Brake Caliper Lifting Device for Wind Turbines

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual transport of heavy yaw brake calibers in wind turbines poses a significant safety risk and is time-consuming, requiring cumbersome manual handling and multiple slings for lifting.

Innovation Solution

A stop device comprising two rectangular plates at right angles, with an eyelet for crane attachment and guide pins that engage with fastening holes on the brake caliper, allowing secure attachment and lifting without manual effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If brake calipers are transported manually, then no special lifting equipment is needed, but safety risk increases and labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmanual handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The brake caliper is equipped with integrated lifting eyes and attachment points that enable it to be lifted and transported by itself using standard crane equipment, eliminating the need for external lifting slings and manual handling while improving safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The brake caliper design incorporates multiple mounting holes and attachment points that serve both their original function of securing the brake caliper to the brake arm and the additional function of enabling crane attachment for safe transport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Force

If multiple lifting slings are used for brake calipers, then lifting capability is improved, but device complexity increases and setup time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidnumber of slings

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting function is extracted from the external lifting sling system and integrated directly into the brake caliper structure through built-in lifting eyes and attachment points, eliminating the need for separate lifting slings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The brake caliper's integrated lifting eyes serve as an intermediary connection point between the crane hook and the brake caliper body, simplifying the lifting system to a single direct connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If manual transport of brake calipers is performed, then no additional equipment is required, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport speedVSAvoidmanual effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical transport system is replaced with a crane-based lifting system that utilizes the brake caliper's integrated attachment points, dramatically increasing transport speed while reducing manual effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3301061B1Lifting equipment for brake calipers

Publication Date: 2020.10.28 NORDEX ENERGY

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a lifting device for brake calipers (A), which is used for transport in the production and service areas of wind turbines. The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to enable the transport of the brake calipers by crane without safety risks. The lifting device according to the invention for a brake caliper, which is provided on its upper side with several mounting holes (A3), is fixedly arranged on one side in at least one mounting hole and on the other side on a rear side (A2) of the brake caliper by means of a detachable connection.