Control device of lift-up device

Abstract

To reduce a burden of monitoring by a human.SOLUTION: A lift-up device 20 is a device used when a wind power generator is installed and includes: a guide tower 21 provided around a tower 11 of the wind power generator; and a lifting frame part 30 which is supported by the guide tower 21 and configured to move up or down. A control device of the lift-up device 20 includes: a detection part for detecting a state of the tower 11; and a control unit for controlling driving of the lifting frame part 30. The control unit is configured to execute limiting processing for limiting driving of the lifting frame part 30 when determining that the state detected by the detection part is a state that the guide tower 21 and the lifting frame part 30 are hindered from moving relative to each other in a vertical direction when the lifting frame part 30 is driven.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a lift-up device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a lift-up device used when installing a wind power generator. The lift-up device described in Patent Document 1 includes a guide tower provided around the tower of the wind power generator, and a lifting unit supported by the guide tower and configured to be able to move up and down.

[0003] The guide tower has four support columns surrounding the tower. Each support column is divided into multiple sections in the vertical direction. Adjacent support columns in the circumferential direction of the tower are connected by beams. Multiple beams are provided at intervals from each other in the vertical direction.

[0004] A support mechanism called a stay ring is provided between each support column and the tower. The guide tower is supported by the tower via the support mechanism. A plurality of support mechanisms are provided at intervals in the vertical direction.

[0005] The lifting section is attached to the two front columns of the four columns. The lifting section includes a pair of unit members that sandwich the guide tower in the width direction and a connecting section that connects the unit members. The unit members include a horizontal section that extends in the front-to-rear direction, a vertical section that extends downward from the center of the horizontal section in the front-to-rear direction, and a pair of diagonal members that connect the horizontal section and the vertical section.

[0006] Each vertical section is equipped with a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the lifting section. The lifting mechanism includes a jack that can be extended and retracted vertically using hydraulic pressure. The lifting section rises and lowers along the guide tower by repeatedly extending and retracting the jack.

[0007] When installing a wind power generator using the above-described lift-up device, the lifting mechanism of the lifting section may be operated on the ground to raise or lower the middle section of the guide tower.

[0008] Furthermore, in conventional wind power generators, an outward-opening tower door is provided at the bottom of the tower to open and close an entrance for accessing the interior. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-172661 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, if the middle part of the guide tower is lowered or raised while the tower door is open outward, the beam in the middle part may interfere with the tower door. Therefore, in the past, an operator had to monitor the state of the tower door before operating the lifting part, which created a monitoring burden.

[0011] Furthermore, this problem is not limited to when the tower door is open, but also occurs in any situation in which the relative movement of the guide tower and the lifting unit in the vertical direction is prevented when the lifting unit is driven. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] Various aspects of a control device for a lift-up device for solving the above problems will be described below. [Aspect 1] A control device for controlling a lift-up device that is used when installing a wind power generator and includes a guide tower provided around the tower of the wind power generator and a lifting unit supported by the guide tower and configured to be able to rise and fall, a detection unit that detects the state of at least one of the tower, a nacelle installed on the top of the tower, and a rotor attached to the nacelle; a control unit that controls the driving of the lifting unit, The control unit is configured to execute a restriction process to restrict the driving of the lifting unit when it determines that the state detected by the detection unit is a state that prevents the guide tower and the lifting unit from moving relative to each other in the up and down direction when the lifting unit is driven. Control device for lift-up device.

[0013] According to this configuration, the detection unit detects the state of at least one of the tower, the nacelle installed at the top of the tower, and the rotor attached to the nacelle. Then, when the control unit determines that the state detected by the detection unit is a state that would prevent the guide tower and the lifting unit from moving relative to each other in the vertical direction when the lifting unit is driven, it executes a restriction process. This makes it possible to prevent a state that would prevent the guide tower and the lifting unit from moving relative to each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, the burden of human monitoring can be reduced.

[0014] [Aspect 2] The restriction process is configured to prohibit driving of the lifting unit. A control device for a lift-up device according to embodiment 1.

[0015] This configuration can prevent the guide tower and the lifting unit from being hindered from moving up and down relative to each other, further reducing the burden of human supervision.

[0016] [Aspect 3] The tower includes a tower body having an entrance and an outward-opening tower door that opens and closes the entrance, The detection unit detects whether the tower door is open or closed, The control unit is configured to execute the restriction process when the tower door is open. The control device for the lift-up device according to the first or second aspect.

[0017] The tower of a wind turbine generator is provided with an entrance for entering and exiting the interior and an outward-opening tower door that opens and closes the entrance. When the tower door opens outward, the following problem may occur: When the guide tower is lowered or raised by the lifting unit while the tower door is open, the beams connecting the support columns of the guide tower may interfere with the tower door.

[0018] In this regard, according to the above configuration, when the tower door is open, the control unit executes the above restriction process, thereby preventing the beam from interfering with the tower door. [Aspect 4] A display unit is provided, The control unit is configured to, in addition to executing the restriction process, display on the display unit that the cause of the execution of the restriction process is at least that the tower door is open. A control device for a lift-up device according to embodiment 3.

[0019] According to this configuration, the worker can easily understand the reason why the restriction process was executed by visually checking the display unit. [Aspect 5] A display unit is provided, The control unit is configured to display the operating status of the lift-up device on the display unit. A control device for a lift-up device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0020] According to this configuration, for example, a person other than the worker can easily check whether the tower door can be opened by visually checking the display unit. [Aspect 6] When the detection unit is a first detection unit, a second detection unit that detects the state of the surrounding environment of the lift-up device; The control unit is configured to execute the restriction process when it determines that the state of the surrounding environment detected by the second detection unit is a state that inhibits the relative movement of the guide tower and the lifting unit in the up and down direction. A control device for a lift-up device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0021] According to this configuration, when the condition of the surrounding environment detected by the second detection unit is determined to be a condition that inhibits the relative vertical movement of the guide tower and the lifting unit, a restriction process is executed. This reduces the burden on the supervisor of monitoring the condition of the surrounding environment and informing the worker. The condition of the surrounding environment can be, for example, meteorological conditions such as thunderclouds and wind speed. The condition of the surrounding environment can also be the condition of at least one of people, animals, and objects within a range that is a predetermined distance or less from the lift-up device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, the burden of human monitoring can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wind power generator according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the tower, nacelle, and rotor of a wind power generator under construction, and the lift-up device, and is a perspective view showing the lifting frame, base, and lifting jig in a state where they have been lowered to the loading operation position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the tower, nacelle, and rotor of a wind power generator under construction, and the lift-up device, with the lowest section of the guide tower retracted onto the retraction rail. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the tower, nacelle, and rotor of a wind power generator under construction, and a lift-up device, with the guide tower lowered and the blades turned. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the control device for the lifting frame portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for driving and controlling the lifting mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. <Wind turbine generator 10> As shown in FIG. 1, a wind turbine generator 10 includes a tower 11 installed on a foundation, a nacelle 12 installed on the top of the tower 11, and a rotor 13 attached to the nacelle 12.

[0025] The tower 11 is configured by stacking a plurality of towers 11a to 11e. The tower 11 is configured, in order from the bottom, of a bottom tower 11a, three middle towers 11b to 11d, and a top tower 11e.

[0026] The bottom tower 11a includes a tower body 111 having an entrance 112 for entering and exiting the interior of the tower 11, and an outward-opening tower door 113 for opening and closing the entrance 112.

[0027] The rotor 13 has a hub 14 and a plurality of blades 15a, 15b, and 15c extending radially from the hub 14. The hub 14 is provided with a plurality of blade attachment openings 14a, 14b, and 14c to which the base ends of the plurality of blades 15a, 15b, and 15c are attached, respectively (see FIGS. 2 to 4). The three blades 15a, 15b, and 15c are provided at 120-degree intervals in the circumferential direction of the hub 14.

[0028] <Lift-up device 20> 2, the lift-up device 20 is used when installing the wind power generator 10, and includes a guide tower 21 and a lifting frame unit 30 that is supported by the guide tower 21 and is configured to be able to move up and down. The lifting frame unit 30 corresponds to the lifting unit according to the present invention.

[0029] (Guide Tower 21) As shown in FIG. 2, the guide tower 21 includes a substantially square frame-shaped base 27 installed on the ground, four support columns 22 and 23 provided around the periphery of the tower 11, and a beam 24 connecting the support columns 22 and 23 to each other.

[0030] The four pillars 22, 23 are installed on the four corners of the base 27. Each pillar 22, 23 is divided into multiple parts in the vertical direction. Each pillar 22, 23 has a truss structure in the shape of a square pillar. The beam 24 also has a truss structure.

[0031] In the following description, the direction in which two of the four columns 22, 23 that are adjacent in the circumferential direction of the tower 11 are aligned with the remaining two columns 23 is referred to as the front-to-rear direction. The side on which the two columns 22 are located relative to the two columns 23 is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear side. The direction perpendicular to both the front-to-rear direction and the up-down direction is referred to as the width direction. The front-to-rear direction and the width direction are horizontal.

[0032] The beam 24 extends along the width direction or the front-rear direction and connects the adjacent columns 22 and 23 in the circumferential direction of the tower 11. The guide tower 21 includes two support columns 26 arranged adjacent to each other on the outer sides in the width direction of the lower ends of the two support columns 22. The support columns 26 are installed on a base 27.

[0033] The guide tower 21 includes a pair of lead-in rails 28 that are installed on the ground. The pair of lead-in rails 28 extend in the front-rear direction and are connected to the front end of the base 27. (Staling 25) 2, a plurality of stay rings 25 are provided between each of the support columns 22, 23 and the tower 11. The guide tower 21 is supported on the tower 11 via the stay rings 25. The plurality of stay rings 25 are provided at intervals from one another in the vertical direction.

[0034] The stay ring 25 has a square frame-shaped ring portion 25a attached to the guide tower 21, and a plurality of pressing portions (not shown) attached to the inner peripheral surface of the ring portion 25a and driven hydraulically to press against the outer peripheral surface of the tower 11. Four pressing portions are provided corresponding to the four corners of the ring portion 25a, respectively.

[0035] (Lifting frame part 30) As shown in FIG. 2, the lifting frame unit 30 includes a pair of upper horizontal frames 31, a pair of vertical frames , and a pair of lower horizontal frames .

[0036] The pair of upper horizontal frames 31, the pair of vertical frames 34, and the pair of lower horizontal frames 35 sandwich the guide tower 21 in the width direction. The upper horizontal frame 31 protrudes forward from the guide tower 21 and extends in the front-to-rear direction. A mount 50 is disposed on the upper horizontal frame 31. The mount 50 is configured to suspend a suspending jig 60 that suspends the blades 15a, 15b, and 15c.

[0037] The vertical frame 34 extends in the up-down direction and is supported so as to be able to rise and fall relative to the guide tower 21, more specifically, the support columns 22. The vertical frame 34 is provided with a lifting mechanism 36 (see FIG. 5) that raises and lowers the lifting frame section 30.

[0038] The lifting mechanism 36 has a configuration similar to that of the lifting unit described in Patent Document 1, and includes a jack having a cylinder and a piston housed in the cylinder, configured to be extendable in the vertical direction by changing the length of the piston protruding from the bottom end of the cylinder using hydraulic pressure. The lifting frame unit 30 is configured to rise and fall along the guide tower 21 by repeatedly extending and retracting the jack.

[0039] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a control device 90 that controls the lift-up device 20 will be described. 5, the control device 90 includes a detection unit 91, a control unit 92, a display unit 93, and an input unit 94. The control unit 92 is electrically connected to the lifting mechanism 36 of the lifting frame unit 30, the detection unit 91, the display unit 93, and the input unit 94.

[0040] The detector 91 detects whether the tower door 113 is open or closed. The input unit 94 inputs, to the control unit 92, an operation signal for driving the lifting frame unit 30 based on an input operation by an operator. The input unit 94 is configured by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and a pendant switch.

[0041] The display unit 93 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit 93 does not necessarily have to be configured integrally with the control device 90, and may be separate from the control device 90. For example, the display unit 93 may be installed near the tower door 113. In this case, it is desirable to configure the display unit 93 and the control device 90 to be able to communicate wirelessly.

[0042] The control unit 92 controls the driving of the lifting mechanism 36 of the lifting frame unit 30 based on an operation signal input by the input unit 94. The control unit 92 also controls the display mode of the display unit 93. The control unit 92 is configured to display the operating status of the lift-up device 20 on the display unit 93.

[0043] Here, a part of the construction method of the wind power generator 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows the state in which the blade 15a is carried to the top of the tower 11 by the lifting jig 60 of the stand 50 arranged on the lifting frame section 30 and attached to the blade attachment opening 14a of the hub 14.

[0044] 2, after the first blade 15a is attached to the blade attachment opening 14a, the lifting frame unit 30 is lowered to the loading operation position. Before the lifting frame unit 30 is lowered, the two support columns 26 are installed on the base 27.

[0045] 3, the lifting jig 60 is removed from the mount 50. Also, the pressing force of the pressing portion of the stay ring 25 is released, thereby putting the stay ring 25 into an open state.

[0046] In addition, the beam 24 connecting the two lowest support columns 23 is removed, and the four lowest support columns 22, 23 are retracted onto the retracting rails 28. Next, as shown in Figure 4, the lifting mechanism 36 of the lifting frame unit 30 is driven to lower the guide tower 21 until it contacts the base 27. This brings the upper end of the guide tower 21 below the rotation path of the blade 15a, thereby preventing interference between the guide tower 21 and the blade 15a.

[0047] Thereafter, the hub 14 is rotated by a turning device (not shown) to position the blade attachment opening 14b of the hub 14 so that the next blade 15b can be attached. However, if the guide tower 21 is lowered or raised by the lifting frame portion 30 while the tower door 113 is open, there is a risk that the beam 24 of the guide tower 21 may interfere with the tower door 113.

[0048] Therefore, the control unit 92 of this embodiment is configured to execute a restriction process to restrict the driving of the lifting mechanism 36 of the lifting frame unit 30 when the detection unit 91 detects that the tower door 113 is open. In the restriction process of this embodiment, the driving of the lifting frame unit 30 is prohibited.

[0049] In addition, in conjunction with executing the restriction process, the control unit 92 is configured to display on the display unit 93 that the reason for executing the restriction process is at least that the tower door 113 is open.

[0050] 6, a description will be given of the processing procedure for drive control processing of the lifting mechanism 36. This series of processing is repeatedly executed by the control unit 92 at predetermined intervals while an operation signal is being input from the input unit 94.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, in this series of processes, first, the control unit 92 reads the opening degree signal of the tower door 113 (step 1; S1). Next, it is determined whether the tower door 113 is closed or not based on the read opening degree signal (Step 2; S2).

[0052] In step S2, if it is determined that the tower door 113 is closed (step S2; "YES"), the lifting mechanism 36 is driven (step S3), and this series of processes is temporarily ended.

[0053] On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S2 that the tower door 113 is closed (step S2; "NO"), the driving of the lifting mechanism 36 is prohibited (step S4). Then, this series of processes is temporarily ended.

[0054] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the detection unit 91 detects the open / closed state of the tower door 113. Then, when the tower door 113 is open, the control unit 92 executes a restriction process to restrict the driving of the lifting frame unit 30. In other words, when the control unit 92 determines that the state of the tower 11 is such that driving the lifting frame unit 30 would prevent the guide tower 21 and the lifting frame unit 30 from moving relative to each other in the vertical direction, the restriction process is executed.

[0055] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The detection unit 91 detects the state of the tower 11. Then, when the control unit 92 determines that the state of the tower 11 is such that driving the lifting frame unit 30 would prevent the lifting frame unit 30 from moving up and down relative to the guide tower 21, it executes a restriction process. This makes it possible to prevent a state from occurring that would prevent the guide tower 21 and the lifting frame unit 30 from moving up and down relative to each other. This reduces the burden of human monitoring.

[0056] (2) The restriction process is configured to prohibit the driving of the lifting frame unit 30. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the guide tower 21 and the lifting frame unit 30 are prevented from moving relative to each other in the vertical direction. This further reduces the burden of human monitoring.

[0057] (3) The control unit 92 is configured to execute the restriction process when the tower door 113 is open. According to this configuration, when the tower door 113 is open, the control unit 92 executes the restriction process, thereby preventing the beam 24 from interfering with the tower door 113.

[0058] (4) In addition to executing the restriction process, the control unit 92 is configured to display on the display unit 93 that the reason for executing the restriction process is at least that the tower door 113 is open.

[0059] With this configuration, the operator can easily understand the reason why the restriction process was executed by visually checking the display unit 93. (5) The control unit 92 is configured to display the operating status of the lift-up device 20 on the display unit 93. This allows a person other than the worker to easily check the display unit 93 to see whether the tower door 113 can be opened.

[0060] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0061] The operating status of the lift-up device 20 may be prevented from being displayed on the display unit 93. In the above embodiment, the control unit 92 executes the restriction process and also displays on the display unit 93 that the reason for executing the restriction process is that at least the tower door 113 is open. However, it is also possible not to display this on the display unit 93.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the restriction process is exemplified as prohibiting the driving of the lifting frame section 30, but it may not prohibit the driving of the lifting frame section 30. The restriction process may be any process that restricts the driving of the lifting frame section 30, and may be, for example, a process that reduces the driving speed of the lifting frame section 30.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the detector 91 detects the open / closed state of the tower door 113 as the state of the tower 11, but this is not limiting. Alternatively, the detector 91 may detect the phase of the rotor 13, i.e., the phase of the blades 15a, 15b, and 15c. In this case, the controller 92 may limit the drive of the lifting frame 30 to limit the lifting of the guide tower 21 when the rotor 13 (blades 15a, 15b, and 15c) is not in the correct phase. This prevents the guide tower 21 from interfering with the blades 15a, 15b, and 15c.

[0064] The detection unit 91 may detect the reaction force (distortion) of the stay ring 25. The detection unit 91 may also detect the amount of deformation of the tower 11. The detection unit 91 may also detect the tilt angle of the entire tower 11. In either case, the detection unit 91 detects the state of at least one of the tower 11, the nacelle 12, and the rotor 13. The control unit 92 may then execute a restriction process when it determines that a state is present that would prevent the guide tower 21 and the lifting frame unit 30 from moving relative to each other in the vertical direction if the lifting frame unit 30 is driven.

[0065] The control device 90 may include a second detection unit that detects the state of the surrounding environment of the lift-up device 20. The control unit 92 may be configured to execute a restriction process when it determines that the state of the surrounding environment detected by the second detection unit is a state that prevents the guide tower 21 and the lift-up frame unit 30 from moving relative to each other in the vertical direction. In this case, the detection unit 91 corresponds to the first detection unit.

[0066] The surrounding environment conditions may be, for example, meteorological conditions such as thunderclouds and wind speed. In this case, the restriction process may be executed when the second detection unit detects thunderclouds around the lift-up device 20 or when it detects that the wind speed around the lift-up device 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed, i.e., strong winds. This configuration reduces the burden on the supervisor of monitoring meteorological conditions such as thunderclouds and informing the worker. The second detection unit may also read the meteorological conditions around the lift-up device 20 from a site that handles meteorological information via a network such as the Internet.

[0067] Furthermore, the state of the surrounding environment can also be the state of at least one of humans, animals, and objects within a range where the distance from the lift-up device 20 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In this case, the restriction process can be executed when the second detection unit detects a worker or a crane within a range where the distance from the lift-up device 20 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. This configuration reduces the burden on the monitor to monitor the state of the workers and crane around the lift-up device 20 and to communicate this to the worker. Note that the second detection unit may use a camera, an infrared sensor, or the like to detect the state of at least one of humans, animals, and objects within a range where the distance from the lift-up device 20 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10...wind turbine generator, 11...tower, 11a...bottom tower, 11b to 11d...middle tower, 11e...top tower, 111...tower body, 112...entrance / exit, 113...tower door, 12...nacelle, 13...rotor, 14...hub, 14a to 14c...blade mounting port, 15a to 15c...blade, 20...lift-up device, 21...guide tower, 22, 23...support, 24...beam, 25...staying, 25a...ring section, 26...support column, 27...base, 28...pulling rail, 30...lifting frame section (lifting section), 31...upper horizontal frame, 34...vertical frame, 35...lower horizontal frame, 36...lifting mechanism, 50...mounting base, 60...lifting jig, 90...control device, 91...detection section, 92...control section, 93...display section, 94...input section.

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a lift-up device that is used when installing a wind power generator and includes a guide tower provided around the tower of the wind power generator and a lifting unit supported by the guide tower and configured to be able to rise and fall, a detection unit that detects the state of at least one of the tower, a nacelle installed on the top of the tower, and a rotor attached to the nacelle; a control unit that controls the driving of the lifting unit, The control unit is configured to execute a restriction process to restrict the driving of the lifting unit when it determines that the state detected by the detection unit is a state that prevents the guide tower and the lifting unit from moving relative to each other in the up and down direction when the lifting unit is driven. Control device for lift-up device.

2. The restriction process prohibits driving of the lifting unit. The control device for a lift-up device according to claim 1 .

3. The tower includes a tower body having an entrance and an outward-opening tower door that opens and closes the entrance, The detection unit detects whether the tower door is open or closed, The control unit is configured to execute the restriction process when the tower door is open. The control device for a lift-up device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A display unit is provided, The control unit is configured to, in addition to executing the restriction process, display on the display unit that the cause of the execution of the restriction process is at least that the tower door is open. The control device for a lift-up device according to claim 3.

5. A display unit is provided, The control unit is configured to display the operating status of the lift-up device on the display unit. The control device for a lift-up device according to claim 1 .

6. When the detection unit is a first detection unit, a second detection unit that detects a state of an environment surrounding the lift-up device; The control unit is configured to execute the restriction process when it determines that the state of the surrounding environment detected by the second detection unit is a state that inhibits the relative movement of the guide tower and the lifting unit in the up and down direction. The control device for a lift-up device according to claim 1 .

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