Movable Crane Base Assembly for Extended Nacelle Reach
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tower mounted cranes for wind turbines face challenges in achieving extended reach without increasing size, weight, or cost, particularly as wind turbines grow larger, and current methods of extending the crane boom are impractical due to transportation and lifting constraints.
Innovation Solution
A base assembly for tower mounted cranes that allows for an extended reach by displacing the crane relative to the nacelle, using a support structure that is movably coupled to a base structure, enabling multiple mounting positions without requiring a longer boom, and includes features like mounting pins, a frame structure adaptable to different nacelle sizes, and a displacement mechanism for the trolley.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the crane boom is made longer to increase reach, then the reach is improved, but the weight and size of the crane increase, making it more difficult to transport and lift
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a linear displacement mechanism that moves the crane along the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, adding a translational degree of freedom. This allows the crane to achieve extended reach by positioning itself at different locations rather than extending the boom length, thereby avoiding the weight and size penalties associated with longer booms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the reach extension function into two independent components: the fixed crane boom and the movable positioning mechanism. The boom remains at its original length while the displacement mechanism provides the additional reach by moving the crane to different positions along the nacelle, allowing each component to be optimized independently.
2Length of moving object
If the crane boom is made longer to increase reach, then the reach is improved, but the transportation and lifting difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the boom in the radial direction to increase reach, the invention moves the crane along the longitudinal axis of the nacelle. This dimensional shift allows the crane to service different areas of the wind turbine by repositioning rather than by having a longer boom, maintaining compact dimensions for easy transportation.
3Length of moving object
If the base and crane are made stronger to support longer reach, then the reach is improved, but the weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the static approach of using a permanently longer and stronger boom with a dynamic positioning system. The crane maintains its original compact size and strength requirements, while the linear displacement mechanism dynamically adjusts the crane's position along the nacelle to provide extended reach when needed, avoiding the permanent weight and volume increase.
4Length of moving object
If a longer crane boom is used to increase reach, then the reach is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the existing crane multi-functional by adding a displacement mechanism that allows it to service different areas of the nacelle. Instead of requiring a custom-longer-boom crane for each application, the same standard crane can be repositioned along the longitudinal axis to reach different components, providing versatility without the high cost of custom manufacturing longer booms.
Data Source
AI summary
A base assembly configured to support a tower mounted crane on a nacelle of the wind turbine, said tower mounted crane being of the kind comprising a base portion and a boom arm, where the boom arm is arranged rotatably about a vertical axis relative to the base portion during normal operation of the tower mounted crane, said base assembly includes a base structure adapted to be mounted to the nacelle, and a support structure configured to engage with the tower mounted crane and support the tower mounted crane in an upright position. In an engagement of the tower mounted crane with the base assembly, a base portion of the tower mounted crane is attached to the support structure. The support structure is movably coupled to the base structure and is adapted to be displaced linearly relative to the base structure in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nacelle to arrange the tower mounted crane at a plurality of crane mounting positions relative to the nacelle.