Climbing Crane Vibration Damping for Wind Turbine Tower Assembly

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for damping vortex-induced vibrations in wind turbine tower assembly, such as helical strakes and mass dampers, require assembly and disassembly, increasing time and cost, and may not be feasible in confined spaces.

Innovation Solution

A climbing crane with integrated vibration damping devices that can be activated or deactivated to match the natural frequency of the tower, eliminating the need for temporary damping equipment and allowing adaptation to changing frequencies during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If helical strakes are used to damp vortex-induced vibrations, then vibration control is improved, but assembly time and cost increase due to installation and disassembly requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevortex-induced vibrationsVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damping function is merged with the climbing crane structure by integrating vibration damping devices directly into the crane. This allows the crane to serve dual purposes: lifting tower sections and simultaneously dampening vortex-induced vibrations, eliminating the need for separate temporary damping equipment and reducing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The climbing crane performs self-service by incorporating vibration damping capabilities into its own structure. The crane dampens vibrations it experiences during operation without requiring external damping devices, making the system more efficient and reducing overall assembly time and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If mass damper devices are installed to reduce vibrations, then vibration control is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevortex-induced vibrationsVSAvoiddamping system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damping function is merged with the climbing crane structure by integrating vibration damping devices directly into the crane. This allows the crane to serve dual purposes: lifting tower sections and simultaneously dampening vortex-induced vibrations, eliminating the need for separate temporary damping equipment and reducing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The climbing crane is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a lifting device for tower sections and as a vibration damping system. The integrated damping devices enable the crane to perform multiple functions, reducing the need for separate specialized equipment and simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If helical strakes are deployed for vibration damping, then vibration control is improved, but space requirements increase due to uncoiling needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevortex-induced vibrationsVSAvoiduncoiling space

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damping function is merged with the climbing crane structure by integrating vibration damping devices directly into the crane. This allows the crane to serve dual purposes: lifting tower sections and simultaneously dampening vortex-induced vibrations, eliminating the need for separate temporary damping equipment and reducing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration damping devices are integrated within the climbing crane structure, nesting the damping function inside the existing crane framework. This eliminates the need for external space to deploy uncoiled strakes, as the damping capability is contained within the compact crane structure that climbs along the tower.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces installation time and cost by integrating damping devices within the crane, ensuring effective vibration control without additional space requirements and enabling modular adaptation to varying tower frequencies.

Implementation Method 1

The climbing crane (20) may comprise a plurality of vibration damping devices (31), each configured to be activated or deactivated to adapt the resultant natural frequency of the plurality of vibration damping devices (31) to at least a first vibration frequency of the erected tower sections (12a-12e)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

adapt the resultant natural frequency of the plurality of vibration damping devices (31) to at least a first vibration frequency of the erected tower sections (12a-12e)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNatural frequency adaptation: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4330181B1Climbing crane for erecting a wind turbine and method for erecting a wind turbine with a climbing crane

Publication Date: 2025.11.19 GAMESA INNOVATION & TECH SL

Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3(A)

AI summary

A climbing crane comprising at least a vibration damping device (31) configured for damping at least a first vibration frequency of the erected tower (12) of a wind turbine (10) when the climbing crane (20) is coupled to the tower (12) is provided. Furthermore, a method for erecting a wind turbine with a climbing crane is also provided.