Devices and methods for mounting wind turbine components to a wind turbine tower.

Abstract

Described is a device for positioning a wind turbine component on a wind turbine tower. The device comprises a lifting frame suspended from lifting hooks of lifting means and provided with lifting cables, whereby the component is lifted on the lifting frame. The lifting frame is embodied in such a way that, in a first position of the lifting frame relative to the lifting hooks, the center of gravity of the lifted component and the center of gravity of the lifting frame are located on either side of a vertical plane extending through the lifting hooks and not including their centers of gravity. The invention also relates to a method of utilizing the invented device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for mounting components of a wind turbine to a wind turbine tower. The present invention also relates to a method for mounting components of a wind turbine to a wind turbine tower, in which the device is used. The present invention relates, in particular, to a device and method for mounting a nacelle, wind turbine blades, or a completed rotor of a wind turbine to a wind turbine tower.

[0002] Installation to a wind turbine tower is understood to mean directly positioning and attaching a component to the wind turbine tower, such as when a nacelle is installed, or attaching a component to other components already installed on the wind turbine tower, such as when wind turbine blades are attached to a nacelle already installed on the wind turbine tower. For the purpose of installing a wind turbine component, the component is provided with a connecting flange that can be attached to a second connecting flange present on the wind turbine tower.

[0003] While the present invention is primarily evident in the context of locating wind turbine components at sea (offshore), the devices and methods according to the present invention can also be used on land (above ground). The advantages of the present invention are most clearly apparent when wind turbine components are installed at sea, particularly when the installation is carried out from a floating device, such as a floating platform. [Background technology]

[0004] The number of tall structures being built, maintained, or repaired on land or offshore is increasing. A typical example is a wind turbine (hereinafter also referred to as a WTG), which is mounted on a wind turbine tower or mast and has a gondola (or nacelle) that forms a housing for electromechanical equipment such as a generator. The nacelle has a hub on which several wind turbine blades are arranged, which together form a rotor. The wind turbine blades convert the kinetic energy of the wind into rotational motion of the nacelle's shaft, and this rotational motion is converted into electrical energy by a generator.

[0005] When arranging the components of such a large structure, the components are lifted by a lifting crane and positioned and attached to support structures already available for the structure, or to components already placed within the structure, according to prior art. In the case of a wind turbine, the support structure may consist, for example, a wind turbine tower placed on a suitable foundation.

[0006] When raising and lowering wind turbine components using an offshore lifting crane attached to a ship, the movement of the components is caused by the movement of the ship itself, including pitch, yaw, roll, storm surge, sway, and swell. The raising, lowering, and positioning of large, elongated components, such as wind turbine blades, can also be hindered by wind loads. Specifically, wind turbine blades must be attached to the hub using bolt connections, which requires precise positioning of the wind turbine blades relative to the hub already installed on the wind turbine tower. When installing wind turbine nacelles from a floating ship on an offshore foundation, such as a turbine tower fixed to the seabed or, optionally, a floating wind turbine tower, the relative movement between the nacelle, lifted by the lifting means, and the foundation must also be controlled to align the nacelle with the receiving connection flange.

[0007] In some turbines, specifically direct-drive turbines, the center of gravity of the nacelle assembly (i.e., without the blades) is located outside the flange interface between the upper side of the tower and the nacelle. In other words, the center of gravity of the wind turbine component is offset relative to the component's connecting flange in this case. When installing such a component, an unstable position can occur when the load is transferred from the lifting hook to the connecting flange when the component's connecting flange contacts the upper side of the wind turbine tower, specifically the upper side of the receiving connecting flange. For this reason, additional support may be required until the (permanent) flange connection is achieved. This can be achieved by known techniques, which involve not transferring the entire weight of the component to the wind turbine tower until after the bolted connection of the two connecting flanges is in place. This means that the period from the first flange contact to full load transfer must take into account the (permanent) bolting action. Therefore, this transitional situation may last for a period of time. This period of the subsequent situation is a significant risk factor, especially when the installation or mounting is carried out from a floating vessel. Ships equipped with lifting cranes can, in fact, be exposed to continuous environmental impacts resulting from the continuous movement of the lifting hooks from which the components are suspended.

[0008] For the reasons stated above, it is desirable to reduce this exposure at least partially by either 1. shortening the time between the first flange contact and flange locking, or 2. allowing the lifting device to absorb the movement of the lifting hook to a greater degree, or a combination of both. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for arranging and mounting a wind turbine component on a wind turbine tower, such that the relative movement between the wind turbine component lifted by the lifting means and the wind turbine tower can be controlled better than in the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This objective is achieved according to the present invention by providing a device having the features of claim 1. A device for attaching a wind turbine component to a wind turbine tower, having a connecting portion such as a connecting flange and a center of gravity offset from the connecting portion, comprises a lifting frame suspended from a lifting hook of a lifting means and provided with one or more lifting cables, thereby lifting the component on the lifting frame, and the lifting frame is embodied such that, at a first position of the lifting frame relative to the lifting hook, the center of gravity of the lifted component and the center of gravity of the lifting frame are positioned on opposite sides of a vertical plane extending through the lifting hook and not including their respective centers of gravity.

[0011] The invented device is designed so that the load transfer of the entire weight of the components to the wind turbine tower can be carried out in a single operation, without immediate fixing at the flange interface, and the lifting frame acts as a counterweight for undesirable tilting movement of the components to offset the tilt moment resulting from the unstable center of gravity position of the components. Due to the relative position of the lifting cable and the center of gravity of the lifting frame, the invented device allows for movement of the crane tip or absorption of moments of the lifting hook in all directions (vertical and horizontal) by changing the position and orientation of the lifting frame and sling or lifting cable while the components remain substantially stable.

[0012] A further advantage of the invented device is that it can operate under considerably more unfavorable conditions, whereas known devices can only be deployed up to predetermined wind speeds and wave swells. This significantly reduces the assembly time of wind turbines.

[0013] According to the present invention, the lifting frame is embodied such that, at a first position of the lifting frame relative to the lifting hook, the center of gravity of the lifted component and the center of gravity of the lifting frame are positioned on either side of a vertical plane that extends through the lifting hook and perpendicular to the plane defined by the lifting cable. The position of the center of gravity is necessary to generate a desired moment that resists tilting. This strategy can take different forms. Thus, in embodiments, the device can be characterized in that the lifting frame is asymmetrical with respect to the vertical plane extending through the lifting hook. Other embodiments can be characterized in that the device has a lifting frame that is heavier on the side of its center of gravity, or has a component that hangs downward on its side. Embodiments having a component that hangs downward have additional advantages, as will be further revealed later.

[0014] A further improved embodiment of the device is configured to move a suspended lifting frame between a first position and a second position relative to a lifting hook, further comprising positioning means that include both positions, where, in the second position, the center of gravity of the lifting frame is aligned with the lifting hook in the vertical direction. This embodiment allows the lifting frame to be moved to a position between two ends (first and second), where the horizontal distance extending through the lifting frame from the center of gravity of the lifting frame to the vertical plane can be reduced to zero, thereby aligning the center of gravity of the lifting frame with the lifting hook in the vertical direction.

[0015] It is also possible to characterize the device according to an embodiment of the invention in that the positioning means is configured to move the lifting frame from a first position to a second position with respect to the lifting hook. In this embodiment, it is possible to be non-fixed in the intermediate position.

[0016] The improved embodiment described above simplifies the removal of one or more of the lifting cables after the components are arranged on the wind turbine tower and the two connecting flanges are (permanently) connected to each other.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the device, the lifting frame has two lifting cables, and the two lifting cables engage the component at positions located on both sides of the center of gravity of the component. This provides a more stable suspension of the component in the lifting frame. Otherwise, it is also possible to provide one lifting cable or, conversely, more than three lifting cables.

[0018] The lifting frame suspended from the lifting hook can be moved from a first position to a second position with respect to the lifting hook in different ways using the positioning means.

[0019] Thus, in an embodiment, the device can be characterized in that the lifting frame is suspended from the lifting hook of the lifting means at the lifting point, and the positioning means is configured to displace the lifting point along the lifting frame, preferably in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0020] In another embodiment, the device is characterized in that the lifting frame is suspended from the lifting hook of the lifting means at the lifting point, and the positioning means is configured to slide the slidable mass of the lifting frame along the lifting frame, with respect to the lifting point, preferably in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0021] In other embodiments, the device is characterized in that a lifting frame is suspended from a lifting hook of a lifting means at two lifting points using two lifting cables, and a positioning means is configured to tighten one of the two lifting cables in order to change the position of the lifting hook with respect to the lifting frame, preferably in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0022] As already mentioned, the lifting frame can be made heavier laterally to its center of gravity by, for example, providing a component that hangs downward from the lifting frame. A device according to an embodiment in which the lifting frame has a downward-hanging guide frame portion provided on the underside with engaging means configured to engage with the periphery of the wind turbine tower has the additional advantage that the lifting frame is prevented, or at least suppressed, from making uncontrollable movements relative to the wind turbine tower. Thanks to this suspension of the lifting frame at multiple points, the possible positions and orientations of the lifting frame can be limited, and the lifting frame suspended in this manner can function as a shock absorber.

[0023] By using an engagement mechanism to support the guide frame portion on the support side around the wind turbine tower, the lifting component is, so to speak, temporarily and flexibly connected to the wind turbine tower, thereby reducing the relative movement of the lifting component with respect to the wind turbine tower.

[0024] The engagement means of the device according to the embodiments described above may, if desired, be configured to engage with a peripheral portion extending through a peripheral angle of 180° or less around the wind turbine tower. Suitable embodiments of the engagement means may be selected from shock absorbers, rollers, wheels, caterpillar tracks, suction cups, support straps, and combinations thereof.

[0025] The device according to the present invention can be applied without additional auxiliary means. However, it may be essential to apply auxiliary devices, specifically a tagger winch with a pull wire provided on the vessel, which also has lifting means. When a pull wire is used, the lifted component can be engaged and further kept under control. This pull wire is tightened or unwound using an available tagger winch.

[0026] The device according to the present invention is particularly suitable for mounting components of a wind turbine on a wind turbine tower, preferably located in the sea, the components of which, in embodiments, include a nacelle, wind turbine blades, and / or a rotor.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for attaching components of a wind turbine to a wind turbine tower and connecting connecting parts such as connecting flanges of the components to the wind turbine tower is provided for this purpose, wherein the center of gravity of the components is located offset from the connecting part, and the method is - The step of providing a device according to any one of the aforementioned claims, - A step of suspending the lifting frame from the lifting hook of the lifting means, - The steps of attaching the components to one or more lifting cables of the lifting frame, - A step of lifting a component with a lifting frame, wherein at a first position of the lifting frame relative to the lifting hook, the center of gravity of the lifted component and the center of gravity of the lifting frame are positioned on opposite sides of a vertical plane extending through the lifting hook and not including their respective centers of gravity. - The lifted components are brought to the vicinity of the wind turbine tower using a lifting mechanism. - Steps include arranging the components in the wind turbine tower, - A step of connecting the connecting part of the component to the wind turbine tower, - Steps include lifting the components and detaching them from the frame, - Steps to remove the lifting frame and Includes.

[0028] A preferred method is characterized in that the suspended lifting frame is moved between a first position and a second position relative to the lifting hook using positioning means that include both positions, and in the second position, the center of gravity of the lifting frame is aligned with the lifting hook in the vertical direction.

[0029] A further embodiment provides a method by which a lifting frame is moved from a first position to a second position relative to a lifting hook using positioning means.

[0030] In other embodiments, the two lifting cables engage with the component at positions located on both sides of the component's center of gravity.

[0031] In other embodiments, a lifting frame is provided that is suspended from a lifting hook of a lifting means at a lifting point, and the lifting point is preferably displaced along the lifting frame, preferably in a substantially horizontal direction, after the components have been positioned in the wind turbine tower, and / or, a lifting frame is suspended from a lifting hook of a lifting means at a lifting point, and the sliding mass of the lifting frame is preferably slid along the lifting frame, preferably in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the lifting point, after the components have been positioned in the wind turbine tower, and / or, a lifting frame is provided that is suspended from a lifting hook of a lifting means at two lifting points using two lifting cables, and one of the two lifting cables is tightened, for example, by a winch, and the position of the lifting hook relative to the lifting frame is preferably changed in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0032] In the embodiment using the two lifting cables described above, the position of the lifting hook is changed so that the lifting hook is aligned with the center of gravity of the lifting frame in the vertical direction.

[0033] In a further improved embodiment of the invented method, the lifting frame comprises a downwardly hanging guide frame portion with an engaging means on its lower side, which engages with the periphery of the wind turbine tower. Here, the engaging means can engage with the periphery extending through a periphery angle of 180° or less around the wind turbine tower.

[0034] In the invented method, the components of a wind turbine may include, for example, a nacelle, wind turbine blades, and / or a rotor.

[0035] In an embodiment of the method, the components include wind turbine blades, which are mounted on the hub of the wind turbine in a substantially horizontal position. This position is also referred to as the 3 o'clock position.

[0036] Another embodiment relates to a method in which the components include wind turbine blades, and the wind turbine blades are mounted on the hub of the wind turbine at a substantially 0° angle with respect to the vertical. This position is also referred to as the 6 o'clock position.

[0037] When the device is applied for the placement of wind turbines in the sea, which are constructed from components, the work is preferably carried out from a (floating) vessel or from a jack-up platform that provides greater stability. Therefore, the wind turbine tower is already in the sea.

[0038] The present invention will be illustrated in more detail here with reference to the accompanying figures, but will not be limited thereto. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1A]This is a schematic perspective view of a wind turbine nacelle lifted by a lifting frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] Figure 1A is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] This is a schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1A, where the nacelle is positioned on a wind turbine tower. [Figure 2B] Figure 2A is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 2B is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown, in which the nacelle is positioned on a wind turbine tower and the lifting frame is equipped with positioning means according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 2B is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown, in which the nacelle is positioned on a wind turbine tower and the lifting frame is equipped with positioning means according to other embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 2B is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown, in which the nacelle is positioned on a wind turbine tower and the lifting frame is equipped with positioning means according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic side view of a wind turbine blade of a wind turbine being lifted in a substantially horizontal position in a lifting frame according to an embodiment of the device. [Figure 7] This is a schematic side view of a wind turbine blade of a wind turbine being lifted in a substantially vertical position in a lifting frame according to an embodiment of the device. [Figure 8A] This is a schematic perspective view of a wind turbine nacelle lifted by a lifting frame according to another embodiment of the device. [Figure 8B] Figure 8A is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A] This is a schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 8A, where the nacelle is positioned on a wind turbine tower. [Figure 9B] Figure 9A is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the present invention shown. [Figure 10] Figure 9B is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown, in which the nacelle is positioned on a wind turbine tower and the lifting frame is equipped with positioning means according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 9B is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown, in which the nacelle is positioned on a wind turbine tower and the lifting frame is equipped with positioning means according to other embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 9B is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown, in which the nacelle is positioned on a wind turbine tower and the lifting frame is equipped with positioning means according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a schematic side view of a wind turbine blade of a wind turbine being lifted in a substantially vertical position in a lifting frame according to an embodiment of the device. [Figure 14] This is a schematic side view of a wind turbine blade of a wind turbine being lifted in a substantially vertical position in a lifting frame according to an embodiment of the device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] Identical or similar components are indicated by the same reference numerals in the figure.

[0041] Referring to Figure 1A, a device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is configured to attach a turbine nacelle 2 to a wind turbine tower 3 (see Figure 2A). The nacelle 2 is provided with a hub 20 with an opening 21 in which wind turbine blades can be arranged. A connecting flange 22 is provided on the lower side of the nacelle 2. By using the connecting flange 22, the nacelle 2 can be connected to the upper side of the wind turbine tower 3, for example, by coupling the connecting flange 22 to a receiving flange (not shown) located on the upper side of the wind turbine tower 3.

[0042] Device 1 comprises a lifting frame 13 suspended by a lifting cable 9 from a lifting block with a lifting hook 11, the lifting hook 11 being further suspended from a lifting cable 12 of a lifting means (not shown), such as a lifting crane. Nacelle 2 is suspended on the lifting frame 13 using lifting cables (10a, 10b). In the illustrated embodiment, the lifting frame 13 comprises an upper beam member 13a to which downward-hanging lateral beam members 13b are securely connected to the outer ends. The lifting cable 9 engages with the upper beam member 13a of the lifting frame 13 at the lifting point 14.

[0043] According to Figure 1B, the center of gravity W of nacelle 2 nacelle It is positioned offset from the connecting flange 22. The lifting frame 13 is positioned at the first illustrated position of the lifting frame 13 relative to the lifting hook 11, and the center of gravity W of the lifted nacelle 2 nacelle And the center of gravity W of the lifting frame 13 tool These extend through the lifting hook 11, and their center of gravity W tool and W nacelle It is embodied by downward-sloping lateral beam members 13b, positioned on both sides of the vertical plane 110 that does not include the center. The vertical plane 110 extending through the lifting hooks 11 is shown in Figure 1B as a plane perpendicular to the plane formed by the upper beam member 13a and lateral beam members 13b of the lifting frame 13. Due to the presence of the lateral beam members 13b, the lifting frame 13 is asymmetrical with respect to the vertical plane 110 extending through the lifting hooks 11, and its center of gravity W tool It is made heavier on its sides.

[0044] The following distances are further indicated in Figure 1B. l1: The substantially horizontal distance from the lifting point 14 to the first lifting cable 10a. l2: Center of gravity W of the lifting frame from lifting point 14 tool The practically horizontal distance to that point. l3: The substantially horizontal distance from the first lifting cable 10a to the center of gravity W of the nacelle 2 nacelle up to. l4: (in view of FIG. 2B) The substantially horizontal distance from the center of gravity W of the nacelle 2 nacelle to the edge of the support 31 of the wind turbine tower 3.

[0045] F hub is the force in the lifting cable 10a, and L crane is the lifting force.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a situation is shown where the nacelle 2 is arranged on the wind turbine tower 3 with the intervention of the lifting frame 13 and is arranged on the support in the wind turbine tower 3. The support is schematically shown by the support 31. In this situation, the second lifting cable 10b between the lifting frame 13 and the nacelle 2 will be released and slack at the pre-moment at the place as indicated. The lifting point 14 is not fixed, and it should be considered here that it will be subject to movements caused by, for example, the movement of the tip of the lifting crane due to the influence of wave action. On the other hand, the nacelle 2 must be attached with the connecting flange 22 on the corresponding receiving flange (not shown) of the wind turbine tower 3. For this purpose, the two flanges need to be held as stationary as possible relative to each other. The invented device 1 enables this. In the situation shown in FIG. 2B, the nacelle 2 tends to rotate counterclockwise 111 because the center of gravity W nacelle is offset with respect to the connecting flange 22 and the support 31. The invented lifting frame 13 prevents this by being able to generate a counter torque 112 around the lifting point 14 that opposes the rotation 111. This counter torque 112 is W tool ·l2. This also means that the first lifting cable 10a remains firmly pulled.

[0047] Referring to Figure 3, a further improved embodiment of device 1 is shown. According to Figure 3, the nacelle 2 is now fixed to the wind turbine tower 3 with a connecting flange 22 using bolts or the like. This also allows for the removal of the second lifting cable 10b. In fact, this second lifting cable 10b is no longer visible in Figure 3.

[0048] Here, in order to safely release the lifting frame 13 from the nacelle 2, the lifting frame 13 suspended from the lifting cable 9 is configured to move relative to the lifting hook 11 between a first position A and a second position B shown in Figures 1 and 2, and positioning means (140, 150, 160) that include both positions (A, B) are provided. At the second position B, the center of gravity W of the lifting frame 13 tool It is aligned with the lifting hook 11 in the vertical direction. At this position, the center of gravity W tool It is actually located in the vertical plane 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning means includes means 140 for displacing the lifting point 14 along the upper beam member 13a from a position indicated by A to a position indicated by B. These means 140 may include, for example, a trolley that can be moved along the upper beam member 13a, but can take any other suitable form. Center of gravity W of the lifting means 13 tool However, because it is in this position aligned with the lifting hook 11 (or lifting point 14), the counter-torque 112 is virtually zero. This allows the first lifting cable 10a to be released by lowering the lifting frame 13, as shown in the figure. After this, the first lifting cable 10a can be detached from the nacelle 2 in a simple manner. This completes the attachment of the nacelle 2 to the wind turbine tower 3.

[0049] In another embodiment of device 1, the positioning means (140, 150, 160) slide the slidable mass 151 of the lifting frame 13 along the upper beam member 13a of the lifting frame 13, preferably in a substantially horizontal direction 152, relative to the lifting point 14, thereby moving the lifting frame 13 relative to the lifting hook 11, center of gravity W tool From the first position A, where it is not aligned with the lifting hook 11, the center of gravity W tool The system includes means 150 configured to move the lifting hook 11 to a second position B, which is aligned with the lifting hook 11. tool It is displaced to position B, which is aligned with the lifting hook 11 (or lifting point 14). This provides the same effect as described earlier, namely, a situation of zero counter-torque 112.

[0050] Another embodiment of device 1 serving the same purpose is shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the positioning means (140, 150, 160) position the lifting frame 13 relative to the lifting hook 11, center of gravity W tool From the first position A, where it is not aligned with the lifting hook 11, the center of gravity W tool The lifting frame 13 is also configured to move to a second position B, which is aligned with the lifting hook 11. In this embodiment, the lifting frame 13 is suspended from the lifting hook 11 with two lifting cables (9, 9a) at two lifting points (14, 14a). In this embodiment, the positioning means 160 is configured to tighten one of the two lifting cables, specifically the lifting cable 9a that is slack at position A, in order to change the position of the lifting hook 11 in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the lifting frame 13. By tightening the lifting cable 9a, the center of gravity W of the lifting frame 13 is changed. toolIn this method, the lifting hook 11 can be aligned with the lifting cable 9a. The lifting cable 9a can be tightened by any suitable method, for example, with a winch 162, causing the lifting cable 9a to be pulled 161. Here again, this has the same effect as described earlier, namely, a situation of zero counter-torque 112.

[0051] Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a lifting frame 13 configured to fix the wind turbine blades 5 to an opening 21 (roughly represented by a triangular support) in the nacelle already present in the wind turbine tower 3, positioning the wind turbine blades 5 in a substantially horizontal position. The center of gravity W of the wind turbine blades 5 blade Here again, it is positioned biasedly relative to its connecting flange to the nacelle 2, or to other suitable connecting points. As a result, the wind turbine blade 5 may tilt in direction 111 relative to the suspension point 14 if the outer end 50 of the wind turbine blade 5 to which it is coupled is free. To counteract this movement, the lifting frame 13 is provided, for example, with a lateral beam member 13b adjacent to the upper beam member 13a, and a horizontally extending lower beam member 13c, all of which are tightly connected, thereby controlling its center of gravity W tool The center of gravity W of wind turbine blade 5 blade It is realized to be located on a different side of the vertical plane 110. The operation of this embodiment is further similar to that described earlier, with the difference that the wind turbine blade 5 is lifted by the lifting frame 13 using only one lifting cable 10. It is clear that the lifting frame 13 preferably comprises the positioning means (140, 150, 160) described earlier in this embodiment as well.

[0052] Figure 7 shows another embodiment in which the wind turbine blades 5 are lifted by a lifting frame in a substantially vertical position. The operation is further the same as that described in the situation in Figure 6.

[0053] Referring to Figure 8A, the lifting frame 13 is connected on one side to a downward-sloping lateral beam member 13b, and on the other side, a guide frame 24 is provided, which has engaging means 15 for engaging with the surrounding portion 3a of the wind turbine tower 3.

[0054] In the embodiments shown in Figures 8A and 9A, the engaging means 25 is positioned in the circumferential direction 30 of the wind turbine tower 3 and comprises support straps provided on the guide frame 24. These may consist of multiple support straps or, for example, rollers. The guide frame 24 itself extends substantially horizontally and comprises two lateral arms (24a, 24b) connected to a horizontally extending transverse beam member 24c. The guide frame 24 may, if desired, be pivotally connected to a lifting beam member 13b on one side. The engaging means 25 is configured to engage with the periphery portion 3a extending through a circumferential angle such as 180° around the wind turbine tower 3.

[0055] The operation of this embodiment has already been described in detail above, with one difference. As schematically shown in Figures 9B and 10-12, the nacelle 2 is brought near the top of the turbine tower 3, and the engaging means in the form of a support strap 25 is positioned on a portion of the perimeter 3a of the wind turbine tower 3 to be engaged. The perimeter 3a is then engaged by the support strap 15, and if desired, the guide frame 24 can be displaced with some damping along with the relative movement between the (moving) nacelle 2 and the (stable) wind turbine tower 3. This helps to keep the relative movement between the nacelle 2 and the wind turbine tower 3 small, which facilitates contact between the connecting flange 22 of the nacelle 2 and the corresponding flange of the wind turbine tower 3.

[0056] Furthermore, the method steps shown in Figures 8B, 9B, 10, 11, and 12 correspond in terms of operation to the method steps previously described in Figures 1B, 2B, 3, 4, and 5, respectively, and the components are indicated by the same reference numerals. To avoid unnecessary repetition, the descriptions in the relevant figures are provided for reference.

[0057] Furthermore, the method steps for attaching the wind turbine blades 5 to the nacelle 2, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, correspond in terms of operation to the method steps previously described in Figures 6 and 7, respectively, with the same reference numerals used for the components. To avoid unnecessary repetition, the descriptions in the relevant figures are also referenced here. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1 device 2 Nacer 3 Wind Turbine Towers 3a Peripheral area 5 Wind turbine blades 9, 9a Lifting Cable 10a First lifting cable 10b Second lifting cable 11 Lifting hooks 12 Lifting Cables 13 Lifting frame, lifting means 13a Upper beam material 13b Side beam material 14, 14a Lifting point 14 suspension points 15 Engaging means, support strap 20 Hubs 21 Aperture 22 Connecting flange 24 Information Frame 24a, 24b Side arms 24c transverse beam 25 Engaging means, support strap 30 Surrounding direction 31 Support 50 outer edge 110 Vertical plane 111 Counterclockwise, rotation, direction 112 Counter-torque 140 Positioning means, means for displacing 150 Positioning means 151 Sliding mass 152 substantially horizontal direction 160 Positioning means 161 Pull 162 Winch A First position B Second position F hub Force in lifting cable 10a L crane Lifting force l1 Horizontal distance from lifting point 14 to the first lifting cable 10a From the lifting point 14 at l2, the center of gravity W of the lifting frame tool Horizontal distance to From the first lifting cable 10a of l3 to the center of gravity W of nacelle 2 nacelle Horizontal distance to Center of gravity of l4 nacelle 2 W nacelle Horizontal distance from the edge of support 31 W blade Center of gravity of wind turbine blade 5 W nacelle Nacelle 2's center of gravity W tool Center of gravity of the lifting frame 13

Claims

1. A device for attaching a wind turbine component to a wind turbine tower, the component having a connecting portion and a center of gravity offset from the connecting portion, the device comprising a lifting frame suspended from a lifting hook of a lifting means and provided with one or more lifting cables, thereby lifting the component on the lifting frame, the lifting frame being embodied such that, at a first position of the lifting frame relative to the lifting hook, the center of gravity of the lifted component and the center of gravity of the lifting frame are positioned on either side of a vertical plane extending through the lifting hook and not including their respective centers of gravity, the lifting frame comprising a downwardly hanging guide frame portion having an engaging means on its lower side configured to engage with the periphery of the wind turbine tower.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lifting frame is asymmetrical with respect to the vertical plane extending through the lifting hook.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lifting frame is made heavier to the side of its center of gravity.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device is configured to move the suspended lifting frame between a first position and a second position relative to the lifting hook, and further comprises positioning means that include both positions, wherein at the second position, the center of gravity of the lifting frame is aligned with the lifting hook in the vertical direction.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the positioning means is configured to move the lifting frame from a first position to a second position relative to the lifting hook.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lifting frame comprises two lifting cables, the two lifting cables engaging with the component at positions located on both sides of the component's center of gravity.

7. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the lifting frame is suspended from the lifting hook of the lifting means at the lifting point, and the positioning means is configured to displace the lifting point along the lifting frame, preferably in a substantially horizontal direction.

8. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the lifting frame is suspended from the lifting hook of the lifting means at the lifting point, and the positioning means is configured to slide the slidable mass of the lifting frame along the lifting frame, preferably in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the lifting point.

9. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the lifting frame is suspended from the lifting hook of the lifting means at two lifting points using two lifting cables, and the positioning means is configured to tighten one of the two lifting cables to change the position of the lifting hook with respect to the lifting frame, preferably in a substantially horizontal direction.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the engaging means is configured to engage with a peripheral portion extending over a peripheral angle of 180° or less around the wind turbine tower.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the engaging means is selected from a shock absorber, a roller, a wheel, a caterpillar track, a suction cup, a support strap, and a combination thereof.

12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the components of the wind turbine include a nacelle, wind turbine blades, and / or a rotor.

13. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which is provided on a ship, and in particular on a floating platform, for arranging components of a wind turbine in a wind turbine tower usable at sea.

14. A method for attaching components of a wind turbine to a wind turbine tower and connecting the connecting portion of the components to the wind turbine tower, wherein the center of gravity of the components is located off-center with respect to the connecting portion, and the method is A step of providing the device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, The steps include: suspending the lifting frame from the lifting hook of the lifting means; The steps include attaching the aforementioned components to one or more lifting cables of the lifting frame, A step of lifting the component with the lifting frame, wherein at a first position of the lifting frame relative to the lifting hook, the center of gravity of the lifted component and the center of gravity of the lifting frame are positioned on opposite sides of a vertical plane extending through the lifting hook and not including their respective centers of gravity, The steps include: bringing the lifted component to the vicinity of the wind turbine tower using the lifting means; The steps include engaging the surrounding portion of the wind turbine tower with a downward-hanging guide frame portion, The steps include: arranging the aforementioned components in the wind turbine tower; The steps include connecting the connecting portion of the aforementioned component to the wind turbine tower, The steps include: releasing the aforementioned components from the lifting frame; The steps include removing the aforementioned lifting frame and Methods that include...

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the suspended lifting frame is moved between a first position and a second position with respect to the lifting hook using positioning means that include both positions, and in the second position, the center of gravity of the lifting frame is aligned with the lifting hook in the vertical direction.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the lifting frame is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the lifting hook using the positioning means.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein two lifting cables engage with the component at positions located on both sides of the center of gravity of the component.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the lifting frame is suspended from the lifting hook of the lifting means at the lifting point, and the lifting point is preferably displaced along the lifting frame, preferably in a substantially horizontal direction, after the components have been positioned in the wind turbine tower.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the lifting frame is suspended from the lifting hook of the lifting means at the lifting point, and the sliding mass of the lifting frame is preferably slid along the lifting frame, preferably in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the lifting point, after the components have been positioned in the wind turbine tower.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the lifting frame is suspended from the lifting hook of the lifting means at two lifting points using two lifting cables, and one of the two lifting cables is tightened, for example, by a winch, and the position of the lifting hook relative to the lifting frame is preferably changed in a substantially horizontal direction.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the position of the lifting hook is changed such that the lifting hook is aligned with the center of gravity of the lifting frame in the vertical direction.

22. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein the engaging means engages with a peripheral portion extending over a peripheral angle of 180° or less around the wind turbine tower.

23. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein the components of the wind turbine include, for example, a nacelle, wind turbine blades, and / or a rotor.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the component includes a wind turbine blade, the wind turbine blade is mounted to the hub of the wind turbine in a substantially horizontal position.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the component includes a wind turbine blade, the wind turbine blade is mounted on the hub of the wind turbine at a substantially 0° angle with respect to the vertical.

26. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein the components are attached offshore from a ship, particularly from a floating platform, to a wind turbine tower usable at sea.

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