Lift-up device and method of operating the lift-up device

Abstract

To facilitate performing work of descending a lifting part.SOLUTION: A lift-up device includes a guide tower 20 provided adjacently to a power generator tower 11, and a lifting part 30 mounted on the guide tower 20 and constructed to lift up and down the guide tower 20, and lifts up a rotor 13 to the upper portion of the power generator tower 11. The lifting part 30 includes a suspension part 41 for suspending a hub 13h, a beam 42 extending in the width direction and supporting the suspension part 41, and a pair of support parts 50 for supporting both ends of the beam 42 in the width direction. The support parts 50 are constructed so as to be movable in the cross direction between a suspension position for suspending the hub 13h by the suspension part 41, and a retreat position in which the beam 42 and the support parts 50 do not interfere with a nacelle 12 and the rotor 13 when the lifting part 30 descends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting device for installing a wind turbine and an operation method of the lifting device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for installing a wind turbine. In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, first, a guide tower is arranged around the lowermost part of the generator tower. Subsequently, a lifting part is attached to the guide tower. Hereinafter, the side of the nacelle of the wind turbine to which the rotor is attached is defined as the front side, and the side opposite to the front side is defined as the rear side for explanation. Also, the direction orthogonal to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is defined as the width direction for explanation.

[0003] The lifting part includes a pair of horizontal parts, a connecting part, a table member, and a mounting part. The pair of horizontal parts are provided at positions sandwiching the generator tower and extend in the front-rear direction. The connecting part connects the front ends of the horizontal parts to each other and is configured to be detachable from the horizontal parts. The table member is provided on the upper surface of the connecting part and rotatably supports the hub of the rotor. The mounting part is provided across the pair of horizontal parts in the width direction and includes a first portal frame and a second portal frame configured to be able to travel on the horizontal parts. The second portal frame is located between the first portal frame and the guide tower in the front-rear direction. The horizontal part of the second portal frame, that is, the part extending in the width direction, is configured to be divisible at the center.

[0004] On the upper surfaces of the central parts in the width direction of the first portal frame and the second portal frame, a pair of small beams extending in the front-rear direction and spaced apart from each other in the width direction are detachably provided. A jig mounting beam is provided on the upper surfaces of the pair of small beams. A suspension jig is attached to the jig mounting beam.

[0005] Mounting members are erected on the columns of both the first and second portal frames. A main beam is rotatably connected to the upper end of the mounting member. A chain block, configured to suspend secondary beams, is attached to the main beam.

[0006] After raising the lifting mechanism while the middle or top section of the generator tower is suspended using the above-mentioned lifting jig, the mounting mechanism is moved to the rear, thereby assembling the middle and top sections sequentially on top of the bottom section of the generator tower.

[0007] Furthermore, after raising the lifting mechanism while the nacelle is suspended by the aforementioned lifting jig, the mounting mechanism is moved to the rear, thereby installing the nacelle at the very top of the generator tower. Furthermore, with the lifting mechanism positioned at a height above the tree, the hub is placed on the table component. Then, the rotor is assembled by sequentially attaching multiple blades to the hub while it is rotating. Next, with the hub suspended by a lifting jig, the lifting mechanism is raised, lifting and raising the rotor. Subsequently, the rotor is attached to the chain hoist, and the mounting part is moved to the rear, thereby attaching the rotor to the nacelle.

[0008] When the lifting mechanism is lowered from the position where the rotor is attached to the nacelle, the horizontal section of the second gantry frame and a pair of small beams interfere with the nacelle and rotor. Therefore, the pair of small beams are suspended by a pair of chain blocks and rotated 90 degrees so that they extend in the width direction. In addition, both sections of the horizontal section of the second gantry frame are rotated 90 degrees each to open up each of the horizontal sections. By performing these operations, the horizontal section of the second gantry frame and the pair of small beams no longer interfere with the nacelle and rotor, allowing the lifting mechanism to be lowered. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-41269 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] By the way, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, when lowering the lifting section, workers manually suspend the small beams from the chain block at the height where the lifting section is located, rotate the small beams by 90 degrees, and open the horizontal portion of the second gantry frame. Therefore, the operation of lowering the lifting section is complicated. In addition, many measures need to be taken to ensure that work at heights is carried out safely. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A lift-up device for solving the above problems is a device used for installing a wind turbine, comprising a generator tower, a nacelle provided on the upper part of the generator tower, and a rotor connected to the front of the nacelle and having a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially from the hub, wherein the device comprises a guide tower positioned adjacent to the generator tower, and a lifting unit attached to the guide tower and configured to raise and lower the guide tower, and the lift-up device for raising the rotor to the upper part of the generator tower, wherein the front side of the nacelle and When the front and rear sides are defined as the front and rear sides, respectively, and the direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is defined as the width direction, the lifting section comprises a suspension section for suspending the hub, a beam extending in the width direction and supporting the suspension section, and a pair of support sections supporting both ends of the beam in the width direction, and each of the support sections is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction between a suspension position in which the hub is suspended by the suspension section and a retracted position in which the beam and each of the support sections do not interfere with the nacelle and the rotor when the lifting section is lowered.

[0012] In this configuration, the rotor is lifted to the top of the generator tower by raising the lifting mechanism while the rotor hub is suspended by the suspension mechanism. In this configuration, after attaching the rotor to the nacelle and before lowering the lifting section, each of the support sections is moved to its retracted position, preventing the beam and the pair of support sections from interfering with the nacelle and rotor when the lifting section is lowered. Therefore, workers do not have to manually suspend the small beams from the chain hoist, rotate the small beams by 90 degrees, or open the horizontal section of the second gantry frame at the high location where the lifting section is located. Consequently, the operation of lowering the lifting section can be easily performed.

[0013] In the above-described lift-up device, the lifting section is provided at a position that sandwiches the generator tower in the width direction and comprises a pair of horizontal sections extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of receiving sections erected on each of the horizontal sections, and the support section comprises girders that extend in the front-rear direction and are configured to move in the front-rear direction on the receiving sections, and each of the girders preferably supports both ends of the beam.

[0014] According to this configuration, by moving a pair of girders in the front-rear direction relative to a pair of receiving parts, the pair of girders, i.e., the pair of support parts, can be easily and stably moved between a suspension position and a retracted position.

[0015] In the above-described lift-up device, an auxiliary support portion is provided in front of the support portion in the horizontal section to support the front part of the girder in the suspended position, the front end of the girder is configured to be movable behind the rear end of the rotor, and the beam is preferably located behind the rear end of the nacelle in the retracted position.

[0016] In this configuration, the girder is supported by both the receiving part and the auxiliary receiving part when suspended. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the auxiliary receiving part is not provided and the girder is supported only by the receiving part, the size of the girder and the receiving part in the front-to-back direction can be reduced. Consequently, the lifting mechanism can be made smaller.

[0017] In the above-described lift-up device, it is preferable that the beam is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction on the pair of girders. With this configuration, the rotor can be raised to the top of the generator tower by raising the lifting section, and then the rotor can be attached to the nacelle by moving the beams to the rear relative to the pair of girders. Therefore, the work of attaching the rotor to the nacelle can be easily performed.

[0018] Furthermore, with the above configuration, a pair of girders can be moved in the front-rear direction relative to a pair of receiving parts, and a beam can be moved in the front-rear direction relative to a pair of girders. As a result, the amount of movement of the girders in the front-rear direction can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the beam is fixed to a pair of girders, and thus the size of the receiving parts in the front-rear direction can be reduced.

[0019] In the above-described lift-up device, the lifting section is provided at a position that sandwiches the generator tower in the width direction and comprises a pair of horizontal sections that extend in the front-rear direction, the support section comprises a base frame supported by the horizontal sections and extending in the front-rear direction, a front slanted frame that extends from the end of the beam in the width direction and is connected to the front end of the base frame, and a rear slanted frame that extends from the end of the beam and is connected to the rear end of the base frame, and is generally in the shape of an isosceles triangle, the upper end of the front slanted frame or the upper end of the rear slanted frame is detachably connected to the beam, the front slanted frame is located at the front end of the base frame and is configured to rotate about a front axis that extends in the width direction, and the rear slanted frame is located at the rear end of the base frame and is configured to rotate about a rear axis that extends in the width direction, which is preferable.

[0020] According to the same configuration, in a state where the connection between each upper end of the front inclined side frame or each upper end of the rear inclined side frame and the beam is released, each of the front inclined side frames and each of the rear inclined side frames can be rotated about the front axis and the rear axis, respectively. Thereby, each of the front inclined side frames and each of the rear inclined side frames, that is, each of the support portions can be easily and stably moved between the hanging position and the retracted position.

[0021] Also, according to the above configuration, since both ends of the beam are supported by a pair of support portions having an isosceles triangle shape as a whole, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the support portions while reducing the weight of the support portions. In the above lift-up device, it is preferable that the bottom frame is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction on the horizontal portion.

[0022] According to the same configuration, after lifting the rotor to the upper part of the generator tower by raising the lifting part, the rotor can be attached to the nacelle by moving a pair of bottom frames to the rear side. Therefore, the work of attaching the rotor to the nacelle can be easily performed.

[0023] Also, according to the above configuration, in addition to rotating each of the front inclined side frames and each of the rear inclined side frames about the front axis and the rear axis, respectively, a pair of bottom frames can be moved in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the physical size of the bottom frame in the front-rear direction, and thus the physical size of the support portion in the front-rear direction, can be reduced.

[0024] Also, an operation method of the lift-up device for solving the above problems is to move the support portion to the retracted position after attaching the rotor to the nacelle and before lowering the lifting part.

[0025] According to the same method, the same operational effects as those of each of the above lift-up devices can be achieved.

Effects of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, the operation of lowering the lifting section can be easily performed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wind turbine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lift-up device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lifting mechanism of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view centered on the suspension section, beam, and support section of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figures 5(a) to 5(c) are side views showing the installation procedure of the wind turbine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figures 6(a) to 6(d) are side views showing the procedure for transferring the lifting equipment from the crane to the suspension unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figures 7(a) to 7(c) are perspective views showing the rotor assembly procedure in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the main part of the rotor in the process of being erected in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a side view of the rotor in the first embodiment in a raised position. [Figure 10] Figures 10(a) and 10(b) are side views showing the lowering procedure of the lifting section in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a side view of the main part of the second embodiment with the rotor in a lifted position. [Figure 12] Figures 12(a) to 12(d) are side views showing the lowering procedure of the lifting section in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. <Wind turbine 10> As shown in Figure 1, the wind turbine 10 comprises a generator tower 11 installed on a foundation, a nacelle 12 located at the top of the generator tower 11, and a rotor 13 attached to the front surface 12a of the nacelle 12.

[0029] The generator tower 11 is constructed by stacking multiple cylindrical bodies. The generator tower 11 is composed of, for example, the lowest part 11a, the middle part 11b, and the uppermost part 11c. The rotor 13 has a hub 13h and a plurality of blades 13b extending radially from the hub 13h. For example, three rotors 13 are provided at 120-degree intervals in the circumferential direction of the hub 13h.

[0030] In the following explanation, the front and rear sides of the nacelle 12 will be referred to as the front and rear sides, respectively, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the vertical direction Z will be referred to as the width direction Y. <Lift-up device> As shown in Figure 2, the lift-up device is used for installing the wind turbine 10. The lift-up device comprises a guide tower 20 and a lifting unit 30 attached to the guide tower 20, which is configured to raise and lower the guide tower 20.

[0031] <Guide Tower 20> As shown in Figure 2, the guide tower 20 is positioned adjacent to the generator tower 11. More specifically, the guide tower 20 is equipped with support columns 21, 22, 23, and 24 surrounding the generator tower 11. Each of the support columns 21-24 is constructed as a rectangular prism-shaped truss structure. Each of the support columns 21-24 is connected to adjacent support columns 21-24 by multiple truss beams 25, etc.

[0032] Multiple support mechanisms 26 are provided between each of the support columns 21-24 and the generator tower 11. The guide tower 20 is supported by the generator tower 11 via the support mechanisms 26. Each support mechanism 26 is mounted at intervals from each other in the vertical direction Z.

[0033] <Lifting section 30> As shown in Figure 2, the lifting mechanism 30 is attached to the front support columns 23 and 24. As shown in Figure 3, the lifting section 30 comprises a pair of unit members 31 that sandwich the guide tower 20 in the width direction Y, and connecting sections 32 and 33 that connect the unit members 31 to each other.

[0034] The unit member 31 comprises a horizontal portion 31a extending in the front-rear direction X, a vertical portion 31b extending downward from the center of the horizontal portion 31a in the front-rear direction X, and a pair of diagonal members 31c connecting the horizontal portion 31a and the vertical portion 31b.

[0035] Each horizontal section 31a is positioned to straddle the guide tower 20 in the width direction Y. One diagonal member 31c connects the front surface of the lower end of the vertical section 31b to the lower surface of the front end of the horizontal section 31a. The other diagonal member 31c connects the rear surface of the lower end of the vertical section 31b to the lower surface of the rear end of the horizontal section 31a.

[0036] The horizontal section 31a, the vertical section 31b, and the connecting sections 32 and 33 each have a truss structure in the shape of a rectangular prism. Each vertical section 31b is provided with a lifting mechanism 35 for raising and lowering the lifting section 30.

[0037] The lifting mechanism 35 includes a jack 36. The jack 36 is fixed to the vertical section 31b and includes a cylinder 36a that extends in the vertical direction Z, and a piston 36b housed within the cylinder 36a and protruding downward from the lower end of the cylinder 36a. The jack 36 is configured to extend and retract in the vertical direction Z by changing the protruding length of the piston 36b from the lower end of the cylinder 36a using hydraulic pressure.

[0038] Pins 37a and 37b are provided at the upper end of the cylinder 36a and the lower end of the piston 36b. The pins 37a and 37b are configured to protrude toward the front support columns 23 and 24.

[0039] When raising the lifting section 30, the lower pin 37b is extended and engaged with the holes (not shown) in the truss beams of the front support columns 23 and 24, while the upper pin 37a is retracted to release the engagement with the holes (not shown) in the truss beams of the front support columns 23 and 24. In this state, by extending the jack 36, the lifting section 30 is raised to a predetermined height relative to the guide tower 20.

[0040] Next, with the upper pin 37a extended and engaged with the holes (not shown) in the truss beams of the front columns 23 and 24, the lower pin 37b is retracted to release the engagement with the holes (not shown) in the truss beams of the front columns 23 and 24. In this state, the jack 36 is retracted to return it to its initial position.

[0041] By repeatedly extending and retracting the jack 36, the lifting section 30 moves up and down along the guide tower 20. The rear connecting section 32 connects the rear ends of the horizontal sections 31a.

[0042] The front connecting portion 33 connects the front ends of the horizontal portions 31a. The front connecting portion 33 is configured to be detachable from the horizontal portions 31a. A table member 34 is detachably provided on the upper surface of the central part of the connecting portion 33 in the width direction Y.

[0043] The table component 34 is used as an assembly table for assembling the rotor 13. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the lifting section 30 includes a pair of receiving sections 60 and a pair of auxiliary receiving sections 61, a pair of girders 51, a beam 42, and a suspension section 41.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, a support portion 60 and an auxiliary support portion 61 are erected on the upper surface of each horizontal portion 31a. The receiving section 60 comprises column sections 60a and 60b arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction X, and a connecting section 60c that extends in the front-rear direction X and connects the upper ends of the column sections 60a and 60b. The column sections 60a and 60b and the connecting section 60c are composed of a rectangular column-shaped truss structure.

[0045] The auxiliary receiving portion 61 is provided in front of the receiving portion 60. The auxiliary receiving portion 61 is, for example, cylindrical. As shown in Figure 2, the receiving portion 60 is adjacent to the guide tower 20 in the width direction Y.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the girder 51 is supported by the receiving portion 60 and the auxiliary receiving portion 61 above the receiving portion 60 and the auxiliary receiving portion 61. The girder 51 extends in the front-rear direction X and is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction X on the receiving portion 60.

[0047] The receiving section 60 is provided with a moving mechanism 52 that moves the girder 51 in the front-rear direction X. The moving mechanism 52 is located behind the rear column section 60b and below the girder 51.

[0048] The moving mechanism 52 is equipped with a jack (not shown) that is configured to extend and retract in the front-rear direction X. Note that the jack of the moving mechanism 52 has the same configuration as the jack 36 of the lifting mechanism 35, so a description is omitted.

[0049] By repeatedly extending and retracting the jack of the moving mechanism 52, the girder 51 moves in the front-rear direction X along the connecting portion 60c of the receiving portion 60. The beam 42 extends in the width direction Y above the girders 51. Both ends of the beam 42 in the width direction Y are supported by each girder 51. The beam 42 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction X on the pair of girders 51.

[0050] The beam 42 is provided with a movement mechanism (not shown) that moves the beam 42 in the front-rear direction X. A suspension section 41 is supported by the beam 42. The suspension section 41 is located in the center of the beam 42 in the width direction Y. The beam 42 is provided with a moving mechanism (not shown) that moves the suspension section 41 in the width direction Y. This makes it easy to adjust the position of the suspension section 41 in the width direction Y, i.e., the suspension position.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6(a), the suspension part 41 comprises a base 41a and a hook 41b. The base 41a is connected to the beam 42. The hook 41b is connected to the lower end of the base 41a.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6(d), the hook 41b is open towards the front. A lifting jig 43 is detachably connected to the hook 41b. The suspension jig 43 comprises a pair of jig plates 44, a first pin 45a, a second pin 45b, and a hook portion 46.

[0053] The pair of jig plates 44 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y. When suspended from the hook 41b, the jig plate 44 extends in the vertical direction Z, bends at its lower end, and extends towards the front, thus having an overall L-shape.

[0054] The first pin 45a connects the upper end portions of the pair of jig plates 44 when they are suspended from the hook 41b. The second pin 45b connects the bent portions of the pair of jig plates 44.

[0055] A hole 44a is provided in the front end portion of the pair of jig plates 44 when suspended from the hook 41b. A shackle (not shown), which is connected to the end of a wire W2 extending from the hook 90 of a crane (not shown) on the ground, is detachably connected to the hole 44a.

[0056] The hook portion 46 is connected to the pair of jig plates 44 so as to be able to swing about the axis of the second pin 45b. The girder 51 is configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction X between a suspension position (see Figure 9) and a retracted position (see Figure 10(a)). The suspension position is the position in which the hub 13h is suspended by the suspension section 41. The retracted position is the position in which the beam 42 and support section 50 do not interfere with the nacelle 12 and rotor 13 when the lifting section 30 is lowered. The auxiliary support section 61 supports the front part of the girder 51 in the suspension position.

[0057] <Installation procedure for wind turbine 10 and operation method for the lift-up device> Next, with reference to Figures 5 to 9, the procedure for installing the wind turbine 10 using the lift-up device described above will be explained.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5(a), the intermediate sections 21b, 22b, 23b, 24b and the uppermost sections 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a that constitute each of the support columns 21-24 of the guide tower 20 are arranged around the lowest part 11a of the generator tower 11.

[0059] Next, the lifting section 30 is attached to the front support columns 23 and 24 of the guide tower 20. At this time, the beam 42 is located in front of the guide tower 20. Next, as shown in Figure 5(b), the intermediate section 11b of the generator tower 11 is moved while being suspended by a ground crane (not shown), and the intermediate section 11b is transferred from the crane to the suspension section 41 of the lifting unit 30. Then, by operating the lifting mechanism 35 and raising the lifting unit 30, the intermediate section 11b is lifted above the lowest part 11a.

[0060] Next, the beam 42 is moved to the rear and the lower end of the intermediate section 11b is connected to the upper end of the lowest section 11a. After that, the beam 42 is moved to the front of the guide tower 20, and then the lifting section 30 is lowered.

[0061] Next, the lifting mechanism 30 is operated on the ground to raise the intermediate sections 21b to 24b that make up the guide tower 20. Then, the lowest sections 21c, 22c, 23c, and 24c are moved and inserted into the space formed below the intermediate sections 21b to 24b using the trolley 80. The upper ends of the lowest sections 21c to 24c are then joined to the lower ends of the intermediate sections 21b to 24b. Finally, the truss beams 25 and support mechanisms 26 are installed on the lowest sections 21c to 24c.

[0062] Next, the nacelle 12 is moved while being suspended by a ground crane (not shown), and the nacelle 12 is transferred from the crane to the suspension section 41 of the lifting section 30. Next, as shown in Figure 5(c), the nacelle 12 is raised to the top 11c of the generator tower 11 by raising the lifting unit 30. Then, the nacelle 12 is rotated 180 degrees around the axis extending in the vertical direction Z, and the nacelle 12 is attached to the top 11c. After that, the lifting unit 30 is lowered.

[0063] Now, referring to Figure 6, the procedure for transferring the load from the crane to the suspension unit 41 will be explained. As shown in Figure 6(a), the suspended load L (the cylindrical body of the generator tower 11, the nacelle 12, or the rotor 13) is suspended by the crane's hook 90 via wire W3, a lifting jig 43, and wire W2.

[0064] Next, as shown in Figure 6(b), the crane is operated to hook the first pin 45a of the lifting jig 43 onto the hook 41b of the lifting section 41. Next, the tensile load on the crane is reduced. This causes the lifting jig 43 to rotate around the first pin 45a due to gravity (see Figure 6(c)).

[0065] Then, as shown in Figure 6(d), the second pin 45b moves to a position where it is aligned with the first pin 45a in the vertical direction Z. Then, by removing the shackle connected to the end of the wire W2 from the jig plate 44, the lifting of the suspended load L is completed.

[0066] Next, as shown in Figure 7(a), the hub 13h is moved while being suspended by a ground crane (not shown), and the hub 13h is transferred from the crane to the suspension part 41 of the lifting unit 30. Then, the table member 34 is placed on the connecting part 33 of the lifting unit 30. Finally, the hub 13h is placed on the table member 34.

[0067] Next, the first blade 13b is attached to the hub 13h. In this case, the base end of the blade 13b is inserted between one auxiliary receiving part 61 (on the left when viewed from the front) and the other receiving part 60 to attach it to the hub 13h.

[0068] Next, as shown in Figure 7(b), the second blade 13b is attached to the hub 13h. In this case, the base end of the blade 13b is attached to the hub 13h from the front. Next, as shown in Figure 7(c), the third blade 13b is attached to the hub 13h. In this case, the base end of the blade 13b is inserted between the auxiliary receiving portion 61 on the other side (to the right when viewed from the front) and the receiving portion 60 on the other side to attach it to the hub 13h.

[0069] In this way, the assembly of rotor 13 is completed. Next, the tip of the blade 13b, which protrudes forward, is supported by a crane (not shown) via a wire W1.

[0070] Next, as shown in Figure 8, the connecting part 33 is removed from the unit member 31 of the lifting section 30. Here, since the rotor 13 is suspended at a position on the outer surface of the hub 13h that is offset to the rear of the center of gravity of the rotor 13, it tends to stand upright due to its own weight. However, since the blade 13b is pulled by the crane via the wire W1, the rotor 13 maintains a horizontal position.

[0071] Next, when the lifting section 30 is raised, the rotor 13 rises as the blades 13b are pulled by the wire W1. Then, the tip of the blade 13b, which is pulled by the wire W1, moves downward toward the hub 13h, causing the rotor 13 to gradually be raised.

[0072] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 9, the lifting section 30 is raised to lift the hub 13h of the rotor 13 to the top of the generator tower 11. Then, the beam 42 is moved to the rear to attach the rotor 13 to the nacelle 12.

[0073] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 10(a), before lowering the lifting section 30, the beam 42 and girder 51 are moved to the rearward position as described above. The front end of the girder 51 is located behind the rear end of the rotor 13 in the retracted position. As a result, the pair of girders 51 are no longer located directly above the two upper blades 13b of the three blades 13b. The beam 42 is located behind the rear end of the nacelle 12 in the retracted position. As a result, the beam 42 is no longer located directly above the nacelle 12.

[0074] Then, as shown in Figure 10(b), the lifting unit 30 is lowered. Finally, guide tower 20 will be dismantled. Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described.

[0075] (1) The support portion 50 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction X between the suspension position and the retracted position. With this configuration, the rotor 13 is lifted to the top of the generator tower 11 by raising the lifting section 30 while the hub 13h of the rotor 13 is suspended by the suspension section 41.

[0076] In this configuration, after attaching the rotor 13 to the nacelle 12, and before lowering the lifting section 30, the support section 50 is moved to the retracted position, preventing the beam 42 and support section 50 from interfering with the nacelle 12 and rotor 13 when the lifting section 30 is lowered. Therefore, workers do not have to manually suspend the small beams from the chain block, rotate the small beams by 90 degrees, or open the horizontal section of the second gantry frame at the high place where the lifting section 30 is located.

[0077] Therefore, the operation of lowering the lifting unit 30 can be easily performed. (2) The lifting section 30 comprises a pair of horizontal sections 31a and a pair of receiving sections 60. The support section 50 comprises girders 51. Each of the girders 51 supports both ends of the beam 42.

[0078] With this configuration, by moving the pair of girders 51 in the front-rear direction relative to the pair of receiving parts 60, the pair of girders 51, i.e., the pair of support parts 50, can be easily and stably moved between the suspension position and the retracted position.

[0079] (3) In the horizontal section 31a, an auxiliary support section 61 is provided in front of the support section 60 to support the front of the girder 51 in the suspended position. The front end of the girder 51 is configured to be movable behind the rear end of the rotor 13. The beam 42 is located behind the rear end of the nacelle 12 in the retracted position.

[0080] With this configuration, in the suspended position, the girder 51 is supported by both the receiving portion 60 and the auxiliary receiving portion 61. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the auxiliary receiving portion 61 is not provided and the girder 51 is supported only by the receiving portion 60, the size of the girder 51 and the receiving portion 60 in the front-rear direction X can be reduced. Consequently, the lifting portion 30 can be made smaller.

[0081] (4) The beam 42 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction X on a pair of girders 51. With this configuration, the rotor 13 can be raised to the top of the generator tower 11 by raising the lifting section 30, and then the rotor 13 can be attached to the nacelle 12 by moving the beam 42 to the rear relative to the pair of girders 51. Therefore, the work of attaching the rotor 13 to the nacelle 12 can be easily performed.

[0082] Furthermore, with the above configuration, the pair of girders 51 can be moved in the front-rear direction X relative to the pair of receiving parts 60, and the beam 42 can be moved in the front-rear direction X relative to the pair of girders 51. As a result, the amount of movement of the girders 51 in the front-rear direction X can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the beam 42 is fixed to the pair of girders 51, and thus the size of the receiving part 60 in the front-rear direction X can be reduced.

[0083] (Second Embodiment) The second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 11 and 12. In this embodiment, the configuration of the support portion 150 differs from that of the first embodiment. For configurations in this embodiment that are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used, and for corresponding configurations, the reference numeral "1**" is used by adding "100" to the reference numeral "**" of the configuration in the first embodiment, thereby omitting redundant explanations.

[0084] The following will focus on explaining the differences from the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the lifting section 30 includes a suspension section 141, a beam 142, and a pair of support sections 150. However, the lifting section 30 in this embodiment does not have a receiving section 60 and an auxiliary receiving section 61.

[0085] Each support section 150 comprises a base frame 151, a front hypotenuse frame 152, and a rear hypotenuse frame 153, and is generally in the shape of an isosceles triangle. The base frame 151 is supported by the horizontal section 31a and extends in the front-rear direction X. The base frame 151 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction X on the horizontal section 31a.

[0086] The base frame 151 is provided with a moving mechanism 154 that moves the base frame 151 in the front-rear direction X relative to the horizontal section 31a. The moving mechanism 154 includes a jack with a configuration similar to that of the moving mechanism 52 in the first embodiment.

[0087] By repeatedly extending and retracting the jack of the moving mechanism 154, the base frame 151 moves in the front-rear direction X along the horizontal section 31a. The front inclined frame 152 extends from the end of the beam 142 in the width direction Y and is connected to the front end of the base frame 151. The upper end of the front inclined frame 152 is detachably connected to the beam 142. The front inclined frame 152 is configured to be rotatable about the front axis C2. The front axis C2 is located at the front end of the base frame 151 and extends in the width direction Y.

[0088] A rotating mechanism 155 is provided between the front slanted frame 152 and the base frame 151 to rotate the front slanted frame 152. The rotating mechanism 155 is composed of, for example, a jack.

[0089] The rear inclined frame 153 extends from the end of the beam 142 in the width direction Y and is connected to the rear end of the base frame 151. The rear inclined frame 153 is configured to be rotatable about the rear axis C3. The rear axis C3 is located at the rear end of the base frame 151 and extends in the width direction Y.

[0090] A rotating mechanism 156 for rotating the rear slanted frame 153 is provided between the rear slanted frame 153 and the base frame 151. The rotating mechanism 156 is composed of, for example, a jack.

[0091] <Installation procedure for wind turbine 10 and operation method for the lift-up device> Next, with reference to Figure 12, the procedure for lowering the lifting section 30 after the wind turbine 10 has been installed will be described.

[0092] In the same manner as in the first embodiment, after raising the lifting section 30 to the top of the generator tower 11, the rotor 13 is attached to the nacelle 12 by moving the base frame 151 to the rear, as shown in Figure 12(a).

[0093] Next, before lowering the lifting section 30, the support section 150 is moved to the retracted position. More specifically, as shown in Figure 12(b), the upper end of the front hypotenuse frame 152 is removed from the beam 142. Then, the front hypotenuse frame 152 is rotated forward (clockwise in Figure 12(b)). As a result, the pair of front hypotenuse frames 152 are no longer positioned directly above the two upper blades 13b of the three blades 13b.

[0094] Next, as shown in Figure 12(c), the base frame 151 is moved towards the rear, and the rear hypotenuse frame 153 is rotated backward (counterclockwise in Figure 12(c)). As a result, the beam 142 moves further back than the rear end of the nacelle 12, so that it is no longer positioned directly above the nacelle 12.

[0095] Subsequently, the lifting unit 30 is lowered as shown in Figure 12(d). According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) of the first embodiment, the following effects (5) and (6) can be achieved.

[0096] (5) With the connection between the upper ends of each front hypotenuse frame 152 and the beam 142 released, each of the front hypotenuse frame 152 and each of the rear hypotenuse frame 153 can be rotated around the front axis C2 and rear axis C3, respectively. This allows each of the front hypotenuse frame 152 and each of the rear hypotenuse frame 153, i.e., each of the support parts 150, to be easily and stably moved between the suspension position and the retracted position.

[0097] Furthermore, with the above configuration, both ends of the beam 142 are supported by a pair of isosceles triangular support parts 150, which in turn increases the rigidity of the support parts 150 while reducing their weight.

[0098] (6) The base frame 151 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction X on the horizontal section 31a. With this configuration, the rotor 13 can be raised to the top of the generator tower 11 by raising the lifting section 30, and then the rotor 13 can be attached to the nacelle 12 by moving the pair of base frames 151 to the rear. Therefore, the work of attaching the rotor 13 to the nacelle 12 can be easily performed.

[0099] Furthermore, with the above configuration, in addition to rotating each of the front hypotenuse frame 152 and each of the rear hypotenuse frame 153 around the front axis C2 and rear axis C3 respectively, the pair of base frames 151 can be moved in the front-rear direction X. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the base frame 151 in the front-rear direction X, that is, the size of the support portion 150 in the front-rear direction X.

[0100] (Example of change) The above embodiment can also be implemented with modifications as follows, for example. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0101] In the first embodiment, both ends of the beam 42 may be configured to be immovable in the front-rear direction X relative to the pair of girders 51. In this case, the rotor 13 can be attached to the nacelle 12 by raising the lifting section 30 to the top of the generator tower 11 and then moving the girders 51 to the rear.

[0102] In the first embodiment, the auxiliary receiving portion 61 can be omitted. In the first embodiment, the horizontal portion 31a can be extended forward, and the receiving portion 60 can be positioned in front of the rotor 13. In this case, the retracted position can also be positioned in front of the rotor 13.

[0103] In the second embodiment, the actuator constituting the moving mechanism 154 is not limited to a hydraulic jack, but may be other actuators such as an electric motor. In the second embodiment, the beam 142 may be fixed to the front hypotenuse frame 152 and detachably connected to the rear hypotenuse frame 153.

[0104] In the second embodiment, the support portion 150 is not limited to being an isosceles triangle overall, and may include a pair of columnar portions arranged at intervals from each other in the front-rear direction X, and a connecting portion that connects the columnar portions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0105] 10...wind turbine, 11...generator tower, 11a...bottom, 11b...middle section, 11c...top, 12...nacelle, 12a...front, 13...rotor, 13b...blade, 13h...hub, 20...guide tower, 21,22,23,24...support columns, 21a,22a,23a,24a...top, 21b,22b,23b,24b...middle section, 21c,22c,23c,24c...bottom, 25...truss beam, 26...support mechanism, 30...lifting section, 31...unit component, 31a...horizontal section, 31b...vertical section, 31c...diagonal member, 32,33...connecting section, 34...table component, 35...lifting mechanism, 36...jack, 36a...cylinder, 36b...piston, 37a,37b...pins, 41...hanging section, 41a...base, 41b...hook, 42...beam, 43...hanging jig, 44...jig plate, 44a...hole, 45a...first pin, 45b...second pin, 46...hook section, 50...support section, 51...girder, 52...moving mechanism, 60...receiving section, 60a,60b...column section, 60c...connecting section, 61...auxiliary receiving section, 80...cart, 90...hook, 141...hanging section, 142...beam, 150...support section, 151...bottom frame, 152...front hypotenuse frame, 153...rear hypotenuse frame, 154...moving mechanism, 155,156...rotating mechanism, C2...front axis, C3...rear axis, W1,W2,W3...wires.

Claims

1. A device used for installing a wind turbine, comprising a generator tower, a nacelle provided on top of the generator tower, and a rotor connected to the front of the nacelle and having a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially from the hub, wherein the device comprises a guide tower positioned adjacent to the generator tower, and a lifting unit attached to the guide tower and configured to raise and lower the guide tower, and the device lifts the rotor to the top of the generator tower, When the front and rear sides of the nacelle are defined as the front and rear sides, respectively, and the direction perpendicular to both the front-to-back direction and the up-and-down direction is defined as the width direction, The aforementioned lifting mechanism is A pair of horizontal sections are provided in the width direction, sandwiching the generator tower, and extending in the front-rear direction, A pair of receiving parts erected on each of the aforementioned horizontal sections, A suspension part for suspending the hub, A beam extending in the width direction and supporting the suspension portion, It comprises a pair of support parts that support both ends of the beam in the width direction, The support portion comprises a girder that extends in the front-rear direction and is configured to move in the front-rear direction on the receiving portion, and a moving mechanism for moving the girder in the front-rear direction. Each of the girders supports both ends of the beam, Each of the support members is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction between a suspension position in which the hub is suspended by the suspension member and a retracted position in which the beam and each of the support members do not interfere with the nacelle and the rotor when the lifting member is lowered. Lift-up device.

2. An auxiliary support portion is provided in the horizontal portion in front of the support portion to support the front portion of the girder in the suspension position, The front end of the girder is configured to be movable behind the rear end of the rotor. The beam is located behind the rear end of the nacelle in the retracted position. The lift-up device according to claim 1.

3. The beam is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction on the pair of girders, The lift-up device according to claim 2.

4. A device used for installing a wind turbine, comprising a generator tower, a nacelle provided on the upper part of the generator tower, and a rotor connected to the front of the nacelle and having a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially from the hub, the device comprising a guide tower positioned adjacent to the generator tower, and a lifting unit attached to the guide tower and configured to raise and lower the guide tower, the device for lifting the rotor to the upper part of the generator tower, When the front and rear sides of the nacelle are defined as the front and rear sides, respectively, and the direction perpendicular to both the front-to-back direction and the up-and-down direction is defined as the width direction, The aforementioned lifting mechanism is It is provided in the width direction, on either side of the generator tower, and comprises a pair of horizontal sections extending in the front-rear direction, A suspension part for suspending the hub, A beam extending in the width direction and supporting the suspension portion, It comprises a pair of support parts that support both ends of the beam in the width direction, The aforementioned support portion is The base frame is supported by the horizontal section and extends in the front-rear direction, A front slanted frame extending from the end of the beam in the width direction and connected to the front end of the base frame, The beam comprises a rear hypotenuse frame extending from the aforementioned end and connected to the rear end of the base frame, and the overall shape is an isosceles triangle. The upper end of the front slanted frame or the upper end of the rear slanted frame is detachably connected to the beam. The aforementioned front slanted frame is located at the front end of the base frame and is configured to be rotatable about a front axis extending in the width direction. The aforementioned rear slanted frame is located at the rear end of the base frame and is configured to be rotatable about a rear axis extending in the width direction. Each of the support members is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction between a suspension position in which the hub is suspended by the suspension member and a retracted position in which the beam and each of the support members do not interfere with the nacelle and the rotor when the lifting member is lowered. Lift-up device.

5. The base frame is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction on the horizontal portion, The lift-up device according to claim 4.

6. A method for operating a lift-up device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, After attaching the rotor to the nacelle, and before lowering the lifting section, move the support section to the retracted position. Instructions for operating the lift-up device.

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