granfab, Harry Maiden, Miller Steel and Moretube Engineering.
Key facts
Stiffening plates are circular, flame-cut plates of the same diameter as blade bearings, with a ring of boltholes and a central cut-out to provide access from the hub to the Blade root [T2.2]. These are metal sprayed and painted.
Other steelwork is of simple fabrication from box and other section, galvanised to provide corrosion protection.
What’s in it
- Steel fabrications
- Surface treatment