Hinged Mounting Arm for Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mounting rotor blades on wind turbines is challenging, especially in unfavorable weather conditions and for large turbines with high hub heights, as existing methods require multiple steps and may not adequately utilize available crane capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A multistage mounting arm with a hinge allows sections to swivel relative to each other, enabling the rotor hub to be turned and adjusted to facilitate horizontal mounting of rotor blades with fewer crane hoists, using the arm's weight and torque to assist in positioning, eliminating the need for an axial safety rope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mounting methods are used with multiple steps and crane hoists, then rotor blades can be mounted, but the process requires many steps and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arm is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for specific mounting tasks, enabling faster and more efficient blade installation compared to traditional single-structure methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting arm incorporates movable and adjustable sections that can change their configuration during the mounting process. The second section can be positioned at different angles relative to the first and third sections, allowing the structure to adapt dynamically to different mounting positions and reduce the number of steps required.
2Length of stationary object
If available cranes are used for mounting rotor blades on large wind turbines with high hub heights, then mounting can be performed, but the cranes are inadequate for the task
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized mounting arm structure serves as an intermediary between the crane and the rotor blades. This mounting arm extends the effective reach and provides stable positioning capabilities that compensate for the inadequate crane capabilities, enabling reliable mounting on tall turbines without requiring more powerful cranes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting arm utilizes spatial configuration with multiple sections arranged in different dimensions and angles. By positioning sections at various orientations (e.g., second section at acute or obtuse angles), the structure achieves extended reach and stability in three-dimensional space, overcoming the height and reach limitations of available cranes.
3Ease of operation
If rotor blades are mounted using vertical lifting, then mounting can be performed, but horizontal mounting is more efficient and safer
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arm structure provides different functional characteristics at different locations. The first section provides stable base support, the second section provides adjustable positioning capability, and the third section provides blade engagement. This local specialization of functions enables horizontal mounting capability while distributing structural complexity across multiple purpose-built components.
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
This method reduces the number of crane lifts required and allows for efficient horizontal mounting of all three rotor blades, improving the efficiency and safety of the rotor blade mounting process, even in adverse weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
using the arm's weight and torque to assist in positioning
Implementation Method 2
using the arm's weight and torque to assist in positioning
Data Source
AI summary
A method for mounting rotor blades of a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine has a rotor hub with three rotor blade ports. A rotor blade is to be mounted to each of the three rotor blade ports. A mounting arm is fastened to a first rotor blade port. The mounting arm has a first section and a second section, which are coupled with each other via a hinge, so that the angle between the first and second sections can be varied. The hub is turned until the first rotor blade port is in a 90° position. A first end of the first section of the mounting arm is fastened to the first rotor blade port of the rotor hub. The rotor hub is turned with the help of the mounting arm, until the second rotor blade port is in a 270° position. The angle between the first and second sections of the mounting arm is varied while turning the rotor hub. A first rotor blade is lifted, so that the first rotor blade is horizontally mounted to the second rotor blade port of the rotor hub.