Transport system for transporting an assembly, method for operating a transport system and use of a transport system or method

Abstract

Transport system (100) for transporting an assembly (10) within a production system between several stations (1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4), wherein the transport system (100) includes at least one transport device designed as a straddle carrier (30), wherein at least one straddle carrier (30) has a height-adjustable gantry frame (31) supported by several columns (32A, 32B, 32C, 32D), and wherein the straddle carrier (30) is designed such that the assembly to be transported (10) can be inserted into and / or removed from the straddle carrier (30) from at least one side of the straddle carrier (30) and between at least two columns (32A, 32B, 32C, 32D) and can be positioned below the portal frame (31) of the straddle carrier (30) and can be removed and / or inserted upwards through the portal frame (31).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport system for transporting an assembly within a production system between several stations, in particular for transporting a drive assembly or a transmission assembly, especially for transporting an engine, a turbine, a drive unit or a gearbox, and to a method for operating such a transport system. The invention further relates to the use of the aforementioned transport system and / or the aforementioned method.

[0002] Transport systems for transporting the aforementioned assembly components within production systems, as well as methods for operating such transport systems and their uses, are generally known from the prior art, whereby the respective transport systems and associated methods, as well as their uses, are usually specifically adapted to the assembly components to be transported and the conditions of the production system.

[0003] US patent 5,575,607 A discloses a system for building, testing, and repairing gas turbine engines and for transporting them from one location to another. This system comprises a transporter and a build cell. The build cell is a frame structure supported by several pedestals on which the gas turbine engine is mounted. It can be transported by the transporter to allow for the assembly and disassembly of the gas turbine engine at any desired location. The transporter removes the gas turbine engine from either a build cell or another type of structure at a first location and transports it, with or without the build cell, to a second location, where it is loaded onto either a build cell or a second structure.

[0004] GB 521 924 A discloses a load-handling machine with a guided platform, equipped with additional means for receiving loads and supporting them in vertically, longitudinally, or laterally adjustable positions. The platform is raised and lowered by a motor or a load-handling crank via pairs of U-shaped iron bars that form a skeletal platform. These U-shaped iron bars project from each end of the frame and can be moved longitudinally, allowing them to be extended to near the load to be handled. Four posts, fitted with rollers running within the U-shaped iron bars so that they can be moved manually or by force and locked in position by elements 20, are equipped with a pulley system for manipulating a pair of load-bearing straps. By acting these rollers together, in pairs, or individually, the end of the platform can be raised, tilted, or rotated into any desired position.A platform can be moved lengthwise within the frame to allow workers to access suspended loads. A lower platform is equipped with ramps at both ends. The main structure has support legs at the corners and is mounted on wheels driven by the motor. The device is designed to be particularly suitable for removing components such as aircraft engines.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2015 214 665 A1 discloses a flexible assembly device for the sequential and stress-free assembly of a component from individual modules, wherein the assembly device is particularly suitable for the assembly of an aircraft engine. The assembly device comprises a coupling device, a lifting device, and a guide carriage. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for the sequential assembly of a component from individual modules. The assembly device according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in a method for the sequential assembly of a gas turbine from individual modules.

[0006] One object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an alternative transport system and an alternative method for operating a transport system as described above, in particular each in an improved embodiment.

[0007] This problem is solved by a transport system having the features of claim 1, by a method having the features of claim 11, and by a use according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a transport system for transporting an assembly within a production system between several stations, in particular for transporting a drive assembly or a transmission assembly, especially for transporting a motor, a turbine, a drive unit or a transmission, comprises at least one transport device designed as a straddle carrier, wherein the at least one straddle carrier has a height-adjustable gantry frame supported by several columns and is designed such that the assembly to be transported can be inserted into and / or removed from the straddle carrier from at least one side of the straddle carrier and between at least two columns, and can be positioned below the gantry frame of the straddle carrier and can be removed and / or inserted upwards through the gantry frame.

[0009] A transport system according to the invention can be designed to be particularly efficient, space-saving, and flexible. The present invention particularly enables the provision of a space-saving and flexible transport system for transporting an engine, which in particular facilitates the simple transfer of the engine to further transport devices and / or receiving devices, especially to the receiving device of an engine test stand and / or a receiving device for the visual inspection of the engine.

[0010] In this context, the term "transport" refers to the movement, in particular the bringing, of an object from a first location to a second location.

[0011] The term "assembly assembly" is understood here to mean an assembly composed of several components, in particular an assembled assembly, wherein in one embodiment of the present invention an assembly assembly is, in particular, an assembly assembly with a total weight in the range of approximately 1 to 5 t. However, in another embodiment of the invention, a transport system designed according to the present invention, as well as a method designed according to the present invention and a use according to the invention, can also be designed for an assembly assembly with a lower or higher total weight.

[0012] In this context, a "drive assembly" is understood to be an assembly for a drive device. A "gearbox assembly" is understood to be an assembly for a gearbox device. An "engine" is understood to be a propulsion device for an aircraft, in particular an airplane. A "turbine" is understood to be a turbomachine for converting the internal energy of a flowing fluid into mechanical power. A "drive unit" is understood to be a propulsion device, in particular for propelling a vehicle. A "gearbox" is understood to be a torque transmission device, in particular a torque conversion device.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, an assembly is in particular a drive assembly or a transmission assembly, in particular a drive unit, a turbine, a drive unit or a transmission or an assembly of a wind turbine or an assembly of a power plant.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ground-guided transport vehicle is designed in particular for transporting an engine within a production system, in particular for transporting an aircraft engine, in particular a jet engine, in particular a jet engine for a passenger aircraft on the order of a regional, medium-range, or jumbo jet such as a Bombardier C-Series, an Airbus A320, a Boeing 747 or an Airbus A380.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the straddle carrier further comprises, in particular, a receiving device for receiving the assembly assembly, wherein the receiving device is mounted, in particular, from above onto the straddle carrier, especially onto the gantry frame. This provides a particularly advantageous, and in particular a particularly flexible and efficient, transport system, especially for transporting an engine, particularly for the final assembly area.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device of the portal lift truck is designed to receive further components and / or assembly groups, in particular to receive further assembly groups to be connected to the assembly group to be transported, for example to receive test equipment or the like, which must be coupled, in particular connected, to the assembly group, for example as part of an upgrade of the assembly group for a test bench run.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device particularly includes a positioning aid device (“parking aid”), in particular a laser device, in particular at least one positioning laser, for precisely positioning a floor-guided transport cart or another transport device below the portal frame, in particular for a (precise) transfer of the assembly to the portal pallet truck and / or for a (precise) transfer of the assembly from the portal pallet truck to a floor-guided transport cart or another device, for example a receiving device or another transport device.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the portal lift truck is designed in particular for the direct, semi-direct or indirect receiving of the assembly group to be transported.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device of the straddle carrier is designed in particular for a suspended receiving of the assembly assembly, wherein the assembly assembly, in a state suspended on the receiving device of the straddle carrier, can be brought upwards through the gantry frame, in particular by lifting, in particular by lifting together with the receiving device of the straddle carrier, and / or, in particular by lowering, in particular by lowering together with the receiving device of the straddle carrier, can be brought into the straddle carrier from above through the gantry frame.

[0020] This allows the assembly to be easily transferred from the portal pallet truck to another device, in particular together with the holding device and / or together with other components, parts or assemblies attached to the holding device, for example, appropriate test equipment.

[0021] In particular, this allows the assembly to be prepared for a test run outside of a test bench, especially on a location-independent, free area suitable as a parking space for the straddle carrier and equipped with the necessary infrastructure for all necessary measures, and especially by connecting it to the respective test equipment. This significantly reduces setup and teardown times at the test bench itself, thereby improving the utilization of the test bench and, in particular, considerably increasing the effective testing time available.

[0022] If the assembly is an engine, in particular an aircraft engine, the receiving device is designed in particular as an engine mounting (pylon) designed for the respective engine for attachment to the aircraft.

[0023] If the assembly is an aircraft engine, in one embodiment of the present invention the straddle carrier is designed in particular such that an associated, in particular foldable, housing of the engine, the so-called "cowling", and optionally further provided cladding parts, in particular aerodynamic cladding parts, in particular an air inlet, can be mounted on and / or around the engine, wherein the straddle carrier is designed in particular such that the cowling can be fully opened.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device of the portal lift truck has a coupling device, in particular with at least one coupling bolt, in particular with at least one conical coupling bolt, which is designed in particular to interact with a correspondingly designed recess.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one coupling device is designed to be tiltable, in particular tiltable by at least three centimeters per meter in the direction of the defined axis. This simplifies the coupling process between the assembly and the receiving device.

[0026] In this context, a "portal pallet truck" is understood to be a particularly driverless, in particular active, i.e., powered, industrial truck which is designed to lift and / or lower a load to be transported and in particular to transport it in a defined raised and / or lowered state.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the portal truck has in particular four columns, in particular arranged in a rectangle or a square, and in particular a rectangular or square portal frame, in particular arranged in a horizontal plane parallel to the floor, wherein the portal frame is in particular supported below each corner by at least one column.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, each column has one or more wheels, particularly independently of the other columns.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the portal crane is designed with two tracks.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least two columns form an axle of the straddle carrier, wherein at least one axle of the straddle carrier is driveable. All axles can also be designed to be driveable. Likewise, the individual columns, in particular the wheels, can be individually and independently driveable. This can be advantageous in some applications.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one axle, in particular its wheels, is designed to be steerable. However, the individual columns, in particular their wheels, can also be designed to be steerable individually and independently of one another.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, the straddle carrier is omnidirectionally steerable. This allows for particularly high maneuverability of the straddle carrier. Omnidirectionally steerable industrial trucks, as well as the design and application of the necessary drive components, are generally known from the prior art, to which explicit reference is hereby made for further details.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the columns of an axis can be adjusted in height simultaneously and, in particular, synchronously, or the portal frame supported by them, wherein the portal lift truck in one embodiment of the invention is designed in such a way that the columns of different axes can be adjusted in height independently of one another.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the straddle carrier is particularly remotely controllable, i.e., in particular remotely operable and steerable and / or remotely height-adjustable. That is to say, in one embodiment of the present invention, the lifting device of the straddle carrier can be operated remotely.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the portal pallet truck in particular has one or more rechargeable electrical energy storage devices and is electrically driven and / or height-adjustable, in particular by means of electrically driven threaded or ball spindles.

[0036] In another, particularly alternative, embodiment of the present invention, the portal pallet truck is particularly hydraulically height-adjustable.

[0037] For height adjustment in particular, the straddle carrier can be connected to an electrical and / or hydraulic power supply unit, especially at a designated station and when the straddle carrier is located at this station.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the portal crane is height-adjustable, in particular by at least 1.5 m, in particular by at least 2.5 m, but at most by 3 m.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport system has in particular at least one further transport device, in particular designed as a floor-guided transport cart, wherein the assembly to be transported can be introduced into the portal lift truck from at least one side of the portal lift truck and between at least two columns, in particular by means of the at least one further transport device.

[0040] In this context, a "ground-guided transport cart" is understood to be a transport device that is guided on the ground, and in particular is mobile.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the further transport device for transferring the assembly to be transported from the transport device to the portal crane can be positioned, in particular, below the portal frame of the portal crane.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport trolley is designed in particular for the direct, semi-direct or indirect receiving of the assembly to be transported.

[0043] In this context, "direct mounting" refers to the mounting of an assembly unit directly by the transport cart, i.e., without one or more additional auxiliary mounting devices between the transport cart and the assembly unit. In contrast, "indirect mounting" of the assembly unit to be transported refers to a mounting in which the assembly unit is fully mounted with the aid of auxiliary mounting devices, which are arranged between the assembly unit and the mounting devices of the transport cart but are not part of the transport cart itself. "Semi-direct mounting" refers to a mounting of the assembly unit in which the assembly unit is partially mounted directly, i.e., without further auxiliary mounting devices, and partially mounted indirectly.is picked up from the transport vehicle by means of one or more auxiliary receiving devices.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport cart particularly includes an alignment device for defining the alignment of the assembly, wherein the alignment device is particularly designed to align at least one defined axis of the received assembly at a defined angle to the horizontal, in particular horizontally, and / or to enable or effect a displacement of the assembly in a horizontal plane without displacing the transport cart or parts thereof, in particular without displacing the entire transport cart, horizontally.

[0045] A floor-guided transport cart designed in this way thus enables the alignment of the received assembly in a horizontal direction, in particular a precise horizontal alignment, and / or a displacement of the assembly in a horizontal plane relative to a floor, without moving the transport cart, in particular the entire transport cart, in particular without moving it horizontally or moving it on the floor.

[0046] This allows for precise positioning of the assembly without changing the position of the transport cart, i.e., with a constant position of the transport cart, and in particular with higher accuracy than by positioning the transport cart itself. Precise positioning of an assembly may be necessary, for example, for joining it to another assembly, for machining the assembly, and / or for transferring it to another device.

[0047] In this context, "alignment" refers to the (exact) positioning of the assembly, in particular within customary and required tolerances with regard to the respective assembly and / or the respective work step requiring alignment, especially at a defined location, particularly at a station.

[0048] In the present context, a “defined axis” of the assembly assembly is understood to mean a specific axis of the assembly assembly, in particular an axis characteristic of the respective assembly assembly, especially a longitudinal axis, a vertical axis, a transverse axis or a rotational axis or another characteristic axis of the assembly assembly.

[0049] In an engine and / or a turbine, the (main) machine axis, in particular the axis of rotation, constitutes the defined axis of the engine or turbine. In a drive unit, the defined axis is in particular a rotational axis of the output shaft or a crankshaft axis (especially in the case of a drive unit designed as an internal combustion engine). In a transmission, the defined axis is in particular a rotational axis of an input shaft and / or a rotational axis of an output shaft.

[0050] The term "horizontal" is understood here to mean an alignment parallel to a flat floor surface, in particular an alignment parallel to the floor within the respective, customary and required tolerances with regard to the respective assembly and / or the respective work step requiring the alignment, while the term "essentially horizontal" denotes an alignment around the horizontal, in particular with an angular deviation of up to + / - 5°, even if this is outside the customary tolerances.

[0051] In this context, "displacement in a defined plane" refers to translational movement in a defined plane, and "horizontal displacement" refers to translational movement in a horizontal plane, each within the customary and required tolerances with regard to the respective assembly and / or the respective work step requiring alignment.

[0052] In this context, "enabling" means creating a state in which the described action can be performed. In this case, that means that if the alignment device of a floor-guided transport cart is designed to allow the assembly to be moved into a horizontal plane, then the assembly and / or the receiving device must be brought into a state in which the assembly can be moved horizontally.

[0053] In this context, "causing" is understood to mean performing an action as described. This means that if the alignment device of a floor-guided transport cart is designed to cause the assembly to shift into a horizontal plane, then the alignment device itself can bring about the shift of the assembly in the horizontal plane, whereby in this case the alignment device specifically includes one or more actuator devices.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport trolley is designed in particular for the indirect receiving of the assembly assembly, wherein the transport trolley is designed in particular for receiving the assembly assembly by means of a transport frame, in particular for receiving a transport frame in which the assembly assembly is received or can be received.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the floor-guided transport cart is, in particular, trackless and non-rail-guided, and can be moved on the floor, especially driverless. In another embodiment of the present invention, the floor-guided transport cart is, in particular, passive, i.e., without a drive system, and can be towed by a towing vehicle and, in particular, connected to a towing vehicle, especially to a towing vehicle, especially a material handling vehicle, for example a forklift truck or a tractor, in particular a tractor designed for internal transport, or the like.

[0056] In another, particularly alternative, embodiment of the present invention, the floor-guided transport cart is particularly actively designed, i.e., driven, wherein in particular at least one axle of the transport cart is designed as a driven axle.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ground-guided transport vehicle is designed, in particular, as a ground-guided transport trailer, specifically as a two-track trailer with, in particular, at least two axles. In one embodiment of the present invention, the ground-guided transport vehicle has, in particular, at least one drawbar for coupling to a towing vehicle, and in particular, at least one detachable drawbar. In one embodiment of the present invention, the drawbar can be attached, in particular, to at least one side of the transport vehicle, specifically to a front and / or a rear of the transport vehicle and / or laterally, in particular selectively, and in particular alternatively. This allows the direction of travel of the ground-guided transport vehicle to be reversed without turning and / or pivoting the transport vehicle. This enables particularly easy handling of the transport vehicle.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drawbar is designed in a weight-optimized manner, in particular made of a lightweight material and / or in particular has a lightweight construction.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one axle of the transport vehicle is designed to be steerable, in particular omnidirectionally steerable, in order to achieve high maneuverability of the transport vehicle and in particular to enable maneuvering in a small area.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport carriage is designed in particular such that the assembly to be received can be received with the defined axis in a substantially horizontal direction, in particular horizontally, wherein the defined axis of the assembly is in particular a longitudinal axis of the assembly.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport trolley is designed in particular for transporting an aircraft engine, in particular for receiving an aircraft engine with its axis of rotation (= (main) engine axis) in a horizontal direction, wherein the alignment device of the transport trolley enables in particular an (exact) alignment of the engine axis in a horizontal direction within the tolerances customary in the trade and required for the next processing step, in particular a horizontal alignment with an angular deviation of less than one degree to the horizontal, in particular with an angular deviation of less than 0.5° to the horizontal, in particular with an angular deviation of less than + / - 0.3° to the horizontal, in particular with an angular deviation of less than 0.1° to the horizontal.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport cart has a receiving device with at least two receiving devices for (direct, indirect or semi-direct) receiving of the assembly assembly (or one or more auxiliary receiving devices designed to receive the assembly assembly), wherein the at least two receiving devices, in relation to a state with an assembly assembly received by the transport cart, are arranged in particular (in axial direction) along or parallel to the defined axis of the assembly assembly.

[0063] If the transport cart is designed for the indirect or semi-direct handling of the assembly, in one embodiment of the present invention the transport cart is particularly, and preferably additionally, designed to accommodate at least one auxiliary receiving device, especially in an empty state, i.e., on its own without an assembly received therein. This allows the transport cart to also be used for transporting the auxiliary receiving device within the production system, particularly for returning the auxiliary receiving device.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly unit can be placed on the transport trolley from above, in particular by means of a lifting device, especially by means of a crane device and / or a portal crane.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport trolley in particular has at least one transport securing device by means of which the assembly can be fixed in a transport position, particularly during transport.

[0066] In one embodiment of the present invention, the alignment device for aligning the defined axis of the received assembly at a defined angle to the horizontal comprises, in particular, a height adjustment device, especially a hydraulic height adjustment device with at least one hydraulic cylinder and / or at least one hydraulic cushion, wherein, by means of the height adjustment device, at least one of the receiving devices for receiving the assembly is height-adjustable.

[0067] This allows the assembly to be aligned horizontally in a simple way, especially with a structurally simple design of the transport trolley.

[0068] In this context, the term "height" is understood to mean the resulting distance of a defined point to the ground in a vertical direction, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal.

[0069] In this context, "height adjustment" is understood to mean adjusting or changing the resulting distance of a defined point to the ground, whereby the defined point can be moved relative to the ground by the height adjustment, particularly in the vertical direction, but not necessarily only in the vertical direction.

[0070] In one embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment device of a transport trolley designed according to the present invention is particularly designed to adjust at least one of the receiving devices in height by at least + / -25 mm around a defined zero position, in particular by + / - 25 mm around the horizontal.

[0071] In one embodiment of the present invention, the loading surface height of the floor-guided transport cart, in particular the height of the support surfaces of the receiving devices of the transport cart, relative to a horizontally oriented state of a received assembly assembly, is in particular at most 250 mm, wherein the floor-guided transport cart in particular has a ground clearance of at least 100 mm.

[0072] In one embodiment of the present invention, the alignment device in particular comprises at least one displacement device for enabling and / or effecting a defined displacement of the received assembly in a horizontal plane while maintaining a constant position of the transport carriage, in particular a pneumatic displacement device.

[0073] In one embodiment of the present invention, the displacement device is particularly designed to enable manual horizontal displacement of the assembly with minimal effort, i.e., manually, in particular by one or more employees without significant effort, and in particular without an additional drive device.

[0074] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one pneumatic displacement device has at least two plates arranged at least substantially horizontally, in particular horizontally, and at least substantially parallel, in particular parallel, one above the other, in particular metal plates, in particular ground metal plates, and is designed to generate a defined air gap between these at least two plates.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one pneumatic displacement device, preferably all pneumatic displacement devices, is designed to generate an air gap with a gap width, in particular a gap height (in the vertical direction) of at least 0.05 mm, in particular of at least 0.1 mm, up to a maximum of 0.3 mm, in particular up to a maximum of 0.2 mm.

[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport carriage is designed in particular such that a weight force of the assembly assembly can be supported at least partially on at least one plate located above an air gap.

[0077] This allows the assembly to be easily "floated," particularly by means of the generated air gap. The air gap acts like a sliding bearing, specifically a sliding plane, so that the assembly can be easily moved in a horizontal plane (provided the pneumatic displacement device is appropriately designed), particularly without significant effort, and especially without additional drive devices or the like, but simply manually by one or more workers. During the movement, the upper plate of the pneumatic displacement device, along with the load, particularly the assembly supported on it, slides on a cushion of air.

[0078] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport carriage has in particular several and in particular suitably distributed pneumatic displacement devices as described above, wherein the displacement devices are in particular distributed such that the weight distribution of the assembly and any necessary auxiliary receiving devices is as uniform as possible.

[0079] A pneumatically designed displacement device as described above offers the particular advantage that, because the air gap can be generated very precisely, a precise horizontal alignment can be achieved by means of the height adjustment device. This allows for precise horizontal displacement and positioning of the assembly while simultaneously maintaining the horizontal alignment of the assembly's defined axis, especially manually. Thus, the assembly can be transferred precisely aligned to another device, such as a second transport device or another receiving device, and / or precisely coupled, especially connected, to another assembly.

[0080] In one embodiment of the present invention, the displacement device is particularly designed to enable or effect a displacement path in a horizontal plane, in particular in an XY plane, of at least + / - 30 mm, in particular of at least + / - 50 mm, in particular of at least + / - 70 mm in each X and / or Y direction around a defined zero position.

[0081] In one embodiment of the present invention, the displacement device has a fixing device for fixing the assembly in at least one position, in particular for fixing the assembly in an alignment position and / or in a zero position.

[0082] In one embodiment of the present invention, in particular in an embodiment of a transport trolley with a hydraulic height adjustment device and a pneumatic displacement device as described above, which is designed to create an air gap between two plates, at least one hydraulic cylinder and / or at least one hydraulic cushion, preferably all hydraulic cylinders and / or hydraulic cushions, of the height adjustment device are arranged above the pneumatic displacement device, in particular on an upper plate of at least one displacement device.

[0083] If more than one hydraulic cylinder and / or hydraulic cushion is provided, in one embodiment of the present invention, at least two or all hydraulic cylinders and / or hydraulic cushions can be controlled individually and, in particular, independently of one another. This allows for a particularly precise height adjustment.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment device is designed, in particular, the hydraulic cylinders and / or hydraulic cushions are arranged and / or interconnected and / or hydraulically linked to one another in such a way that a height adjustment with a 3-point support is achieved, wherein, in particular, the height of each point support can be adjusted individually and independently of the other point supports. This allows, in particular, a uniform load distribution on the sliding device to be achieved.

[0085] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least two hydraulic cylinders and / or hydraulic cushions are hydraulically coupled to each other, in particular hydraulically connected to each other.

[0086] This allows a recording device to be provided in a particularly space-saving and compact manner, which serves both the horizontal alignment of the defined axis and also a horizontal displacement.

[0087] In one embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment device, in particular at least one station in which alignment of the assembly by means of the height adjustment device is required, can be connected to a stationary supply system, in particular a stationary hydraulic and / or electrical supply system.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one displacement device, in particular in at least one station in which a horizontal displacement of the assembly by means of the displacement device is required, can be connected to a stationary supply system, in particular a stationary pneumatic and / or electrical supply system.

[0089] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport system has in particular at least one further receiving device, in particular designed separately from the straddle carrier, wherein the assembly to be transported can be removed from the straddle carrier to one side of the straddle carrier and between at least two columns, in particular by means of the at least one further receiving device.

[0090] In this context, a "receiving device" is understood to be a device for receiving, in particular for storing, especially for defined storage, a component or assembly in space.

[0091] The term "receiving device" is understood here to mean a part or assembly of a receiving device, wherein the receiving device represents the actual receiving, i.e., that part of the receiving device which is actually coupled to the component or assembly to be received.

[0092] In one embodiment of the present invention, the further receiving device for taking over the assembly to be transported from the portal truck can be positioned, in particular, below the portal frame of the portal truck.

[0093] In one embodiment of the present invention, the further receiving device comprises, in particular, a base plate or a frame, especially one located near the ground, wherein the base plate or frame is, in particular, in at least one operating state of the receiving device, accessible from below by an automated guided vehicle designed as a transport platform, wherein the base plate or frame is, in particular, height-adjustable and, in particular, supported on several, each height-adjustable, feet. A frame allows for better accessibility of the assembly compared to a base plate. Furthermore, a more advantageous stiffness-to-weight ratio can be achieved with a frame.

[0094] This allows for the provision of a particularly simple receiving device (for example, no wheels or the like are required), which itself is not designed as a transport device in the true sense, but which is nevertheless easily transportable and thus enables the transport of the received assembly in a simple manner.

[0095] In one embodiment of the present invention, the base plate or the frame near the ground, relative to its maximum height, i.e., in at least one state, has a ground clearance of at least 300 mm, but in particular of at most 350 mm. In another state, particularly at a minimum set height, the base plate or the frame has a ground clearance of at most 150 mm, and in particular of at most 100 mm.

[0096] This ensures sufficient height for a driverless industrial truck designed as a transport platform to pass underneath, thus enabling easy and flexible transport of the mounting device. Furthermore, lowering the base plate or frame ensures a low working height, allowing for ergonomic handling of the assembly within the mounting device.

[0097] In one embodiment of the present invention, the further receiving device is designed, in particular for receiving the assembly assembly, with a defined axis of the assembly assembly in the horizontal direction and has, in particular for receiving the assembly assembly, at least one first, in particular front, receiving device and one second, in particular rear, receiving device.

[0098] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first receiving device and the second receiving device are arranged, in particular, along a receiving axis.

[0099] In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly group is oriented with the defined axis, in particular parallel to the receiving axis, and in particular coaxial to the receiving axis, to be received by the further receiving device.

[0100] In one embodiment of the present invention, the further receiving device is designed in particular such that in at least one operating state of the receiving device, an assembly received by the receiving device is rotatable about the defined axis of the assembly extending in the horizontal direction.

[0101] A receiving device designed according to an embodiment of the present invention, by means of which a received assembly assembly can be rotatable about its defined axis arranged in a horizontal direction, enables the provision of an assembly assembly for inspection, in particular the provision of an area of ​​the assembly assembly to be inspected visually or optically, in an ergonomically accessible field of vision of an employee or in a position and / or orientation that is easily accessible and / or reachable with a testing device, for example an endoscope or a borescope.

[0102] This can improve the quality, especially the reliability, of a visual inspection of the assembly and consequently reduce the probability of errors, which is particularly advantageous when testing aircraft engines.

[0103] In one embodiment of the present invention, the further receiving device, in particular at least one of the receiving devices, is designed to be adjustable in such a way that an angle of the defined axis of the received assembly to the horizontal is adjustable, in particular is defined and adjustable.

[0104] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first and second receiving devices is height-adjustable, in particular such that the assembly can be received at a defined angle of the defined axis to the horizontal, and in particular such that the assembly can be received or aligned horizontally with its defined axis. Such alignment may be necessary for many applications and is particularly advantageous for the visual inspection and / or endoscopic inspection of an engine.

[0105] In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device is in particular designed such that an assembly received by the receiving device can be rotated by at least + / - 45° around a defined zero position, in particular by at least + / - 90° around the zero position, but in particular by at most + / - 95° around the zero position.

[0106] In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device includes a rotary drive for rotating the assembly held in the receiving device about the defined axis. The rotary drive can be manually operated or driven by a drive motor, and in particular, the rotary drive may be a chain drive. In the case of a manually operated rotary drive, the rotation can be effected, in particular, by means of a crank that drives a pinion acting on a drive chain, thereby causing the assembly to rotate. Alternatively, instead of a hand crank or the like, the rotary motion of the drive pinion can also be effected by means of a drive motor.

[0107] In one embodiment of the present invention, one of the two first and second receiving devices is designed for backlash-free reception of the assembly in the direction of the defined axis, and the other of the two first and second receiving devices allows for length compensation in the direction of the defined axis. That is to say, in particular, either the first receiving device is designed for backlash-free reception of the assembly in the longitudinal direction and the second receiving device allows for length compensation, or vice versa.

[0108] This allows the assembly to be received without stress in at least one operating state of the receiving device in the direction of the defined axis, and in particular to be stored without stress in this direction.

[0109] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the two first and second receiving devices is designed, in particular the second receiving device, such that an offset in a horizontal plane in a direction perpendicular to the defined axis of the assembly of the defined axis of a receiving axis defined by the receiving device, in particular of a rotation axis defined by the receiving device about which the received assembly is rotatable, can be compensated.

[0110] This allows the assembly to be rotated stress-free around the defined axis in at least one operating state of the holding device. This prevents stress on the assembly during rotation. In the case of an engine, this can, for example, improve the quality of the results of a visual inspection and / or endoscopic examination. In particular, geometric changes to the assembly resulting from stress in the holding device, especially gap dimensions or the like, can be avoided.

[0111] A receiving device designed according to one of the above-described designs enables stress-free receiving of the assembly, in particular in the direction of the defined axis of the assembly, as well as stress-free rotation of the assembly about the defined axis.

[0112] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first receiving device has a guide device for guiding the assembly when rotating about the defined axis, wherein the guide device has at least one guide segment extending at least partially in the circumferential direction around the defined axis, in particular with at least one guide roller, wherein when rotating the assembly about the defined axis, in particular the assembly or a guide ring attached to the assembly or a guide ring segment attached to the assembly rolls on the guide segment, in particular on the guide roller, in particular with a guide surface.

[0113] The direction "circumferential direction" refers to a direction of rotation around the defined axis.

[0114] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide device can be designed not only for guiding during rotation, but also for supporting the assembly in a vertical direction, i.e., for at least partially supporting a weight force of the assembly.

[0115] In one embodiment of the present invention, if a guide ring or a guide ring segment is provided, the guide ring or the guide ring segment is in particular rigidly attached or attachable to the assembly, in particular screwed and / or bolted to it.

[0116] In one embodiment of the present invention, the position of the guide device, in particular in the vertical direction, i.e. in particular in height, in particular of the at least one guide segment, is changeable, in particular in a defined adjustable manner.

[0117] In this context, the term "vertical" refers to an orientation perpendicular to a horizontal plane, in particular an orientation perpendicular to a horizontal floor.

[0118] The position, in particular the height of the guide device, in particular of the at least one guide segment, is changeable, in particular adjustable, especially for aligning the defined axis with a defined angle to the horizontal, in particular for horizontal alignment of the assembly.

[0119] This allows the defined axis of the assembly to be aligned, in particular essentially horizontally, and especially exactly horizontally, within the tolerances customary in the industry, in particular in such a way that the assembly can be mounted with a defined axis that is essentially horizontally aligned, and in particular exactly horizontally aligned.

[0120] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide device has at least two guide segments, in particular a first guide segment and a second guide segment, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction and each extend at least partially in the circumferential direction around the receiving axis and / or the defined axis, with reference to a state with a received assembly assembly, and in particular each have at least one guide roller, in particular at least two guide rollers, in particular at least or exactly three guide rollers, wherein when the assembly assembly is rotated about the defined axis, the assembly assembly or a guide ring attached to the assembly assembly or a guide ring segment attached to the assembly assembly rolls on the guide segments, in particular on the guide rollers, in particular with a guide surface.

[0121] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first guide segment and the second guide segment are arranged or positionable in a common radial plane of the assembly extending perpendicular to the defined axis and / or in a radial plane of the receiving device extending perpendicular to the receiving axis, and in particular symmetrically to a longitudinal median plane extending vertically along the defined axis, with reference to a state with a received assembly assembly.

[0122] The term "radial plane" in the usual technical sense refers to a plane normal to an associated axis, in this case to a plane normal to the defined axis and / or to a plane normal to the recording axis of the recording device, i.e. in particular to a plane oriented perpendicular to the defined axis.

[0123] The term "longitudinal median plane" refers in this case to a plane through which the defined axis of the assembly runs, in particular to that of the two longitudinal median planes through which the defined axis runs, which extends in a vertical direction.

[0124] In one embodiment of the present invention, a distance between the first guide segment and the second guide segment, in particular a distance in a radial plane extending perpendicular to the defined axis of the assembly, is adjustable, in particular a distance along a horizontal axis in the radial plane.

[0125] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second guide segments are in particular designed separately from each other and / or in particular mounted separately from each other.

[0126] This allows the height of the intersection point of the defined axis with the radial plane in which the first and second guide segments are arranged to be adjusted, particularly in a simple way, and thus the assembly can be aligned horizontally in a particularly simple way.

[0127] By arranging the guide segments symmetrically with respect to the defined axis, in particular with respect to a longitudinal median plane extending vertically along the defined axis, a symmetrical load distribution on the two guide segments and a central alignment of the assembly in the area of ​​the first receiving device can be achieved in a particularly simple manner.

[0128] In one embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the first guide segment and the second guide segment can be changed, in particular adjusted, such that the assembly can be received with a substantially horizontally oriented, in particular a precisely horizontally oriented, defined axis.

[0129] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first guide segment and the second guide segment can be displaced, and in particular moved, in a horizontal direction, particularly by means of a horizontal rail, wherein the first guide segment and the second guide segment are slidably mounted on the rail. Displacement of the first guide segment and the second guide segment can be effected synchronously and / or symmetrically, particularly by means of a manually operated linear actuator or a linear actuator driven by a drive motor.

[0130] In one embodiment of the invention, the linear drive has at least one rotary spindle, in particular a manually operable rotary spindle or a rotary spindle that can be driven by means of a drive motor, in particular an electric motor, and in particular a corresponding drive motor.

[0131] In one embodiment of the invention, the first guide segment is coupled to the rotary spindle of the linear drive by means of a left-hand thread and the second guide segment by means of a right-hand thread or vice versa, so that a rotation of the spindle about a spindle axis causes a linear, synchronous and in particular symmetrical displacement of the first guide segment and the second guide segment, in particular in opposite directions.

[0132] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second receiving device of the receiving apparatus for receiving the assembly assembly has at least one first receiving frame rotatable in the circumferential direction about the defined axis, in particular mounted in a height-adjustable manner, wherein the assembly assembly can be received in particular concentrically to a rotational axis of the receiving frame.

[0133] The height-adjustable mounting of the second receiving device allows, with appropriate design, the assembly to be easily aligned with its defined axis at a defined angle to the horizontal, in particular horizontally.

[0134] In one embodiment of the invention, the first receiving frame is in particular ring-shaped or ring-segment-shaped, in particular C-shaped, in particular circular ring-shaped or circular ring-segment-shaped.

[0135] In one embodiment of the invention, the receiving frame has an opening angle of less than 100°, wherein the receiving frame is in particular rotatable by + / - 90° around a defined zero position about the defined axis and / or the receiving axis of the receiving device.

[0136] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second receiving device further comprises a second receiving frame coupled to the first receiving frame, in particular arranged in a radial direction within the first receiving frame, wherein the second receiving frame is rotatable in the circumferential direction about the defined axis, in particular together with the first receiving frame.

[0137] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second receiving frame is in particular ring-shaped or ring-segment-shaped, in particular C-shaped, in particular circular ring-shaped or circular ring-segment-shaped.

[0138] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the two receiving frames of the second receiving device, in particular the first receiving frame, is designed for coupling with the rotary drive device to effect a rotation of the assembly about the defined axis, wherein the associated receiving frame in particular has a toothing which is in particular operatively connected to a drive chain of the rotary drive device.

[0139] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second receiving frame is rotatably mounted relative to the first receiving frame about a vertical axis, in particular at least within certain limits, in particular at least by an angle of + / - 2° around a defined zero position, in particular by a defined angle of + / - 3°, 4° or 5° around the zero position, but in particular by a maximum of + / - 7.5° around the zero position.

[0140] This allows for compensation of any offset of the defined axis of the assembly, particularly in a horizontal plane relative to the receiving axis of the receiving device, so that tension on the assembly when rotating around the defined axis can be reduced or completely avoided.

[0141] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second receiving frame is rotatably mounted relative to the first receiving frame about a vertical axis, in particular by means of a vertically arranged bolt rotatably mounted in a recess, wherein the bolt is in particular arranged centrally in the circumferential direction on the second receiving frame, in particular is attached, and extends in particular in a radial direction outwards from the second receiving frame.

[0142] In one embodiment of the present invention, the bolt is in particular conical in shape and in particular formed integrally with the second receiving frame and in particular is mounted in a recess in the first receiving frame, in particular inserted into a recess in the first receiving frame, in particular inserted through a receptacle in the first receiving frame.

[0143] The direction specification “radial” refers, as is customary in the field, to a direction that is perpendicular to an axial direction and the circumferential direction, while the direction specification “axial” refers, as is customary in the field, to a direction parallel to the defined axis and / or to the receiving axis of the receiving device.

[0144] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first receiving frame or the second receiving frame of the second receiving device has at least one, in particular two, suspensions for suspending the assembly in the receiving frame, wherein the assembly is in particular suspended in the second receiving device concentrically to an axis of rotation of the first receiving frame and / or the second receiving frame.

[0145] This allows for a particularly advantageous positioning of the assembly in the holding device.

[0146] In one embodiment of the present invention, in particular the at least one suspension or in particular the two suspensions of the first or second receiving frame are each coupled to the receiving frame for length compensation in the direction of the defined axis and in particular each via a slide which is movably mounted in the direction of the defined axis, in particular guided on a rail or in a track.

[0147] This allows for length compensation in the direction of the defined axis of the assembly or in the direction of the receiving axis in a particularly simple way.

[0148] In another embodiment of the present invention, in particular in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first receiving frame or the second receiving frame is designed such that the assembly or a support ring or a support ring segment attached to the assembly can be received by the receiving device on the first or second receiving frame by resting on it, i.e., it can be arranged resting on the receiving frame instead of hanging on it, and in particular can be mounted resting on or in the second receiving device.

[0149] In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly assembly can be placed onto the receiving device from above, in particular together with a guide ring or guide ring segment attached to the assembly assembly for guiding the assembly assembly during rotation, particularly in the first receiving device, and / or together with a support ring or support ring segment attached to the assembly assembly, in particular for support in the second receiving device.

[0150] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and / or the second receiving frame of the second receiving device is designed, in particular, as a closed, especially one-piece, circular ring, wherein in this case the at least one suspension, and in particular all suspensions, are arranged axially with respect to the defined axis or the receiving axis, in particular offset from the receiving frame, in order to continue to allow the mounting assembly to be inserted onto the receiving device from above. That is to say, in this case the at least one suspension is not located in a common radial plane extending perpendicular to the defined axis or the receiving axis of the mounting assembly with the receiving frame, but in a radial plane offset from it.

[0151] The circumferentially closed design of the mounting frame allows for greater stability. Consequently, the frame can be made smaller, which can have a positive impact on the weight of the mounting device. However, the required axial offset of the suspension increases its effective lever arm, which can ultimately have a negative impact on the dimensions of the mounting device.

[0152] In another, particularly alternative, embodiment of the present invention, the first and / or second mounting frame is designed, in particular, as an open circular ring. In this case, the at least one suspension, and in particular all suspensions, can be arranged axially within the mounting frame with respect to the defined axis, thereby minimizing the effective lever arms of the suspensions. However, an open circular ring is fundamentally less stable than a closed circular ring and therefore, to avoid twisting in particular, must generally be dimensioned proportionally larger.

[0153] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and / or the second receiving frame is designed as a closed, but multi-part, circular ring, in particular with a lower circular ring segment and an upper circular ring segment, wherein the upper circular ring segment, with respect to a functional state of use of the receiving frame, is foldable downwards, in particular about a horizontal axis that runs in a radial plane extending perpendicular to the defined axis. This design allows the mounting assembly to be inserted onto the receiving frame from above, but does not require any axial offset of the suspensions for receiving the mounting assembly.

[0154] After the mounting assembly has been inserted, the upper circular ring segment of this embodiment of the present invention can be folded up, in particular to form a closed circular ring with the lower circular ring segment. With such a design, the effective lever arms of the suspensions can be kept as short as possible. Furthermore, the stability of a nearly one-piece, closed circular ring can be achieved, especially if the two circular ring segments of the mounting frame are firmly connected to each other for functional use, for example by screwing and / or bolting.

[0155] A method according to an embodiment of the present invention for operating a transport system designed according to one of the embodiments described herein is characterized by the steps: - Providing a straddle carrier for receiving an assembly to be transported at a station, in particular a first station; inserting the assembly from one side of the straddle carrier and between at least two columns into the straddle carrier; positioning the assembly below the gantry frame; transferring the assembly to the straddle carrier; transporting the assembly by means of the straddle carrier to a further station, in particular a second station; and removing the assembly at the further station, in particular a second station, upwards through the gantry frame and out of the straddle carrier. AND / OR - Providing a straddle carrier for taking over an assembly to be transported at one, in particular a second, station, inserting the assembly from above through the gantry frame into the straddle carrier, transporting the assembly by means of the straddle carrier to one, in particular a first or further, station, transferring the assembly from the straddle carrier, and removing the assembly at the station, in particular a first or further station, to one side of the straddle carrier and between at least two columns from the straddle carrier

[0156] In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly to be transported and transferred to the straddle carrier, in particular at the first station, is introduced into the straddle carrier from one side of the straddle carrier and between at least two columns, particularly by means of a floor-guided transport cart, and is positioned below the gantry frame, particularly horizontally and / or aligned in a horizontal plane, and in particular is transferred from the floor-guided transport cart by means of the straddle carrier.

[0157] In one embodiment of the present invention, the following steps are in particular carried out: Picking up an assembly to be transported by means of a first transport device of the transport system designed as a floor-guided transport trolley 20, - Providing the first transport device with the assembly to be transported at a station, - Providing a second transport device, designed as a height-adjustable straddle carrier, without a mounted assembly at a further, in particular first, station, - Transporting the assembly from the station to the next station, in particular to the first station, by means of the floor-guided transport cart, and transferring the assembly from the floor-guided transport cart to the straddle carrier, wherein, in a first step, the floor-guided transport cart enters the straddle carrier at least partially, in particular from at least one side of the straddle carrier and between at least two columns, and is positioned at least partially below the gantry frame of the straddle carrier.

[0158] In one embodiment of the present invention, the straddle carrier is provided in particular in a first transfer position, especially at the first station, in particular with a receiving device placed from above onto the straddle carrier, in particular onto the gantry frame.

[0159] The term "first transfer position" refers to a position of the straddle carrier in which the height of the straddle carrier, in particular the height of the gantry frame, is set relative to the ground in such a way that the floor-guided transport cart with the picked-up assembly can be driven into the straddle carrier without collision.

[0160] In one embodiment of the present invention, particularly in a second step for transferring the assembly to the straddle carrier, the assembly received by the transport vehicle is aligned. For this purpose, the defined axis of the assembly is aligned, particularly at a defined angle to the horizontal, particularly horizontally, particularly by means of the height adjustment device of the floor-guided transport vehicle, and / or the assembly is moved relative to the receiving device of the straddle carrier in a horizontal plane, particularly by means of at least one displacement device of the floor-guided transport vehicle, particularly by means of a pneumatic displacement device.

[0161] In one embodiment of the present invention, in particular in a third step for transferring the assembly to the portal crane, the receiving device of the portal crane is lowered by lowering the portal frame, in particular up to the assembly.

[0162] In one embodiment of the invention, the lowering of the receiving device is monitored in particular by means of a force measuring device, wherein the portal lift truck in particular has a force measuring device for this purpose.

[0163] In one embodiment of the present invention, the lowering of the receiving device of the portal truck is carried out in a force-controlled manner, in particular until a defined force limit is reached, in order to avoid damage, in particular to the assembly and / or the receiving device of the portal truck.

[0164] In one embodiment of the present invention, in particular in a further step for transferring the assembly to the portal crane, the assembly is coupled to the receiving device of the portal crane.

[0165] In one embodiment of the invention, particularly in a further step for transferring the assembly from the floor-guided transport cart to the straddle carrier, the assembly is attached to the receiving device of the straddle carrier, in particular suspended, wherein the assembly is for this purpose in particular screwed, in particular bolted to the receiving device.

[0166] In one embodiment of the present invention, in particular in a further step to transfer the assembly to the straddle carrier, the floor-guided transport carriage is extended from the straddle carrier, in particular to at least one side of the straddle carrier and between at least two columns.

[0167] In one embodiment of the present invention, in a further step the assembly is transported to a further, in particular a second, station by means of the straddle carrier, wherein the straddle carrier is first brought into a transport position, in particular by lowering the gantry frame of the straddle carrier to a defined transport height.

[0168] Lowering the portal frame to a defined transport height improves the stability of the straddle carrier by lowering the center of gravity of the assembly. In this context, the "transport position" is specifically a position, or rather a state, in which the portal frame of the straddle carrier is lowered to such an extent that there is only a ground clearance of less than 15 cm, and in particular a maximum of 10 cm, between the assembly and the ground.

[0169] In one embodiment of the present invention, in a further step, particularly at the second station, the assembly, especially together with the receiving device of the portal truck, is lifted upwards through the portal frame, particularly by means of a separate lifting device, especially by means of a crane device, and transferred to the second station and / or a device provided at the second station. If this station is a test bench, for example, to a receiving device of the test bench for testing the assembly, the assembly is transferred to a receiving device of the test bench for testing purposes.

[0170] In one embodiment of the present invention, in a further step, particularly after the work has been carried out on the assembly in the second station, for example after a test run of the assembly on a test bench, the assembly is transferred, in particular again, to the straddle carrier, in particular by means of a separate lifting device, in particular by means of a crane device, which can also be automated, and in particular together with the receiving device of the straddle carrier, by lowering it from above through the portal frame into the straddle carrier.

[0171] In one embodiment of the invention, the assembly is transported, in particular by means of the portal crane, especially to a further station, or back to the first station, wherein the portal crane is brought into a transport position for the transport, in particular by lowering the portal frame to a defined transport height.

[0172] In one embodiment of the present invention, particularly after the steps described above, the assembly assembly to be transported, which is to be transferred from the straddle carrier, particularly at the first or a further station, is transferred in particular to a further receiving device, in particular designed separately from the straddle carrier, wherein the further receiving device for receiving the assembly assembly from the straddle carrier is positioned below the gantry frame and the assembly assembly is transferred from the straddle carrier to the further receiving device, and wherein, with the aid of the further receiving device, the assembly assembly is removed from the straddle carrier to one side of the straddle carrier and between at least two columns.

[0173] This is done in particular according to the following steps: - Provision of the additional recording device, in particular at a further or the first station and - Inserting the assembly to be mounted into the mounting device from above.

[0174] The assembly can be inserted into the receiving device from above, possibly together with a guide ring and / or a support ring or a respective guide ring or support ring segment.

[0175] To transfer the assembly from the straddle carrier, the receiving device is at least partially inserted into the straddle carrier, in particular from at least one side and between at least two columns, and positioned at least partially below the gantry frame of the straddle carrier, and the assembly is lowered by means of the straddle carrier and placed onto the receiving device from above or inserted into the receiving device from above.

[0176] After the assembly has been transferred to the receiving device, in particular after the assembly has been placed on or received in the receiving device, the assembly may be fixed in a transport position or in the receiving device.

[0177] In one embodiment of the present invention, in particular a rotation about the defined axis of the assembly is blocked.

[0178] In one embodiment of the present invention, if a receiving frame of the second receiving device is designed in multiple parts, in particular foldable, it is closed in particular before transport.

[0179] In one embodiment of the present invention, in particular in a further step the receiving device with the assembly assembly received therein is transported to a further station.

[0180] In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device is transported from the further or first station to the next station, in particular by means of a forklift truck, in particular by means of a driverless forklift truck, in particular by means of a forklift truck designed as a transport platform, in particular by means of an omnidirectionally steerable forklift truck.

[0181] The transport of the receiving device is carried out in particular by means of a driverless industrial truck designed as a transport platform, which drives under the base plate or frame of the receiving device and lifts the receiving device over the base plate or frame.

[0182] In one embodiment of the invention, in particular, the base plate or frame for receiving the receiving device is first adjusted in height by means of the transport platform in such a way that the transport platform can pass under the base plate or frame and, in particular, in a further step, the transport platform is moved under the base plate or frame of the receiving device.

[0183] After passing under the base plate or frame, the transport platform is raised, or the base plate or frame is lowered, so that the receiving device lifts off the ground. The receiving device can then be transported to the next station, particularly using the transport platform.

[0184] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the next station, in particular optionally, the receiving device is transferred from a transport state to a further state, in particular a test state, and any transport locks that may be present are unlocked.

[0185] In one embodiment of the present invention, to transfer the receiving device from the transport state to the test state, in particular the transport platform is lowered or the base plate or frame is raised, especially in such a way that the receiving device rests on the ground.

[0186] In a further step, the industrial truck, in particular the transport platform, is driven out from under the base plate or the frame of the receiving device.

[0187] In one embodiment of the present invention, in particular in a further step, the base plate or frame is lowered to a defined test height to test the assembly, especially as far as possible in order to set the most ergonomic working height of the receiving device.

[0188] In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly is in particular tested in a further step, wherein the assembly is rotated about a defined angle about the defined axis for testing, in particular stepwise for each test section.

[0189] In one embodiment of the present invention, in particular after a (visual) inspection of the assembly, it is removed, in particular from the further receiving device and, in particular, by means of a lifting device, placed, in particular, back into a transport frame, in particular into a transport frame which can be placed on the floor-guided transport trolley by means of a forklift truck, and in particular, transported to a further station, in particular to a station for preparation for shipment, by means of the transport frame and a forklift truck, in particular with a floor-guided transport trolley or a self-propelled transport platform as described herein.

[0190] In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly is, particularly at the further, and especially the second, station, lifted upwards through the portal frame together with the receiving device of the straddle carrier, or, particularly by lowering together with the receiving device of the straddle carrier, inserted from above through the portal frame into the straddle carrier, particularly by means of a separate lifting device, and in particular by means of a crane device. In one embodiment of the present invention, this is done automatically.

[0191] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport system has in particular at least two, in particular several, straddle carriers and corresponding transfer stations, as described herein, so that at least two assembly assemblies can be simultaneously transferred to a straddle carrier, picked up by a straddle carrier, transported by means of a straddle carrier and / or coupled with one or more components and / or one or more further assembly assemblies in a state picked up by the straddle carrier.This significantly increases the utilization of the station accessed by the straddle carrier, which is primarily a test bench, because after the first assembly unit is removed by a first straddle carrier, a second assembly unit can be immediately introduced by another straddle carrier, instead of first removing the first assembly unit from the first straddle carrier and then placing the second assembly unit into the first straddle carrier and setting it up for a test run.

[0192] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a transport system described herein, designed according to the present invention and / or a transport method described herein, designed according to the present invention, is used for transporting a drive assembly or a transmission assembly, in particular for transporting a motor, a turbine, a drive unit or a transmission, within a production system.

[0193] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport system is particularly designed and is particularly used to transport an engine, in particular together with test equipment also picked up by the straddle carrier and in particular connected to the assembly assembly, from a first station to an engine test stand, to transfer it to the engine test stand and in particular after a test run to pick up the engine and the test equipment again and transport it to another station or back to the first station.

[0194] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport system is particularly designed and is used in such a way that the drive unit is transferred to the straddle carrier by means of a floor-guided transport carriage described herein and can be taken over by means of a further receiving device described herein, particularly after a test run has been carried out.

[0195] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments. The following is shown, in part schematically: Fig. 1 An embodiment of a floor-guided transport cart with a mounted assembly in the form of a drive unit in side view, Fig. 2 An embodiment of a portal crane with the drive unit 10 with an additionally mounted air inlet and a mounted but open cowling in a first state in perspective view, Fig. 3 the portal crane with the drive unit 10 from Fig. 2 in a further state during the removal of the engine 10 from the portal lift carriage 30 through the portal frame upwards in perspective view, Fig. 4 the portal pallet truck 30 from the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 in a further state after the engine has been deployed upwards through the portal frame in perspective view, Fig. 5 An embodiment of a separate receiving device with a received engine in a front view, Fig. 6 a section of the recording device from Fig. 5 in rear view in the area of ​​the rotary drive unit, Fig. 7a the recording device Fig. 5 schematically shown in side view, Fig. 7b the recording device Fig. 5 and Fig. 7a in top view, also schematically represented, Fig. 8a shows the second, in particular rear, receiving device of the receiving apparatus in a schematic representation of individual parts and schematically illustrates the second, in particular rear, receiving device from the Fig. 5, Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b rear view, Fig. 8b in exploded view Parts of the suspension of the rear receiving device made of Fig. 8a, Fig. 8c a section of the rear recording device from Fig. 8a or Fig. 7a in enlarged side view, Fig. Figure 9 shows a self-driving transport platform known from the state of the art in perspective. Fig. 10 the separate recording device from the Fig. 5, Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b, inserted into a height-adjustable straddle carrier 30, in particular by means of a self-propelled driverless transport platform, wherein the receiving device is shown in a state ready to receive a drive unit 10 from the straddle carrier 30, and Fig. 11 A schematic representation of an exemplary hall layout of a production hall of a production system to illustrate exemplary transport routes of the transport devices of an embodiment of a transport system according to the invention, which are covered during the operation of the transport system.

[0196] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a ground-guided transport trolley 20 with an aircraft engine 10, in particular a jet engine 10, mounted in a transport frame 11, intended for a passenger aircraft of the size of an Airbus A380. The engine 10 is mounted in the transport frame 11 with a defined axis A, which in this case is defined by the longitudinal axis or the rotational axis A of the engine 10, oriented horizontally and is indirectly moved by the ground-guided transport trolley 20 by means of the transport frame 11.

[0197] The in Fig. The transport trolley 20 shown in Figure 1 is designed for the indirect receiving of the engine 10, i.e., the transport trolley 20 does not have corresponding receptacles for the direct receiving of the engine 10, but an additional auxiliary receiving device is required in order to receive the engine 10 by means of the transport trolley 20, wherein in this case the transport frame 11 represents this auxiliary receiving device.

[0198] The engine 10 is placed and fixed on the transport frame 11 in a front mounting 11A and a rear mounting 11B, in relation to a flight direction in a functional installation state of the engine 10 in an aircraft.

[0199] The transport frame 11 also rests only on the transport trolley 20, the transport frame 11 with the engine 10 contained therein being placed on the transport trolley 20 from above using a forklift, the fork arms of which can be inserted into the openings 12 provided for this purpose in the transport frame 11.

[0200] The in Fig. The illustrated ground-guided transport cart 20 is designed as a passive, i.e., unpowered, transport cart 20, in particular as a transport trailer 20. The illustrated transport cart 20 can be moved trackless, i.e., independently of rails, on the ground, in particular on the floor of a production hall, within a production system, wherein the transport cart 20 is designed to be towed by means of a towing vehicle, in particular by means of a suitably designed industrial truck, such as a forklift or the like. For this purpose, the transport cart 20 has a drawbar 22 which is Fig. 1 is only indicated schematically.

[0201] To easily move the transport trolley 20 in the opposite direction of travel, in particular without having to turn or reverse the transport trolley 20 beforehand, the drawbar 22 is designed to be removable and, in this embodiment, can be attached at the front as well as at the rear. Fig. 1 shown, as well as being attached to the opposite side, i.e. at the rear, of the transport trolley 20.

[0202] The transport carriage 20 has an alignment device 23 configured to align the defined axis A, i.e., in this case the rotational axis A, of the mounted engine 10 at a defined angle to the horizontal H, in particular at a defined angle of 0° with customary tolerance, i.e., horizontally. Furthermore, the transport carriage 20, and in particular the alignment device 23, is configured to allow the engine 10 to be moved in a horizontal plane without moving the entire transport carriage 20 horizontally.

[0203] To align the axis of rotation A or the longitudinal axis A of the engine 10 with respect to the horizontal, the transport carriage 20 has a total of four receiving devices 27, 28: two front receiving devices 27 and two rear receiving devices 28, arranged in a rectangle on a base plate of the transport carriage 20 (not specified here), on which the transport frame 11 with the engine 10 mounted therein is supported. One front receiving device 27 and one rear receiving device 28 are arranged along a common axis that runs parallel to the defined axis A, or in this case, parallel to the axis of rotation A of the engine 10.

[0204] The two rear receiving devices 28 are each height-adjustable, i.e., a contact point, a contact line or a contact surface, over which the engine 10 or in this case the transport frame 11 is supported on the receiving device 28, is height-adjustable, i.e., in the Z-direction, and in particular, adjustable in a defined manner.

[0205] For this purpose, the transport trolley 20 has a height adjustment device 29 with a hydraulic pump 29B and hydraulic cushions 29A assigned to each of the two rear receiving devices 28, which serve as lifting cushions and by means of which the transport frame 11 can be raised in the area of ​​the rear transport opening 12, whereby the engine 10 with its axis of rotation A can be aligned relative to the horizontal H at a defined angle.

[0206] To enable the defined displacement of the mounted engine 10 in a horizontal plane while maintaining the constant position of the transport carriage 20, the four mounting devices 27, 28 are further configured as displacement devices 27A and 28A, specifically as pneumatic displacement devices 27A, 28A. For this purpose, the four mounting devices 27, 28 each have two superimposed, ground metal plates, with the pneumatic displacement devices 27A, 28A each being designed to create a defined air gap between these two plates. Corresponding air outlet holes are provided in the lower plate for this purpose, through which compressed air can flow to create the air gap.

[0207] The air gap created in this way acts like a sliding bearing and causes the transport frame 11 with the assembly unit 10 contained therein to "float" (with appropriate design of the displacement devices 27A, 28A and appropriate pressure applied). In this state, the assembly unit 10 can be precisely moved, and in particular precisely positioned, in a horizontal plane, especially manually by one or more workers without additional aids.

[0208] In this embodiment, the displacement devices 27A and 28A are designed such that a displacement of + / - 70 mm around a defined zero position in a horizontal plane is possible. The air gap can be generated very precisely. In particular, in the Fig. In the transport carriage 20 shown, an air gap with a gap width of only 0.1 mm in the Z direction, i.e., a gap height, is provided, thereby avoiding negative effects on the horizontal alignment of the engine 10 in the horizontal plane.

[0209] Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a straddle carrier 30 for transporting an assembly, in particular the engine 10, within a production system. The straddle carrier 30 is designed for the direct receipt of the engine 10 and has a corresponding receiving device 33 with a correspondingly designed suspension 33A, in particular a so-called pylon 33A, for suspending the engine 10. In this embodiment, the receiving device 33 is part of the so-called "Special Test Equipment (STE)," by means of which the engine 10 can be received in an engine test stand. It should be noted that in some of the illustrations, the connecting components with which the pylon 33A is attached to the longitudinal beam of the receiving device 33 are not shown. However, it is self-evident, and particularly clear to a person skilled in the art, that the pylon 33A or...The suspension 33A is attached to the longitudinal beam of the receiving device 33.

[0210] According to the present invention, the straddle carrier 30 has a height-adjustable gantry frame 31 supported by several columns 32A, 32B, 32C and 32D, by which, in particular, two gantries 30A and 30B are connected to each other in the straddle carrier 30. The gantry frame 31 is rectangular and is supported at each of its corners by a column 32A, 32B, 32C and 32D respectively.

[0211] The straddle carrier 30 is designed such that the drive unit 10 to be transported can be inserted into the straddle carrier 30 from at least one side, in this case from a front side between the two columns 32A and 32B, and positioned below the gantry frame 31, whereby the drive unit 10 can also be extended upwards through the gantry frame 31, see for example Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

[0212] The individual columns 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D, each supporting the portal frame 31, are each height-adjustable, in particular separately and independently of one another. Furthermore, each column 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D has wheels 34 arranged on its underside, shown here only schematically, which allow the straddle carrier 30 to be moved, in particular driven, on a floor. The wheels 34 are arranged and connected to the columns 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D in such a way that the straddle carrier 30 is omnidirectional, i.e., steerable in all directions. The wheels 34 of the front columns 32A and 32B, i.e., the wheels of the portal 30A, define a first axle for this straddle carrier 30, and the wheels 34 of the rear columns 32C and 32D, i.e.,the wheels of the rear portal 30B, a second, in particular rear axle, wherein in this portal truck 30 only the wheels 34 of the rear axle are driven, in particular independently of each other, which is particularly advantageous with regard to the omnidirectional steering capability of the portal truck 30.

[0213] The receiving device 33 is designed in particular analogous or similar to the actual receiving of the engine 10 on an aircraft, wherein in particular the suspension 33A is modeled on the actual engine mounting, the so-called pylon, on the aircraft.

[0214] The receiving device 33 is further designed such that the drive unit 10 can also be received by this device with its defined axis A, in particular with its longitudinal axis A or rotational axis A in a horizontal direction. The receiving device 33 is placed on top of the portal lift 30, in particular the portal frame 31.

[0215] For coupling the receiving device 33 with the portal frame 31, the portal pallet truck 30 has several coupling devices 35 and 36, in particular a rear coupling device 35 and two front coupling devices 36, each of which has a conical coupling bolt 35A or 36A (see Figure 3). Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) and a corresponding recess 35B or 36B for receiving the coupling bolt 35A or 36A, respectively. This ensures precise positioning of the receiving device 33 when placed on the portal frame 31. To simplify the coupling process, the two front coupling devices 36 are tiltable, in particular by up to 3 cm per m, relative to a longitudinal axis of the receiving device 33.

[0216] In an alternative embodiment of the straddle carrier 30, instead of the single coupling device 35 in the rear area of ​​the gantry frame 31, two or more coupling devices can be provided in the rear area of ​​the gantry frame 31, in particular laterally, especially tiltable coupling devices, to simplify the coupling process, which are designed in particular like the coupling devices 36 described above. In an alternative embodiment of the straddle carrier 30, instead of the two coupling devices 36, a coupling device 35 designed like the single rear coupling device 35 described above can also be provided in the front area of ​​the gantry frame 31.

[0217] The receiving device 33 is designed not only to receive the engine 10 via the suspension 33A, but also to receive further components and / or assembly groups, such as test equipment or the like.

[0218] The receiving device 33 is furthermore designed in such a way that the drive unit 10 can be removed in a state suspended on the receiving device 33, in particular by lifting together with the receiving device 33 or by lifting the receiving device 33 of the portal lift truck 30 upwards through the portal frame 31 and / or inserted into the portal lift truck 30 by lowering it.

[0219] Furthermore, the receiving device 33 of the portal frame 31 has a positioning aid device which is not shown here, in particular a laser device with at least one position laser for precisely positioning the drive unit 10 when inserted from one side, in particular when driving through the portal 30A under the portal frame 31.

[0220] The straddle carrier 30 is further designed in such a way that the drive unit 10 together with a mounted air inlet 13 and a mounted cowling 14 (enclosure) can be picked up by the straddle carrier 30, in particular also with an open, especially unfolded, cowling 14.

[0221] Fig. Figure 3 shows in perspective the portal lift truck 30 with the drive unit 10. Fig. 2 in a further state, in particular when the engine 10 is lifted out of the portal lift carriage 30 upwards through the portal frame 31, wherein Fig. Figure 3 in particular shows that the engine 10 together with the receiving device 33 can be removed and / or inserted by lifting upwards through the portal frame 31 using a further device not shown here, in particular a lifting device, such as a crane device or the like.

[0222] Fig. Figure 4 shows the 30 portal pallet truck from the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows a further state after the drive unit 10 has been extended upwards through the portal frame 31 in a perspective view, in which the straddle carrier 30, in particular the portal frame 31, has been lowered as far as possible after the drive unit 10, together with the receiving device 33, has been extended upwards through the portal frame 31. In this state, the straddle carrier 30 can be extended laterally from under the receiving device 33 and the drive unit 10. This enables particularly flexible use of a straddle carrier 30 within a production system.

[0223] Fig. 5 as well as the Fig. 7a and Fig. Figure 7b shows a first embodiment of a further, separate receiving device 40, i.e., not associated with the straddle carrier 30 and in particular not to be confused with the receiving device 33 of the straddle carrier 30, for receiving, transporting and partially testing an assembly in the form of an engine 10, in particular an aircraft engine 10, which is designed as a jet engine and is designed to power a passenger aircraft such as the Airbus A320 or the like. The receiving device 40 is designed in particular for receiving the engine 10 from the straddle carrier 30, in particular for receiving, transporting and partially testing the engine 10 within an associated production system for engine manufacturing.

[0224] The receiving device 40 is specifically designed to receive the drive unit 10 from the portal lift truck 30 and the portal lift truck 30 to transfer it to the receiving device 40.

[0225] The receiving device 40 can be inserted into the straddle carrier 30 with the drive unit 10 contained therein, in particular without collision, especially by means of the transport platform 70, in particular from at least one side, in this case from the front and between the columns 32A and 32B and through the associated portal 30A, and can be positioned at least partially below the portal frame 31 of the straddle carrier 30.

[0226] The receiving device 40 is designed to receive the engine 10 with a defined axis A, in this case the (main) machine axis A, and in particular the rotational axis A of the engine 10, in a horizontal direction. For this purpose, the receiving device has a first, in this case front, receiving element 40A, relative to a flight direction in a functional operating state of the engine 10 on an aircraft, and a second, in this case rear, receiving element 40B, wherein the first receiving element 40A, i.e., the front receiving element 40A, and the second receiving element 40B, i.e., the rear receiving element 40B, are arranged along a receiving axis not further specified here, which in this embodiment coincides with the defined axis A of the engine 10, i.e., the rotational axis A.

[0227] The receiving device 40 is designed such that in at least one operating state of the receiving device 40 the drive unit 10 can be rotated about the defined axis A running in the horizontal direction.

[0228] For rotating the drive unit 10 in the receiving device 40, the receiving device 40 has a rotary drive device 49, see Fig. 6, which has a drive pinion 52 rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation and a drive chain 51, wherein the drive chain 51 interacts with a toothing 50 of a first mounting frame 53 of the rear mounting device 40B.

[0229] To transmit the rotational movement of the mounting frame 53 of the rear mounting device 40B, the drive unit 10 is rotationally fixed to the mounting frame 53 in the circumferential direction, in particular via the suspensions 54A and 54B, cf. Fig. 8a.

[0230] A rotation of the drive pinion 52 by the amount shown in the illustration Fig. The rotation axis 6, oriented perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, thus leads to a rotation of the first mounting frame 53 of the rear mounting device 40B of the mounting device 40 and consequently causes a rotation of the drive unit 10, which is connected to the mounting frame 53 in a rotationally fixed manner in the circumferential direction, about the rotation axis A.

[0231] In the area of ​​the front receiving device 40A, the engine 10 is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the receiving device 40A, in particular by means of a guide ring 15 which is non-rotatably connected to the engine 10, by means of which a weight force of the engine 10 is supported on the front receiving device 40A and by means of which the engine 10 is guided in a rotational movement about the axis A by means of two guide segments 43A and 43B, each of which has several, in particular exactly three, guide rollers 44.

[0232] The guide segments 43A and 43B, intended for guiding the guide ring 15, extend at least partially circumferentially around the guide ring 15 and the engine 10, respectively, particularly around the engine axis A, and are designed such that the guide ring 15 rolls on the guide rollers 44, the guide ring 15 having a corresponding guide surface on its outer surface for this purpose. When the engine 10 rotates about the defined axis A, the guide ring 15 rolls on the guide rollers 44 of the guide segments 43A and 43B.

[0233] For improved guidance of the mounting frame 53 of the rear mounting device 40B, the rear mounting device 40B also has corresponding guide rollers, which are located in Fig. 5, however, are not specified in more detail.

[0234] The illustrated receiving device 40 is, in an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, in particular designed such that the drive mechanism 10 can be rotated around a zero position by + / - 90°, wherein the drive pinion 52 can be set into a rotary motion, in particular by means of a hand crank not shown and / or by means of a drive device also not shown.

[0235] To enable horizontal alignment of the engine 10 in the mounting device 40, the two guide segments 43A and 43B are adjustably arranged on a frame 41 near the bottom of the mounting device 40. In this embodiment, the two guide segments 43A and 43B can be moved together or apart horizontally by means of a hand crank 48 and a threaded spindle 46 rotatable by means of this crank. This results in a change and, in particular, a defined adjustment of the height, i.e., the vertical position, of the rotation axis A of the engine 10 in a radial plane lying with the guide segments 43A and 43B, which is perpendicular to a projected rotation axis A of the engine 10.

[0236] In this embodiment, the guide segments 43A and 43B are each slidably mounted on a rail 45 and each is coupled to the threaded spindle 46 via a thread, in particular with opposing threads, so that a rotation of the threaded spindle 46 by means of the hand crank 48 or a handwheel 48 causes in particular an opposing, symmetrical and synchronous movement of the guide segments 43A and 43B in a horizontal direction on the rail.

[0237] Furthermore, this receiving device 40 is designed to receive the engine 10 in the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the direction of the defined axis A, without stress, wherein the front receiving device 40A is designed to receive the engine 10 without play in the direction of the defined axis A and the second, rear receiving device 40B enables length compensation in the direction of the defined axis, which will be explained in more detail later.

[0238] The receiving device 40, in particular the rotatable receiving of the engine 10, enables an ergonomic inspection of the engine 10, in particular an ergonomic visual inspection by an employee, as well as an ergonomic endoscopic and / or boroscopic examination of the engine 10.

[0239] For a further improved ergonomic design, the receiving device 40 is also height-adjustable and for this purpose has height-adjustable feet 42 arranged in particular under a frame 41 near the ground, on which the first receiving device 40A and the second receiving device 40B are arranged, and in particular attached to an underside of the frame 41, by means of which the frame 41 can be lowered, in particular from a ground clearance of about 350 mm to a ground clearance of only about 0 mm, i.e. to almost or completely the ground.

[0240] This allows the drive unit 10 to be lowered by approximately 35 cm. As a result, a particularly ergonomic working height can be achieved for the employees. In this way, especially in conjunction with rotating the drive unit 10 around the defined axis A, many overhead tasks can be avoided. In particular, the areas to be inspected can be moved within an ergonomically accessible field of vision.

[0241] Fig. 7a shows the recording device 40 from Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows a side view, in which the arrangement of the first, front receiving device 40A and the second, rear receiving device 40B, by means of which the engine 10 is received in the receiving device 40, can be seen particularly well. It is also evident from Fig. Figure 7a clearly shows that the recording device in 40A and 40B is each arranged on a frame 41, which is supported on height-adjustable feet 42. Furthermore, it shows Fig. 7a, that the guide ring 15 extends in a radial plane perpendicular to the defined axis A and lies in this radial plane together with the guide rollers 44.

[0242] Fig. Figure 7b shows in particular the arrangement of the guide segments 43A and 43B on the rail 45 and the threaded spindle 46 provided for adjusting the distance between the guide segments 43A and 43B. By turning the spindle, as already described above, the distance between the guide segments 43A and 43B can be reduced or increased, depending on the direction of rotation of the threaded spindle 46, which brings the contact points on the guide rollers 44 closer together or further apart, resulting in the drive axis A moving upwards or downwards in the radial plane of the guide segments 43A and 43B.

[0243] This allows the engine axis A in the area of ​​the front mounting 40A, in particular the center of the guide ring 15, to be raised or lowered and thus (with appropriate design of the front mounting device 40A) a horizontal alignment of the engine axis A can be achieved.

[0244] For ease of handling, in particular for easy insertion and removal of the engine 10 into and out of the receiving device 40, the receiving device 40 is designed such that the engine 10 can be placed onto the receiving device 40 from above, with the guide ring 15 being pre-assembled on the engine 10. That is to say, the guide ring 15 is attached to the engine 10 before the engine 10 is inserted into the receiving device 40.

[0245] Due to the ring-segment-shaped design, in particular the open, C-shaped design of the mounting frame 53 of the rear mounting device 40B, the engine 10 can also be inserted into the rear mounting device 40B from above, wherein the opening or recess in the mounting frame 53 is dimensioned in such a way that the clear width of the mounting frame 53 is larger than the engine diameter in this area.

[0246] Fig. Figure 8a shows, in a schematic representation, the rear receiving device 40B from the [unclear text], individually and in a rear view. Fig. 5, Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b, in which this representation particularly well shows the mounting frame 53, the suspensions 54A and 54B and the rotary drive device 49, by means of which a rotary movement of the mounting frame 53 and consequently of the drive unit 10 fixedly connected to it can be effected. Fig. Figure 8c shows, for better understanding, an enlarged section of the rear recording device 40B in side view.

[0247] The mounting frame 53 is supported by two beams 56A and 56B and, as already described, is also guided by means of guide rollers 55A and 55B. Furthermore, as also already described, a toothed section 50 is provided on an outer surface of the mounting frame 53, which engages with the Fig. 8a drive chain 51 of the rotary drive unit 49, not shown, interacts (see Fig. 6) and transmits a rotary motion applied to the drive pinion 52 to the mounting frame 53. To transmit the rotary motion of the mounting frame 53, the drive unit 10, in particular a rear end of the drive unit 10, is connected to the mounting frame 53 in a rotationally fixed manner in the circumferential direction, with respect to the defined axis A, by means of the suspensions 54A and 54B corresponding cantilevers (not specified here), see Fig. 8a.

[0248] In this embodiment, the suspensions 54A and 54B each have correspondingly designed mounting plates 59, which can be attached to the rear end of the drive unit 10. The mounting plates 59 are guided by longitudinally movable slides 57, i.e., in the direction parallel to the defined axis A, which are each guided in a track 58 or on a rail, see [reference]. Fig. 8b.

[0249] To enable particularly flexible transport, especially within a production system, and particularly with the lowest possible working height and overall height, the receiving device 40 is further designed such that it can be driven under by a forklift truck, in particular by means of a driverless, self-propelled transport platform 70, so that it can be picked up and transported by the forklift truck, in particular the transport platform 70, as shown for example in Fig. 10 shown. Fig. Figure 9 shows, for better understanding, a self-propelled transport platform 70 known from the state of the art, in perspective.

[0250] To allow the transport platform 70 to pass under the receiving device 40, the frame 41 of the receiving device 40 can in particular be adjusted in height, in particular raised, in particular by means of the height-adjustable feet 42, so that the transport platform 70 can pass under the frame 41.

[0251] To pick up the receiving device 40 using the transport platform 70, the transport platform 70 can then move under the frame 41 of the receiving device 40. Afterwards, the frame 41 can either be raised by the transport platform 70 and / or the frame 41 of the receiving device 40 can be lowered so that the receiving device 40 lifts off the ground. Subsequently, the receiving device 40 can then be transported to another station using the transport platform 70.

[0252] Fig. Figure 11 shows a schematic representation of a hall layout of a production hall of a production system to illustrate exemplary transport routes for an embodiment of a transport system 100 according to the invention, which can be traveled during the operation of the transport system 100, wherein this transport system comprises several floor-guided transport trolleys 20, at least two straddle carriers 30, as well as several separate receiving devices 40 and several self-propelled transport platforms 70.

[0253] The transport system 100 described below by way of example and designed according to an embodiment of the present invention is designed for transporting an engine 10 and comprises several transport devices 20 designed as floor-guided transport trolleys 20 for transporting an engine 10 from a first station 1 to a second station 2A, and several, in particular two, transport devices designed as portal lift trucks 30 for transporting the engine 10 from the second station 2A to at least one further station, in particular to a third station 3, as well as for transporting it from the third station 3 back to the second station 2A and / or a further station 2B.

[0254] Furthermore, this transport system 100, which is described in more detail below, has several separate receiving devices 40 and several self-propelled transport platforms 70 for transporting the receiving devices 40, whereby a drive unit 10 can be transported from the second station 2A and / or the further station 2B to at least one next station 4 by means of the receiving devices 40.

[0255] Furthermore, the transport system 100 includes several industrial trucks, not shown here, designed as tractors for towing the floor-guided transport trolleys 20.

[0256] In this embodiment of a transport system 100, the floor-guided transport trolley 20, the straddle carrier 30 and the receiving device are designed as described above.

[0257] The following will be based on Fig. 11 a method according to the invention for operating a transport system 100 according to the invention in a particularly advantageous embodiment is explained in more detail using the transport system 100 described above as an example.

[0258] First, at a first station 1, the ground-guided transport trolley 20, which is designed to accommodate the engine 10, is provided in an empty state and the engine 10, which is provided in a transport frame 11, is placed on the transport trolley 20 by means of a lifting device, in particular by means of a forklift.

[0259] In a further step, the straddle carrier 30 is moved to a second station 2A or 2B, in particular to station 2A, as shown in Fig. 11 is shown, also in an empty state, provided.

[0260] In a further step, the ground-guided, unpowered transport vehicle 20 is coupled to a towing vehicle, in particular by means of the drawbar 22, and brought to the second station 2A, thereby transporting the drive unit 10 from the first station 1 of the transport system 100 to the second station 2A of the transport system 100.

[0261] At the second station 2A, the transport trolley 20 is driven into the straddle carrier 30, the height of which is set in particular such that the transport trolley 20 with the drive unit 10 mounted on it can be driven in without collision, in particular by means of the front portal 30A into the straddle carrier 30.

[0262] The transport from the first station 1 to the second station 2A can take place at ground level as well as over several floors, in particular by means of an elevator or the like, whereby the removable drawbar 22 of the transport trolley 20 enables particularly easy handling, in particular a change of direction of the transport trolley 20 without turning or rotating the transport trolley 20 and thus particularly space-saving maneuvering.

[0263] After the transport carriage 20 has been moved into the straddle carrier 30, various assembly or work steps can be carried out on the engine 10, for example the assembly of an air inlet 13 or the cowling 14. These can be carried out both before the actual transfer to the straddle carrier 30 and after the actual transfer to the straddle carrier 30, in particular the mounting device 33, depending on the work step to be performed.

[0264] For the actual transfer of the drive unit 10 to the portal lifting vehicle 30, in particular for the transfer of the drive unit 10 from the transport frame 11 to the receiving device 33, in a first step the alignment device 23 of the transport carriage 20 is connected to a corresponding supply in the second station 2A, whereby in particular the height adjustment device 29 is connected to a corresponding hydraulic supply and the pneumatic displacement devices 27A and 28A are each connected to a compressed air supply.

[0265] In a further step, the engine 10 is aligned with its defined axis A in the horizontal direction by means of the alignment device 23, in particular by means of the height adjustment device 29 and the displacement devices 27A and 28A, in particular at a defined angle to the horizontal H (cf. Fig. 1) in particular with a defined angle of 0° (within the limits of the tolerances to be observed in the trade, and moved in a horizontal plane for precise positioning relative to the receiving device 33.

[0266] For the horizontal alignment of the defined axis A, the rear receiving devices 28A can be adjusted in height (in the Z direction) by means of the hydraulic cushions 29A, and for the exact positioning of the drive unit 10 in a horizontal plane (XY plane), the pneumatic displacement devices 27A and 28A, in particular all pneumatic displacement devices 27A and 28A, can be activated and an air gap can be created between the upper plates and the lower plates of the displacement devices 27A and 28A.

[0267] After the air gap has been created, the engine10 can be moved manually, in particular by one or more workers and without great effort, in a horizontal plane, in particular in the XY plane, and positioned precisely below the receiving device 33 of the portal lift truck 30, in particular precisely below the pylon 33A.

[0268] In an advantageous embodiment of a transport carriage 20, it has a corresponding fixing device to secure the engine 10 in the aligned position. If no separate fixing device is present, the positioning in the horizontal plane can also be fixed by reducing the air gap.

[0269] If the engine 10 is precisely positioned opposite the receiving device 33, in a further step the portal frame 31 with the receiving device 33 mounted on it is lowered by means of the height-adjustable columns 32A to 32D, in particular evenly and in particular up to the engine 10.

[0270] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the straddle carrier 30, in particular the receiving device 33, has a force measuring device which enables force-controlled lowering of the receiving device 33, in particular until a defined force limit is reached. This allows damage, in particular to the drive unit 10 and / or the receiving device 33 of the straddle carrier 30, to be avoided in a simple manner.

[0271] After the receiving device 33, in particular the suspension 33A, has been brought into contact with the engine 10, the engine 10 is attached to the suspension 33A, in particular screwed, in particular bolted to the suspension 33A.

[0272] In a further step, the engine 10 can now be lifted using the portal lift truck 30, in particular out of the transport frame 11, whereby the portal frame 31 is lifted using the height-adjustable columns 32A to 32D, in particular to such an extent that the transport trolley 20 with the transport frame 11 located on it can be extended out of the portal lift truck 30 without collision.

[0273] In a further step, the straddle carrier 30 is moved into a working position at the second station 2A, for which the gantry frame 31 is lowered as far as possible to allow for optimal accessibility. In this working position, work can then be carried out on the holding device 33 or on the drive unit 10, and, for example, further components or assembly groups, such as test equipment, measuring technology, sensors, etc., can be mounted. In particular, the drive unit 10 can be set up for an upcoming test run on a test bench.

[0274] In a further step, the straddle carrier 30 is moved into a transport position, in particular by setting a defined height of the gantry frame 31 relative to the ground, and the drive unit 10 is transported by means of the straddle carrier 30 from the second station 2A to another, in particular a third, station 3, for example to a test stand. The transport position is in particular a position in which the drive unit 10 is located a few centimeters, in particular about 10 cm, above the ground in order to achieve the lowest possible center of gravity of the straddle carrier 30 with the drive unit 10 mounted therein and thus the highest possible stability against tipping.

[0275] The portal lift truck 30 is driven remotely from the second station 2A to the third station 3.

[0276] In the third station 3, in a further step, the drive unit 10 together with the receiving device 33 is removed from the portal trolley 30 from above through the portal frame 31, in particular by means of a further, separate lifting device, for example a crane device or the like, and suspended, for example, directly on a corresponding suspension in a further device, for example a test stand or the like, wherein in an advantageous embodiment the removal from the portal trolley 30 can be automated, in particular by means of an automatic lifting device.

[0277] Depending on the available hall height, the engine 10 together with the receiving device 33 can be fully extended through the portal frame 30 or, for example, only halfway, whereby the full extension can then be carried out by lowering the portal frame 31 using the height-adjustable columns 32A to 32D.

[0278] After the engine 10 has been moved upwards through the portal frame 31, the portal lift truck 30 can be driven out of the third station 3 below the engine 10, or is driven out.

[0279] In a further step, particularly after the work carried out on the engine 10 in the third station 3, for example after a test run of the engine 10 on the test stand, a straddle carrier 30 (again) enters the third station 3 and the engine 10 is (again) transferred to the straddle carrier 30, particularly (again) by means of the separate lifting device, which can also be automated in this case. The engine 10, particularly together with the receiving device 33 of the straddle carrier 30, is lowered from above through the portal frame 31 into the straddle carrier 30.

[0280] After the takeover of the engine 10 by the straddle carrier 30 in the third station 3, the engine 10 is transported to another station by means of the straddle carrier 30, in this case to station 2B, whereby the straddle carrier 30 is brought into a transport position for the transport, whereby in particular the gantry frame 31 is lowered to a defined transport height.

[0281] In a further step, at station 2B, the engine 10 is transferred to a separate receiving device 40. Depending on the availability of the stations, however, in another embodiment of the present invention, the engine 10 can also be transported back to the second station 2A instead of to station 2B and transferred there to a receiving device 40.

[0282] To transfer the drive unit 10 to the separate receiving device 40 or to take over the drive unit 10 from the straddle carrier 30 at station 2B, the receiving device 40 is inserted into the straddle carrier 30 from one side, in this case in particular from a front, and between the columns 32A and 32B through the front portal 30A, in particular by means of a self-propelled transport platform 70 (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 10) and positioned below the portal frame 31 of the portal truck 30.

[0283] The drive unit 10 is then inserted into the receiving device 40 from above by means of the portal lift truck 30, in particular by lowering the portal frame 31, especially together with a guide ring 15 attached to the drive unit 10 and, if necessary, together with a support ring.

[0284] In a further step, the straddle carrier 30 is brought into a transfer position, in particular into a second transfer position, in which it is possible to remove the receiving device 40, in particular with the drive unit 10 contained therein, from the straddle carrier 30 without collision.

[0285] Before the receiving device 40 is extended, the engine 10 can or will be fixed in a transport position on the receiving device 40, whereby in particular a rotation of the engine 10 about the defined axis A can be blocked.

[0286] In a further step, the receiving device 40, in particular with the engine 10 received therein, is moved by means of the self-propelled transport platform 70 to one side of the portal crane 30 and between the two columns 32B and 32C from the portal crane 30 and transported to a further station 4, at which further work steps are carried out on the engine 10, in particular a (visual) inspection and / or an endoscopic and / or boroscopic inspection.

[0287] At the further station 4, the receiving device 40 can be or is transferred from a transport state in which rotation of the engine 10 about the axis of rotation A is blocked to a test state, for which in particular a transport position is unlocked.

[0288] Subsequently, in one embodiment of the present invention, the engine 10 is tested, wherein the engine 10 can be or is rotated for testing, in particular for visual inspection or for endoscopic and / or boroscopic testing, in particular about the defined axis A, in particular by a defined angle in each instance, in particular stepwise in each test section.

[0289] To transfer the receiving device 40 from the transport state to the test state, in one embodiment of a method according to the present invention, the transport platform 70 is lowered and / or the frame 41 of the receiving device 40 is raised such that the receiving device 40, in particular with its feet 42, rests on the ground. In a further step, the frame 41 is adjusted in height, in particular raised, such that the transport platform 70 can move out from under the frame 41 of the receiving device 40.

[0290] For an ergonomic working height, in a further step, particularly for visual inspection and / or endoscopic and / or boroscopic testing of the engine 10, the frame 41 is lowered to a defined testing height, in particular by about 350 mm, in particular as far as possible by means of the height-adjustable feet 42.

[0291] With the aid of such a transport system 100, particularly flexible handling of an assembly, especially of an engine 10, is made possible, in particular the setup of the engine 10 for a test stand run outside the test stand (station 3), whereby precise alignment of the engine 10 for the transfer between the individual devices is possible in each case. Furthermore, a transport system according to the invention enables the engine 10 to be handled easily across several floors and flexibly in small spaces with limited ceiling height.

[0292] Although exemplary embodiments were explained in the preceding description, it should be noted that a multitude of variations are possible. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to restrict the scope of protection, applications, or structure in any way. Rather, the preceding description provides the skilled person with a guideline for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, whereby various modifications, particularly with regard to the function and arrangement of the described components, can be made without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims and these equivalent combinations of features. Reference symbol list Stations 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4 10 Engine (assembly unit) 11 transport frames 11A Front mounting of the transport frame 11B rear mounting of the transport frame 12 openings for the fork arms of a forklift truck 13 Engine air intake 14 Engine cowling 15 Guide ring 20 floor-guided transport trolleys 21 wheels of the transport cart 22 removable drawbars 23 Alignment device 27 front receiving device 27A, 28A Shifting device 28 rear recording device 29 Height adjustment device 29A Hydraulic cushions 29B Hydraulic pump 30 straddle carriers 30A front portal 30B rear portal 31 portal frames 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D Columns of the straddle carrier 33 Pickup device of the portal pallet truck 33A Pylon (Engine Mount) 34 omnidirectionally steerable wheels of the portal pallet truck 35 Rear coupling device 35A Conical coupling bolt of the rear coupling device 35B Recess for coupling bolt 36 Front coupling device 36A Conical coupling bolt of the front coupling device 36B Recess for coupling bolt 40 separate recording devices 40A first, especially front, receiving device 40B second, especially rear, recording device 41 ground-level frame 42 feet 43A, 43B Guide segment 44 leadership roles 45 rail 46 spindle 47 Locking device 48 Hand crank 49 Rotary drive 50 toothing 51 Drive chain 52 drive pinions 53 first recording frame 54A, 54B Suspension 55A, 55B Guide rollers 56A, 56B carrier 57 sleds 58 Scenery 59 Mounting plate 70 driverless, especially self-driving, transport platforms 100 transport systems A defined axis, in particular longitudinal axis of the engine, in particular rotational axis of the engine H Horizontal

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