Offshore Wind Blade Installation Mast for Floating Hub Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of large wind turbine blades on offshore wind turbines, particularly those with floating foundations, is challenging due to the size and weight of the blades, alignment requirements, and the effects of sea-induced motion, making existing methods inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A blade installation device comprising a crane mast, support bracket, blade manipulator assembly, and hoist system is temporarily installed on the wind turbine, allowing for precise alignment and lifting of blades to the hub, even in floating conditions, using a hoist system that engages at the blade's center of gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a crane on a vessel is used to install blades on offshore wind turbines, then the installation can be performed at offshore locations, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and inefficient due to alignment challenges and sea-induced motion
Solution Approach 1:
The blade manipulation assembly is equipped with alignment devices that perform preliminary alignment of the blade root with the hub mounting structure before final installation. This preliminary action compensates for misalignments caused by sea-induced motion, allowing faster and more efficient installation without requiring extensive real-time adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
A blade manipulation assembly acts as an intermediary device between the crane and the blade root. This assembly includes manipulation devices that can independently adjust and align the blade position, mediating the effects of sea motion and enabling more precise and faster installation compared to direct crane handling
2Power
If the blade length increases to accommodate higher power output, then the wind turbine capacity increases, but the alignment and installation difficulty increases due to the size and weight of the blade
Solution Approach 1:
The blade manipulation assembly is divided into multiple independent components including manipulation devices, alignment devices, and engagement mechanisms. Each component handles specific aspects of the installation task, allowing the system to manage the complexity of installing longer, heavier blades through modular, coordinated actions rather than a single complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The blade manipulation assembly serves as an intermediary system between the crane and the large blade, providing fine-adjustment capabilities that enable precise alignment of heavy, long blades. The manipulation devices can independently position the blade root while the crane provides gross positioning, dividing the complex alignment task into manageable stages
3Adaptability or versatility
If floating foundation is used for offshore wind turbines, then installation in deeper water is enabled, but the installation becomes more challenging due to sea-induced motion affecting the nacelle and hub
Solution Approach 1:
The blade manipulation assembly is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow it to adapt to moving conditions. The manipulation devices can move and adjust the blade position in real-time to compensate for nacelle motion caused by waves, maintaining alignment precision despite the dynamic offshore environment
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment devices in the blade manipulation assembly provide feedback on the relative position between the blade root and hub mounting structure. This feedback enables continuous adjustment of the blade position to maintain precise alignment even when the nacelle moves due to sea-induced motion
Data Source
AI summary
For installing a blade on a horizontal axis rotational hub of an offshore wind turbine, use is made of a blade installation device that is temporarily installed on the offshore wind turbine. A mounting part is mounted on the foundation of the offshore wind turbine and/or on a lower portion of the wind turbine mast. A crane mast is erected vertically and is supported by the mounting part. The crane mast has a track. A blade manipulator assembly includes a trolley moving over the track and one or more blade root engagement members that engage a root end of the blade. The blade installation device includes a hoist system with a crane boom that is mounted to a top end of the crane mast, a winch, and a winch driven cable. In the method, the trolley is brought in a lower position thereof and the blade root engagement members engage on the root end of the blade that is in the lower receiving position thereof. The cable of the hoist system is attached to the blade at a distance remote from the root end, preferably at a center of gravity of the blade. The method includes the lifting of the blade to the blade installation position by operating the winch of the hoist system and simultaneously moving the trolley along the track by the trolley drive.