Crane System for Annular Tower Load Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional crane systems for constructing wind towers face limitations in height due to transportation constraints, leading to reduced productivity and efficiency, as they require larger diameters and more material, which can be costly and impractical for remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A crane system with a structural truss positioned within an annular tower's central opening, connected to a crane mast and jib arm, allows for the distribution of loads internally through the tower, enabling taller structures with reduced material transport and more even weight distribution, facilitating the assembly of additional tower sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel tubular sections are used to construct wind towers, then the tower structure achieves high strength and stability, but the tower height is limited by transportation constraints on steel pieces with diameters up to approximately 20.0 feet
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into multiple steel tubular sections that can be transported separately and then assembled vertically through bolting at intermediate flanges. This segmentation allows each section to meet transportation diameter constraints (up to 20.0 feet) while the assembled tower achieves greater height than any single transportable piece.
2Productivity
If the tower height is increased to improve energy production, then productivity increases, but transportation constraints require larger diameters and more material which increases cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is segmented into multiple transportable sections that are assembled vertically, allowing height increase for improved energy production without requiring proportionally larger diameters or excessive material. Each section maintains a practical diameter for transportation while the stacked configuration achieves the necessary height for productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If concrete sections are used to avoid transportation constraints, then local materials can be utilized and transportation distance is reduced, but construction speed decreases and sensitivity to inclement weather increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into pre-fabricated concrete sections that can be cast using local materials and then transported to the site. These segmented sections are assembled vertically similar to steel construction, maintaining faster construction speed compared to cast-in-place methods while still utilizing local materials for section fabrication.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cast-in-place construction methods are used for concrete towers, then sections can be poured at any desired height using local materials, but construction speed is reduced and weather sensitivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is segmented into pre-cast concrete sections that can be fabricated at different locations and then assembled to various heights by stacking. This segmentation provides height flexibility similar to cast-in-place methods while achieving faster construction speeds through parallel fabrication and weather-independent assembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A crane system includes a structural truss positioned within a central opening defined by an inside surface of an annular tower, a crane mast connected to an outside surface of the annular tower, and a jib arm connected to the crane mast.