Lifting device and method for assembling lift tower

Abstract

To provide a lift-up device and an assembling method of a lift tower capable of efficiently extending the lift tower.SOLUTION: The lift-up device 15 conveys the element member upward when the wind power generator is constructed. A lift-up device 15 includes a lift tower 20 installed around a tower body 11 in a top view, and a lifting device 50 for lifting an existing tower 25 which is an existing part of the lift tower 20. The lifting device 50 includes an auxiliary support column 51 installed adjacent to the lift tower 20 from the outside, an engagement portion 55 configured to be movable along the auxiliary support column 51 and engageable with the lift support column 21, a wire rope 56 connected to the engagement portion 55, and a winch 57 that moves the engagement portion 55 upward along the auxiliary support column 51 by winding the wire rope 56.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lift-up device used for constructing tower-like structures such as wind turbine generators, and a method for assembling a lift tower provided with the lift-up device. [Background technology]

[0002] A method for constructing a wind turbine, which is a tower-like structure with a rotor at the top, uses a construction method using a lift-up device, as described in Patent Document 1, for example. The lift-up device has a lift tower with four lift columns installed to surround the tower-like structure, and a lifting unit that can rise and fall along the lift tower. The lift-up device is used to transport the tower body of the wind turbine and various elemental members that make up the rotor, with the lifting unit rising and falling along the lift tower. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-12321 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a lift-up device, the lift tower needs to be extended depending on the height of the tower-like structure. Also, in recent years, the development of higher towers for wind turbines has been considered. Therefore, there has been a demand for technology that can efficiently extend the lift tower. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A lift-up device that solves the above problem transports element members upward when constructing a tower-like structure. The lift-up device includes a lift tower installed around the tower-like structure, a lifting unit having holders for holding the element members and configured to be able to move up and down along the lift tower, and a lifting device that lifts the lift tower. The lifting device includes an auxiliary support column installed adjacent to the outside of the lift tower, an engaging section configured to be movable along the auxiliary support column and engageable with the lift tower, a wire rope connected to the engaging section, and a winch that moves the engaging section up along the auxiliary support column by winding up the wire rope. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, the lift tower can be extended efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a wind power generator, which is an example of a tower-like structure constructed by an embodiment of a lift-up device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the lift-up device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the lift-up device. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a side view that shows a schematic diagram of how the existing tower is raised and then the new tower is inserted, and Figure 4(b) is a top view that shows a schematic diagram of how the existing tower is raised and then the new tower is inserted. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view showing the general configuration of the lifting device, where (a) is a diagram showing the state in which the engagement portion is located at the lower end of the auxiliary support, and (b) is a diagram showing the state in which the engagement portion is located at the upper end of the auxiliary support. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the engagement pin in a disengaged state with respect to the lift column, and FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the engagement pin in an engaged state with respect to the lift column. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a method for assembling a lift tower, and is a front view that schematically shows a state in which the lifting section is placed in a position that does not interfere with the installation of the auxiliary support columns. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a method for assembling a lift tower, and is a front view that schematically shows a state in which an auxiliary support is installed and an engagement pin is engaged with a lift support of an existing tower. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a method for assembling a lift tower, and is a front view schematically showing a state in which an existing tower has been lifted up by a lifting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of a lift-up device and a method for assembling (extending) a lift tower will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, a wind power generator 10, which is an example of a tower-like structure, includes a tower body 11, a nacelle 12, and a rotor 13.

[0009] The tower body 11 extends upward from a foundation installed on the above-ground portion 5. The tower body 11 is composed of a plurality of cylindrical bodies connected in the vertical direction, specifically a first cylindrical body 111, a second cylindrical body 112, ..., an n-th cylindrical body 11n (n is an integer of 1 or more) arranged in this order from the above-ground portion 5 side.

[0010] The nacelle 12 is attached to the top of the tower body 11. The nacelle 12 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending along the extension direction of the tower body 11. The rotating body 13 has a hub 13h and a plurality of blades 13b. The hub 13h is rotatably attached to the nacelle 12. The blades 13b are attached to the hub 13h so as to extend in a radial direction relative to the rotation axis of the hub 13h. The rotating body 13 may be assembled to the nacelle 12 after the hub 13h is transported to the top of the tower body 11 and assembled to the hub 13h. The rotating body 13 may be assembled to the nacelle 12 after the blades 13b are attached to the hub 13h and transported to the top of the tower body 11.

[0011] (Lift-up device) The lift-up device 15 used for constructing the tower body 11 and transporting the nacelle 12 will now be described.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the lift-up device 15 includes a lift tower 20, a lifting unit 30, and a suspension base 40. The lift tower 20 extends vertically at a position close to the tower body 11. The lifting unit 30 is supported by the lift tower 20. The lifting unit 30 is configured to be able to rise and fall along the lift tower 20. The hoisting platform 40 is supported by the lifting unit 30. The hoisting platform 40 has a holder 41 that holds the element members to be transported. In the following, the direction corresponding to the left in FIG. 2 is referred to as the front direction, and the direction corresponding to the right in FIG. 2 is referred to as the rear direction. Furthermore, the direction corresponding to the front side of the paper in FIG. 2 is referred to as the left direction, and the direction toward the back of the paper is referred to as the right direction. On the "front side," work is carried out near the ground section 5 to have the hoisting platform 40 hold the element members to be transported. Furthermore, on the "front side," the hoisting platform 40 is positioned when the lifting unit 30 is raised or lowered.

[0013] 3, the lift tower 20 is constructed so as to surround the tower body 11 in a top view. The lift tower 20 has four lift columns 21 and a plurality of connecting beams 22.

[0014] Each of the four lift columns 21 is made up of multiple partial columns connected in the vertical direction, specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a first partial column 211, a second partial column 212, ..., a k-th partial column 21k (k is an integer of 1 or more) arranged from the above-ground portion 5 side. A connecting beam 22 connects adjacent pairs of lift columns 21. The connecting beams 22 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, and connect pairs of lift columns 21 at various points.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the lifting section 30 has a frame body made up of a lifting frame 31, an upper frame 32, a lower frame 33, and various reinforcing frames . The lifting frame 31 is provided adjacent to the pair of lift columns 21 located in front from the outside in the left-right direction. The lifting frame 31 is supported by the lift columns 21 via lifting guides 35 provided at various locations. In this embodiment, the lifting guides 35 are provided at the lower end, center, and upper end of the lifting frame 31. The lifting guide 35 provided at the lower end is the first lifting guide, the lifting guide 35 provided at the center is the second lifting guide, and the lifting guide 35 provided at the upper end is the third lifting guide. The lifting guides 35 engage with the lifting frame 31 and the lift columns 21. The lifting guides 35 rise and fall along the lift columns 21 together with the lifting frame 31 when driven by a lifting source built into the lifting frame 31. The lifting source may be built into the lifting guides 35.

[0016] The upper frame 32 is connected to the upper end of the lifting frame 31. The upper frame 32 has a portion extending forward and a portion extending rearward from the upper end of the lifting frame 31. The lower frame 33 is connected to the lower end of the lifting frame 31. The lower frame 33 extends rearward from the lower end of the lifting frame 31. The reinforcing frames 34 appropriately connect the lifting frame 31, the upper frame 32, and the lower frame 33 to increase the rigidity of the frame body in the lifting section 30. For example, one of the reinforcing frames 34 connects the upper frame 32 and the lower frame 33 on the rear side of the lifting frame 31. Furthermore, one of the reinforcing frames 34 connects the front end of the upper frame 32 to the front end of the lower frame 33 on the front side of the lifting frame 31.

[0017] The lifting section 30 has a guide rail 37 on each of the upper frames 32. The lifting section 30 also has a stage 38 connected to the pair of upper frames 32. The guide rails 37 are laid between the front and rear ends of the upper frames 32. The guide rails 37 support a suspension frame 40 that is movable in the front-to-rear direction. The suspension frame 40 is a gate-shaped frame supported by the pair of guide rails 37. The stage 38 is provided in the area between the pair of upper frames 32 on the rear side of the tower main body 11.

[0018] In the lift-up device 15 configured as described above, the lifting unit 30 is positioned near the ground section 5 with the suspending platform 40 positioned in front of the tower body 11 (holding operation state). After that, the element to be transported is held by the holder 41 of the suspending platform 40, and the lifting unit 30 is raised along the lift tower 20 to transport the element to the desired height. Then, after the suspending platform 40 is moved along the guide rails 37 and the height of the element is adjusted by the lifting unit 30, various operations related to the element are carried out.

[0019] (About the lift tower) In the lift-up device 15, when the tower body 11 becomes taller, the lift tower 20 needs to be extended.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4(a), when extending the lift tower 20, the existing tower 25, which is the existing part of the lift tower 20, is raised to a predetermined height. After that, the new tower 26, which is the extension part of the lift tower 20, is inserted into the space below the existing tower 25. Then, the existing tower 25 and the new tower 26 are connected to extend the lift tower 20.

[0021] In connection with such extension of the lift tower 20, the lift-up device 15 has a lifting device 50 configured to be able to lift the lift tower 20 and to be able to maintain the lift tower 20 in a lifted state. The lifting devices 50 are installed on both sides of the lift tower 20 in the left-right direction.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the lifting device 50 has auxiliary columns 51. The auxiliary columns 51 are installed adjacent to the pair of lift columns 21 located at the front from the outside in the left-right direction. The auxiliary columns 51 are installed after the lifting unit 30 is positioned so that installation of the auxiliary columns 51 is not hindered. The auxiliary columns 51 have a height greater than that of the new tower 26. After installation of the auxiliary columns 51, the upper ends of the auxiliary columns 51 are connected to the lower ends of the lifting frame 31.

[0023] The lift-up device 15 has slide rails 52. The slide rails 52 are used, for example, when extending the lift tower 20, to slide the new tower 26 below the raised existing tower 25. The slide rails 52 are also used, for example, when sliding the lowest part of the lift tower 20 when dismantling the lift tower 20. The slide rails 52 extend forward from the left lift column 21 and the right lift column 21 in top view.

[0024] The new tower 26 is installed on the slide rails 52 so as to be adjacent to the lift tower 20. The new tower 26 is assembled to a state in which the rear side is an open space when viewed from above, that is, to a state before the pair of lift columns 21 on the rear side are connected by the connecting beams 22. Such a new tower 26 may be installed on the slide rails 52 after being assembled in a different location, or may be assembled on the slide rails 52. The new tower 26 is positioned directly below the existing tower 25 by sliding along the slide rails 52. Then, the pair of lift columns 21 located on the rear side are connected by the connecting beams 22. Once the connection by the connecting beams 22 is completed, the upper end of the new tower 26 and the lower end of the existing tower 25 are connected.

[0025] When dismantling the lift tower 20, the removal of the lowest part of the lift tower 20 and the lifting down of the lift tower 20 by the lifting device 50 are repeated in the reverse order of the extension of the lift tower 20.

[0026] (lifting device) As shown in FIGS. 5( a ) and 5 ( b ), the lifting device 50 has an engaging portion 55 , a wire rope 56 , and a winch 57 .

[0027] An engagement portion 55 is provided on each auxiliary support 51. The engagement portion 55 is supported on the auxiliary support 51 so as to be movable along the auxiliary support 51. One end of the wire rope 56 is fixed to the upper end of the auxiliary support 51. The wire rope 56 extends downward from this end along the auxiliary support 51 and is then wound around a movable pulley 58 provided on the engagement portion 55. The wire rope 56 then extends upward along the auxiliary support 51 and is then wound around a fixed pulley 59 provided at the upper end of the auxiliary support 51. The wire rope 56 extends from the fixed pulley 59 outside the auxiliary support 51 toward the ground portion 5 and is then wound around a winch 57 via a sheave 60.

[0028] The winch 57 is installed on the above-ground portion 5. The winch 57 is installed on the outside of the lift tower 20. When the winch 57 winds up the wire rope 56, the engagement portion 55 moves upward along the auxiliary support 51. When the winch 57 pays out the wire rope 56, the engagement portion 55 moves downward along the auxiliary support 51. The auxiliary support 51 and the winch 57 are preferably installed on, for example, a common base 61 that is movable on the above-ground portion 5 and that can be fixed to the above-ground portion 5.

[0029] 6(a) and 6(b), the engaging portion 55 has an engaging pin 55a that can be moved inward in the left-right direction from the auxiliary column 51 by a hydraulic cylinder or the like. The engaging pin 55a is configured to be able to engage with and disengage from the lift column 21. With the engaging pin 55a engaged with the lift column 21, the engaging portion 55 moves along the auxiliary column 51, thereby moving the existing tower 25 in the up-down direction.

[0030] (How to assemble the lift tower) 7 to 9, an example of an assembly method (extension method) of the lift tower 20 using the lifting device 50 will be described. The lifting device 50 is installed on the outside of the lift tower 20 in the left-right direction. In addition, the engagement portion 55 is located at the lower end of the auxiliary support 51.

[0031] As shown in Figure 7, first, the lifting unit 30 is positioned so that the installation of the auxiliary column 51 will not be hindered. Then, the auxiliary column 51 and winch 57 are installed. The auxiliary column 51 is installed directly below the lifting frame 31 of the lifting unit 30. At this time, because the auxiliary column 51 and winch 57 are installed on the common base 61, the auxiliary column 51 and winch 57 can be easily installed by simply moving and fixing the common base 61 to a predetermined position. Then, the engagement portion 55 located at the lower end of the auxiliary column 51 is engaged with the lift column 21 of the existing tower 25.

[0032] 8, the lifting unit 30 is then lowered to connect the lower end of the lifting frame 31 to the upper end of the auxiliary support 51. As a result, the lifting unit 30 is supported on the above-ground portion 5 via the lifting device 50.

[0033] Next, as shown in Figure 9, the wire rope 56 is wound up by the winch 57. As a result, the engaging portion 55 rises along the auxiliary support 51, and the existing tower 25 is lifted up while being guided by the lifting guide portion 35 of the lifting portion 30. The existing tower 25 is lifted up to a position where an insertion space for the new tower 26 is formed below it.

[0034] 4(a), the new tower 26 is inserted below the raised existing tower 25, and the pair of lift columns 21 at the rear of the new tower 26 are connected by the connecting beam 22. Then, the wire rope 56 is let out from the winch 57 to lower the existing tower 25, and the lift columns 21 are connected between the existing tower 25 and the new tower 26, thereby extending the lift tower 20. After the lift tower 20 has been extended, the auxiliary columns 51 and winch 57 are removed. This makes it possible to position the lifting unit 30 near the above-ground portion 5.

[0035] The operation and effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The lift-up device 15 has a lifting device 50. The lifting device 50 has an auxiliary support 51 installed adjacent to the outside of the lift tower 20, an engagement part 55 configured to be movable along the auxiliary support 51 and engageable with the lift tower, a wire rope 56 connected to the engagement part 55, and a winch 57 that moves the engagement part 55 up along the auxiliary support 51 by winding up the wire rope 56.

[0036] With this configuration, after the auxiliary support 51 is installed, the existing tower 25 can be raised by engaging the engaging portion 55 with the existing tower 25 and winding the wire rope 56 with the winch 57. As a result, the lift tower 20 can be extended efficiently.

[0037] (2) Since the winch 57 is installed on the ground part 5, the reaction force required to raise the existing tower 25 and to maintain the raised state can be obtained from the ground part 5. (3) The lifting device 50 is supported by the auxiliary support 51 above the engaging portion 55 and has a fixed pulley 59 around which the wire rope 56 is wound. This reduces the load on the winch 57 when winding the wire rope 56. It also reduces damage to the wire rope 56 due to friction.

[0038] (4) The wire rope 56 has a fixed end that is fixed to the upper end of the auxiliary support 51. The lifting device 50 has a movable pulley 58 that is connected to the engagement part 55, around which the wire rope 56 is wound, and that is configured to be movable along the auxiliary support 51 together with the engagement part 55. This reduces the force required for the winch 57 when lifting the existing tower 25, etc.

[0039] (5) The hoisting device 50 has a common base 61 on which the auxiliary support 51 and the winch 57 are installed, and which is configured to be movable on the above-ground portion 5 and to be fixed to the above-ground portion 5. This makes it easy to install the auxiliary support 51 and the winch 57.

[0040] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility. The wire rope 56 may have a fixed end fixed to the engaging portion 55. That is, the wire rope 56 may be configured to connect the engaging portion 55 and the winch 57 via a fixed pulley 59.

[0041] The lifting device 50 may be configured such that the winch 57 is fixed to the upper end of the auxiliary support 51 and the wire rope 56 directly connects the engaging portion 55 and the winch 57 .

[0042] The lifting device 50 and the auxiliary support 51 may be configured to be disposed in front of or behind the lift support 21. In other words, the auxiliary support 51 may be installed in a position other than directly below the lifting frame 31.

[0043] The engaging portion 55 may be configured to fix a temporary beam to the lift support column 21 with a bolt or the like. The winch 57 is not limited to being fixed to the above-ground portion 5. The winch 57 may be fixed to the auxiliary support 51, for example.

[0044] The auxiliary support 51 and the winch 57 do not necessarily have to be installed on the common base 61, but may be installed separately. The tower-like structure may be any structure that is constructed by transporting element members upward using the lift-up device 15, and is not limited to the wind power generator 10, but may also be, for example, a radio tower. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 5...Ground section, 10...Wind turbine generator, 11...Tower body, 12...Nacelle, 13...Rotor, 13b...Blade, 13h...Hub, 15...Lift-up device, 20...Lift tower, 21...Lift support, 22...Connecting beam, 25...Existing tower, 26...New tower, 30...Lifting section, 31...Lifting frame, 32...Upper frame, 33...Lower frame, 34...Reinforcement frame, 35...Lifting guide section, 37...Guide rail, 38...Stage, 40...Hanging frame, 41...Retaining device, 50...Lifting device, 51...Auxiliary support, 52...Slide rail, 55...Engagement section, 55a...Engagement pin, 56...Wire rope, 57...Winch, 58...Moving pulley, 59...Fixed pulley, 60...Sheave, 61...Common base.

Claims

1. A lift-up device that transports element members upward when constructing a tower-like structure, a lift tower installed around the tower-like structure; a lifting unit having a holder for holding the element member and configured to be able to move up and down along the lift tower; a lifting device for lifting the lift tower; The lifting device is an auxiliary support pillar installed adjacent to the outside of the lift tower; an engaging portion configured to be movable along the auxiliary support column and engageable with the lift tower; a wire rope connected to the engagement portion; a winch that moves the engaging portion upward along the auxiliary support pole by winding up the wire rope. Lift-up device.

2. The winch is installed above ground. The lift-up device according to claim 1 .

3. The lifting device is supported by the auxiliary support pole above the engaging portion and has a fixed pulley around which the wire rope is wound. The lift-up device according to claim 2 .

4. The wire rope has a fixed end that is fixed to the upper end of the auxiliary support pole, The lifting device has a movable pulley connected to the engaging portion, around which the wire rope is wound, and configured to be movable along the auxiliary support together with the engaging portion. The lift-up device according to claim 3.

5. A method for assembling a lift tower that is installed around a tower-like structure and guides a lifting unit that transports element members upward when constructing the tower-like structure, comprising: The lift tower is extended by raising the existing tower, which is the existing part of the lift tower, and then placing a new tower below the existing tower and connecting the existing tower and the new tower. Install auxiliary supports adjacent to the existing tower from the outside, The auxiliary support column is provided with an engagement portion configured to be engageable with the lift tower and movable along the auxiliary support column, The engaging portion is supported by a wire rope, With the engaging portion engaged with the existing tower, the wire rope is wound up with a winch, and the engaging portion is moved along the auxiliary support pole to raise the existing tower. How to assemble the lift tower.

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