Multirotor Wind Turbine Logistics System for Internal Equipment Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multirotor wind turbines face challenges in accessing energy generating units mounted at a distance from the tower, requiring external access methods like helicopters or hoisting, which are inconvenient, especially for offshore turbines, and pose difficulties in relocating equipment within limited internal space.
Innovation Solution
A logistics system that includes a transport system connecting the lower interior part of the tower to energy generating units, using transport containers and a control unit to manage equipment and personnel transport, ensuring timely and ordered delivery of required tools and spare parts without exiting the turbine, utilizing a network of rails and lifting systems within the turbine structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If energy generating units are mounted on arms extending from the tower at a distance, then the total power produced by the wind turbine is increased, but the accessibility of energy generating units from the interior part of the tower deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transport system that extends from the interior of the tower to the energy generating units mounted on arms, creating a new dimensional access path. This allows personnel and equipment to reach distant energy generating units through a combination of vertical tower access and horizontal arm extension, effectively adding a third dimension to the access route and resolving the accessibility issue while maintaining the power-generating configuration.
2Ease of operation
If equipment is transported outside the wind turbine to service energy generating units, then accessibility is improved, but safety and operational efficiency deteriorate due to weather conditions and external access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system serves multiple functions: it transports personnel, equipment, and materials while remaining entirely within the protected turbine structure. This multi-functional internal transport mechanism eliminates the need for external access methods like helicopters or external hoisting, maintaining operational efficiency regardless of weather conditions while providing comprehensive accessibility to all energy generating units.
3Quantity of substance
If the available space inside the wind turbine is utilized for equipment storage, then equipment availability is improved, but the ability to relocate equipment deteriorates due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system provides dynamic equipment relocation capability within the constrained internal space. Equipment can be moved on-demand between storage areas and service locations along the transport path, allowing the system to adapt to different service requirements while maintaining efficient use of limited internal space. The transport mechanism enables flexible repositioning without requiring additional storage capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A logistics system for a multirotor wind turbine (1) is disclosed. The multirotor wind turbine (1) comprises two or more energy generating units (4), each mounted on an arm (3) extending from a tower (2) of the multirotor wind turbine (1). A transport system (14, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36) interconnects a lower interior part of the tower (2) with each of the energy generating units (4). A plurality of transport containers (15) is connectable to the transport system (14, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36) and configured to hold equipment (26) to be transported. A control unit is configured to receive information regarding contents and position of the transport containers (15), and to plan transport of the transport containers (15) via the transport system (14, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36), based on a service plan for the multirotor wind turbine (1).