Modular Railcar Supports for Variable Wind Tower Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of large cylindrical tower sections for wind turbines is complex and costly due to their size and shape, requiring multiple transportation modes and specialized handling to prevent damage, which complicates logistics and increases time and expenses.
Innovation Solution
A modular system for transporting cylindrical items, including wind turbine tower sections, using adjustable support members and devices such as railcars with multiple support locations and cradle surfaces that can accommodate varying dimensions and weights without the need for welding, allowing for quick setup and reconfiguration to fit different tower sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed mounting fixtures are used to secure tower sections to railcars, then the tower sections are securely transported, but the system cannot accommodate varying tower section dimensions and requires multiple specialized fixtures for different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting fixture incorporates adjustable components including a movable saddle that can be repositioned along the railcar bed, and adjustable blocking members that can be positioned at different locations. This dynamic adjustability allows a single fixture design to accommodate tower sections of varying lengths and dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized fixtures for different tower sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting fixture is designed as a universal system that can secure various types of tower sections (different lengths, diameters, and configurations) using the same basic fixture design. The fixture includes multiple support points and adjustable elements that can be configured for different tower section geometries, making it applicable across multiple transportation scenarios rather than requiring dedicated fixtures for each tower type.
2Length of moving object
If tower sections are transported using multiple railcars to accommodate their length, then the tower sections fit on the railcars, but the number of railcars increases transportation cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting fixture enables single-railcar transportation of longer tower sections by providing secure support points that can be positioned optimally along the tower section. The adjustable blocking members and movable saddle allow the fixture to accommodate tower sections that extend beyond the traditional single-railcar length limit, enabling one railcar to safely transport what previously required multiple railcars.
3Reliability
If specialized mounting fixtures are designed for each tower section configuration, then secure transportation is achieved, but the setup and reconfiguration time increases dwell time at loading/unloading locations
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting fixture incorporates quickly adjustable elements including a movable saddle that can be repositioned along the railcar bed without complex assembly, and blocking members that can be rapidly positioned at different locations. This dynamic adjustability allows the same fixture to be quickly reconfigured for different tower section dimensions, significantly reducing the time required for setup and reconfiguration compared to swapping between multiple specialized fixtures.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are used for transporting a plurality of tower sections of a wind turbine on beds of transport devices, such as flat railcars. Supports affix at support locations on beds to accommodate at least one of the tower sections on each of the transport devices. The supports can include bed supports, such as tabs, extending from the beds, and can include cradle supports with slots that engage on the tabs. A circumferential dimension of a cradle is adjusted on each of the supports against which the tower section rests. Each of the tower sections is then supported with at least two of the supports by loading the tower sections on the transport devices. An end of each of the tower sections is then affixed to a flange on at least one of the supports on each of the transport devices.