Collapsible Man-Lift for Wind Turbine Tower Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current man-lifts used in wind turbine towers require disassembly and reassembly when moving between platforms, which is time-consuming and poses safety risks, especially when servicing large or heavy equipment, and limits technicians to using both hands for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible man-lift with a support frame assembly, foldable floor assembly, and collapsible cage assembly that can be easily collapsed to pass through openings in the tower decks, eliminating the need for disassembly and reassembly, and expanding back into a usable configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional man-lift is used in wind turbine towers, then technicians can service equipment, but the man-lift requires disassembly and reassembly when moving between platforms which is time-consuming and poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The man-lift is divided into multiple telescopic sections that can independently compress and extend. The frame includes front and rear telescopic sections with multiple segments, allowing the structure to compress to a compact size for passing through openings and extend to full size for servicing equipment at different platforms
Solution Approach 2:
The man-lift employs dynamic telescopic mechanisms that allow the structure to change its dimensions on demand. The telescopic sections can be compressed to a small fraction of their extended length, enabling the man-lift to dynamically adapt its size for passing through deck openings versus providing full working height at platforms
2Reliability
If a traditional man-lift is used in wind turbine towers, then technicians can service equipment, but the man-lift requires disassembly and reassembly which poses safety risks especially when servicing large or heavy equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The man-lift is divided into multiple telescopic sections that can independently compress and extend. The frame includes front and rear telescopic sections with multiple segments, allowing the structure to compress to a compact size for passing through openings and extend to full size for servicing equipment at different platforms
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic sections incorporate self-locking mechanisms and guide structures that automatically maintain proper alignment and secure connections during extension and compression, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and reassembly operations that create safety risks
3Ease of operation
If a collapsible man-lift is used to pass through openings, then the man-lift can be moved between platforms easily, but the structure must be collapsed which reduces working space
Solution Approach 1:
The man-lift employs dynamic telescopic mechanisms that allow the structure to change its dimensions on demand. The telescopic sections can be compressed to a small fraction of their extended length, enabling the man-lift to dynamically adapt its size for passing through deck openings versus providing full working height at platforms
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic sections are nested within each other in a concentric arrangement, with smaller sections inside larger ones. This nesting allows the man-lift to compress to a minimal volume for passage through openings while maintaining full extended volume for equipment servicing at platforms
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible man-lift for use in the hollow tower portion of a wind turbine includes a support frame assembly, a foldable floor assembly and a collapsible cage assembly. The support frame assembly includes a sub-assembly built in a triangular shape. The foldable floor assembly and the collapsible cage assembly are connected to the triangular sub-assembly portion of the support frame assembly.