System for dismantling cylindrical metal towers and wind turbines, by means of felling, via remote control, and dismantling method

Abstract

The invention relates to a system comprising: - a guide rail (2) arranged around a tower (1) and secured to same with removable means; - cutting means (6) running along the guide rail (2) and comprising means for spraying a fuel mix and a spark igniter (9); - a motor (10) for moving the cutting means along the guide rail (2); - means for the assisted pulling of the column or tower in order to direct the fall; - means for remotely viewing the cutting process; - a remote control centre (23). Owing to the aforementioned features, the associated risks, complexity of permits and work and high costs are all reduced.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM FOR THE DISMANTLING BY TOPPING OF CYLINDRICAL SECTION METAL TOWERS AND WIND TURBINES BY CONTROL

[0002] REMOTE AND DISMANTLING PROCEDURE

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the present invention, as stated in the title of the invention, is a system for the remote-controlled dismantling by lowering of cylindrical section metal towers and wind turbines, as well as a dismantling procedure carried out with the lowering system.

[0006] The present invention is characterized by the special constructive features of the demolition system and the nature and functionality of each of the elements that are part of the dismantling system, allowing the demolition to be carried out in a simple, fast and safe manner.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention is circumscribed within the scope of metal structures or towers of cylindrical section and wind turbines and in particular among the means used for their demolition.

[0008] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Spain is the fifth country in wind power, with an installed capacity of 30,810 MW. 27% of the installed capacity is approaching the end of its useful life; Spain, along with Portugal and Denmark, leads the aging of wind power capacity.

[0010] Many wind farms are starting to upgrade, to install more modern, efficient and powerful machines, but to achieve the upgrade they need to dismantle the existing wind farms.

[0011] Dismantling can be carried out in different ways. One common method is dismantling with a crane. However, this method has several drawbacks:

[0012] - Difficult crane access - Dismantling in sections - Risk of suspended loads - Risk of working at height - High environmental impact - Long execution time - High costs

[0013] Another method for dismantling is through the use of explosive charges. However, this method also presents the following drawbacks: it requires additional time for permits; it presents the technical difficulty of an individualized charge study; it has limitations in its field of application; it is technically intimidating; it has a considerable environmental impact; and it is complex to obtain the necessary permits.

[0014] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of current dismantling methods by developing a dismantling system that reduces associated risks, environmental impact, the complexity of permits and work, and high costs, by developing a system as described below and essentially set out in claim 1.

[0015] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention relates to a system for the remote-controlled dismantling by lowering of cylindrical metal towers and wind turbines, as well as a dismantling method in which the system of the invention is used.

[0017] The dismantling system allows the cylindrical metal towers to be lowered by remote control, making this action more efficient, faster, safer, more sustainable and economical compared to other dismantling methods.

[0018] To achieve these ends, the dismantling system by demolition comprises: a guide rail arranged around the perimeter of a cylindrical surface, post - column - tower, and attached to it by removable means, preferably placed close to the base; cutting means that run along the guide rail, said cutting means having means for projecting a combustible mixture and a spark igniter; a remotely operated motor connected to a control center, where the motor is responsible for moving the cutting means along the guide rail;

[0019] Means for securing the column or tower while the cutting takes place, Means for remote viewing of the cutting process, A remote control center.

[0020] In one possible embodiment, the means for projecting the fuel mixture comprise an oxy-fuel cutting nozzle arranged downstream of a gas mixing zone to which three hoses are connected: a first hose for supplying preheating oxygen, a second hose for supplying cutting oxygen, and a third hose for supplying a gas.

[0021] Associated with the motor in one possible embodiment are a cutting speed control and a manual selector for the cutting direction.

[0022] The spark igniter, in one possible embodiment, has a high-frequency module and a hose for supplying a fuel gas to the igniter.

[0023] Remote viewing means in one possible embodiment comprise a camera associated with a protective glass that allows the camera to be protected and the camera to observe and transmit the image of the cutting taking place.

[0024] Oxyfuel cutting is an auxiliary process to welding, through which the cutting of metal parts is solved through local combustion and a continuous presence of an oxygen jet.

[0025] Steel in the atmosphere, at room temperature and under normal conditions, undergoes a slow, non-combustible oxidation process because the proportion of oxygen in the atmosphere is approximately 20%. However, if this oxidation occurs at a temperature that reaches the point of combustion of steel (approximately 870°C) and under an oxygen atmosphere (greater than 88%), the oxidation becomes combustible.

[0026] Therefore, in order to apply oxy-fuel cutting to the metal, we must heat (oxidize) it under a suitable atmosphere (a projection of pure oxygen), thus achieving a "violent" burning that results in oxy-fuel cutting.

[0027] The procedure for dismantling wind turbine towers using the system described above comprises the following stages:

[0028] - Activation of the fuel mixture supply to the cutting means,

[0029] - Actuation of the progressive displacement of the cutting assembly along the entire perimeter of the column or tower,

[0030] Steering and releasing the support slings in order to orient the column or tower towards the desired location.

[0031] EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of its practical embodiment, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes.

[0033] In Figure 1, we can observe a diagram of the main elements that are part of the dismantling system.

[0034] In Figure 2, we can observe a detail of the cutting tools used.

[0035] Figure 3 shows the dismantling system's cutting assembly in more detail.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a different view that allows us to appreciate the motor used to move the cutting assembly and the associated motor control mechanisms. Figure 5 shows in detail how the tower is secured during cutting.

[0037] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of the entire system where it can be seen how the cutting process is controlled remotely from a remote control center.

[0038] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0039] In view of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

[0040] In Figure 1 we can observe that the system for dismantling cylindrical metal towers comprises: a guide rail (2) arranged around the perimeter of a post or column or tower (1) and attached to it by removable means, preferably placed close to the base.

[0041] Cutting means (6) running along the guide rail (2), said cutting means (6) having means for projecting a combustible mixture; a remotely operated motor (10) connected to a control center (not shown)

[0042] The column or tower (1) is anchored to the ground on a base or support (1.1), on which the lower end of said column or tower (1) is fixed to the base or support (1.1) by means of screws and nuts (1.2).

[0043] In one possible embodiment, the guide rail (2) is a toothed rail.

[0044] The guide rail (2) is attached to the column or tower (1) by removable fastening means (3), which preferably, but not limited to, comprise magnetic fasteners (4) provided with a plate (5) onto which the guide rail (2) is fixed. In conjunction with the oxy-fuel cutting nozzle (7), a spark igniter (9) is provided for the ignition of the fuel mixture supplied through the oxy-fuel cutting nozzle (7).

[0045] Figure 2 shows in more detail the elements that make up the cutting assembly, which comprises a gas mixing zone (12) to which three hoses are connected: a first hose (8.1) for supplying preheating oxygen, a second hose (8.2) for supplying cutting oxygen, and a third hose (8.3) for supplying a gas, preferably propane. The gas mixing zone (12) is connected to the oxy-fuel cutting nozzle (7) which projects the flame directly onto the tower structure.

[0046] In Figure 3, you can see some additional elements of the cutting system that were not shown in the previous figures, such as a high-frequency module (13) of the spark igniter (9) (Figure 2), a fuel gas supply hose (14) for the spark igniter (9), as well as a camera (15) associated with a protective glass (16) that allows the camera to be protected and, in turn, to observe and transmit the image of the cutting that is taking place.

[0047] Figure 4 shows the control elements associated with the motor (10), which are, on the one hand, a speed control (17) of the cutting, and a manual selector of the forward direction (18) of the cutting.

[0048] The motor (10) is operated remotely, either wirelessly or via a cable (11) from a control station, not shown in the figures and positioned to avoid any possible risk of impact.

[0049] Finally, Figure 5 shows the additional complementary means used to maintain the tower in an upright position and to perform the entire cutting operation. In the embodiment shown, these means comprise slings (19) attached at one end to the ground and at the opposite end to means anchored to the towers. These slings can be remotely released from their connection to the towers (1). These slings serve to pull the tower (1) during the lowering phase. The means for connecting the slings to the towers (1) in the embodiment shown consist of chains (20) that pass through openings (22) in the towers. The free ends of the chains (20) are connected to the end of each sling (19) by means of a releaseable shackle (21).

[0050] Figure 6 shows a remote control center (23) from which the entire cutting and dismantling process is remotely controlled, with said remote control center (23) being linked to the cutting means (6).

[0051] The remote control center (23) comprises: a screen (24) from which the cutting process can be viewed remotely; a wired control unit (25) which is connected by wiring to a control unit (29) and this in turn is connected by wiring (11) to the cutting means (6); a wireless control unit (26);

[0052] A control cable actuator (28) that acts on the control cables (27) of the slings (19), which have the function of pulling the turret for the lowering phase.

[0053] Additionally, in said figure 6, oxygen (30) and propane (31) bottles can be seen, controlled by means of valves (32).

[0054] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is stated that, within its essential nature, it may be put into practice in other forms of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and which will also achieve the protection sought, provided that it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- System for the dismantling by toppling of cylindrical metal towers and wind turbines characterized in that it comprises: a guide rail (2) arranged peripherally around a pole or column or tower (1) and attached to it by removable fastening means (3), preferably placed close to the base, cutting means (6) that run along the guide rail (2), said cutting means (6) having means for projecting a combustible mixture and a spark igniter (9), a motor (10) operated remotely and connected to a control center, wherein the motor (10) is responsible for moving the cutting means along the guide rail (2), Means for securing the column or tower while the cutting takes place, Means for remote viewing of the cutting process, A remote control center (23). 2.- System for the dismantling by lowering of cylindrical metal towers and wind turbines according to claim 1 characterized in that the removable means used in the attachment of the guide rail (2) to the column or tower (1) comprise magnets or magnetic means (4) provided with a plate (5) on which the guide rail (2) is fixed. 3.- System for the dismantling by toppling of cylindrical metal towers and wind turbines according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the guide rail (2) is a toothed rail. 4.- System for the dismantling by toppling of cylindrical metal towers and wind turbines according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the means for projecting the fuel mixture comprise an oxy-fuel cutting nozzle (7) arranged after a gas mixing zone (12) to which three hoses are connected: a first hose (8.1) for supplying preheating oxygen, a second hose (8.2) for supplying cutting oxygen, and a third hose (8.3) for supplying a gas. 5.- System for the dismantling by toppling of cylindrical metal towers and wind turbines according to any of the previous claims characterized in that associated with the motor (10) there is a speed control (17) of the cutting and a manual selector of the direction of advance (18) of the cutting. 6.- System for the dismantling by toppling of cylindrical metal towers and wind turbines according to any of the previous claims characterized in that the sparker (9) has a high frequency module (13) and a fuel gas supply hose (14) for the sparker (9). 7.- System for the dismantling by felling of cylindrical metal towers and wind turbines according to any of the previous claims characterized in that the remote viewing means comprise a camera (15) associated with a protective glass (16) that allows the camera to be protected and the camera to observe and transmit the image of the cutting that is taking place. 8.- System for the dismantling by felling of cylindrical metal towers and wind turbines according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the remote control center (23) comprises: a screen (24) from which the cutting process can be viewed remotely; a wired control unit (25) that is connected by wiring to a control unit (29) and this in turn is connected by wiring (11) to the cutting means (6); a wireless control unit (26); A control cable actuator (28) acting on the control cables (27) of the slings (19). 9.- Dismantling procedure by toppling of cylindrical metal towers and wind turbines that employs the dismantling by toppling system according to any of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - Activation of the fuel mixture supply to the cutting means, - Actuation of the progressive displacement of the cutting assembly along the entire perimeter of the column or tower, Controlled pull-induced fall. Direction of the fall with assisted pull via slings or support winches towards the desired location, operated with a dual method for safety: by cable and by remote control.

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