Carousel Lift Tower for Quay-Side Wind Turbine Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of large wind turbine generators (WTGs) with increasing size and capacity is becoming difficult and costly due to the size and weight of the structures, lack of infrastructure at the quay, and spatial constraints, making it challenging to mount the WTGs onto floating platforms in bodies of water.
Innovation Solution
A carousel lifting tower system comprising a tower, a lift frame, a carousel, and a load handler, which allows for the translation and rotation of WTG components along and around the tower axis, enabling flexible and efficient assembly of WTGs of varying sizes and capacities by using a multi-device load handler and controller for precise positioning and engagement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a floating wind turbine platform is deployed in a body of water for mounting WTG, then the wind turbine generator can be positioned in deep water areas, but spatial constraints and infrastructure limitations at the quay make the mounting process difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a quay-mounted lifting tower as an intermediary device between the quay infrastructure and the floating platform. This lifting tower with carousel mechanism serves as a mediator that transfers WTG components from the quay to the floating platform, resolving the difficulty of mounting operations in deep water locations without requiring complex infrastructure at the quay itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting tower provides excessive lifting capacity and rotational range (360 degrees) beyond the minimum required, allowing flexible positioning of WTG components at various angles and heights. This partial over-capability enables easy adjustment and repositioning during assembly operations, making the mounting process more manageable despite spatial constraints.
2Power
If the size and weight of WTG components are increased to achieve higher power output, then the energy generation capacity improves, but the assembly difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting tower system is segmented into modular components: a fixed tower structure, a movable lift frame, and a rotating carousel with load handler. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for handling heavy WTG parts, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining high power generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic elements including vertical translation of the lift frame along the tower and 360-degree rotation of the carousel. These dynamic capabilities enable flexible positioning of heavy components during assembly, making it easier to handle larger and heavier WTG parts without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Force
If a traditional crane system is used for lifting WTG components, then the lifting capability is sufficient, but the spatial constraints at the quay limit the operation range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds rotational dimension to the traditional vertical lifting operation. The carousel mechanism enables 360-degree rotation around the tower axis, transforming a one-dimensional vertical lift into a two-dimensional operation space. This allows the load handler to reach components at various angular positions around the floating platform while maintaining compact quay footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting tower system serves multiple functions: vertical lifting, horizontal positioning through carousel rotation, and component orientation adjustment. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate crane systems, expanding operation range within the same spatial footprint and accommodating various WTG component sizes and weights.
Data Source
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AI summary
A carousel lifting tower may facilitate assembly of a wind turbine generator (WTG) and other constructs. In one example, the carousel lifting tower includes a tower, which may be positioned in an upwardly angled orientation, and which may define a tower axis. In the example, the carousel lifting tower further includes a lift frame, which may be movably mounted on the tower to allow translation of the lift frame along the tower axis. Additionally, in the example, the carousel lifting tower includes a carousel coupled to the lift frame. The carousel may rotate about the tower axis. Moreover, in the example, the carousel lifting tower includes a load handler on the carousel. The load handler may releasably engage with a component to be lifted.