TRANSPORT VEHICLE FOR LONG LOADS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport vehicle for an elongated object with excess length, in particular for a rotor blade of a wind turbine or a tower segment, with a transport device arranged on a loading platform of the transport vehicle for holding the object during transport, with a first rotating device for changing the installation angle of the object held on the transport device and with a second rotating device for pivoting the transport device about a vertical axis, wherein at least one adjustable ballast weight and an adjusting device for adjusting the position of the ballast weight are provided and wherein the adjusting device is arranged on the transport device and is rotatable together with the transport device.

[0002] In the transport vehicle according to the invention, a further rotating device known per se can also be provided for rotating a transported object about its longitudinal axis in order to ensure a favorable wind flow around the object during transport.

[0003] The transport vehicle can be a motor-driven heavy-duty vehicle or a passively trailing heavy-duty vehicle, for example, a heavy-duty trailer or, as defined in Annex XI to EC Directive 2007-46-EC in the version of July 15, 2011, a "trailer for heavy-duty transport," i.e., according to the definition of this term given therein, a vehicle of class O4 for the transport of divisible or indivisible loads, in particular rotor blades of wind turbines, which are subject to speed and traffic restrictions due to their dimensions. This also includes hydraulic modular trailers, regardless of the number of axles and modules. Furthermore, it should be noted that even in a motor-driven heavy-duty vehicle, not every axle assemblies need to be motor-driven.

[0004] Furthermore, the term "transport vehicle" within the meaning of the invention includes in particular those heavy-duty vehicles in which the load for which each individual axle assembly is designed has a value of at least 4 t, preferably at least 6 t.

[0005] Rotor blades are fragile and can be extremely long, with the trend toward ever larger turbines. Rotor blade lengths can range from 60 m to 80 m or more. Using rotor blade adapters, rotor blades can be mounted on platform trolleys and transported at angles of up to 60°, 70°, or more, tilted, swiveled, and rotated around their own axis. Mounted on quick-change plates, rotor blades are securely held and can be maneuvered past obstacles. Transporting rotor blades to their destination is possible in wooded or built-up areas, on tight bends, or in the mountains.

[0006] A transport vehicle of the generic type is known from JP 2013-071511 A. The known transport vehicle has a transport device designed as a bogie for holding a rotor blade of a wind turbine during transport. The transport device is mounted on a loading platform of the transport vehicle. During transport, the rotor blade is held on a rotor blade adapter of the transport device and can be pivoted using a first rotating device to change the inclination of the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade relative to the horizontal axis, so that the rotor blade can be transported at a specific installation angle. During installation, it is possible to erect the rotor blade by up to 60°, for example, in order to ensure the maneuverability of the transport vehicle depending on the road construction conditions.Furthermore, the known transport vehicle also offers the possibility of rotating the rotor blade around its longitudinal axis by rotating the rotor blade adapter in order to achieve an optimized airflow around the rotor blade with low flow resistance, depending on the wind conditions prevailing during transport.

[0007] The transport vehicle known from JP 2013-071511 A also has a second rotating device for rotating the transport device around a vertical axis, which allows the rotor blade to pivot sideways relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. This allows the rotor blade to be pivoted sideways when passing obstacles, such as overhead lines or other structures, or when passing certain road features, thus further improving the maneuverability of the known transport vehicle. This is particularly true when the rotor blade must be transported at a specific installation angle.

[0008] WO 2019 / 229668 A1 discloses a goods vehicle comprising a chassis with at least one loading area, several steerable carriages below the loading area and a support device carried by the chassis for the load to be transported.

[0009] DE 10 2012 004 169 B4 discloses a heavy-duty transport vehicle with a carrier unit on which a pivoting bracket for attaching a rotor blade is attached.

[0010] Furthermore, transport vehicles for elongated, oversized objects are known from the prior art. These vehicles feature a ballast or counterweight to reduce the risk of tipping during transport and ensure high tipping stability of the vehicle when cornering or when the vehicle is on a slope or soft ground. Tipping conditions vary greatly and depend on the incline of the ground, the load-bearing capacity, and the design of the vehicle body. To achieve high tipping stability, known transport vehicles, for example, provide stationary counterweights at the rear of the vehicle.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a transport vehicle of the type mentioned above, in particular for transporting rotor blades of wind turbines or wind tower segments, which is suitable for transporting heavy loads and offers very good maneuverability for transport in confined space or road construction conditions and in particular past obstacles such as overhead lines, and is characterized by increased stability or tipping safety and a weight-reduced and compact structure.

[0012] The above object is achieved by a transport vehicle having the features of patent claim 1 and patent claim 2, respectively. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0013] To achieve the aforementioned object, at least one adjustable ballast weight and an adjusting device for adjusting the position of the ballast weight are provided according to the invention in a transport vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset. The position is adjusted relative to an object held on the transport device and / or relative to the axis of rotation of the transport device. By changing the center of gravity coordinates or the position of the center of mass of the ballast weight associated with a position adjustment of the ballast weight, the position of the center of gravity coordinates or the position of the center of mass of the transport vehicle can be specifically influenced and shifted into a range in which a high level of stability and tipping safety of the transport vehicle is guaranteed. By adjusting the ballast weight on the transport vehicle, increased stability and tipping safety can be achieved.The aim is to ensure the transport vehicle's stability during transport of the object held by the transport device, particularly when the object is tilted at a large angle and in confined spaces or road construction conditions, and to ensure excellent maneuverability of the transport vehicle. The conditions for tipping the vehicle vary. They depend, among other things, on the slope of the ground, the load-bearing capacity, and the design of the transport vehicle's body.

[0014] For position adjustment, a control device can be provided, in particular, which allows automatic adjustment of the position of the ballast weight. Input variables for the control system can be control signals input by a driver of the transport vehicle and / or feedback signals from position and / or motion sensors, which, for example, detect the position of the ballast weight and / or the movement of the ballast weight. Different adjustment paths of the ballast weight for objects to be transported with different dimensions, geometries, and / or masses, and / or for different ballast weights, can be stored and / or stored in control software.

[0015] Control of the adjustment of the position of the ballast weight, in particular depending on position data of the object held on the transport vehicle, is also not excluded in principle and is possible with a suitably designed control device and using a suitable sensor device.

[0016] The preceding or following statements on the position adjustment of the ballast weight relate in particular to the control or regulation of the automatic position adjustment with a control and / or regulation device adapted or correspondingly programmed thereto and can be the subject of a corresponding control and / or regulation method for the automatic position adjustment of a ballast weight on a vehicle of the type according to the invention.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the position of the ballast weight is adjusted depending on the installation angle of the object held on the transport device.

[0018] As the installation angle changes, the position of the center of gravity coordinates or the position of the center of mass of the object held on the transport device also changes. To achieve high tipping stability of the vehicle, the invention therefore provides for a change in the position of the center of gravity coordinates or the position of the center of mass of the ballast weight when the installation angle of the object is changed. For different installation angles and / or for differently dimensioned objects, different object masses, and / or different object geometries, different adjustment paths of the ballast weight can be provided.

[0019] The position adjustment of the ballast weight can also be carried out depending on the swivel angle by which the transport device is rotated around the vertical axis using the second rotating device.

[0020] Further preferably, the position adjustment of the ballast weight is designed such that a change in the installation angle of the object held on the transport device and a change in the center of gravity coordinates or the position of the center of mass of the ballast weight occur simultaneously. Thus, if the installation angle is increased or decreased, an adjustment of the ballast weight occurs simultaneously or immediately thereafter to ensure the tipping stability of the vehicle.

[0021] Manual control of the position adjustment of the ballast weight is also not excluded in principle. In particular, a correction of the center of gravity of the ballast weight can be effected manually by intervening in the control and / or regulation system and / or as a subsequent correction of an already performed control and / or regulation system, in particular depending on the vehicle level, and furthermore in particular depending on pressure measurements from hydraulic or pneumatic circuits of axle compensation systems of axle assemblies of the transport vehicle.

[0022] In order to ensure a high level of tipping and stability of the vehicle according to the invention at all times during transport and object handling, if the installation angle of the object changes, the position of the ballast weight is first adjusted before the transport device with the object held on it can pivot about the vertical axis. Depending on the installation angle of the object held on the transport device, in particular if the installation angle changes, the position of the center of gravity coordinates or the position of the center of mass of the ballast weight is first adjusted accordingly depending on the current center of gravity coordinates or the current position of the center of mass of the transported object, and only then is the object deflected laterally by pivoting the transport device.This requires appropriate control of the adjustment device on the one hand and the rotating device for pivoting the transport device on the other.

[0023] On inclines or in extreme terrain, the chassis of conventional transport vehicles for overly long objects, and thus also the object held by the vehicle's transport device, can tilt sideways. On inclines, conventional transport vehicles can therefore be tilted in the opposite direction with the object held in place, in order to keep the loading area horizontal at all times, laterally to the direction of travel, i.e., transversely. Transport vehicles with transverse tilting devices of this type are already known, with hydraulic cylinders below the chassis surface acting on the wheel axles on the one hand and on the chassis surface from below on the other, in order to tilt the entire chassis surface, with the loading bridge resting on it, in the opposite direction to the corresponding inclines in the road.If the axle assemblies of the transport vehicle feature axle compensation, which can also be referred to as "leveling," to keep the loading area of ​​the transport vehicle horizontal or, if necessary, tilt it, axle assemblies with hydraulically actuated axle compensation systems are generally used to implement such axle compensation. These systems have one or more pressurized hydraulic circuits and are operated with an operating fluid, such as hydraulic oil. Alternatively, pneumatically actuated power devices can also be implemented on the axle assemblies, which have one or more pressurized pneumatic circuits.In this context, the invention can preferably provide for a position adjustment of the ballast weight depending on the vehicle level, in particular based on pressure measurements from hydraulically or pneumatically actuated axle compensation systems, in particular from axle assemblies of the transport vehicle. The position adjustment of the ballast weight can then be controlled and / or regulated depending on the installation angle of the object held on the transport device and / or the pivot angle of the transport device about a vertical axis, in particular taking into account the dimensions, geometry, and / or mass of the object, as well as further taking into account pressure measurements from the hydraulic or pneumatic circuits.

[0024] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a position adjustment of the ballast weight is provided such that the center of gravity of the transport vehicle is shifted for each installation angle of the object held on the transport vehicle by adjusting the ballast weight or changing the distance of the ballast weight from the center of gravity of the object into a range within the stability limits of the transport vehicle, so that a high tipping stability of the transport vehicle is ensured, in particular to the sides.

[0025] The center of gravity of the transport vehicle is related to the transport condition when the object is held on the transport device and results from the mass and mass distribution of the object on the one hand and the mass and mass distribution of the unloaded transport vehicle with all superstructures and ballast weight on the other.

[0026] Axle assemblies of the transport vehicle can be raised or lowered hydraulically and / or pneumatically and connected via hydraulic or pneumatic circuits, forming, for example, a stability triangle or a stability quadrangle. The hydraulic or pneumatic circuits serve to coupled raise or lower the axle assemblies or wheel axles of the transport vehicle, each of which is connected to a hydraulic or pneumatic circuit. If the center of gravity of the transport vehicle is always within the stability triangle or stability quadrangle for every installation angle of the object, the vehicle's stability against tipping is guaranteed. According to the invention, the ballast weight can thus always be moved or adjusted such that the resulting center of gravity of the transport vehicle is always within the stability triangle or stability quadrangle formed by the interconnected hydraulic or pneumatic circuits of the axle assemblies.

[0027] The transport vehicle's axle assemblies on the front right, front left, rear right, and / or rear left sections can be interconnected via hydraulic or pneumatic circuits of axle balancing systems. In a stability triangle, the vehicle's axle assemblies or wheel axles can be interconnected to form three hydraulic circuits, and in a stability quadrangle, the vehicle's axle assemblies or wheel axles can be interconnected to form four hydraulic circuits. It may be possible to interconnect axle assemblies or wheel axles to form a stability triangle or a stability quadrangle, as needed.

[0028] Further preferably, a position adjustment of the ballast weight can be provided such that the center of gravity of the transport vehicle with the object held on the transport device lies on the vertical axis of rotation or adjacent to the vertical axis of rotation of the transport device for every installation angle of the object. As a result, the ballast weight is adjusted such that the center of gravity of the transport vehicle lies on the vertical axis of rotation or lies in the region of the vertical axis of rotation of the transport device for every inclination angle of the object, wherein a deviation of the center of gravity from the axis of rotation of less than 1 m, preferably less than 50 cm, can be within the meaning of the aforementioned range according to the invention.

[0029] The adjustment device can be designed to move or shift the ballast weight. The adjustment of the ballast weight can preferably be continuously variable, allowing any desired position of the ballast weight along the adjustment path. However, discontinuous adjustment along the adjustment path is also possible.

[0030] To move the ballast weight along the adjustment path, carriages can be provided on which the ballast weight is supported and whose rollers run on rails. Adjustment can then be achieved using spindle guides.

[0031] It is structurally intended and enables a compact design of the transport vehicle that the adjustment device is arranged or mounted on the transport device and can be rotated about the vertical axis together with the transport device relative to the loading platform of the transport vehicle. This allows the transport device to be designed with the adjustment device and the ballast weight as a structural unit, which can then be set up as a separate unit on the loading platform of the transport vehicle and mounted on the loading platform. The object to be transported can then be held on the transport device and swiveled to the left or right and, preferably at the same time, the ballast weight can be moved back and forth or shifted in order to change the distance between the position of the center of gravity of the ballast weight and the position of the center of gravity of the object held on the transport device in order to ensure high tipping stability of the vehicle.

[0032] In order to ensure a high maneuverability of the transport vehicle according to the invention, a rotation of the transport device about the vertical axis by a pivot angle of at least + / - 90°, preferably of at least + / - 180° or more can be provided.

[0033] To ensure a compact design and to be able to set the smallest possible distance between the ballast weight and the vertical axis of rotation of the transport device, the geometry, or rather the dimensions and shape of the ballast weight, are adapted to the geometry of a fixed structure of the transport device. The ballast weight and the components that form the fixed structure can have a complementary geometry. Due to the selected geometries, the ballast weight comes into contact with the fixed structure of the vehicle in the area of ​​the vertical axis of rotation of the transport device and / or retracts into the structure, at least in part, when the ballast weight reaches a minimum distance from the axis of rotation of the transport device.The ballast weight can be designed in one piece or in multiple pieces and, for example, can have several stackable disc weights whose base area can be adapted to the base contour of the fixed structure of the transport device.

[0034] In order to prevent an unintentional change in the rotational position of the transport device about the vertical axis, which has been set according to a control command from a vehicle driver, a securing device with at least one securing means for mechanically securing the second rotating device of the transport vehicle in a specific rotational position can be provided. The securing means can in particular be designed as a locking and / or securing bolt that blocks rotation. To unlock the securing means, the transmission of a control command to a control system of the securing device can be provided, so that the securing means is initially unlocked with a first control command via the securing device, before a desired (different) rotational position of the transport device can be set with a control command via the second rotating device.The driver of the transport vehicle must first consciously release the locking of the turning function of the transport device in order to then be able to trigger a lateral swiveling of the transport device to the left or to the right by means of appropriate control instructions.

[0035] The moment or weight load of the object, in particular a rotor blade of a wind turbine, can be up to 350 metric tons, for example, 266 metric tons, based on a rotor blade weight of 15.432 t and a length of 17.31 m in the longitudinal direction from the rotor blade base to the center of gravity. The rotor blade length can be, for example, 30 to 70 m.

[0036] The weight of the ballast weight can preferably be between 10 and 40 t, and can preferably be reduced or increased by individual weight discs. The adjustment range of the ballast weight can be between zero and five meters, for example, up to 4.2 m. The maximum adjustment range of the ballast weight can be limited to prevent the swivel radius of the transport device or the main console on the vehicle from becoming too large, thus minimizing interference with the driving environment.

[0037] In particular, the maximum possible adjustment range and the weight of the ballast weight are selected so that, under typical road loads, the weight force through one axle line does not exceed 10 to 20 t, preferably not more than 13 to 15 t. For example, a transport vehicle with an empty weight (without transport equipment) of 50 t, a transport equipment weight of 25 t, a ballast weight of 20 t, and a rotor blade weight of 16 t results in a total mass of 111 t, which, with eight axles, results in a road load of 13.9 t. For higher loads, drive modules with more axle lines must be used.

[0038] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a transport vehicle of the type mentioned above, wherein, to achieve the above-described object, the loading platform is designed as a low-bed, with a low-bed module preferably being arranged between at least two chassis modules of the transport vehicle. By arranging the transport device on a low-bed, the vehicle's center of gravity is shifted downward in this area, thus reducing the risk of tipping.

[0039] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the drawing. Fig. 1 a side view of a transport vehicle according to the invention with a rotor blade held on a transport device of the transport vehicle with a schematic representation of the rotor blade in a horizontal transport position and in an erected transport position, Fig. 2 the Fig. 1shown transport vehicle in a plan view, wherein the rotor blade is shown schematically in an axis-parallel transport position and in a laterally swung transport position, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the transport vehicle from Fig. 1 from below with a schematically drawn triangular stability limit area of ​​the transport vehicle, in which tipping stability is ensured, Fig. 4 a further embodiment of a transport vehicle according to the invention with an adjusting device for adjusting the position of a ballast weight in a side view and Fig. 5 the transport vehicle from Fig. 4 in a top view.

[0040] In Fig. 1A transport vehicle 1 is shown for transporting an elongated object 2, wherein the object 2 is a rotor blade of a wind turbine. A transport device 4 with a rotor blade adapter 5 for securing and holding the object 2 during transport is arranged on a loading platform 3. It is understood that the transport vehicle 1 can also be designed for transporting other elongated objects with excessive length, for example, tower segments.

[0041] The transport vehicle 1 has a first rotating device (not shown in detail) with which it is possible to pivot the rotor blade adapter 5 upwards in order to erect the held object 2. The erection angle α can be up to 60° or more. When erecting the rotor blade, it is rotated together with the rotor blade adapter 5 about a horizontal axis K1. Furthermore, the structural design of the transport device 4 or the rotor blade adapter 5 allows rotation of the elongated object 2 about its longitudinal axis K2.

[0042] The transport device 4 is designed as a bogie and is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation K3 by a second rotating device, so that the object 2 can be pivoted to the left or right with respect to the longitudinal side of the vehicle. The pivot angle β ( Fig. 2 ) can be up to + / - 185°.

[0043] By being able to raise the object 2 from a horizontal transport position to an upright transport position ( Fig. 1 ) and the possibility of moving object 2 from an axis-parallel transport position into a laterally swivelled transport position ( Fig. 2 ), the transport vehicle 1 can be easily maneuvered even in confined spaces or road construction conditions, wherein the object 2 can be brought into an optimal maneuvering position with the transport device 4 in a simple manner with an installation angle α and / or lateral pivoting angle β adapted to avoid obstacles.

[0044] A corresponding transport vehicle 1 with a similar functional and structural design is known from JP 2013-071511 A. From the aforementioned publication, a transport device connected to a loading platform of the known transport vehicle, designed as a bogie, for holding rotor blades during transport is already known, wherein the transport device has a rotor blade adapter and allows the erection and lateral pivoting of the rotor blade as well as the rotation of the rotor blade about its longitudinal axis.

[0045] The transport vehicle 1 described below with reference to the drawing has a ballast weight 6 which is provided with a Figures 1 to 3The adjustment device (not shown in detail) is movable or displaceable relative to the object 2 held on the transport device 4 or to the rotation axis K3 of the transport device 4. The adjustment device is arranged on the transport device 4 and is rotatable together with the transport device 4 about the vertical rotation axis K3. Accordingly, the ballast weight 6 can also be pivoted laterally together with the transport device 4.

[0046] The ballast weight 6 consists in a manner known per se of a plurality of disc-shaped weight bodies which are arranged on top of one another and fastened to one another.

[0047] A control device (not shown in detail) is provided to control the position adjustment of the ballast weight 6. The adjustment of the ballast weight 6 occurs depending on the installation angle α of the object 2. The adjustment of the ballast weight 6 results in a change in the center of gravity coordinates or the position of the center of mass S1 of the ballast weight 6 relative to the center of gravity coordinates or the position of the center of mass S2 of the object 2 held on the transport device 4. Fig. 1 shows that the ballast weight 6 has a maximum horizontal distance to the rotation axis K3 or to the center of mass S2 of the object 2 when transporting the object 2 in the horizontal transport position. In the Fig. 1In the erected transport position of the object 2 shown, the ballast weight 6 is arranged at a reduced distance and is thus less far away from the vertical axis of rotation K3 of the transport device 4. The maximum adjustment path a of the ballast weight 6 between a position furthest away from the vertical axis of rotation K3 of the transport device 4 and an end position closest to the vertical axis of rotation K3 can be in the range between 2 and 5 m, preferably in the range between 3.5 and 4.5 m.

[0048] As the installation angle α increases, the position of the center of mass S2 of the object 2 shifts toward the vertical axis of rotation K3 of the transport device 4, so that the ballast weight 6 is also adjusted in the direction of the vertical axis of rotation K3 when the object 2 is installed. The control of the position adjustment of the ballast weight 6 is thus dependent on the installation angle α of the object 2, whereby, preferably, the adjustment of the ballast weight 6 can be provided simultaneously with a change in the installation angle α specified by the control system.

[0049] Depending on the mass and geometry of the object 2, the mass of the ballast weight 6 can be, for example, between 10 and 45 t, preferably between 10 and 30 t. The object 2 can, for example, have a weight between 10 and 20 t.

[0050] The control of the position adjustment of the ballast weight 6 preferably takes place automatically as a function of the installation angle α of the object 2, more preferably simultaneously. When the installation angle α changes, a position adjustment of the ballast weight 6 is initially provided in order to adapt the center of gravity coordinates or the position of the center of mass S1 of the ballast weight 6 to the center of gravity coordinates changed with the changed installation angle α or the changed position of the center of mass S2 of the object 2. After mass balancing has taken place, a pivoting movement of the transport device 4 can then take place by a corresponding pivoting angle β.

[0051] Particularly preferably, a position adjustment of the ballast weight 6 is provided such that the center of gravity S3 of the transport vehicle 1 with the object 2 held on the transport device 4 lies on the vertical axis of rotation K3 of the transport device 4 for each installation angle α of the object 2. This is shown in Fig. 1 shown schematically.

[0052] As can be seen from Fig. 3 The axle assemblies 7, 8, 9 of the transport vehicle 1 supporting the vehicle wheels can be hydraulically raised or lowered, and hydraulic circuits 10, 11, 12 can be interconnected to form a stability triangle 13. The position adjustment of the ballast weight 6 is carried out in such a way that the overall center of gravity S3 of the transport vehicle 1 is located within the stability triangle 13 for each installation angle α of the object 2. This ensures that the transport vehicle 1 is stable when the object 2 swings sideways.

[0053] In the embodiment shown, for example, the four front axle assemblies 7 located on the right in the main direction of travel and the first rear, right axle assembly 7 are interconnected via a first hydraulic circuit 10. A further hydraulic circuit 11 connects the four front, left axle assemblies 8 with the first left, rear axle assembly 8. The last three rear axle assemblies 9 on the right and left sides of the vehicle are interconnected via the third hydraulic circuit 12. The terms "front" and "rear" refer to the position of the axle assemblies 7, 8, 9 relative to the loading platform 3, with reference to the illustration of the transport vehicle 1 according to Fig. 3 thus to the position to the left ("front") and right ("rear") of the loading platform 3.

[0054] By changing the hydraulic circuitry, a stability quadrangle can also be formed, wherein it can then be provided that by suitable position adjustment of the ballast weight 6 depending on the installation angle α of the object 2, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle 1, including the object 2 held on the transport device 4 of the transport vehicle 1, lies within the stability quadrangle.

[0055] As will be further Fig. 1 The loading platform 3 can be designed as a low-bed module that is arranged between two driving modules 14, 15 of the transport vehicle 1. By designing the loading platform 3 as a low-bed, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle 1 is shifted downwards, which contributes to greater tipping stability of the transport vehicle 1.

[0056] At the front end of the driving module 14 there is a driver's cabin 16 and at the rear part of the transport vehicle 1 there is a drive unit 17.

[0057] A base plate 18 of the transport device 4 is mounted on the loading platform 3. The transport device 4 rests on the base plate 18 of the loading platform 3.

[0058] Based on the Fig. 4 and 5 is displayed in a side view ( Fig. 4 ) and in a top view ( Fig. 5 ) an adjustment device 19 for adjusting a ballast weight 6 is described. The same components as in the Fig. 1 to 5 The embodiments shown are marked with the same reference numerals.

[0059] The adjustment device 19 is designed for rail-guided adjustment of the ballast weight 6. For this purpose, two rails 20 are provided, on which the ballast weight 6 is movably guided via carriages with rollers (not shown). A spindle drive is provided for moving the ballast weight 6 along the guide rails 20. The linear adjustment of the ballast weight 6 is achieved via threaded spindles. This enables continuous distance adjustment of the ballast weight relative to the vertical rotation axis K3 of the transport device 4.

[0060] The transport device 4 has a frame-like structure with two side walls 21, between which the ballast weight 6 is guided adjustably in the longitudinal direction of the transport vehicle 1.

[0061] The geometry of the ballast weight 6 is adapted to the geometry of a stationary structure 22 of the transport device 4, so that the ballast weight 6 comes into contact with the structure 22 and / or retracts into the structure 22, at least in part, when the ballast weight 6 approaches the rotor blade adapter 5 as closely as possible. This allows for the greatest possible adjustment range of the ballast weight 6.

[0062] With reference to the plan view according to Fig. 5 For example, it can be provided that the contour line of the ballast weight 6 has a recess or a recess in the central region on the side facing the fixed structure 22, which is adapted to a corresponding projection in the central region of the contour line of the structure 22.

[0063] Inthe plan view, the geometries can be selected such that when adjusting the ballast weight 6 in the direction of the fixed structure 22, a boundary plane Y1 of the ballast weight 6 running transversely to the longitudinal axis of the transport vehicle 1, which is placed on the base of the ballast weight 6, passes a boundary plane Y2, which is placed on the fixed structure 22, and when the minimum distance of the ballast weight 6 to the rotor blade adapter 5 is reached, then runs behind the boundary plane Y2 of the fixed structure 22. This is shown in Fig. 5 shown schematically by the boundary plane Y1'. List of reference symbols:

[0064] 1Transport vehicle 2Object 3Loading platform 4Transport device 5Rotor blade adapter 6Ballast weight 7Axle assembly 8Axle assembly 9Axle assembly 10Hydraulic circuit 11Hydraulic circuit 12Hydraulic circuit 13Stability triangle 14Drive module 15Drive module 16Driver's cab 17Drive unit 18Base plate 19Adjustment device 20Rail 21Side cheek 22Superstructure

Claims

1. Transport vehicle (1) for an elongated object (2) with excess length, in particular for a rotor blade of a wind turbine or a tower segment, with a transport device (4) arranged on a loading platform (3) of the transport vehicle (1) for holding the object (2) during transport, with a first rotary device for changing the angle of installation of the object (2) held on the transport device (4) and with a second rotary device for pivoting the transport device (4) about a vertical axis, wherein at least one adjustable ballast weight (6) and an adjusting device (19) for adjusting the position of the ballast weight (6) are provided and wherein the adjusting device (19) is arranged on the transport device (4) and can be rotated together with the transport device (4), characterised in that the geometry of the ballast weight (6) is adapted to the geometry of a fixed structure (22) of the transport device (4) in such a way that the ballast weight (6) comes to bear against the structure (22) when a minimum distance from the vertical axis of rotation of the transport device (4) is reached.

2. Transport vehicle (1) for an elongated object (2) with excess length, in particular for a rotor blade of a wind turbine or a tower segment, with a transport device (4) arranged on a loading platform (3) of the transport vehicle (1) for holding the object (2) during transport, with a first rotary device for changing the angle of installation of the object (2) held on the transport device (4) and with a second rotary device for pivoting the transport device (4) about a vertical axis, wherein at least one adjustable ballast weight (6) and an adjusting device (19) for adjusting the position of the ballast weight (6) are provided and wherein the adjusting device (19) is arranged on the transport device (4) and can be rotated together with the transport device (4), characterised in that the geometry of the ballast weight (6) is adapted to the geometry of a fixed structure (22) of the transport device (4) in such a way that the ballast weight (6) enters the structure (22) at least in regions when a minimum distance from the vertical axis of rotation of the transport device (4) is reached.

3. Transport vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a control device is provided for automatically controlling the position adjustment of the ballast weight (6).

4. Transport vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a position adjustment of the ballast weight (6) is provided as a function of the angle of installation of the object (2) and, preferably, of the angle of rotation of the transport device (4) about the vertical axis.

5. Transport vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a position adjustment of the ballast weight (6) is provided in such a way that, when the angle of installation of the object (2) is changed, firstly a position adjustment of the ballast weight (6) and subsequently a pivoting movement of the transport device (4) about the vertical axis takes place.

6. Transport vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a position adjustment of the ballast weight (6) is provided in such a way that the resulting centre of gravity position of the transport vehicle (1) is displaced for each angle of installation of the object (2) into a range within the tilt stability limits of the transport vehicle (1).

7. Transport vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a position adjustment of the ballast weight (6) is provided in such a way that the resulting centre of gravity position of the transport vehicle (1) lies on the vertical axis of rotation of the transport device (4) for each angle of installation of the object (2).

8. Transport vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adjusting device (19) is designed to move or displace the ballast weight (6).

9. Transport vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a securing device with at least one securing means is provided for mechanically securing the transport device (4) in a certain rotational position against unwanted rotation about the vertical axis, in particular wherein the securing means is designed as a latching and / or securing bolt which blocks the rotation.

10. Transport vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the loading platform (3) is designed as a low-bed.