Modular Sliding Rail Transport for Wind Turbine Drive Trains

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine transportation systems face difficulties in handling large and heavy drive train components due to the size and weight requirements of the supporting rails and units, making it challenging to mount, dismantle, or perform maintenance on these components.

Innovation Solution

A modular transportation system comprising sliding rails and sledges, where the sliding rails are detachable into modules for easier handling and assembly, and the sledges are equipped with hydraulic cylinders and locking mechanisms for precise movement and orientation of drive train components, allowing for stable and efficient movement of heavy components within the nacelle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the size of the transportation rails is increased to support larger and heavier drive train components, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the ease of handling the rails during mounting or dismantling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidease of handling

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transportation system is divided into separate modular components: sliding rails that can be detached and repositioned, sledges that can be independently handled, and drive train components that remain stationary during system assembly. This segmentation allows the sliding rails to be handled in smaller, more manageable sections while still providing sufficient load-bearing capacity when assembled in the final configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If the size of wind turbines increases, then the power generation capacity is improved, but the weight of drive train components increases making them more difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation capacityVSAvoidease of handling drive train components

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the heavy drive train components themselves, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the drive train components stationary and moving the transportation system (sliding rails and sledges) around them. This allows the handling difficulty to be shifted from the heavy, irreplaceable drive train components to the lighter, replaceable transportation system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The sledge acts as an intermediary between the sliding rails and the drive train component. It transfers the load from the component to the rails while providing a interface that is easier to handle and attach/detach. The sledge can be equipped with lifting mechanisms or attachment points that simplify the handling process for heavy components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the transportation system is designed to accommodate heavy drive train components, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the space required within the nacelle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidspace required in nacelle

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The transportation system is designed to be temporary and reconfigurable rather than permanent. The sliding rails can be installed only when needed for maintenance or assembly operations, and then removed or repositioned when no longer required. This dynamic approach allows the nacelle to maintain full load-bearing capacity during operations while preserving maximum operational space during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The modular design facilitates easier handling and assembly of the transportation system, reduces the space required within the nacelle, and ensures stable and symmetrical support for drive train components, enabling efficient movement and alignment of large and heavy components without permanent installation, thus simplifying maintenance and operation.

Implementation Method 1

one or more sliding rails being configured to carry a drive train component during movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the sledges are equipped with hydraulic cylinders and locking mechanisms for precise movement and orientation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3676493B1A wind turbine with a transportation system for moving drive train components

Publication Date: 2023.03.22 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

A wind turbine (1) comprising a tower (2) and one or more nacelles (3) mounted on the tower (2) is disclosed, at least one of the nacelle(s) (3) housing one or more drive train components (9, 10, 11) and a transportation system for moving drive train components (9, 0, 11) of the wind turbine (1). The transportation system comprises one or more sliding rails (15) configured to carry a drive train component (9, 10, 11) during movement, and one or more sledges(19). Each sledge (19) is movably connected to a sliding rail(15), and configured to be attached to a drive train component (9, 10, 11), thereby allowing the drive train component (9, 10, 11) to move along the sliding rail(s)(15). Each sliding rail(15) comprises two or more rail modules (6, 13, 14) being detachably connected to each other along a direction of movement defined by the sliding rail (15).