Wind Turbine Mast Flange Bolting with Simultaneous Bolt Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for securing a wind turbine mast to a support structure, such as a vessel deck, are laborious and time-consuming, requiring manual alignment and tightening of numerous bolts through flange holes.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with a seafastening ring and a movable support body equipped with bolt receiving positions, driven by mechanically, electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically generated forces, allows for simultaneous alignment and insertion of multiple bolts through flange holes, reducing the time and effort required for bolt connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual alignment and tightening of numerous bolts through flange holes is used, then the connection between wind turbine mast and support structure is secure, but the process becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning multiple bolts on the support body before the bolting operation begins. The support body is designed with a matrix arrangement of bolts that are already in place, ready for simultaneous insertion through the flange holes. This eliminates the need for sequential manual bolt insertion and tightening, dramatically reducing the time required while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple bolting operations into a single simultaneous action. The support body carries multiple bolts (at least 10, preferably arranged in a matrix pattern) that are inserted through multiple flange holes at the same time. This combining of previously separate sequential operations into one unified operation resolves the contradiction between connection reliability and process time.
2Productivity
If multiple bolts are inserted simultaneously through flange holes, then the bolting process becomes faster and more efficient, but the alignment precision between bolt receiving positions and flange holes becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The support body acts as an intermediary device between the bolts and the flange holes. It provides a pre-arranged matrix of bolt receiving positions that guide the bolts into proper alignment with the flange holes. This intermediary structure ensures precise alignment is achieved automatically through the designed geometry of the support body, rather than requiring manual alignment operations, thus enabling high-speed simultaneous bolting with maintained precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The support body is pre-configured with bolts arranged in a precise matrix pattern before the operation. This preliminary arrangement of bolts in the correct spatial configuration ensures that when the support body is positioned against the flange, the bolts automatically align with the corresponding holes. This pre-positioning eliminates the need for real-time alignment adjustments during the high-speed bolting process.
3Productivity
If a support body with multiple bolt receiving positions is used, then the number of bolts that can be connected simultaneously increases, but the complexity of the support structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is designed as a segmented or modular structure that carries multiple bolts in a matrix arrangement. Each bolt or group of bolts can be considered a segment that is independently positioned but collectively functions as part of the whole support body. This segmentation allows the structure to handle multiple bolts simultaneously while maintaining a manageable level of complexity through modular design principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The support body serves multiple functions: it holds multiple bolts in precise arrangement, provides alignment guidance, and enables simultaneous insertion through multiple flange holes. By designing a single multi-functional support body rather than multiple separate devices, the patent increases productivity while controlling overall structural complexity through functional integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is an auxiliary device for realizing a bolt connection between connecting flanges, placed against each other, of a wind turbine mast and a support structure for a wind turbine mast. The auxiliary device comprises a support body provided with a number of receiving positions for a bolt. The receiving positions are aligned with corresponding bolt holes in the connecting flanges to be placed against each other. The auxiliary device further comprises moving means with which the support body can be moved toward the connecting flanges which are arranged against each other so that a number of bolts arranged in the receiving positions are arranged substantially simultaneously through the bolt holes. Also described is a corresponding method.