Modular Nacelle Transport System for Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting large wind turbine components with high mass and dimensions within limited transport dimensions on standard vehicles, while ensuring cost-optimized handling throughout their life cycle, from production to construction and back, is challenging due to the need for adaptable and efficient systems for road, rail, and sea transport.
Innovation Solution
A transport system comprising two separate but connected transport units, each adapted to the generator carrier and machine carrier, with detachable support units and guide mandrels, allowing for secure attachment and detachment during transport, enabling the nacelle to be transported as a single unit without changing the transport system, and facilitating easy loading and unloading on standard trucks, rail freight cars, and cargo ships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a transport system remains attached to the nacelle throughout the entire assembly and storage process, then the nacelle can be transported as a single unit without changing the transport system, but the transport system becomes difficult to adapt for different transport modes (road, rail, sea) and becomes a permanent part of the nacelle structure
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is divided into separate modular components including transport units with support units, hollow profiles, and connecting elements. These segmented components can be detached and reconfigured for different transport modes (road, rail, sea) while maintaining stability during each specific transport phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system transitions from a static permanent attachment concept to a dynamic removable attachment system. The transport units can be attached to the nacelle for specific transport phases and then detached, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on transport requirements rather than remaining permanently fixed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transport system is designed to be removable and adaptable for different transport modes, then versatility is improved, but the complexity of attaching and detaching the transport system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport units are designed with universal connecting elements that can interface with different nacelle configurations and transport vehicle types (trucks, rail wagons, ships). The support units with standardized hollow profiles and connecting elements provide multi-functional capability across road, rail, and sea transport modes, reducing the need for mode-specific transport systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system allows for parameter changes in configuration rather than structural complexity. The support units can be positioned at different locations along the hollow profiles, and the connecting elements can be adjusted to match different nacelle geometries, providing adaptability through parameter variation rather than complex mechanical interfaces.
3Strength
If support units are fixedly but detachably arranged on hollow profiles, then the transport system provides stable support for the nacelle, but the detachable nature requires additional connecting elements and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting elements are extracted as separate, standardized components rather than being integrated into the support units themselves. This allows the support units to maintain their structural integrity and strength when connected, while the connecting elements can be easily attached and detached without compromising the strength of the support units during the connected state.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the transport of large components of a wind turbine by road, rail, or sea, as well as their storage and loading. In particular, the invention relates to a transport system for a wind turbine nacelle and a method for transporting a wind turbine nacelle. According to the invention, a transport system for a wind turbine nacelle is claimed. For the purposes of the invention, the nacelle comprises, among other components not relevant to the invention, a generator support and a machine support as a supporting structure and/or a nacelle cladding. The transport system comprises at least two transport units, which are not connected to each other but each form a separate unit. A rear transport unit can be connected to the generator support, and a front transport unit can be connected to the machine support.According to the invention, the rear transport unit comprises a rear hollow profile with two identical, but laterally reversed, rear support units fixed but detachably arranged on the hollow profile, which can be connected to the generator carrier, and the front transport unit comprises a front hollow profile with two identical, but laterally reversed, front support units fixed but detachably arranged on the hollow profile, which can be connected to the machine carrier.