Blade Gripping Device Sensor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly and transport of large wind turbine rotor blades are time-consuming, dangerous, and costly due to the need for manual adjustment and positioning of blade gripping devices, which often require technicians to work at heights and risk damaging the blades during the process.
Innovation Solution
A blade gripping device with a swivel connection between two frames, equipped with sensor arrangements to detect specific features of the rotor blade, allowing for automatic positioning and orientation, and an automatic sling handover mechanism for secure gripping and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment and positioning methods are used for blade gripping devices, then technicians can directly control the positioning process, but the process becomes time-consuming, dangerous, and requires manual labor at heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automatic sensor-based positioning system. Sensors detect the rotor blade position and automatically adjust the blade gripping device positioning, eliminating the need for technicians to manually position equipment at heights. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated sensing and actuation systems directly resolves the contradiction by reducing both time loss and operational difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade gripping device performs self-positioning through integrated sensors that automatically detect rotor blade features and guide the positioning process without requiring external manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously aligning and positioning the gripping device onto the rotor blade, eliminating the need for technician involvement in the positioning process.
2Reliability
If manual positioning methods are used, then technicians can visually control the process, but the process becomes dangerous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual manual control with electronic sensor-based detection and automatic control systems. Sensors precisely detect rotor blade position and dimensions, providing more accurate and reliable positioning data than human visual inspection. The automatic control system processes this data and executes positioning commands, eliminating the dangers and inefficiencies of manual visual control while enhancing positioning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system incorporates sensor feedback that continuously monitors the relative position between the blade gripping device and rotor blade. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustments to achieve precise positioning, improving reliability beyond what manual visual control can provide while simplifying the operational process for technicians.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment is performed during blade gripping device positioning, then technicians can make real-time adjustments, but the process becomes dangerous and requires work at heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual adjustment operations with automated sensor-guided positioning systems. Sensors detect rotor blade features and automatically adjust the blade gripping device positioning, eliminating the need for technicians to perform manual adjustments at heights. This substitution maintains positioning flexibility through automated adaptation while eliminating the harmful factor of blade damage risk associated with manual handling at heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and positioning calculations using sensors before the actual gripping operation. This preliminary action allows the automated system to plan and execute the positioning process without requiring real-time manual adjustments, thereby maintaining adaptability while eliminating the need for technicians to be present at heights during critical positioning operations.
4Productivity
If automated sensor-based positioning is used, then the process becomes easier and safer, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the sensor-based positioning system, including detection, measurement, positioning calculation, and control execution. By making the positioning system multi-functional and universal, the patent achieves high productivity through automation while managing device complexity through functional integration rather than separate components for each function.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a blade gripping device (1) for gripping a rotor blade (9), in particular a rotor blade (9) of a wind turbine, comprising a blade gripping assembly (16) with a number of blade gripping tools (11a, 11b) and a sensor arrangement (14) realized to sense a specific feature of the rotor blade (9). Thereby, the specific feature is such that it can be used to orientate the blade holding device relative to the rotor blade (9) in a blade gripping manoeuvre. Further the invention concerns a method of moving a blade gripping device (1) for gripping a rotor blade (9), in particular a rotor blade (9) of a wind turbine, relative to the rotor blade (9).