A variable diameter clamping mechanism

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of self-climbing equipment for wind turbine towers, and more particularly to a variable-diameter clamping mechanism, comprising an enclosing frame that can be arranged around the periphery of the wind turbine tower, and including multiple telescopic units that are movably connected end-to-end to form a receiving space for the wind turbine tower. Each telescopic unit has an anti-slip support structure on its inner side. Adjacent telescopic units are connected by telescopic mechanisms, and all telescopic mechanisms connected to the telescopic units can extend or retract synchronously. Consequently, the adjacent telescopic units move relative to each other, and the inner diameter of the enclosing frame increases or decreases accordingly, so that the anti-slip support structure presses against the outer wall of the wind turbine tower. Multiple identical telescopic units are slidably connected to form a steplessly adjustable telescopic mechanism. When the telescopic mechanisms retract synchronously, adjacent telescopic units can slide relative to each other, causing the overall inner diameter of the enclosing frame to decrease uniformly, thereby allowing the anti-slip support structure to adhere to the outer wall of the tower with controllable pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of self-climbing equipment for wind turbine towers, and in particular to a variable diameter clamping mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] With economic and social development, more and more tall buildings need to be constructed, especially wind power facilities. Wind energy is a clean energy source, characterized by its renewability, wide distribution, and lack of pollution. It also boasts enormous reserves, and wind power generation is both energy-saving and environmentally friendly, with a promising future. Currently, my country's low-altitude wind farm market is saturated, and high-altitude wind farms are gradually becoming the main development direction for wind power. Wind power generation is trending towards larger scales, with single-unit power generation capacity exceeding megawatt levels. Components of large-scale wind power facilities, such as towers, nacelles, hubs, and blades, weigh over 100 tons and are installed at heights exceeding 100 meters. For the installation of wind turbine towers exceeding 100 meters in height, large-scale crawler cranes or large floating cranes are generally used. These lifting equipment are not only extremely expensive to manufacture and rent, but also scarce in China, often requiring cross-regional deployment and reservations six months in advance. The current wind power development model is shifting from the traditional centralized approach to a decentralized one, with a small number of wind turbines distributed across various regions based on actual needs. This significantly increases the cost of hoisting and installation, and the high rental fees for large lifting equipment severely restrict the industry's development. Simultaneously, onshore wind power projects are increasingly expanding into mountainous and remote areas that do not affect local residential land use. This poses challenges to the transportation of large cranes, requiring the construction of dedicated roads to avoid residential areas. Specialized lifting equipment for wind power installation was developed relatively late, is limited in number, and has restrictions on lifting height and weight, failing to meet the installation requirements of large-scale wind turbines. Furthermore, the high cost of large offshore floating cranes is also unfavorable for the construction of large-scale offshore high-altitude wind farms.

[0003] Therefore, providing a variable diameter clamping mechanism that can clamp (or loosen) the outer wall of towers with different diameters, so that cranes or other construction equipment can be firmly fixed to the existing wind turbine towers and move up or down along the existing wind turbine towers, is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0005] This utility model provides a variable diameter clamping mechanism, which aims to solve the problem of variable diameter clamping of wind turbine towers.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes a variable diameter clamping mechanism, including an enclosing frame that can be arranged around the periphery of a wind turbine tower and includes multiple telescopic units that are movably connected end to end to form a receiving space for the wind turbine tower.

[0008] Each of the telescopic units is provided with an anti-slip support structure on its inner side;

[0009] The adjacent telescopic units are connected by a telescopic mechanism. The telescopic mechanisms connected to all the telescopic units can extend or retract synchronously. As a result, the adjacent telescopic units move relative to each other, and the inner diameter of the enclosure frame increases or decreases accordingly, so that the anti-slip support structure presses against the outer wall of the wind turbine tower.

[0010] A further technical solution is that the telescopic unit includes a fixed rod and a sliding rod;

[0011] A sliding sleeve is fixed to the outer side of the head of the fixed rod, and the tail is connected to the sliding rod. The sliding rod is slidably connected to the sliding sleeve on the adjacent telescopic unit, and a limiting structure is provided at the connection between the fixed rod and the sliding rod.

[0012] A further technical solution is that the telescopic mechanism includes a driver and a telescopic rod connected to the driver;

[0013] Corresponding to two adjacent telescopic units, the driver is fixedly installed on the outside of the sliding sleeve of one of the telescopic units, and the distal end of the telescopic rod is hinged to the outside of the tail of the fixed rod of the other telescopic unit.

[0014] A further technical solution is that the actuator is a hydraulic cylinder or an electric push rod.

[0015] A further technical solution is that a pair of connecting ears are symmetrically provided on the outer side of the tail of the fixing rod, and the telescopic rod is hinged to the connecting ears.

[0016] A further technical solution is that the anti-slip support structure includes a support plate and an anti-slip pad;

[0017] The support plate is located in the middle of the fixing rod, and the anti-slip pad is fixed to the side of the support plate facing the wind turbine tower.

[0018] A further technical solution is that the support plate is connected to the fixed rod through a ball joint, so that the support plate can swing up and down and swing left and right.

[0019] A further technical solution is that the anti-slip pad is made of a high-friction coefficient composite rubber material, and the surface is provided with anti-slip texture.

[0020] A further technical solution is that the number of telescopic units constituting the enclosure frame is 6-8.

[0021] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0022] In this utility model's variable diameter clamping mechanism, multiple identical telescopic units are slidably connected to form a steplessly adjustable telescopic mechanism. When the telescopic mechanism retracts synchronously, adjacent telescopic units can slide relative to each other, causing the overall inner diameter of the enclosing frame to decrease uniformly, thereby allowing the anti-slip support structure to adhere to the outer wall of the tower with controllable pressure. Relying on the friction between the anti-slip support structure and the outer wall of the tower, the vertical gravity of the climbing structure can be effectively resisted, ensuring the entire crane is firmly fixed to the tower. This variable diameter clamping mechanism, through the synchronous action of multiple telescopic units, can adapt to the changing outer diameter of the wind turbine tower as its height changes. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the variable diameter clamping mechanism;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top-down view;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Enlarged diagram of point B in the middle.

[0027] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0028] 1: Telescopic unit; 11: Fixed rod; 111: Sliding sleeve; 112: Connecting ear; 12: Sliding rod; 13: Limiting structure;

[0029] 2: Anti-slip support structure; 21: Support plate; 22: Anti-slip mat;

[0030] 3: Telescopic mechanism; 31: Driver; 32: Telescopic rod. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To better explain and facilitate understanding of this utility model, the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] This embodiment provides a variable diameter clamping mechanism, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, it includes an enclosing frame that can surround the periphery of the wind turbine tower and includes multiple telescopic units 1 that are movably connected end to end to form the receiving space of the wind turbine tower.

[0033] Each telescopic unit 1 has an anti-slip support structure 2 on its inner side. Adjacent telescopic units 1 are connected by telescopic mechanisms 3. All telescopic mechanisms 3 connected to telescopic units 1 can extend or retract synchronously, thereby causing relative sliding between adjacent telescopic units 1. The inner diameter of the enclosing frame increases or decreases accordingly, so that the anti-slip support structure 2 presses against the outer wall of the wind turbine tower.

[0034] The variable-diameter clamping mechanism in this embodiment is mainly applied to the climbing structure of wind turbine towers. Since the diameter of the wind turbine tower gradually decreases with increasing height, this mechanism achieves stepless variable-diameter clamping while maintaining structural simplicity and reliability to meet the needs of working surfaces at different heights during installation. The telescopic unit 1 is made of high-strength structural steel with a rectangular cross-section, resulting in a simple and reliable structure. Multiple identical telescopic units 1 are slidably connected to form a steplessly adjustable telescopic mechanism 3. When the telescopic mechanism 3 retracts synchronously, adjacent telescopic units 1 can slide relative to each other, causing the overall inner diameter of the enclosing frame to decrease uniformly, thereby allowing the anti-slip support structure 2 to adhere to the outer wall of the tower with controllable pressure. Relying on the friction between the anti-slip support structure 2 and the outer wall of the tower, the vertical gravity of the climbing structure can be resisted, ensuring the entire crane is securely fixed to the tower. This mechanism, through the synchronous action of multiple telescopic units 1, can adapt to the changing outer diameter of the wind turbine tower with height.

[0035] In this embodiment, each telescopic unit 1 includes a fixed rod 11 and a sliding rod 12. The head of the fixed rod 11 is fixed with a sliding sleeve 111, and the tail is connected to the sliding rod 12. A limiting structure 13 is provided at the connection between the fixed rod 11 and the sliding rod 12. The sliding rod 12 is located outside the fixed rod 11 of the adjacent telescopic unit 1 and is slidably connected to the sliding sleeve 111 on the adjacent telescopic unit 1.

[0036] It should be noted that the head of the fixed rod 11 is the end with the sliding sleeve 111, and the tail is the end connected to the sliding rod 12. The connection between the fixed rod 11 and the sliding rod 12 has a corner, the specific size of which is determined by the number of telescopic units 1. For example, in this embodiment, there are 8 telescopic units 1, so the size of the corner is the size of the interior angle of a regular 16-sided polygon. With this configuration, when the enclosing frame is in a fully retracted state, the minimum inner diameter is enclosed by the 8 fixed rods 11; when the enclosing frame is in a fully extended state, the maximum inner diameter is enclosed by the 8 fixed rods 11 and the 8 sliding rods 12. The inner diameter of the enclosing frame can be infinitely adjusted between this maximum and minimum inner diameter.

[0037] In addition, during the contraction or expansion of the enclosure frame, the actuator 31 operates synchronously, ensuring that the enclosure frame and the wind turbine tower remain coaxial. The limiting structure 13 is specifically an annular flange located at the tail end of the fixed rod 11, which limits movement by abutting against the edge of the sliding sleeve 111 on the adjacent telescopic unit 1.

[0038] In this embodiment, the telescopic mechanism 3 includes a driver 31 and a telescopic rod 32 connected to the driver 31. Specifically, corresponding to two adjacent telescopic units 1, the driver 31 is fixedly installed on the outside of the sliding sleeve 111 of one of the telescopic units 1, and the distal end of the telescopic rod 32 is hinged to the outside of the tail of the fixed rod 11 of the other telescopic unit 1.

[0039] Furthermore, the actuator 31 can be a conventional linear motion mechanism, which is an electric push rod in this embodiment, but it can also be a hydraulic cylinder. It should be noted that, whether it is an electric push rod or a hydraulic cylinder, the actuators 31 on the multiple telescopic units 1 need to be able to extend or retract synchronously to ensure that the clamping force of the anti-slip support structure 2 is uniform.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pair of connecting ears 112 are symmetrically provided on the outer side of the tail of the fixed rod 11, and the telescopic rod 32 is hinged to the connecting ears 112. Specifically, pin holes are provided on the paired connecting ears 112, and a corresponding through hole is provided at the end of the telescopic rod 32 away from the driver 31. The pin holes and through holes are hinged together by inserting a pin. The purpose of this is to ensure that the axial direction of the telescopic rod 32 remains parallel to the sliding rod 12 during the diameter change process of the enclosure frame.

[0041] The connecting ears 112 symmetrically arranged at the tail of the fixed rod 11 form a hinge structure with the telescopic rod 32, ensuring that the axis of the telescopic rod 32 remains parallel to the sliding rod 12 during the diameter change of the enclosing frame, further ensuring balanced force during the expansion and contraction process. The synchronous control of the actuator 31 coordinates the actions of multiple telescopic units 1, ensuring that the clamping force of the anti-slip support structure 2 on the outer wall of the wind turbine tower is evenly distributed, avoiding structural deformation or local slippage caused by uneven force, improving the stability of the mechanism during dynamic adjustment, and enabling the diameter-changing clamping mechanism to adapt to the outer surface of wind turbine towers of different diameters.

[0042] In this embodiment, the anti-slip support structure 2 includes a support plate 21 and an anti-slip pad 22. Specifically, the support plate 21 is disposed in the middle of the fixed rod 11, and the anti-slip pad 22 is fixed to the side of the support plate 21 facing the wind turbine tower. The support plate 21 adopts a U-shaped support structure and is connected to the middle position of the fixed rod 11 along the vertical direction of the fixed rod 11 by a pin, so that a hinge connection is formed between the support plate 21 and the fixed rod 11. The support plate 21 can swing around the pin at a certain angle to fit against the outer wall of the wind turbine tower.

[0043] In another embodiment, the support plate 21 is connected to the fixing rod 11 via a ball joint. Specifically, the pivot of the ball joint is fixedly installed perpendicular to the inner side of the fixing rod 11, which allows the support plate 21 to swing to a certain extent in both the up and down and left and right directions, so as to better fit the variable diameter curved surface of the outer wall of the wind turbine tower.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the anti-slip pad 22 is made of a high-friction coefficient composite material with anti-slip textures on its surface to increase the frictional force between it and the wind turbine tower. The high-friction coefficient composite material can be commercially available nitrile rubber-based composite material, specifically NBR-40 manufactured by ContiTech. In this embodiment, the anti-slip support structure 2 is hinged to the fixed rod 11, achieving adaptive fitting and stable clamping of the curved surface of the wind turbine tower. This effectively resists loads during climbing and helps prevent slippage or displacement.

[0045] Preferably, the number of telescopic units 1 constituting the enclosing frame is 6-8. In this embodiment, there are 8 units.

[0046] In addition, this embodiment also includes a control unit connected to the driver 31. The control unit sends synchronous extension and retraction commands to the driver 31. The control unit can dynamically adjust the extension and retraction actions of the driver 31 to ensure that each extension and retraction unit 1 moves synchronously, so that the clamping force of the anti-slip support structure 2 on the outer wall of the tower remains uniform and stable, avoiding local slippage or structural deformation caused by uneven force. It should be noted that this synchronous control technology is existing technology.

[0047] The working principle of the variable diameter clamping mechanism in the above embodiments is as follows:

[0048] Initial state: The enclosing frame is a ring structure formed by 8 telescopic units connected end to end, in a fully extended state, and coaxially fitted on the outside of the wind turbine tower.

[0049] Synchronous contraction phase: The control unit sends a contraction command to the driver 31, and the eight telescopic rods 32 synchronously pull the tail connecting lugs 112 of the adjacent fixed rods 11. The sliding rods 12 slide smoothly in the sliding sleeves 111, and the enclosing frame forms a regular polygon contraction.

[0050] Adaptive bonding stage: The support plate 21 swings left and right or up and down through the U-shaped support, and automatically adjusts the contact angle with the curved surface of the wind turbine tower. As the enclosure frame contracts, it continuously presses the outer wall of the wind turbine tower.

[0051] Release and reset phase: The control unit sends an extension command to the driver 31, and the driver 31 synchronously pushes the telescopic rod 32. The sliding rod 12 moves outward along the sliding sleeve 111, and the enclosing frame gradually restores its maximum inner diameter, releasing the wind turbine tower.

[0052] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in this embodiment are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a specific posture (as shown in the attached figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. In the description of this embodiment, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0054] In this embodiment, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment according to the specific circumstances.

[0055] It should be understood that the above description of the specific embodiments of this utility model is only for illustrating the technical route and features of this utility model, and its purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it accordingly. However, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. All changes or modifications made within the scope of the claims of this utility model should be covered by the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A variable diameter clamping mechanism, characterized in that, Includes an enclosing frame, which can be arranged around the periphery of the wind turbine tower, and includes multiple telescopic units (1) that are movably connected end to end to form the receiving space of the wind turbine tower. Each telescopic unit (1) is provided with an anti-slip support structure (2) on its inner side; The adjacent telescopic units (1) are connected by telescopic mechanisms (3). All the telescopic units (1) connected to the telescopic mechanisms (3) can extend or retract synchronously. As a result, the adjacent telescopic units (1) slide relative to each other, and the inner diameter of the enclosure frame increases or decreases accordingly, so that the anti-slip support structure (2) presses against the outer wall of the wind turbine tower.

2. The variable diameter clamping mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each telescopic unit (1) includes a fixed rod (11) and a sliding rod (12). The fixed rod (11) has a sliding sleeve (111) fixed to the outer side of its head and the sliding rod (12) connected to its tail. A limiting structure (13) is provided at the connection between the fixed rod (11) and the sliding rod (12). The sliding rod (12) is located outside the fixed rod (11) of the adjacent telescopic unit (1) and is slidably connected to the sliding sleeve (111) on the adjacent telescopic unit (1).

3. The variable diameter clamping mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The telescopic mechanism (3) includes a driver (31) and a telescopic rod (32) connected to the driver (31); Corresponding to two adjacent telescopic units (1), the driver (31) is fixedly installed on the outside of the sliding sleeve (111) of one of the telescopic units (1), and the distal end of the telescopic rod (32) is hinged to the outside of the tail of the fixed rod (11) of the other telescopic unit (1).

4. The variable diameter clamping mechanism as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The actuator (31) is a hydraulic cylinder or an electric push rod.

5. The variable diameter clamping mechanism as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The fixed rod (11) has a pair of connecting ears (112) symmetrically arranged on the outer side of its tail, and the telescopic rod (32) is hinged to the connecting ears (112).

6. The variable diameter clamping mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The anti-slip support structure (2) includes a support plate (21) and an anti-slip pad (22); The support plate (21) is located in the middle of the fixing rod (11), and the anti-slip pad (22) is fixed to the side of the support plate (21) facing the wind turbine tower.

7. The variable diameter clamping mechanism as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The support plate (21) is connected to the fixed rod (11) through a ball joint, so that the support plate (21) can swing up and down and swing left and right.

8. The variable diameter clamping mechanism as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The anti-slip mat (22) is made of high friction coefficient composite rubber material and has anti-slip texture on the surface.

9. The variable diameter clamping mechanism as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The number of the telescopic units (1) constituting the enclosure frame is 6-8.

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