Safety door assembly

Abstract

A security door assembly (1) for a lift and slide window (2HW) of a structure (2) is described, the security door assembly (1) comprising a sliding door (10) arranged to reveal or conceal the lift and slide window (2HW) and a barrier assembly (11) which can be closed to inhibit access to an area (25X) in front of the lift and slide window (2HW) or opened to allow access to the area (25X) in front of the lift and slide window (2HW); and wherein the barrier assembly (11) is adapted to prevent the sliding door (10) from revealing the lift and slide window (2HW) when the barrier assembly (11) is open; and the sliding door (10) is adapted to prevent the closed barrier assembly (11) from opening when the sliding door reveals the lift and slide window (2HW).

Description

Background Technology

[0001] In tall structures such as wind turbines, high-rise buildings, and lighthouse frames, there may be a need at some stage to perform load lifting processes at the upper level of the structure. For example, during wind turbine installation or maintenance, it may be necessary to lift heavy objects such as generator components or auxiliary equipment to the height of the nacelle or canopy and then move them inside. Similarly, it may be necessary to move heavy objects from the nacelle or canopy to the outside and then lower them to ground level, or, in the case of offshore wind turbines, to the deck of the vessel. For this purpose, the canopy of a wind turbine typically has one or more access openings, such as hatches or windows, which can be opened to allow loads to be lifted in and out.

[0002] Ensuring the safety of anyone near open hatches or windows is of paramount importance. This is especially true at high altitudes, such as at the top of a wind turbine tower, where gusts of wind can pose a significant danger to those near any open hatches or windows. Therefore, safety regulations may mandate that personnel wear safety harnesses secured by ropes to a fixed point inside the structure to prevent anyone from falling through an open hatch or window. However, the confined interior of a wind turbine canopy can make moving around and operating cranes or hoists difficult. The requirement for safety harnesses can add several additional steps to the process, making installation and maintenance more time-consuming and costly.

[0003] One object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above-mentioned problems.

[0004] This objective is achieved through the claimed safety door assembly, the claimed wind turbine, and the claimed method of performing the lifting process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The safety door assembly to be protected should be understood as a hoist window provided in a substantially vertical wall for use in structures such as wind turbines, lighthouse frames, or any tall building. This safety door assembly is intended to reduce or eliminate the risk of people falling through an open hoist window.

[0006] According to the present invention, a security door assembly includes: a sliding door arranged to expose or conceal a lift-up window; and a barrier assembly that can be closed to prevent personnel from entering the area immediately in front of the lift-up window, or opened to allow access to the area in front of the lift-up window. The barrier assembly is adapted to prevent the sliding door from exposing the lift-up window when the barrier assembly is open; and the sliding door is adapted to prevent the closed barrier assembly from opening when the sliding door exposes the lift-up window.

[0007] In the safety door assembly of the present invention, the sliding door cannot be opened unless the barrier assembly is closed: in other words, it is impossible to open the lift window if the barrier is not in place. Similarly, the barrier assembly cannot be opened unless the sliding door is closed: in other words, an open sliding door prevents the barrier from being removed from the area in front of the lift window. Therefore, the safety door assembly of the present invention can be considered an interlocking system because each of the barrier assembly and the sliding door prevents the other from moving to a potentially dangerous location.

[0008] The security door assembly of this invention is essentially an interlocking protection system that makes it difficult, or even impossible, for a technician or other person to unintentionally be in front of an open lift window. The open / closed state of the sliding door is associated with the open / closed state of the barrier in such a way that a technician must perform a specific sequence of actions to open the lift window, and ultimately can only actuate the sliding door to expose the lift window when he is no longer standing in front of it.

[0009] The area in front of the lift window can be a small platform on which a load can be placed during lifting operations. Similarly, the area in front of the lift window can be part of a larger platform or passageway. Because personnel standing in this area are at risk of injury or accident when the lift window is open, the area immediately in front of the lift window is hereinafter referred to as the "lift window hazard zone." The safety door assembly of this invention ensures that technicians cannot be present in this hazard zone when the lift window is open by requiring technicians to move outside the hazard zone to open the lift window.

[0010] One advantage of the safety door assembly of the present invention is that it significantly reduces the risk of injury or accident, allowing personnel near the window to move freely without being restricted from wearing safety harnesses during load lifting operations. Consequently, the duration and cost of any ongoing service, maintenance, or repair procedures can be advantageously reduced.

[0011] According to the present invention, a wind turbine includes: a cover mounted on top of a tower and surrounding components of the wind turbine; a plurality of rotor blades mounted to a hub at the front of the cover; a lift-up window facilitating the transfer of loads into and out of the wind turbine; and an embodiment of the safety door assembly of the present invention for the lift-up window.

[0012] As described above, the safety door assembly of the present invention can be deployed in any structure having a lift window at a hazardous height for transferring loads into or out of the structure.

[0013] According to the present invention, a method for performing a lifting process in such a structure includes the following steps:

[0014] A) Deactivate the barrier components to prevent personnel from entering the danger zone;

[0015] B) Actuate the sliding door to open the lift window;

[0016] C) Operate the lifting equipment to transfer the load through the opened lifting window;

[0017] D) Actuate the sliding door to close the lift window; and

[0018] E) Open the barrier assembly to allow personnel to re-enter the hazardous area.

[0019] Particularly advantageous embodiments and features of the invention are given by way of the dependent claims, as disclosed in the following description. Features from different categories of claims may be combined, as appropriate, to provide further embodiments not described herein.

[0020] In the following text, it may be assumed that the structure with the lift-up windows is a wind turbine that can reach a height of 80m or higher. Therefore, the lift-up windows located on the sides of the wind turbine canopy may be at a height of 80m or higher above ground or sea level, and the safety of personnel near any such open lift-up windows must be ensured; these windows may also be referred to as maintenance hatches, transfer hatches, etc. Components requiring replacement and maintenance may be largely housed within the canopy (the terms "canopy" and "nacelle" may be considered synonyms). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wind turbine may include: a plurality of lift-up windows, each being a hole or opening in a substantially vertical sidewall of the canopy (the term "substantially vertical" does not exclude that the wall containing the lift-up windows may be inclined, curved, etc.); and a safety door assembly for each such lift-up window. Other components may be mounted horizontally at the upper part of the tower. Again, it may be preferable to move components into or out of the canopy via the tower. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wind turbine includes a lift-up window located at the upper level of the tower, and a safety door assembly for the lift-up window. The wind turbine may also have a lift-up window in the hub to allow components to be lifted into or outward from the hub or fairing. For example, depending on the hub's design and geometry, the lift-up window may be located in the flat front face of the hub or in the curved sidewalls of the hub. The wind turbine preferably also includes a safety door assembly for such a lift-up window in the hub. The sliding door and barrier assembly may be configured to allow the lift-up window to open for any rotational position of the hub. Alternatively, the sliding door and barrier assembly may be configured to allow the lift-up window to open when the hub is in a specific rotational position.

[0021] The area immediately in front of the lift window can be at an elevated level. For example, an elevated passageway, platform, or walkway can be provided along a section of the canopy's sidewall, allowing personnel to move freely within the canopy. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the width of this passageway corresponds to the width of the barrier assembly in its closed state. In other words, when the barrier assembly is closed, the area immediately in front of the lift window is sealed off, and personnel cannot pass in front of the lift window.

[0022] There are various possible ways to construct and implement this barrier component. For example, the barrier component may be configured to retract below the level of the passageway when in its "open" state, i.e., when allowing unobstructed movement of personnel in front of a closed lift-up window, and to rise upwards when a hazardous area needs to be closed. Alternatively, the barrier component may be configured to rise to a height above the lift-up window when in its open state, allowing free movement of personnel in front of a closed lift-up window, and to descend into the passageway or aisle when a hazardous area needs to be closed. In any of these implementations, it should be understood that the open barrier component serves to keep the sliding door closed (the sliding door can only be opened when the barrier component is closed); and the open sliding door serves to keep the barrier component closed (the barrier component can only be opened when the sliding door is closed).

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the barrier assembly comprises a pair of barriers arranged on either side of the sliding window. Preferably, the barriers are independently operable. In one possible embodiment, each barrier is mounted to a support structure or frame that also supports the sliding door. For example, the support structure may include a generally rectangular frame and track that allows the sliding door to slide freely between its closed position (concealing the window opening) and its open position (revealing the window opening). One barrier may be mounted to the left side of the frame, and the other barrier may be mounted to the right side of the frame. For example, the support structure may include vertical posts on each side, and each barrier may be rotatably mounted to such posts. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each barrier is swayable from its open position through a quarter turn to its closed position. Preferably, the barrier extends through a passageway or walkway when closed and includes a locking mechanism to engage with a fixed structure during its closed state. For example, each of the two barriers may be equipped with a locking element that engages with a handrail present along the outer edge of the passageway.

[0024] Sliding doors may be equipped with mechanical and / or magnetic and / or electrical actuations. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuation device of the sliding door is arranged to be inaccessible to persons in front of the lift window, i.e., physically inaccessible. This means that to open or close the sliding door, a person must be outside the danger zone. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the sliding door actuation device is implemented as a lever that, when raised, allows the sliding door to move to expose the lift window. This lever may be arranged on the outside of the closed sliding door such that it can only be reached by persons standing outside the danger zone.

[0025] Due to the location of the actuation mechanism, even when the barrier assembly has been actuated to close the passage, a person standing inside the closed barrier assembly cannot open the sliding door. To reach the actuation mechanism, the person must be outside the danger zone; for example, the person cannot be in the area between the two barriers of the aforementioned barrier assembly.

[0026] The components of the security door assembly of the present invention can be actuated manually, by electronic control, or using any suitable mode. For example, an additional level of security can be provided by allowing only trained personnel to actuate the security door assembly using authorization such as a key card, and a suitable card reader can be installed near the sliding window. Alternatively or additionally, special tools may be required to operate the actuation device of the sliding door and / or the barrier of the barrier assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0028] Figure 1 A wind turbine with several lift-up windows is shown;

[0029] Figure 2 and Figure 3 An embodiment of the safety door assembly of the present invention prior to the lifting process is shown;

[0030] Figure 4-12 Various stages of an embodiment of using the safety gate assembly of the present invention during the lifting process are shown;

[0031] Figure 13 and 14 An alternative implementation of the security door assembly of the present invention is shown;

[0032] Figure 15 The stages during the improvement process of existing technology are shown.

[0033] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same objects throughout. The objects in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Figure 1 A wind turbine 2 with several lift windows 2HW is shown. One lift window 2HW is located in the side wall of the canopy 20, and another possible location of the lift window is indicated at the rear of the canopy 20. Another possible location of the lift window 2HW is indicated near the top of the tower 21. It is important to ensure that personnel inside the canopy (or tower) do not face any risk of falling through an open lift window 2HW.

[0035] Figure 2 An embodiment of the safety door assembly 1 of the present invention is shown prior to the lifting process. The figure shows the sliding door 10 in its closed position, i.e., in the position of the closed lift window 2HW (shown here as a hole in a section of the cover wall 200). The figure also shows two barriers 11B of the barrier assembly 11. Both barriers 11B are open, allowing personnel free movement in front of the closed lift window 2H. In this exemplary implementation, a passageway 25 or walkway 25 extends along the cover wall, and the installation of the safety door assembly 1 utilizes the structural elements of the passageway 25. The danger zone 25X in front of the lift window 2HW is indicated. It is important to ensure that no personnel are present in this particularly dangerous zone 25X during the lifting operation.

[0036] Figure 3 Another embodiment of the safety door assembly 1 of the present invention is shown before the lifting process. Here, the sliding door 10 is also in its closed position and closes the lift window. The figure also shows two barriers 11B of the barrier assembly 11, which are configured in this case to open in opposite directions, i.e., the left barrier opens to the left and the right barrier opens to the right. In this figure, both barriers 11B are open, allowing personnel to move freely along the passage 25. A hook-shaped "stop lock" 110 is provided for each barrier 11B, and the stop lock 110 is... Figure 12 The details are shown in more detail below. The hook-shaped mechanism allows the barrier to engage with the support frame 13 of the security door assembly 1. The mechanism also prevents the sliding door 10 from being opened when the barrier is open (in its "stopped" position to allow free passage); similarly, the mechanism prevents the barrier from being opened as long as the sliding door 10 is open.

[0037] Figure 4-12 The various stages of the method of the present invention during the lifting process are illustrated. This description relates to... Figure 3 Safety door components. For example... Figure 4 As shown, a davit crane 4 installed inside the cover 20 can be used to lift the load 3 to a position outside the lift window 2HW. Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the subsequent steps shown, operator 5 has rotated both barriers 11B to their closed positions. The first barrier 11B (on the left side of the lift window) is closed by manually actuating a spring-loaded latch to release barrier 11B from its "stopped" position. A similar spring-loaded latch can be actuated to release the second barrier 11B (on the right side of the lift window) from its "stopped" position.

[0038] Each barrier 11B has a locking element 112 that automatically engages with the handrail 250 of the walkway 25. For any person on the walkway 25, the closure of the danger zone 25X is immediately apparent. Figure 5 As shown, operator 5 actuates the release mechanism 101 of sliding door 10. In this embodiment, the release mechanism 101 is a long lever that can only be raised when operator 5 is in a position to the side of the lift window 2HW, because the release mechanism 101 is configured to be inaccessible from within the closed barrier assembly 11. In other words, from a position in the danger zone 25X, operator 5 cannot reach or actuate the release mechanism 101 to open sliding door 10.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a side view of the safety door assembly 1, and for clarity, the cover wall and the lift window are not shown. Figure 8 Section FF is shown. Enlarged section G shows a spring-loaded release mechanism 113 of barrier 11B on the left side of the lift window (when viewed from inside the cover), which is manually actuated to release barrier 11B from its "stopped" position, thereby allowing it to move to its closed position. It can be assumed that a similar mechanism exists for the other barrier 11B (on the right side of the lift window when viewed from inside the cover) to release it from its "stopped" position.

[0040] These figures illustrate how a fully open sliding door 10 prevents barrier 11B from returning to its open position. This is because the body of the sliding door 10 (shown here from the rear) effectively blocks the locking mechanism 110 of barrier 11B (located on the left side of the figure), preventing barrier 11B from rotating to its open position. Another barrier 11B (on the right side of the figure) is also prevented from rotating by a spring-loaded locking element that now blocks its locking mechanism 110.

[0041] With both barriers 11B closed and the sliding door open, personnel are now unable to approach the danger zone 25X, and the lifting process can safely continue, as follows. Figure 9-11 As shown, Figure 9-11 The illustration shows how load 3 can be lifted into and onto platform 25 via lift window 2HW. The operator can then close sliding door 10 and subsequently open right-side barrier 11B, as shown. Figure 11 As shown, this allows the load to be moved out of the danger zone 25X. Another barrier 11B can then be opened to again provide free passage for anyone on walkway 25.

[0042] Figure 12 Another view of the security door assembly 1, viewed from the rear, shows the barrier 11B of the barrier assembly 11 in its open position. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the locking mechanism 110 is implemented as a pair of flat hooks that pass through a horizontal slit 111 formed in the body of the sliding door 10. Figure 7 and Figure 8 To explain how an open sliding door 10 prevents a closed barrier from being opened; the figure shows how the locking mechanism 110 of barrier 11B engages with the sliding door 10 in its closed position, thereby preventing the sliding door 10 from being opened.

[0043] Figure 13 and Figure 14 An alternative method for implementing the security door assembly of the present invention is shown. Figure 13 In the diagram, safety door assembly 1 deploys a sliding door 10, which is vertically movable as indicated by the arrow. The figure shows the sliding door 10 in its open position, allowing the load 3 to move through the lift window 2HW during lifting operations. Barrier assembly 11 may be essentially the same as the barrier assembly described above, and may be adjusted with any locking and / or actuating devices such that the sliding door 10 cannot move downwards unless both barriers 11B are closed as shown here; and barriers 11B cannot rotate to their stopping position unless the sliding door has been pulled upwards to its closed position.

[0044] exist Figure 14 Instead of lateral swinging, barrier 11B can move vertically. The figure shows barrier 11B moving from its open position, thus unfolding downwards towards its closed position. It can be assumed that the other barrier 11B is identical. The figure shows sliding door 10 in its closed position, and it cannot move horizontally until both barriers 11B are fully closed, i.e., fully unfolded. Here, locking device 110 also ensures that sliding door 10 cannot be opened unless both barriers 11B are closed; and barrier 11B cannot return to its upright open position unless sliding door 10 is properly closed.

[0045] Figure 15The diagram illustrates the stages during the lifting process in the prior art. The figure shows the lift window 2HW within the wind turbine cover 20. A platform 25 extends along the inner wall of the wind turbine cover 20 and is accessible to personnel 5 at various stages of the lifting operation. The figure shows the load 3 placed on the platform 25 and the personnel 5 attaching the lifting equipment 4 to the load 3. To avoid serious injury, they must wear a safety harness 6, which must be securely attached to a fixing device 60 within the cover 20 by means of ropes or cables. This safety measure is important, but the harness and ropes may also impede their movement and could significantly prolong the duration of the entire lifting operation.

[0046] Although the invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereof, it will be understood that many additional modifications and variations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0047] For clarity, it should be understood that the use of “a,” “an,” or “a” throughout this application does not exclude multiple, and “including” does not exclude other steps or elements.

Claims

1. A safety door assembly (1) for a structural lift window (2HW), the safety door assembly (1) comprising: - A sliding door (10) arranged to expose or conceal the lift window (2HW) in a substantially vertical wall of the structure. as well as - A barrier assembly (11) that can be closed to prevent access to the area (25X) in front of the lift window (2HW) or opened to allow access to the area (25X) in front of the lift window (2HW). Its features are, The barrier assembly (11) is adapted to prevent the sliding door (10) from exposing the lift window (2HW) when the barrier assembly (11) is opened; and The sliding door (10) is adapted to prevent the closed barrier assembly (11) from opening when the sliding door exposes the lift window (2HW).

2. The security door assembly of claim 1, comprising an actuation device for actuating the sliding door (10), the actuation device being arranged so as to be inaccessible from the front of the lift window (2HW).

3. The security door assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The actuation device includes a lever (101) that, when raised, allows the sliding door (10) to move to expose the lift window (2HW).

4. The security door assembly according to claim 3, wherein, When the lever (101) is lowered, it prevents the sliding door (10) from moving.

5. The security door assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The barrier assembly (11) includes a pair of barriers (11B) arranged on either side of the lift window (2HW).

6. The security door assembly according to claim 5, wherein, The barrier (11B) can operate independently between the open and closed positions.

7. The security door assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The barrier component (11) extends through the channel (25) when closed.

8. The security door assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The barrier assembly (11) includes a locking device (110) which is adapted to engage with the sliding door (10) when the barrier assembly (11) is in its open position.

9. The security door assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The locking device (110) includes a hook, and the sliding door (10) includes a hole (111) formed to receive the locking device (110) when the sliding door (10) is in its closed position.

10. The security door assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The barrier assembly (11) includes a locking element (112) which, when the barrier assembly (11) is in its closed position, is adapted to engage with the railing (250) of the passage (25).

11. A wind turbine (2), comprising: - A cover (20), which is mounted on top of the tower (21) and surrounds the components of the wind turbine (2); as well as - A lift window (2HW) that facilitates the transfer of loads to and from the wind turbine (2) and outward transfer of loads from the wind turbine (2), and a security door assembly (1) for the lift window (2HW) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The wind turbine of claim 11, including a safety door assembly (1) for a lift window (2HW) in the side wall (200) of the cover (20).

13. The wind turbine according to claim 11 or claim 12, including a safety door assembly (1) for a lift window (2HW) in the tower wall.

14. The wind turbine according to claim 11 or 12, comprising a passage (25) located below the lift window (2HW), and wherein, The width of the channel (25) corresponds to the width of the barrier (11B) of the barrier assembly (11).

15. A method for performing a lifting process in a structure, the structure including a lift window (2HW) to facilitate the transfer of a load (3) between the interior and exterior of the structure, and including a security door assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising the steps of: A) Close the barrier assembly (11) to prevent personnel from entering the area (25X) in front of the lift window (2HW); B) Actuate the sliding door (10) to expose the lift window (2HW); C) Operate the lifting equipment (4) to transfer the load (3) through the open lifting window (2HW); D) Actuate the sliding door (10) to conceal the lift window (2HW); and E) Open the barrier assembly (11) to allow personnel to re-enter the area (25X) in front of the closed lift window (2HW).

Images