Cable-Controlled Hoisting Arrangement for Offshore Wind Blade Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of offshore wind turbines is complicated by the need to lift and assemble components at high heights while dealing with environmental disturbances such as winds and waves, which can be exacerbated by the limitations of jack-up vessels and conventional motion compensating cranes.

Innovation Solution

A hoisting arrangement using a gripper attachment connected to the wind turbine blade, a vessel attachment module, and a control system to manipulate the position and orientation of the gripper through a network of cables, allowing for faster and more efficient motion compensation with reduced energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a motion compensating crane is used to compensate for vessel movements, then the position stability of suspended components is improved, but the weight of the system increases and energy consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidsystem weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motion compensation function is segmented between the heavy crane base (which remains on the vessel) and the lightweight hoisting arrangement with controlled cables. The crane provides rough positioning while the cable-controlled hoisting arrangement provides fine motion compensation, dividing the compensation task between heavy and light components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional motion compensating crane mechanism with a cable-controlled hoisting arrangement. Instead of using a heavy crane with active motion compensation capabilities, the system uses passive cable suspension combined with active cable length control to achieve motion compensation, substituting mechanical complexity with a simpler cable-based system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a motion compensating crane is used to compensate for vessel movements, then the position stability of suspended components is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motion compensation function is segmented between the heavy crane base (which remains on the vessel) and the lightweight hoisting arrangement with controlled cables. The crane provides rough positioning while the cable-controlled hoisting arrangement provides fine motion compensation, dividing the compensation task between heavy and light components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional motion compensating crane mechanism with a cable-controlled hoisting arrangement. Instead of using a heavy crane with active motion compensation capabilities, the system uses passive cable suspension combined with active cable length control to achieve motion compensation, substituting mechanical complexity with a simpler cable-based system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a jack-up vessel is used to limit the effect of waves and wind, then the stability of the vessel is improved, but the working area is limited and the setup time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevessel stabilityVSAvoidworking area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the motion compensation function from the vessel itself (which would require jack-up legs) and implements it separately in the hoisting arrangement. This allows the vessel to remain floating and mobile while the hoisting system independently compensates for vessel movements, separating the stability function from the vessel structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Force

If conventional cranes are used to lift components, then the lifting capability is sufficient, but the precision of assembly at height deteriorates due to environmental disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary hoisting arrangement between the conventional crane and the component to be assembled. The crane provides lifting force while the hoisting arrangement with controlled cables acts as an intermediary that refines the positioning, filtering out environmental disturbances and enabling precise assembly at height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12448252B2Hoisting arrangement for assembly of wind turbines
Publication Date: 2025.10.21 DELTA LAB HLDG BV
  • US12448252B2 patent drawing
  • US12448252B2 patent drawing
  • US12448252B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A hoisting arrangement for hoisting an offshore wind turbine blade, comprising a gripper attachment 150 arranged to be connected to the wind turbine blade, comprising a set of cable attachment points 191, 192,193 arranged as a first polygon, a vessel attachment module 194 arranged to be connected to a vessel, comprising a plurality of cable guide elements 190 arranged as a second polygon, a plurality of cables 141, 142, 143, 144 spanned between the cable attachment points and the cable guide elements, and a control system for controlling a position and/or orientation of the gripper attachment within a work space by controlling a spanned length of at least two cables of the plurality of cables between the cable attachment points and the cable guide elements.