Modular Transport Frames for Wind Turbine Component Shipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of large, elongate wind turbine components is challenged by weight and dimension constraints of standard shipping containers, leading to inefficient packing and wasted capacity, particularly when transitioning from sea to land transport.
Innovation Solution
A modular transport structure comprising a support structure with locking interfaces and frames that can be assembled and disassembled, allowing components to act as load-bearing elements, and compatible with standard shipping containers for seamless transition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a 40-foot ISO container is packed to maximum gross mass of 36 tonnes for shipping, then shipping capacity is optimized, but the container cannot be transferred to road vehicles with 19-tonne weight limits
Solution Approach 1:
The transport structure is divided into multiple modular frames that can be separated into groups totaling 19 tonnes or less. Each frame can be independently loaded onto road vehicles, allowing the complete structure to be split across multiple vehicles while maintaining full shipping capacity utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport structure incorporates releasable coupling mechanisms between frames that enable dynamic reconfiguration. The structure transitions from a unified 36-tonne configuration optimized for shipping to separated 19-tonne configurations optimized for road transport, with coupling mechanisms allowing rapid assembly and disassembly at transfer points.
2Quantity of substance
If heavy, elongate wind turbine components are packed into standard ISO containers, then shipping capacity is utilized, but the length constraints of standard containers limit component design
Solution Approach 1:
The transport structure uses modular frames with extended length capabilities beyond standard ISO container dimensions. Each frame can accommodate elongate components of greater length, and the modular nature allows these extended frames to be separated for road transport just like standard containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport structure changes the dimensional parameters of the shipping container equivalent by using frames with extended length capabilities. This allows components to be designed with greater lengths while still fitting within the transport structure, which can then be segmented for compliant road transport.
3Ease of operation
If open-topped or flat rack containers are used to load components from above, then handling ease is improved, but the container weight increases reducing total component weight capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The transport structure segments the loading function across multiple lightweight frames rather than using a single heavy open-topped container. Each frame can be independently loaded, providing the handling advantages of open structures while distributing the weight burden across multiple separate units that can be optimized for minimal structural weight.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport structure (42) for transporting a set of wind turbine components (22) on a vehicle (92, 94). The transport structure (42) comprises: a support structure (44), comprising at least one frame (46); and a set of locking interfaces arranged on the support structure (44) for releasably securing the transport structure (42) when in transit. Said at least one frame (46) comprises attachment means configured for releasably securing at least one wind turbine component (22) of the set of wind turbine components to said at least one frame (46).