Wind turbine lifting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a wind turbine lifting device (1) comprising a tower (11) of a wind turbine (10), a nacelle (12) of the wind turbine (10), a lifting platform (20) and a lifting equipment (30) attached to the lifting platform (20) for lifting a component (14, 15) of the wind turbine (10) to be installed in or to be detached from the nacelle (12), wherein the nacelle (12) comprises a main frame (13) attached to a top section (16) of the tower (11), wherein an attachment portion (25) of the lifting platform (20) is arranged below the nacelle (12) and attached to the main frame (13). The lifting platform (20) comprises a lifting equipment portion (24) arranged adjacent to the attachment portion (25), the lifting equipment (30) is attached to the lifting platform (20) in the lifting equipment portion (24), and the lifting equipment portion (24) and the lifting equipment (30) are arranged alongside a longitudinal side (19) of the nacelle (12), wherein the longitudinal side (19) of the nacelle (12) is one of two opposite longitudinal sides (19) of the nacelle (12) extending along a longitudinal axis (L12) of the nacelle (12) and arranged between a top side (17) and a bottom side (18) of the nacelle (12).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind turbine lifting device. BACKGROUND

[0002] For installing or dismounting components of a wind turbine in the nacelle of the wind turbine, a lifting device such as a crane is required to lift heavy components of the wind turbine, such as a generator or a gearbox, into or out of the nacelle.

[0003] In one solution known from the prior art, the lifting device is placed on top of or inside the nacelle and on top of the top section of the tower. However, in order to install the lifting device on top of the nacelle, it is often unavoidable to loosen the bolted joints of the nacelle. However, the bolted joints are safety-relevant and should therefore be avoided to be loosened. Furthermore, the lifting device placed on top of or inside the nacelle requires or at least obstructs assembly space within the nacelle. Thus, the operation of the lifting device is often limited in terms of the components that can be reached and lifted and the mobility of the lifting device.

[0004] In another solution of the prior art, a lifting platform with a lifting device is attached to the tower. In order to attach the lifting platform to the tower, it is known to provide the lifting platform with clamps for clamping the tower. Thus, a large clamping force is applied to the tower, which can damage the tower. Furthermore, when operated, the lifting device exerts a very large compressive load to the top section of the tower, which can lead to damage of the tower and is to be avoided. Also, such a lifting platform is expensive and rather difficult to operate.

[0005] US 2018 / 0335023 A1 describes a nacelle component for a nacelle of a wind turbine having a rotor shaft with an axis of rotation. The nacelle component comprises a main frame module and a power electronics module. The nacelle component has an assembled state, in which the power electronics module is mounted to the main frame module, a longitudinal axis of the main frame module being oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor shaft. A longitudinal axis of the power electronics module intersects a vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main frame module.

[0006] WO 2019 / 042506 A1 describes a wind turbine comprising a tower, a nacelle mounted on the tower, and a movable container mounted on a lower part of the nacelle. The movable container houses a lifting mechanism for lifting and / or lowering the movable container and for lifting and / or lowering a wind turbine component.

[0007] US 2008 / 0257844 A1 describes a self-mobile crane system for temporary use for the movement or replacement of components during maintenance operations and during the erection of a wind turbine generator, the mobile crane system comprising an auxiliary gantry crane which forms a gantry frame adapted to rotate about a rotational axis around the nacelle. The self-mobile crane system has a lifting device integrated in the crane system which is arranged to allow the crane system to be self-lifting, wherein the self-mobile crane system is docked to the nacelle via a docking unit and the self-mobile crane system is arranged to operate above the nacelle and on the outside of the nacelle side. SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a wind turbine lifting device which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages, such that the lifting device is easily installable at the wind turbine, can be easily and highly mobile operated, and does not exert possible damaging loads onto the tower.

[0009] This object is solved by the subject matter of the claims. In particular, the object is solved by a wind turbine lifting device according to claim 1. Further details of the invention are presented by the other claims as well as the description and the drawings.

[0010] According to the invention, the object is solved by a wind turbine lifting device comprising a tower of a wind turbine, a nacelle of the wind turbine, a lifting platform, and a lifting device attached to the lifting platform for lifting a component of the wind turbine to be installed in the nacelle or to be detached from the nacelle, wherein the nacelle comprises a main frame attached to a top section of the tower, and wherein an attachment portion of the lifting platform is arranged below the nacelle and attached to the main frame. The lifting platform comprises a lifting device portion which is provided adjacent to the attachment portion, the lifting device being attached to the lifting platform in the lifting device portion, and the lifting device portion and the lifting device are arranged next to a longitudinal side of the nacelle, wherein the longitudinal side of the nacelle is one of two opposite longitudinal sides of the nacelle which extend along a longitudinal axis of the nacelle and which are arranged between a top side and a bottom side of the nacelle.

[0011] By attaching the lifting platform with the attachment portion below the nacelle to the main frame of the nacelle, bending loads applied to the lifting platform due to the operation of the lifting device are transferred to the main frame instead of the tower, thereby preventing damage to the tower. Furthermore, on the lifting platform, the lifting device moves freely and can be easily operated. Moreover, the lifting platform can be easily attached to and detached from the main frame, and thus the lifting device can be easily attached to the lifting platform. Thereby, in the wind turbine lifting device of the present invention, the lifting device is easily installed on the lifting platform attached to the main frame of the nacelle, can be easily and highly mobile operated, and does not apply possible damaging loads to the tower.

[0012] The lifting device is arranged next to a longitudinal side of the nacelle. Arranged next to a longitudinal side of the nacelle particularly means that it is arranged opposite to, or in other words facing, the longitudinal side. The nacelle comprises two opposite longitudinal sides as sides between the top side and the bottom side of the nacelle and extending along the longitudinal axis of the nacelle. The longitudinal sides are positioned opposite to each other on the nacelle. Furthermore, they can be arranged parallel to each other. Arranged next to a longitudinal side, the lifting device is provided with a particularly high mobility and can access and lift all components in the nacelle.

[0013] In particular, the lifting platform can extend its lifting device portion away from the bottom side of the nacelle, at which the lifting platform can attach its attachment portion to the main frame. The lifting device can be supported, or in other words, rested on top of the lifting device portion of the lifting platform. Thereby, the lifting device portion can be only the portion of the lifting platform extending out of the plane of the nacelle, or in other words, away from the nacelle. The lifting device portion can have an extension of for example at least 0.5 m, in particular at least 1 m or at least 2 m. Thereby, the extension can be such that the lifting device can safely rest and be fixed on top of the lifting device portion of the lifting platform in its dimensions.

[0014] Arranged below the nacelle particularly means that the lifting platform is arranged at the bottom side of the nacelle. The bottom side of the nacelle is the side facing the ground when the nacelle is supported on the tower. Furthermore, the lifting platform can thereby be arranged facing the tower. Moreover, the lifting device portion can extend along the longitudinal axis of the lifting platform. The lifting platform, in particular its lifting device portion, can generally have the shape of a plate. The lifting device can be supported on top of, or in other words, rested on, the lifting device portion.

[0015] Preferably, the lifting platform extends along its longitudinal axis in a direction transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle. Thereby, the lifting platform can be attached to the main frame along the entire width of the nacelle, such that a very solid attachment is provided.

[0016] Furthermore, preferably the hoisting equipment part comprises a carriage for the hoisting equipment. Furthermore, preferably the carriage is configured to be slidable such that the hoisting equipment can be moved along the hoisting platform and closer to or further away from the nacelle. Thereby, the hoisting equipment can be optimally positioned relative to the nacelle.

[0017] Moreover, preferably the hoisting platform comprises two beams attached to the main frame. The beams provide structural support for the hoisting platform and can be easily attached to the main frame by means of e.g. bolted joints. For example, the beams can be designed as I-beams.

[0018] Therein, preferably the two beams are arranged parallel to each other. Thereby, a uniform distribution of the bending loads from the hoisting equipment along the two beams of the main frame and the hoisting platform can be achieved.

[0019] Furthermore, wherein preferably the hoisting equipment is attached to a load bearing structure of the hoisting platform, which connects the two beams to each other. The load bearing structure is fixed to the two beams and allows to carry the weight and bending loads of the hoisting equipment via the two beams to the main frame. The load bearing structure can comprise the hoisting equipment part and / or the attachment part of the hoisting platform.

[0020] Furthermore, wherein preferably the load bearing structure is designed as a carrying plate. Thereby, the design of the hoisting platform is thin and lightweight.

[0021] Preferably, the hoisting platform comprises a support structure arranged below the hoisting equipment, the support structure extending parallel to the tower, and the support structure being arranged to press against the tower when the hoisting equipment is loaded with a component of the wind turbine. The support structure prevents that excessive bending loads are applied to the hoisting platform and transmitted from the hoisting platform to the main frame, which can be harmful to the hoisting platform and the main frame. In contrast, when the hoisting equipment is loaded and rotated, a part of the bending loads introduced into the hoisting platform is transferred to the tower. However, contrary to the solutions in the prior art, these are not applied to the top of the tower, but due to the support structure extending along the tower, they are particularly uniformly distributed along the length of the tower to the upper part of the tower. The top of the tower has the top side of the tower, while the upper part is the part of the tower next to the top and extending downwards along the tower but not having the top, i.e. the top side. The support structure can be attached to the hoisting platform, in particular the two beams, and / or to the hoisting equipment. The support structure can be arranged to rest on the tower, in particular on the upper part of the tower.

[0022] wherein preferably the support structure has a concave side corresponding to and facing the circular shape of the tower. Thereby, when the lifting device is loaded with a component of the wind turbine and rotated, the concave side of the support structure is forced against the circular shape of the tower when the support structure is pressed against the tower. The support structure can in particular be arranged such that its concave side fits the tower shape. Thus, the transfer of the bending load to the part of the support structure can be transmitted to the tower in a particularly uniform manner.

[0023] Further, wherein preferably the support structure is designed as an elongated body. For example, the elongated body can be a cylinder. Thereby, the support structure can distribute this part of the bending load over the large length of the tower.

[0024] Further, preferably the attachment portion of the lifting platform is arranged at or within a distance of 5 m, in particular within a distance of 2 m, from the tower. Thereby, the path of the bending load from the lifting platform to the tower via the main frame remains small and possible damage to the tower is prevented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Further advantages, features and details of the present application are presented from the following description, wherein reference is made to the enclosed drawings, which show in: Figures 1 to 4 Embodiments of the present application are described in detail. Thereby, features from the claims as well as features mentioned in the description can be essential to the present application, either alone or in arbitrary combination. In the drawings, which are schematic:

[0026] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of an operation of installing a lifting device at a wind turbine,

[0027] Figure 2 is a side perspective view of a wind turbine lifting device according to a first embodiment of the present application in a mounted state, Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a wind turbine lifting device according to a second embodiment of the present application in a mounted state,

[0028] Figure 3 is a side perspective view of a wind turbine lifting device according to a second embodiment of the present application in a mounted state,

[0029] Figure 4 is a side perspective view of a wind turbine lifting device according to a second embodiment of the present application in a mounted state, Figure 3 in a state of operation of its lifting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 is shown a side perspective view of an operation of installing a lifting device 30 at a wind turbine 10 to be installed.

[0031] The wind turbine 10 comprises a tower 11 and a nacelle 12. The nacelle 12 has a main frame 13 as a structure supporting components 14, 15 of the wind turbine 10, which components 14, 15 are located inside the nacelle 12 and rest on a top side of a top portion 16 of the tower 11. In Figure 1 the components 14, 15 exemplarily indicated inside the nacelle 12 are a main shaft 14 and a gearbox 15.

[0032] The lifting platform 20 carrying the lifting device 30 is arranged below the nacelle 12 or the main frame 13, or in other words, on a bottom side of the nacelle 12. For this purpose, the lifting platform 20 comprises two eyelets 26 for lifting the lifting platform 20 towards the nacelle 12, wherein the lifting platform 20 can be attached to the bottom side of the nacelle 12, i.e. to the main frame 13. The lifting platform 20 can be attached to the main frame 13 by means of e.g. a bolted joint.

[0033] The lifting platform 20 comprises two beams 21, 22. The beams 21, 22 are arranged parallel to each other and are connected to each other by means of a carrier structure 24. The carrier structure 23 has the two eyelets 26 on a top side thereof. Here, the carrier structure 23 is designed as a carrier plate.

[0034] Furthermore, the carrier structure 23 comprises an attachment portion 25 for attachment to the main frame 13. When looking from the top down on the nacelle 12 and the lifting platform 20, the attachment portion 25 is covered by the nacelle 12 as can be seen in Figure 2 Furthermore, the carrier structure 23 comprises a lifting device portion 24 in which the lifting device 30 is installed. The lifting device 30 can be installed after the lifting platform 20 has been lifted first and the lifting device 30 has been lifted subsequently, e.g. by means of a supplementary lifting device (not shown) installed on the nacelle 12. The supplementary lifting device can be small in size and light in weight such that it cannot lift the heavy components 14, 15 of the wind turbine 10, but the lifting platform 20 and the lifting device 30 can be large in size and heavy in weight such that they can lift the heavy components 14, 15 of the wind turbine 10. When the lifting device 30 is lifted to the lifting platform 20, the lifting device 30 is installed in the lifting device section 24 of the lifting platform 20.

[0035] Figure 2 A side perspective view of the wind turbine lifting device according to the first embodiment of the present application is shown when installed according to Figure 1 a side perspective view of the wind turbine 10.

[0036] Here, it can be seen that the lifting device 30 is mounted on the lifting platform 20 such that the lifting device 30 is arranged next to the longitudinal side 19 of the nacelle 12. The longitudinal side 19 is a side transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the top side 17 and / or the bottom side 18 of the nacelle 12 and / or the ground. The lifting platform 20, together with its lifting device portion 24, extends along its longitudinal axis L 20 from below the nacelle 12. In particular, an angle a is formed between the longitudinal axis L 20 of the lifting platform 20 and the longitudinal axis L 12 of the nacelle 12. The angle a can be in the range of, for example, 80° to 100°, in particular 85° to 95°. In this case, the angle a is 90°, such that the lifting platform 20 is arranged perpendicular to the nacelle 12.

[0037] In Figure 2 , the lifting device 30 is shown as lifting a component 15 of the wind turbine 10, in this case a gear box 15. This can be done for installing the gear box 15 within the nacelle 12 or removing it from the nacelle for replacement or maintenance.

[0038] Figure 3 A side perspective view of the wind turbine lifting device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0039] According to this second embodiment, a support structure 27 is arranged below the lifting device 30. The support structure 27 is designed as an elongated weighted body and extends parallel to the upper section of the tower 11 along its longitudinal extension. The support structure 27 is arranged next to or in contact with the tower 11, such that, when the lifting device 30 is loaded with a component 14, 15 of the wind turbine 10, the support structure is pressed against the tower 11. Thereby, bending loads applied to the lifting platform 20 due to the operation of the lifting device 30 are partially transferred to the support structure 27, thereby transmitting them to the tower 11.

[0040] The support structure 27 has a concave side corresponding to and facing the circular shape of the tower 11. However, in this perspective view, the concave side is covered by the support structure 27.

[0041] Figure 4 A detailed side perspective view of the wind turbine lifting device 1 according to Figure 3 is shown, when its lifting device 30 is operated. Here, the lifting device 30 lifts a component 14 of the wind turbine 1, which can be a main shaft 14.

Claims

1. A wind turbine lifting device (1) comprising a tower (11) of a wind turbine (10), a nacelle (12) of the wind turbine (10), a lifting platform (20) and a lifting apparatus (30) attached to the lifting platform (20) for lifting a component (14, 15) of the wind turbine (10) to be installed in or to be dismounted from the nacelle (12), wherein, The nacelle (12) comprises a main frame (13) attached to a top section (16) of the tower (11), and wherein an attachment portion (25) of the lifting platform (20) is arranged below the nacelle (12) and attached to the main frame (13), characterized in that the lifting platform (20) comprises a lifting equipment portion (24) arranged adjacent to the attachment portion (25), in which lifting equipment portion (24) the lifting equipment (30) is attached to the lifting platform (20), and that the lifting equipment portion (24) and the lifting equipment (30) are arranged alongside a longitudinal side (19) of the nacelle (12), wherein the longitudinal side (19) of the nacelle (12) is one of two opposite longitudinal sides (19) of the nacelle (12) extending along a longitudinal axis (L 12 ) of the nacelle (12) and arranged between a top side (17) and a bottom side (18) of the nacelle (12). The lifting platform (20) comprises a support structure (27) arranged below the lifting device (30), which support structure (27) extends parallel to the tower (11) and which support structure (27) is arranged to press against the tower (11) when the lifting device (30) is loaded with components (14, 15) of the wind turbine (10).

2. A wind turbine lifting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that Said lifting platform (20) extends along its longitudinal axis (L 20 ) in a direction transversal to the longitudinal axis (L 12 ) of said nacelle (12).

3. A wind turbine lifting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The lifting device part (24) comprises a cradle for the lifting device (30).

4. A wind turbine lifting device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The cradle is configured to be slidable such that the lifting device (30) can be moved along the lifting platform (20) and closer to or further away from the nacelle (12).

5. A wind turbine lifting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The lifting platform (20) comprises two beams (21, 22) attached to the main frame (13).

6. A wind turbine lifting device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The two beams (21, 22) are arranged parallel to each other.

7. A wind turbine lifting device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The lifting device (30) is attached to a load-bearing structure (23) of the lifting platform (20), which load-bearing structure (23) connects the two beams (21, 22) to each other.

8. A wind turbine lifting device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The load-bearing structure (23) is designed as a carrier plate.

9. A wind turbine lifting device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that Said lifting platform (20) extends along its longitudinal axis (L 20 ) in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (L 12 ) of said nacelle (12).

10. A wind turbine lifting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The support structure (27) has a concave side corresponding to and facing the circular shape of the tower (11).

11. A wind turbine lifting device (1) according to claim 1 or 10, characterized in that The support structure (27) is designed as an elongated body.

12. A wind turbine lifting arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, The attachment portion (25) of the lifting platform (20) is arranged at or within a distance of 5 m from the tower (11).

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