A method for introducing a component in a nacelle of a wind turbine

Abstract

A method for introducing a component (7) in a nacelle (6) of a wind turbine by means of a guiding tool is disclosed The guiding tool comprises a first part (1) mounted at or near an upper opening (5) of the nacelle (6) and a second part (9) mounted on or forming part of the component (7) being introduced. The first part (1) comprises at least one guiding portion (3) having a wide entrance (3a), a narrow track (3b) and a tapered portion (3c) interconnecting the wide entrance (3a) and the narrow track (3b), and the second part (9) comprises at least one protruding portion (10). The component (7) is lifted to a position above the nacelle (6), and subsequently lowered while causing the at least one protruding portion (10) of the second part (9) of the guiding tool to engage with the wide entrance (3a) of the at least one guiding portion (3) of the first part (1) of the guiding tool and guiding the at least one protruding portion (10) of the second part (9) of the guiding tool along the tapered portion (3c) and the narrow track (3b), so as to position the component (7) relative to the nacelle (6), during the lowering of the component (7).

Description

[0001] A METHOD FOR. INTRODUCING A COMPONENT IN A NACELLE OF A WIND

[0002] TURBINE

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a method for introducing a component in a nacelle of a wind turbine, by means of a guiding tool comprising a first part mounted on the nacelle and a second part mounted on or forming part of the component being introduced. The component being introduced may, e.g., be a generator, a gearbox, a gear stage and / or a tool for performing maintenance, repair or replacement of one or more components of the wind turbine. The invention further relates to a wind turbine having a first part of a guiding tool mounted on the nacelle.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In wind turbines it is sometimes necessary to introduce large components in a nacelle mounted on top of a tower of a wind turbine. Such components may be components to be installed in the nacelle, e.g. during erection of the wind turbine or as replacement of previously installed components. Such components could, e.g., be a generator, a gearbox or part of a gearbox. Alternatively or additionally, it may be necessary to introduce bulky tools or equipment for performing maintenance, repair or replacement of components or parts in the nacelle, and such bulky tools or equipment may also be regarded as a component in the context of the present invention.

[0007] Large components as described above may be introduced in the nacelle via an opening formed in an upper part of the nacelle, e.g. in the roof of the nacelle. In this case the component being introduced may be lifted to a position above the nacelle by means of an external crane or other suitable lifting equipment, and subsequently lowered into the nacelle via the opening. The clearance available for the component in a passage through the opening in the upper part of the nacelle may be limited, and there is therefore a risk of collisions between the component being introduced in the nacelle and part of the nacelle during the lowering of the component, even if the lifting equipment is controlled in an accurate manner. This is in particular an issue in the case of windy conditions and / or if the wind turbine is arranged offshore, where waves may be an issue.

[0008] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of embodiments of the invention to provide a method for introducing a component in a nacelle of a wind turbine, in which the risk of collisions between the component and the nacelle is reduced as compared to prior art methods.

[0010] According to a first aspect the invention provides a method for introducing a component in a nacelle of a wind turbine by means of a guiding tool, where the guiding tool comprises a first part mounted at or near an upper opening of the nacelle and a second part mounted on or forming part of the component being introduced, where the first part comprises at least one guiding portion having a wide entrance, a narrow track and a tapered portion interconnecting the wide entrance and the narrow track, and where the second part comprises at least one protruding portion, the method comprising the steps of:

[0011] - lifting the component to a position above the nacelle,

[0012] - lowering the component towards the upper opening of the nacelle while causing the at least one protruding portion of the second part of the guiding tool to engage with the wide entrance of the at least one guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool, and continuing lowering the component while guiding the at least one protruding portion of the second part of the guiding tool along the tapered portion, and subsequently along the narrow track, of the at least one guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool, so as to position the component relative to the nacelle, during the lowering of the component.

[0013] Thus, the first aspect of the invention provides a method for introducing a component in a nacelle of the wind turbine, via an opening formed in an upper part of the nacelle, such as in the roof of the nacelle. To this end a guiding tool comprising a first part and a second part is provided, where the first part is mounted at or near the upper opening of the nacelle, i.e. at or near the position where the component is supposed to enter the nacelle, and the second part is mounted on or forms part of the component being introduced.

[0014] The first part of the guiding tool comprises at least one guiding portion having a wide entrance, a narrow track and a tapered portion interconnecting the wide entrance and the narrow track. Accordingly, the at least one guiding portion defines a funnel-like shape, in which an engaging element can be guided smoothly from the wide entrance to the narrow track by means of the tapered portion. This will be described in further detail below.

[0015] Furthermore, the second part of the guiding tool comprises at least one protruding portion. This at least one protruding portion may be arranged in engagement with the guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool, and thereby be guided from the wide entrance towards the narrow track, via the tapered portion. This will allow the component being introduced to be guided and positioned relative to the first part of the guiding tool, and thereby relative to the nacelle. This will be described in further detail below.

[0016] In the method according to the first aspect of the invention, the component is initially lifted to a position above the nacelle. This could, e.g., be done by means of an external crane or other suitable lifting equipment.

[0017] Next, the component is lowered towards the upper opening of the nacelle, i.e. towards the passage which the component is supposed to pass through in order to be introduced in the nacelle, and towards the region where the first part of the guiding tool is mounted on the nacelle. Accordingly, the lowering of the component towards the upper opening of the nacelle causes the at least one protruding portion of the second part of the guiding tool to engage with the wide entrance of the at least one guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool. The lowering of the component may, e.g., be performed by means of the same lifting equipment used for lifting the component to the position above the nacelle.

[0018] Since the entrance of the guiding portion is wide, the protruding portion can be brought into engagement with the entrance without requiring very high precision when positioning the component relative to the nacelle. Accordingly, this is possible even if there is some relative movement between the lifting equipment and the nacelle and / or between the suspended component and the nacelle, e.g. due to wind and / or wave conditions.

[0019] After the at least one protruding portion of the second part of the guiding tool has been brought into engagement with the wide entrance of the at least one guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool, the lowering of the component is continued. This causes the at least one protruding portion of the second part of the guiding tool to be guided along the tapered portion towards the narrow track. This will cause the at least one protruding portion of the second part of the guiding tool to be positioned increasingly accurately with respect to the at least one guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool, and accordingly, the component being lowered is positioned increasingly accurately with respect to the nacelle.

[0020] Once the at least one protruding portion of the second part of the guiding tool reaches the narrow track of the at least one guiding portion of the first guiding tool, the lowering of the component is continued even further, thereby causing the at least one protruding portion to travel along the narrow track of the at least one guiding portion. The narrow track preferably has a cross sectional size or dimension which is slightly larger than the cross sectional size or dimension of the protruding portion. This will have the consequence that no or only very little play is introduced between the protruding portion and the guiding portion when the protruding portion travels along the narrow track. Accordingly, during this part of the lowering of the component, the allowed movements of the component relative to the nacelle, along directions being transversely to the narrow track, are very limited or restricted. This significantly reduces the risk of collisions between the component and the nacelle or parts mounted in the nacelle, during the introduction of the component in the nacelle.

[0021] On the other hand, the cross sectional size or dimension of the wide entrance of the at least one guiding portion is preferably significantly larger than the cross sectional size or dimension of the at least one protruding portion. As described above, this will allow the protruding portion to be 'caught' by the wide entrance of the guiding portion when the component is lowered, without requiring precise positioning of the component relative to the nacelle.

[0022] Thus, in the method according to the first aspect of the invention, the two-part guiding tool, and in particular the funnel-like shape of the at least one guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool, ensures that the component being lowered is smoothly guided into the nacelle in an accurate manner, without requiring precise positioning of the component by means of the lifting equipment used for the task. Accordingly, the risk of collisions between the component and the nacelle or parts mounted in the nacelle is significantly reduced, even if the clearance between the component and the upper opening of the nacelle is limited.

[0023] The method may further comprise the step of mounting the first part of the guiding tool on the nacelle and / or mounting the second part of the guiding tool on the component being introduced.

[0024] According to this embodiment the first part of the guiding tool is not mounted permanently on the nacelle and / or the second part of the guiding tool does not form a permanent part of the component being introduced. Instead, when it is desired to introduce a component in the nacelle, the first part of the guiding tool is mounted on the nacelle and / or the second part of the guiding tool is mounted on the component to be introduced. Then the method steps described above are performed, and once the component has been appropriately introduced in the nacelle, the first part of the guiding tool is removed from the nacelle and / or the second part of the guiding tool is removed from the component. Mounting the first part and / or the second part of the guiding tool in a nonpermanent manner on the nacelle and / or on the component, respectively, allows the guiding tool to be applied even if space conditions in the nacelle would not allow for the first and / or second part of the guiding tool to be present during normal operation of the wind turbine. Furthermore, this would allow the guiding tool to be applied on existing wind turbines that are not specifically designed with guiding tools.

[0025] The second part of the guiding tool, in particular the at least one protruding portion, may, e.g., be mounted on or form part of lifting equipment to be mounted on the component, such as a lifting yoke or the like. In this case mounting the second part of the guiding tool on the component amounts to mounting the lifting equipment, with the at least one protruding portion, on the component.

[0026] As an alternative, the first part of the guiding tool may be permanently mounted on or form part of the nacelle, and / or the second part of the guiding tool may be permanently mounted on or form part of the component being introduced.

[0027] The method may further comprise the step of rotating the component subsequently to guiding the at least one protruding portion of the second part of the guiding tool along the narrow track of the at least one guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool.

[0028] According to this embodiment, once the component has been appropriately passed through the passage defined by the upper opening of the nacelle, while being precisely guided due to the engagement between the at least one protruding portion of the second part of the guiding tool and the narrow track of the at least one guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool, the component is rotated or tilted, in order to appropriately position the component inside the nacelle.

[0029] For instance, it may be required that the component is oriented in a specific manner in order to allow it to pass through the passage defined by the upper opening of the nacelle. However, this orientation may not match an orientation of the component required in order to allow appropriate and intended operation of the component once it is inside the nacelle. Accordingly, in this case the orientation of the component must be changed once it has passed the passage defined by the upper opening of the nacelle, and this is done by subsequently rotating or tilting the component. The rotation of the component may preferably be performed about an axis being substantially perpendicular to the direction defined by the narrow track.

[0030] The second part of the guiding tool may comprise at least two protruding portions arranged in such a manner that, during the step of guiding the at least one protruding portion along the tapered portion and the narrow track, a first protruding portion leaves the narrow track while a second protruding portion remains in engagement with the narrow track.

[0031] According to this embodiment, the second part of the guiding tool comprises at least two protruding portions arranged to engage the same guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool. For instance, a first protruding portion may be arranged below a second protruding portion, in the sense that, when the component is lowered, the first protruding portion engages the wide entrance of the guiding portion before the second protruding portion does. Furthermore, the first protruding portion reaches the narrow track before the second protruding portion does. Consequently, the first protruding portion also reaches an end of the narrow track before the second protruding portion does, and therefore the first protruding portion leaves the narrow track while the second protruding portion remains in engagement with the narrow track.

[0032] As long as both protruding portions remain in engagement with the narrow track, the position as well as the orientation of the component are maintained very precisely relative to the nacelle. Once the first protruding portion has left the narrow track, and therefore is no longer in engagement with the narrow track, the position of the component relative to the nacelle remains precise, due to the continued engagement between the second protruding portion and the narrow track. However, the component is now allowed to tilt or pivot, thereby allowing the orientation of the component to be changed or adjusted, e.g. in order to appropriately position and orientate the component inside the nacelle, e.g. as described above. The continued engagement between the second protruding portion and the narrow track ensures that this is done in a controlled and accurate manner, without risking collisions between the component and the nacelle. For instance, the position of the first protruding portion relative to the component and / or relative to the position of the second protruding portion may ensure that the component is clear of relevant obstacles before a rotation or tilting of the component is initiated.

[0033] The at least one guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool may further define a wide exit and an additional tapered portion interconnecting the narrow track and the wide exit, and the step of continuing lowering the component may cause the at least one protruding portion to eventually be brought out of engagement with the guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool, via the additional tapered portion and the wide exit.

[0034] According to this embodiment, the at least one protruding portion of the second part of the guiding tool is guided away from the narrow track, towards the wide exit and via the additional tapered portion, in a manner similar to how the at least one protruding portion is guided towards the narrow track, from the wide entrance and via the tapered portion. However, in this case an increasingly larger play is introduced between the at least one protruding portion and the at least one guiding portion, as the at least one protruding portion travels along the additional tapered portion of the at least one guiding portion.

[0035] The additional tapered portion may allow the component to rotate or tilt, e.g. as described above, but ensures that this is done in a controlled and restricted manner, so as to prevent collisions between the component and the nacelle or parts mounted in the nacelle.

[0036] The first part of the guiding tool may comprise at least one guiding portion of a first type and at least one guiding portion of a second type, and the at least one guiding portion of the first type may be adapted to engage with protruding portions of a second part of the guiding tool mounted on or forming part of a component of a first type, and the at least one guiding portion of the second type may be adapted to engage with protruding portions of a second part of the guiding tool mounted on or forming part of a component of a second type.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the first part of the guiding tool is designed for guiding components of the first type as well as components of the second type safely through the passage defined by the upper opening of the nacelle. The components of the first type and the components of the second type differ from each other in such a manner that, in order to allow them to pass safely through the passage defined by the upper opening of the nacelle, it is necessary to apply different guiding portions of the first part of the guiding tool.

[0038] For instance, the guiding portions may differ from each other in terms of position on the first guiding tool, determining the position of the component relative to the nacelle during the lowering of the component. Alternatively or additionally, the design of the guiding portions may differ from each other, e.g. with respect to cross sectional dimensions, length, etc., of the wide entrance, the tapered portion and / or the narrow track.

[0039] Thus, according to this embodiment, the guiding tool is a multipurpose tool, in the sense that the same guiding tool can be used for guiding at least two different types of components into the nacelle.

[0040] The component being introduced may be a generator, a gearbox, a gear stage and / or a tool for performing maintenance, repair or replacement of one or more components of the wind turbine.

[0041] Thus, the component being introduced may be a component which is supposed to be mounted and installed inside the nacelle, once it has been introduced. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, a generator, a gearbox and / or a gear stage, forming part of the gearbox. In this case the component will remain in the nacelle after it has been introduced.

[0042] As an alternative, the component being introduced may be a component which is only supposed to be accommodated temporarily in the nacelle. One example of such a component is a tool for performing maintenance, repair or replacement of one or more components of the wind turbine, e.g. a tool for replacing a gear stage of the wind turbine. In this case the component, i.e. the tool, is removed from the nacelle once the maintenance, repair or replacement has been completed.

[0043] As another alternative, the component being introduced may include a component which is supposed to be mounted and installed inside the nacelle, as well as a component which is only supposed to be accommodated temporarily in the nacelle. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, relevant wind turbine components with a lifting yoke mounted thereon and / or a relevant component with a tool as described above mounted thereon, for instance a gear stage with a relevant gear stage replacement tool.

[0044] The method may further comprise the step of installing the component in the nacelle. This is, e.g., relevant in the case that the component is of a kind which is supposed to be permanently mounted and installed in the nacelle, such as a generator, a gearbox and / or a gear stage.

[0045] According to a second aspect the invention provides a wind turbine comprising a nacelle with a upper opening, wherein a first part of a guiding tool is mounted at or near the upper opening of the nacelle, and wherein the first part of the guiding tool comprises at least one guiding portion being adapted to engage with a protruding portion of a second part of the guiding tool mounted on a component to be introduced in the nacelle, the at least one guiding portion having a wide entrance, a narrow track and a tapered portion interconnecting the wide entrance and the narrow track.

[0046] Thus, the wind turbine according to the second aspect of the invention has a first part of a guiding tool mounted at or near an upper opening of the nacelle. The first part of the guiding tool is of the kind described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the remarks set forth above in this regard are equally applicable here.

[0047] Thus, the wind turbine according to the second aspect of the invention is capable of providing guidance for a component being introduced in the nacelle, in a safe and appropriate manner, where the risk of collisions between the component and the nacelle is minimised. This has already been described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention.

[0048] The at least one guiding portion of the first part of the guiding tool may further define a wide exit and an additional tapered portion interconnecting the narrow track and the wide exit. As described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention, this allows the component being introduced to be rotated or tilted in a controlled and restricted manner, in order to change or adjust its orientation, once the component has passed through the passage defined by the upper opening of the nacelle.

[0049] The first part of the guiding tool may comprise at least one guiding portion of a first type and at least one guiding portion of a second type, and the at least one guiding portion of the first type may be adapted to engage with protruding portions of a second part of the guiding tool mounted on or forming part of a component of a first type, and the at least one guiding portion of the second type may be adapted to engage with protruding portions of a second part of the guiding tool mounted on or forming part of a component of a second type.

[0050] As described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention, this allows the guiding tool to be applied for guiding components of at least two different types safely through the passage defined by the upper opening of the nacelle, i.e. the guiding tool may be regarded as a multipurpose tool.

[0051] The component being introduced may be a generator, a gearbox, a gear stage and / or a tool for performing maintenance, repair or replacement of one or more components of the wind turbine. This has already been described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention.

[0052] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a first part of a guiding tool for use in a method according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0054] Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the first part of the guiding tool of Figs. 1 and 2 mounted at an upper opening of a nacelle of a wind turbine,

[0055] Fig. 5 shows a component, in the form of a generator, to be introduced into a nacelle of a wind turbine by means of a method according to an embodiment of the invention, and

[0056] Figs. 6-10 illustrate the component of Fig. 5 being introduced into a nacelle having the first part of the guiding tool of Figs. 1-4 mounted thereon, by means of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0057] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views, from two different angles, of a first part 1 of a guiding tool for use in a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The first part 1 comprises a frame 2 having a size and a shape which allows it to be mounted at or near an opening formed in an upper part of a nacelle, e.g. in the roof of the nacelle.

[0059] The first part 1 comprises two guiding portions 3, each having a wide entrance 3a, a narrow track 3b, a tapered portion 3c interconnecting the wide entrance 3a and the narrow track 3b, a wide exit 3d, and an additional tapered portion 3e interconnecting the narrow track 3b and the wide exit 3d. Accordingly, a protruding portion entering the guiding portion 3 via the wide entrance 3a, can be guided towards the narrow track 3b by means of the tapered portion 3c. While passing along the narrow track 3b, the protruding part is substantially prevented from moving sideways, i.e. in a direction being transverse to the narrow track 3b. Finally, the protruding portion can be guided away from the narrow track 3b towards the wide exit 3d, via the additional tapered portion 3e, while allowing some movement of the protruding portion relative to the guiding portion 3 along a sideways direction. This would, e.g., allow a component having the protruding portion mounted thereon to tilt or rotate. This will be described in further detail below with reference to Figs. 6-10.

[0060] The first part 1 is further provided with guiding panels 4 for further ensuring that no collisions occur between components passing through the frame 2 of the first part 1 and parts of a nacelle having the first part 1 mounted thereon.

[0061] Figs. 3 and 4 show the first part 1 of the guiding tool of Figs. 1 and 2 mounted along a periphery of an upper opening 5 of a nacelle 6 of a wind turbine.

[0062] Fig. 5 shows a component, in the form of a generator 7. The generator 7 is supposed to be introduced into a nacelle of a wind turbine, with the purpose of installing the generator 7 inside the nacelle.

[0063] A lifting yoke 8 and a second part 9 of a guiding tool are mounted on the generator 7. The second part 9 has six protruding portions 10, three of which are visible, each being adapted to engage with a guiding portion 3 of the first part 1 of the guiding tool illustrated in Figs. 1-4. The three remaining protruding portions 10 of the second part 9 of the guiding tool are arranged along an opposite surface of the generator 7, in a manner being symmetrical to the three visible protruding portions 10. Accordingly, three of the protruding portions 10 are adapted to engage one of the guiding portions 3 of the first part 1 of the guiding tool, and the oppositely positioned three protruding portions 10 are adapted to engage the other guiding portion 3.

[0064] Thus, the generator 7 can be guided into the nacelle by moving the protruding portions 10 into engagement with and along the respective guiding portions 3. This will be described in further detail below with reference to Figs. 6-10.

[0065] Figs. 6-10 illustrate the generator 7 of Fig. 5 being introduced in a nacelle 6 of a wind turbine, having the first part 1 of the guiding tool, illustrated in Figs. 1-4, mounted thereon, by means of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 6, the generator 7 has been lifted to a position above the nacelle 6 and the first part 1 of the guiding tool. This could, e.g., be done by means of an external crane (not shown). More particularly, the generator 7 has been arranged in a position where the protruding portions 10 of the second part 9 of the guiding tool are arranged above the guiding portions 3 of the first part 1 of the guiding tool.

[0066] Fig. 7 is a side view illustrating the generator 7, the nacelle 6 and the first part 1 of the guiding tool also shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 7, the generator 7 has been moved slightly downwards, so that the two lowermost protruding portions 10 have entered the respective guiding portions 3, via the respective wide entrances 3a of the guiding portions 3.

[0067] Further downwards movement of the generator 7 will cause the two lowermost protruding portions 10 to be guided by the tapered portions 3c of the respective guiding portions 3c, towards the respective narrow tracks 3b. This will guide and control the position of the generator 7 relative to the first part 1 of the guiding tool, and thereby relative to the nacelle 6 having the first portion 1 mounted thereon. Since the tapered portion 3c is tapered in two directions, as illustrated in Figs. 1-4 and 6, the position of the generator 7 will also be guided and controlled in two directions being transverse to the substantially vertical direction of movement of the generator 7.

[0068] In Fig. 8, the generator 7 has been lowered even further. This has brought the two lowermost protruding portions 10 into engagement with the respective narrow tracks 3b of the respective guiding portions 3. Furthermore, the two middle protruding portions 10 have been moved into engagement with the respective tapered portions 3c of the respective guiding portions 3, via the corresponding wide entrances 3a. This has brought the generator 7 even closer to a desired transverse position. In particular, it has been ensured that the generator 7 is brought to a transverse position ensuring clearance with respect to the upper opening 5 of the nacelle 6 before it reaches a vertical level in which there is a risk of collisions. In Fig. 9, which is a perspective view, where the nacelle is not shown for the sake of clarity, the generator 7 has been lowered even further to a vertical position where the two lowermost protruding portions 10 are in the process of leaving the respective guiding portions 3 via the wide exits 3d, the two middle protruding portions 10 are still arranged in engagement with the respective narrow tracks 3b, and the two uppermost protruding portions 10 are being guided towards the respective narrow tracks 3b via the corresponding tapered portions 3c. This ensures appropriate transverse positioning of the generator 7 while it is being lowered into the nacelle.

[0069] In Fig. 10, the generator 7 has been lowered almost entirely into the nacelle 6. Accordingly, the two lowermost protruding portions 10 as well as the two middle protruding portions 10 have been moved out of engagement with the respective guiding portions 3, via the corresponding wide exits 3d, while the two uppermost protruding portions 10 are still in engagement with the respective narrow tracks 3b. Accordingly, transverse movements of the generator 7 are still restricted. However, the generator 7 will be able to pivot or tilt about an axis defined by the two uppermost protruding portions 10. This will allow the generator 7 to be aligned with an inclined main axis of the drive train of the wind turbine, in a controlled manner, once it has been appropriately introduced into the nacelle 6.

[0070] Thus, the method illustrated in Figs. 6-10 allows the generator 7 to be accurately introduced in the nacelle 6, by means of the cooperation of the guiding portions 3 of the first part 1 of the guiding tool and the protruding portions 10 of the second part 9 of the guiding tool, without requiring that the generator 7 is initially positioned accurately relative to the nacelle 6. Instead, the funnel-like shape defined by the wide entrance 3a, the tapered portion 3c and the narrow track 3b ensures that the generator 7 is appropriately guided relative to the nacelle 6, as long as the protruding portions 10 are brought into engagement with the wide entrance 3a. Accordingly, accurate positioning of the generator 7 is obtained in an easy manner.

[0071] It should be noted that other suitable kinds of components could be introduced in the nacelle 6 in a similar manner, e.g. a gearbox, a gear stage, etc. It should further be noted that, even though the drawings show a first part 1 of the guiding tool with only one type of guiding portion 3, it is within the scope of protection defined by the claims that the first part 1 may comprises two or more types of guiding portions 3, mounted at various positions of the first part 1, so as to allow components of various kinds to be introduced into the nacelle 6, essentially in the manner described above. For instance, an additional set of guiding portions 3 could be arranged approximately at the positions of two of the guiding panels 4, e.g. configured to receive protruding portions arranged on a gearbox or a gear stage, which needs to be positioned in front of the generator 7 inside the nacelle 6.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for introducing a component (7) in a nacelle (6) of a wind turbine by means of a guiding tool, where the guiding tool comprises a first part (1) mounted at or near an upper opening (5) of the nacelle (6) and a second part (9) mounted on or forming part of the component (7) being introduced, where the first part (1) comprises at least one guiding portion (3) having a wide entrance (3a), a narrow track (3b) and a tapered portion (3c) interconnecting the wide entrance (3a) and the narrow track (3b), and where the second part(9) comprises at least one protruding portion (10), the method comprising the steps of:- lifting the component (7) to a position above the nacelle (6),- lowering the component (7) towards the upper opening (5) of the nacelle (6) while causing the at least one protruding portion (10) of the second part (9) of the guiding tool to engage with the wide entrance (3a) of the at least one guiding portion (3) of the first part (1) of the guiding tool, and- continuing lowering the component (7) while guiding the at least one protruding portion (10) of the second part (9) of the guiding tool along the tapered portion (3c), and subsequently along the narrow track (3b), of the at least one guiding portion (3) of the first part (1) of the guiding tool, so as to position the component (7) relative to the nacelle (6), during the lowering of the component (7).

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting the first part (1) of the guiding tool on the nacelle (6) and / or mounting the second part (9) of the guiding tool on the component (7) being introduced.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of rotating the component (7) subsequently to guiding the at least one protruding portion(10) of the second part (9) of the guiding tool along the narrow track (3c) of the at least one guiding portion (3) of the first part (1) of the guiding tool.

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second part(9) of the guiding tool comprises at least two protruding portions (10) arranged in such a manner that, during the step of guiding the at least one protruding portion (10) along the tapered portion (3c) and the narrow track (3b), a first protruding portion (10) leaves the narrow track (3b) while a second protruding portion (10) remains in engagement with the narrow track (3b).

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one guiding portion (3) of the first part (1) of the guiding tool further defines a wide exit (3d) and an additional tapered portion (3e) interconnecting the narrow track (3b) and the wide exit (3d), and wherein the step of continuing lowering the component (7) causes the at least one protruding portion (10) to eventually be brought out of engagement with the guiding portion (3) of the first part (1) of the guiding tool, via the additional tapered portion (3e) and the wide exit (3d).

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (1) of the guiding tool comprises at least one guiding portion (3) of a first type and at least one guiding portion (3) of a second type, and wherein the at least one guiding portion (3) of the first type is adapted to engage with protruding portions (10) of a second part (9) of the guiding tool mounted on or forming part of a component (7) of a first type, and wherein the at least one guiding portion (3) of the second type is adapted to engage with protruding portions(10) of a second part (9) of the guiding tool mounted on or forming part of a component (7) of a second type.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the component (7) being introduced is a generator, a gearbox, a gear stage and / or a tool for performing maintenance, repair or replacement of one or more components of the wind turbine.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of installing the component (7) in the nacelle (6).

9. A wind turbine comprising a nacelle (6) with a upper opening (5), wherein a first part (1) of a guiding tool is mounted at or near the upper opening (5) of thenacelle (6), and wherein the first part (1) of the guiding tool comprises at least one guiding portion (3) being adapted to engage with a protruding portion (10) of a second part (9) of the guiding tool mounted on a component (7) to be introduced in the nacelle (6), the at least one guiding portion (3) having a wide entrance (3a), a narrow track (3b) and a tapered portion (3c) interconnecting the wide entrance (3a) and the narrow track (3b).

10. A wind turbine according to claim 9, wherein the at least one guiding portion (3) of the first part (1) of the guiding tool further defines a wide exit (3d) and an additional tapered portion (3e) interconnecting the narrow track (3b) and the wide exit (3d).

11. A wind turbine according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first part (1) of the guiding tool comprises at least one guiding portion (3) of a first type and at least one guiding portion (3) of a second type, and wherein the at least one guiding portion (3) of the first type is adapted to engage with protruding portions (10) of a second part (9) of the guiding tool mounted on or forming part of a component (7) of a first type, and wherein the at least one guiding portion (3) of the second type is adapted to engage with protruding portions (10) of a second part (9) of the guiding tool mounted on or forming part of a component (7) of a second type.

12. A wind turbine according to any of claims 9-11, wherein the component (7) being introduced is a generator, a gearbox, a gear stage and / or a tool for performing maintenance, repair or replacement of one or more components of the wind turbine.

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