Offshore Crane Transport Frame for Pre-Assembly and Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly and testing of cranes for offshore wind turbines are time-consuming and hinder the erection process, as they need to be transported and assembled in individual parts at the wind turbine location, which is inefficient and exposed to adverse weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a crane, a transport frame, and a foundation with detachable connection mechanisms allows for assembly and testing of the crane at a remote location, such as a port, enabling stable load and overload tests before transportation to the wind turbine site, reducing assembly effort and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the crane is assembled and tested at the wind turbine location, then the installation can proceed directly, but the process is time-consuming and hindered by adverse weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The crane is assembled and tested in advance at a port location before being transported to the wind turbine site. This preliminary assembly and testing action eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site assembly and allows the crane to be installed directly at the wind turbine location, significantly reducing the overall erection time and avoiding weather-related delays.
Solution Approach 2:
A transport frame is introduced as an intermediary structure to facilitate the assembly, transport, and testing of the crane at a port location. The transport frame serves as a temporary platform that enables the crane to be assembled and tested in a controlled environment before final installation, acting as a mediator between manufacturing and installation sites.
2Reliability
If the crane is assembled at a remote port location, then assembly can be done without time pressure and adverse weather effects, but additional transport and installation steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The transport frame is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a transport platform and a testing platform. It includes connection mechanisms that can detachably connect the crane to the frame for transport, and another set of connection mechanisms that connect the frame to the foundation for testing. This universal design eliminates the need for separate transport and testing structures, reducing overall system complexity despite the additional location requirement.
3Loss of time
If the crane is fully assembled before transport, then on-site assembly time is reduced, but transport stability and safety requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct components: the crane, the transport frame, and the foundation. The detachable connection mechanisms allow the crane to be securely connected to the transport frame for stable transport, and then reconnected to the foundation at the installation site. This segmentation enables the crane to be fully assembled before transport while maintaining transport stability through dedicated connection interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for transporting and testing a crane (14) which is intended for use in an offshore wind turbine (21). The system comprises a crane (14), a transporting frame (15) and a foundation (16). A first connecting mechanism (22, 23) is provided for establishing a releasable connection between the crane (14) and the transporting frame (15). A second connecting mechanism (19, 29) is provided for establishing a releasable connection between the transporting frame (15) and the foundation (16). The system can assume a starting state, in which the crane (14), the transporting frame (15) and the foundation (16) are separate from one another. The system can assume a transporting state, in which the crane (14) is connected to the transporting frame (15). The system can assume a testing state, in which the crane is connected to the transporting frame (15) and in which the transporting frame (15) is connected to the foundation (16). The invention also relates to a corresponding method. The invention makes it possible for the crane (14) to be assembled, and tested, at a site remote from the offshore wind turbine (21).