Arrangement and method for wind turbine installation, construction, replacement of components or maintenance

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for use in any one of installing or replacing components, maintaining and building a wind turbine, the device comprising a longitudinal structure at least partially supported on a wind turbine tower, a guide rail connected to the longitudinal structure, and a trolley arranged to move along the guide rail of the longitudinal structure.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention particularly relates to a device for use in the installation, construction, replacement or handling of components, or maintenance, of a wind turbine, and related methods. Background Art

[0002] Modern wind turbines typically include a tower, with blades connected to a rotating hub supported at the upper end of the tower. The blades are coupled to a generator via a shaft and bearing arrangement at the top of the tower. In use, the wind causes the blades to rotate, which in turn generates rotation of the shaft and allows the generator to produce electricity. In addition to the generator, auxiliary equipment such as transformers and control and monitoring systems are typically provided. A top structure known as a nacelle is typically supported on the tower by bearings such that the nacelle can rotate about the vertical axis of the tower and be adjusted to accommodate changing wind directions. The blades are connected to the nacelle.

[0003] Wind turbines have evolved from small land-based wind turbines of well under 1 MW to larger turbines of around 10 MW today. In addition to the scale difference, over the years, the configuration of wind turbines has largely remained the same overall design. Current developments include floating wind turbines capable of generating up to 15 - 20 MW of installed power. The blades used can have lengths of 100 meters or more.

[0004] In today's wind turbines, the blades are typically installed after the nacelle has been mounted on top of the tower structure. The blades are lifted by a crane outside the turbine tower or supported on the turbine tower. During installation, when the blade is being installed onto the nacelle, the blade is typically lifted by a crane using a lifting yoke to grip and hold the blade in a horizontal position. Using a crane supported on the turbine tower can be advantageous for the installation of offshore wind turbines, especially as it minimizes the relative movement between the wind tower and the crane. When the blade is being installed from a horizontal position, the crane head extends from the wind turbine tower to hold the blade in the correct position. This results in the center of mass of the crane shifting away from the center of mass of the turbine tower when the blade is being lifted. This typically requires installation during calm weather as both wind and waves can stress the crane and the wind turbine tower, especially when the blade is being lifted and moved away from the turbine center.

[0005] It is known to install the blade from a substantially vertical position, holding the blade directly below the nacelle. Ropes attached to the lower end of the blade are typically used to hold the blade at a distance from the turbine tower, thus preventing the blade from hitting the crane tower due to wind and / or waves.

[0006] Sometimes, it may also be necessary to install or remove wind turbine components, such as generators or related components housed in the nacelle, and it may be necessary to move the components up or down the wind turbine tower effectively and more conveniently from the nacelle at the top of the wind turbine tower, and these components are safer and / or less affected by weather or sea conditions.

[0007] The time intervals for acceptable wave conditions at sea are usually very short. In addition, the installation of offshore wind turbines can be technically demanding and costly. Therefore, a simple and more robust installation method that is particularly suitable for offshore use is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] At least one object of the present invention is to remedy or reduce one or more disadvantages associated with the prior art.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a device for use in the installation, construction, replacement or handling of components or maintenance of a wind turbine, the device comprising a longitudinal structure that is at least partially supported on the wind turbine tower; guide rails connected to the longitudinal structure, and a moving cart arranged to move along the guide rails of the longitudinal structure.

[0010] The device facilitates the lifting of the wind turbine blade or nacelle close to the wind turbine tower. By having the moving cart follow the guide rails, the device prevents relative movement of the wind turbine blade or nacelle during installation. The device also ensures that during lifting and installation, the center of mass of the wind turbine blade or nacelle remains close to the wind turbine tower. The advantage is that the device extends the time interval for installation by enabling the wind turbine blade or nacelle to be installed under more adverse weather conditions.

[0011] The guide rails can be arranged to prevent the lateral rotation of the moving cart. The guide rails can include two laterally spaced track members to prevent the lateral rotation of the moving cart. Preventing the lateral rotation of the moving cart is advantageous because it increases the control over the wind turbine blade during lifting and installation.

[0012] The wind turbine can be a land-based wind turbine or can be an offshore wind turbine. The offshore wind turbine can be a bottom-fixed wind turbine or a floating wind turbine.

[0013] The longitudinal structure can be fully supported on the wind turbine tower. The longitudinal structure can surround at least a part of the wind turbine tower.

[0014] The device may include a lifting device for lifting the mobile vehicle along the longitudinal structure. The lifting device may generally include at least one winch and at least one rope. The rope may be suspended from the upper part of the longitudinal structure. The rope may pass over a pulley or other support member on the upper part of the longitudinal structure. The end of the rope may be fixed to the mobile vehicle, for example, and the lifting rope may be wound out from the drum of the winch, and the drum may be arranged at any convenient position, such as at the upper end of the longitudinal structure, or at or near the lower end. The winch may be mounted on the longitudinal structure. Alternatively, the drum may be arranged on the mobile vehicle, for example, and the end of the rope wound out from the drum may be fixedly connected to the lower part of the longitudinal structure. By operating the winch and winding in the rope, the mobile vehicle can thus be lifted upward along the longitudinal structure.

[0015] The mobile vehicle can be used to facilitate the installation of wind turbine components, such as nacelles or blades. In some examples, a wind turbine component (such as a blade or a nacelle) can be supported from above by at least one rope from at least one crane. The mobile vehicle can be positioned to laterally support the wind turbine component, such as a blade or a nacelle lifted by a lifting rope. When a crane is used to lift a wind turbine component, such as for positioning a component for installation, then the mobile vehicle can be operated using the lifting device to travel along the longitudinal structure according to the lifting or lowering of the wind turbine component by the crane. In this way, when using a crane to move the mobile vehicle to a position for installation, the mobile vehicle can be positioned to maintain a desired relationship with the wind turbine component. This can help provide the desired stability and support for the wind turbine component during installation. Generally, the mobile vehicle can move upward towards the upper part of the longitudinal structure. Once the mobile vehicle reaches the end position, the wind turbine component can be released from the mobile vehicle and moved to the final position only on one or more ropes from the crane. In some examples, the crane used to lift the blade or nacelle can be a crane outside the wind turbine tower. In some examples, the crane used to lift the blade or nacelle can be a crane supported on the wind turbine tower.

[0016] The mobile vehicle may include a blade holding device for holding a wind turbine blade. The advantage of the blade holding device is that during the blade installation process, the mobile vehicle can be easily used to lift and support the wind turbine blade.

[0017] The blade holding device may be arranged to change between a first position and a second position, wherein the blade holding device in the first position is configured to hold the wind turbine blade in a substantially horizontal orientation, and the blade holding device in the second position is configured to hold the wind turbine blade in a substantially vertical orientation.

[0018] Holding the wind turbine blade in a substantially vertical orientation reduces exposure to the wind, thereby minimizing stress on the lifting device and the longitudinal structure. In addition, it enables the center of mass of the wind turbine blade to remain close to the wind turbine tower during installation.

[0019] The mobile cart may include a tilting device for tilting the blade holding device about a horizontal axis, wherein the mounting portion of the wind turbine blade is moved closer to or farther from the wind turbine tower. This enables fine-tuning of the position of the mounting portion relative to the nacelle.

[0020] The device may include lifting and manipulation equipment located on the mobile cart. The lifting and manipulation equipment is typically a crane having at least one boom, which is typically arranged to extend from the mobile cart in a raised position to position the lifting point of the crane above the nacelle at the upper end of the wind turbine tower. The crane on the mobile cart may be referred to as a general crane.

[0021] The mobile cart can operate in one configuration and another configuration. In one configuration, the mobile cart is connected to the longitudinal structure to move longitudinally along a guide rail in front of the tower. In another configuration, the mobile cart is connected to the longitudinal structure to move longitudinally along a guide rail on one side of the tower.

[0022] More specifically, the mobile cart may be rotatably coupled to the longitudinal structure to rotate between one configuration and another about the longitudinal axis of the structure. Alternatively, the device may further include a platform configured to be supported on the wind turbine tower, and the longitudinal structure is rotatably coupled to the platform for rotating the longitudinal structure connected to the mobile cart about the longitudinal axis relative to the platform, thereby moving the mobile cart between one configuration and another. The rotation angle between one configuration and another is typically 90 degrees.

[0023] The longitudinal structure may include a crane tower or a utility tower. The crane may be supported on top of the crane tower.

[0024] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method of lifting at least one wind turbine blade, the method comprising providing a device according to the first aspect of the present invention, lifting the wind turbine blade along the wind turbine tower by using a mobile cart, and during the lifting, rotating the blade from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation.

[0025] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method of lifting a nacelle for mounting to a wind turbine tower, the method comprising providing a device according to the first aspect of the present invention, lifting the nacelle by using a lifting rope suspended from a crane, and supporting the nacelle close to the wind turbine tower by means of a moving vehicle.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a method of lifting a wind turbine tower section for mounting to a partially constructed wind turbine tower, the method comprising providing a device according to the first aspect of the present invention, lifting the wind turbine tower section by using a lifting rope suspended from a crane, and supporting the wind turbine tower section close to the wind turbine tower by means of a moving vehicle.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a method of replacing a component of a nacelle on a wind turbine tower, the method comprising: providing a device according to the first aspect of the present invention; lifting the component on the moving vehicle; and using a crane on the moving vehicle to lift the component from the moving vehicle, over the area between the moving vehicle and the nacelle, and lowering the component onto the nacelle. The component may be a generator component. The method may comprise using a crane on the moving vehicle to reach above the nacelle and removing the component to be replaced.

[0028] Any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention may further comprise any one or more other features or steps as described in relation to any other aspect of the present invention, wherever described herein. Description of the Drawings

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1A A floating wind turbine device for mounting a wind turbine blade is shown;

[0031] Figure 1B Is shown Figure 1A A detailed view of a part of, showing a moving vehicle holding a wind turbine blade;

[0032] Figure 1C Schematically shows an exemplary lifting device for moving a moving vehicle along a longitudinal structure;

[0033] Figure 2 Shows a moving vehicle holding a wind turbine blade horizontally in a first position;

[0034] Figure 3 Shows a moving vehicle holding a wind turbine blade vertically approaching a second position;

[0035] Figure 4Shows a device when used for mounting a nacelle on top of a wind turbine tower, showing a mobile cart and a nacelle in two positions A and B;

[0036] Figure 5 Is a perspective view of another floating wind turbine device for lifting and manipulating wind turbine components to be inserted into or removed from inside a nacelle housing;

[0037] Figure 6 Is Figure 5 A side view of the device;

[0038] Figure 7 Is Figure 5 And Figure 6 A top view of the device before use, where the mobile cart is in a first position; and

[0039] Figure 8 Is Figure 5 And Figure 6 A top view of the device, where the mobile cart is in a second position for traveling up / down along a longitudinal structure. Detailed description of the specific implementation

[0040] Figure 1A And Figure 1B Show an installation device 100 for an offshore wind turbine 300. The wind turbine 300 includes a turbine tower 32 and is shown as having a crane device 200. The crane device 200 includes a crane tower 21 with a crane 22 attached to the top. The crane tower 21 is supported on and surrounds the wind turbine tower 32.

[0041] The installation device 100 includes a vertical support structure, which in this example includes the crane tower 21, and a mobile cart 10 for carrying a turbine blade 31 upward along the crane tower 21. As Figure 1C Shown in further detail in, the installation device 100 also includes a lifting device 5. The lifting device 5 includes a winch 28 with a winch rope 27 attached to the mobile cart 10. The crane tower 21 also includes a longitudinal guide rail 23 on the outside of the crane tower 21 and is supported on the crane tower 21 as part of the crane tower 21. The guide rail 23 is arranged to guide the mobile cart 10 along the turbine tower 32 when the mobile cart 10 is lifted by the lifting device 5 (i.e., pulled upward by winding the winch rope 27). In addition, the mobile cart 10 includes a blade holding device 2 for holding the wind turbine blade 31. In some examples, the winch 28 of the lifting device 5 is conveniently located on the crane tower 21, such as mounted on the upper part of the crane tower or on the structure of the crane 22 itself.

[0042] During the installation of the wind turbine blade 31, the moving carriage 10 is lowered along the turbine tower 32 using the lifting device 5, i.e., by unreeling the winch rope 27. The moving carriage 10 is guided by the longitudinal guide rails 23. The blade holding device 2 is activated to engage and hold the wind turbine blade 31. Then, the lifting device 5 lifts the moving carriage 10 with the turbine blade 31 along the turbine tower 32. Thereafter, the turbine blade 31 can be installed on the nacelle 33 at the top of the turbine tower 32 while being supported by the moving carriage 10. During the installation operation, advantageously, the moving carriage 10 is fixed and positioned close to the crane tower 21 by the mounting device 100 having the guide rails 23.

[0043] The crane 22 is not necessarily required for such blade installation since the moving carriage 10 can be configured to position the blade root adjacent to the nacelle for connection as required. However, the crane 22 is typically used when installing the wind turbine tower section or the nacelle. Then, the tower section or the nacelle can be initially connected to the lifting rope 25 and suspended on the lifting rope 25 during installation, and then either lowered directly from the crane 22 to the base of the tower or onto the moving carriage 10.

[0044] The mounting device 100, the crane device 200, and the wind turbine 300 will now be described in more detail.

[0045] The wind turbine 300 includes a floating base 39 and a wind turbine tower 32 having a nacelle 33 provided at the top. The nacelle 33 is shown as having two blades 31 fixed thereto. The figure also shows the crane device 200 surrounding the wind turbine tower 32.

[0046] The crane device 200 is shown as being supported on the wind turbine tower 32. The crane device 200 includes a platform 20, a crane tower 21, and a crane 22. The platform 20 is clamped to the wind turbine tower 32 at or near the lower end of the wind turbine tower 32. The crane tower 21 is supported on the platform 20 and includes a cylindrical structure surrounding the circumference of the turbine tower 32. The crane 22 is mounted to the upper end of the crane tower 21. FIGS. 1a and 1b show the moving carriage 10 supported by a vertical support structure that holds the blade 31 in a substantially vertical position close to the nacelle 33 by using the blade holding device 2. The vertical support structure enables the moving carriage 10 to travel close to the wind turbine tower 21 when it carries the blade 31 upward toward the nacelle 33.

[0047] It will be appreciated that in other variants, the platform 20 may be mounted on the wind turbine tower 32 in other ways than by clamping. In some other examples, the platform 20 is mounted on a floating base 39. In examples of onshore wind turbines, the ground or another foundation replaces the platform. In other onshore examples, the platform abuts directly against the ground or other foundation without being mounted to the wind turbine tower.

[0048] During the process of installing a number of wind turbine blades 31, the mobile cart 10 moves downward along the crane tower 21, engages the blade holding device 2 with the wind turbine blade 31 arranged in a horizontal position, lifts the blade 31 while gradually rotating the blade 31 to a vertical position and moving upward towards the nacelle 33. When the blade 31 is fixedly mounted to the nacelle 33, the mobile cart 10 holds the blade in a substantially vertical position against the nacelle 33 upward. Then, the mobile cart 10 can be released from the blade 31 by releasing the blade holding device 2, and the mobile cart 10 travels downward and engages another blade 31.

[0049] Reference will now be made to Figure 1B and 1C describe the mobile cart 10 in more detail.

[0050] The mobile cart 10 includes a body 1 and a blade holding device 2, and the blade holding device 2 includes one or more pairs of clamping members 8 (two pairs are shown) for gripping and holding the wind turbine blade 31. The blade holding device 2 is coupled to the body 1 by a rotatable connector 3. The rotatable connector 3 is arranged to rotate the blade holding device 2 about a horizontal axis such that when holding the blade 31, the blade 31 can rotate between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation.

[0051] The rotatable connector 3 may include a shaft between the body 1 and the blade holding device 2. The shaft may have a substantially horizontal direction pointing outward from the wind turbine tower 32.

[0052] The mobile carriage 10 further includes a track follower 4, which is attached to the main body 1 and arranged to follow the longitudinal guide rail 23 on the crane tower 21. The guide rail 23 extends vertically between the platform 20 and the nacelle 33 along the outside of the crane tower 21. The track follower 4 provides a sliding or rolling engagement between the mobile carriage 10 and the guide rail 23, thereby allowing the mobile carriage 10 to travel along the crane tower 21 while being fixed to the crane tower 21. The winch rope 27 is engaged with the upper part of the guide follower 4, so that the mobile carriage 10 can be lifted by using the winch 28. A power cable (not shown) also connects a power supply (not shown) on the platform 20 to the mobile carriage 10, for example, to provide power for rotating the blade holding device 2 and operating the blade holding device 2 to grip and hold the blade 31. The winch 28 for controlling the rope 27 can be positioned at or near the platform 20.

[0053] Figure 2 The mobile carriage 10 is shown in a first position, in which the blade holding device 2 has a horizontal orientation near the platform 20. To engage with the turbine blade 31, the clamping member 8 is opened to allow the turbine blade 31 to be inserted horizontally, and then the clamp is closed. The insertion of the turbine blade into the blade holding device 2 can be facilitated by an external container or a movable rack (not shown) arranged on the platform 20, which is used to hold the turbine blade 31 and supply the turbine blade 31 to the mobile carriage 10. Then, the mobile carriage 10 attached with the turbine blade 31 is lifted by using the lifting device 5. When the mobile carriage 10 is lifted towards the nacelle 33, the blade holding device 2 rotates to orient the turbine blade 31 vertically. Figure 3 The mobile carriage 10 is shown approaching a second position, in which the turbine blade 31 is held against the nacelle 33 so that the turbine blade 31 can be installed in the nacelle 33.

[0054] Returning to FIG. 1b, the mobile carriage 10 includes eight articulated connectors 6 (only five are shown) between the guide follower 4 and the main body 1. Two pistons 7 (one is shown) are provided to tilt the main body 1, where the blade holding device 2 is fixed to the main body 1. Thus, by using the pistons 7, the turbine blade 31 can be slightly tilted. In this way, the mounting portion 31a of the turbine blade 31 can be moved closer to or farther from the wind turbine tower 32 to facilitate the alignment of the mounting portion 31a with the nacelle 33. In other examples, the number of the articulated connectors 6 and / or the pistons 7 can vary.

[0055] In other examples, the lifting device 5 can be constructed differently and can include, for example, a rack and pinion drive mechanism for lifting the mobile carriage 10 along the longitudinal structure 23.

[0056] The above-described device 100 can also be used to facilitate the installation of the nacelle 33 with some modifications. An example is inFigure 4 is shown. A lifting rope 25 is connected to the nacelle 33. The moving cart 10 facilitates the lateral support and / or positioning of the nacelle 33. However, since the nacelle 33 has a relatively large size and weight, the weight of the nacelle 33 is mainly borne by the crane 22 and the tensioned lifting rope 25 from the crane 22. The nacelle 33 is lifted by the crane 22 using the lifting rope 25. The moving cart 10 is actively controlled by a separate drive mechanism (i.e., the lifting device 5). While the nacelle 33 is being lifted by the crane 22, the moving cart 10 travels upward along the crane tower with the nacelle 33 and maintains the nacelle positioned relative to the crane tower 22. For example, the moving cart 10 is provided with members or couplings, or otherwise configured to prevent uncontrolled lateral movement of the nacelle 33 such that it is positioned close to the wind turbine tower 32 during lifting along the tower. Thus, during elevation, the nacelle 33 is suspended from the crane 22 and the moving cart 10 minimizes the relative lateral movement of the nacelle 33 relative to the crane tower 22. When the nacelle 33 is lifted, the moving cart 10 travels from position A to its end position B at the upper part of the crane tower. At the end position B, only a short lift is maintained to position the nacelle 33 for connection to the wind turbine tower. If the moving cart 10 is incorporated into the nacelle 33 during the early stages of the lift, the moving cart 10 disengages in order to release the nacelle 33 from the moving cart 10. Then, the crane 22 lifts the nacelle 33 away from the moving cart 10, as seen at position C, and then lifts it to the position for connection to the wind turbine tower 32.

[0057] Similarly, Figure 4 the device 100 can be used during the process of erecting the wind turbine tower 32 to assist in lifting and supporting the wind turbine tower sections by the crane 22 and the moving cart 10.

[0058] The equipment and methods described herein can be used during the installation, construction, replacement of components, or maintenance of the wind turbine 300.

[0059] Now turning to Figures 5 to 8 , another arrangement for a floating wind turbine is generally depicted at 600. In this example, the device 600 is used for lifting and / or manipulating wind turbine components, such as components that may need to be inserted into or removed from the interior of the nacelle 633.

[0060] The device 600 has many features in common with the device 100 described above. Features corresponding to those described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to Figure 4 are denoted with the same reference numerals increased by 500.

[0061] The wind turbine installation 600 includes a vertical support structure in the form of a utility tower 521, which is arranged around and supported on the wind turbine tower 532. Except for the provision of the crane 22, the utility tower 521 is the same as or similar to the crane tower 21 as described above. Thus, the utility tower 521 includes longitudinal guide rails 523 on the outer side of the utility tower 521 and is supported on the utility tower 521 as part of the utility tower 521. In this example, the tower 521 and the platform 520 are supported on the base 539.

[0062] The installation 600 further includes a mobile cart 510, which is coupled to the utility tower 521 and arranged to be guided by the guide rails 523 to travel up or down along the utility tower 521. Thus, the mobile cart 510 can be lifted along the utility tower 521 to a desired height. A suitable lifting device is used to move and lift the mobile cart along the tower to a position. In this example, the provided lifting device includes a rope 505, which is connected to the mobile cart 510 at one end, and the rope 505 passes over a support member of the utility tower 521 and reaches a winch on the platform 520, and the winch is used to wind in or unwind the rope 505 to appropriately move the mobile cart 510 along the track 523.

[0063] In this example, the mobile cart 510 has lifting and manipulation equipment in the form of a small general-purpose crane 550 mounted thereon for performing lifting and manipulation operations. In Figure 5 and Figure 6 , it is shown that the general-purpose crane 550 lifts a wind turbine component 560 to be inserted into or removed from the nacelle 533. The component 560 is, for example, a wind turbine generator component to be accommodated in the nacelle 533. The mobile cart 510 also has a platform 511, where wind turbine components can be located, for example, during travel along the tower. For example, a component removed from the nacelle can be transported downward along the utility tower 521 on the mobile cart 510. A component to be inserted into the nacelle 533 can be transported upward along the utility tower 521 on the mobile cart 510. When the mobile cart 510 is in the upper position as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the crane 550 can lift the component off the platform 511 and into the nacelle, and vice versa. The crane 550 has one or more arms, and the one or more arms can reach laterally such that the suspension point of the arm is arranged above the nacelle and can assist in lowering / raising a component suspended on a lifting rope from the suspension point, and in this example, through the access hatch 534.

[0064] Refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8, the mobile vehicle 510 is positioned at or near the base of the utility tower 521. In Figure 7 , the mobile vehicle 510 is arranged at the front of the utility tower 521, wherein the platform 511 extends from the utility tower 521 in front of the blade arrangement. In Figure 8 , the mobile vehicle 510 is arranged on one side of the utility tower 521, wherein the platform extends outward from this side. Thus, before the mobile vehicle 510 is used together with the general crane 550, the mobile vehicle 510 can be repositioned from the Figure 7 position to the Figure 8 position, and can travel up / down on the utility tower 521 along the longitudinal track 23. When the mobile vehicle 510 is in the front position as shown in Figure 7 , the mobile vehicle can be first used in the manner described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to Figure 4 to facilitate the installation of the blade and / or nacelle. When the mobile vehicle 510 is in the side position as shown in Figure 8 , the mobile vehicle can be used in the manner described with respect to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , wherein the general crane 550 on the mobile vehicle 510 facilitates lifting components onto or out of the nacelle 533. When the general crane 550 is in the side position, using the mobile vehicle 510 can facilitate access to the nacelle 533 from the side without rotating the nacelle 533 and the blade 531 relative to the wind turbine tower 532.

[0065] In this example, there is a rotary coupling between the utility tower 521 and the platform 520 so as to be rotatable relative to the platform 520 and the wind turbine tower 532. The utility tower 521 can be rotated 90 degrees about the vertical axis in this way. The rotary coupling is, for example, a slewing ring coupling or the like. The mobile vehicle 510 can be mounted on the utility tower 521 and moves with the utility tower 521 when it rotates from the Figure 7 front position to the Figure 8 side position.

[0066] However, in various examples, the mobile vehicle 510 with the general crane 550 is used in the front position as shown in Figure 8 , and then before the nacelle 533 rotates, the mobile vehicle 510 is raised to the upper position along the track 23, and the mobile vehicle is arranged on the side of the nacelle 533.

[0067] Although the device 600 has been described above with respect to a floating wind turbine, this can alternatively be used for a bottom-fixed wind turbine or an onshore wind turbine.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use during the installation, construction, replacement or handling of components or maintenance of a wind turbine, said apparatus comprising: - a longitudinal structure that is at least partially supported on the wind turbine tower; - a guide rail connected to the longitudinal structure; and - a moving cart arranged to move along the guide rail of the longitudinal structure.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lifting device for lifting the moving cart along the tower structure.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, the lifting device includes at least one winch and at least one rope.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, at least one of the winches is located on the crane tower.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, the lifting device includes a lifting rope and at least one crane.

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the moving cart includes a blade holding device for holding a wind turbine blade.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, the blade holding device is arranged to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the blade holding device in the first position is configured to hold the wind turbine blade in a substantially horizontal orientation, and the blade holding device in the second position is configured to hold the wind turbine blade in a substantially vertical orientation.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, the moving cart includes a tilting device for tilting the blade holding device about a horizontal axis, wherein the mounting portion of the wind turbine blade moves closer to or further away from the wind turbine tower.

9. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising lifting and manipulation equipment located on the moving cart.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, the lifting and manipulation equipment is a crane having at least one boom, the boom being arranged to extend from the moving cart in a raised position to a lifting point of the crane above the nacelle, the nacelle being at the upper end of the wind turbine tower.

11. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, the moving cart can operate in one configuration and another configuration, in the one configuration, the moving cart is connected to the longitudinal structure to move longitudinally along the guide rail in front of the tower, in the another configuration, the moving cart is connected to the longitudinal structure to move longitudinally along the guide rail on one side of the tower.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a platform configured to be supported on the wind turbine tower, and the longitudinal structure is rotatably coupled to the platform for rotating the longitudinal structure connected with the moving cart about the longitudinal axis relative to the platform, so that the moving cart moves between the one configuration and the another configuration.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The rotation angle between the one configuration and the other configuration is 90 degrees.

14. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the longitudinal structure includes a crane tower.

15. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein, a crane is supported on top of the crane tower.

16. A method of lifting at least one wind turbine blade, the method comprising: - providing an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims; - lifting the wind turbine blade along the wind turbine tower by using the mobile vehicle; and - rotating the blade from the horizontal position to the vertical position during the lifting of the wind turbine blade.

17. A method of lifting a nacelle for installation on a wind turbine tower, the method comprising: - providing an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims; - lifting the nacelle by using a lifting rope suspended from a crane; and - supporting the nacelle near the wind turbine tower by the mobile vehicle.

18. A method of lifting a wind turbine tower section for installation on a partially constructed wind turbine tower, the method comprising: - providing an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims; - lifting the wind turbine tower section by using a lifting rope suspended from a crane; and - supporting the wind turbine tower section near the wind turbine tower by means of the mobile vehicle.

19. A method of replacing a component of a nacelle on a wind turbine tower, the method comprising: - providing an apparatus according to claim 9 or 10; - lifting the component on the mobile vehicle; and - using the crane on the mobile vehicle to lift the component from the mobile vehicle, over the area between the mobile vehicle and the nacelle, and lowering the component onto the nacelle.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising using the crane on the mobile vehicle to reach above the nacelle and remove the component.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein, the component is a generator component.

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