Wind Turbine Nacelle Handling System with Segmented Platform
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation and handling of large wind turbine nacelles are challenging due to their size and weight, requiring complex and costly equipment for lifting and assembly, which can lead to inefficient and risky processes, especially when transporting them from manufacturing plants to erection sites.
Innovation Solution
A handling system that enables self-loading and self-unloading of wind turbine nacelles onto or from flatbed trucks using two or more lifting means, which can be displaced vertically and horizontally, allowing for stable lifting at the nacelle's periphery and center axis, reducing the need for additional lifting equipment and simplifying the handling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a nacelle is transported suspended between a truck and a trailer with special lifting equipment, then the nacelle can be loaded and unloaded without additional lifting equipment, but the vehicle becomes so long that it might be virtually impossible to travel on most roads
Solution Approach 1:
The handling system is divided into separate modular components: a platform body that can be detached from the truck, and a trailer that can be used independently. This allows the lifting equipment to remain with the platform body while the trailer can be transported separately or attached only when needed, avoiding the need for an excessively long combined vehicle configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic reconfigurable system where the platform body can be detached and reattached to different trailers. This dynamic capability allows optimization of the vehicle configuration for different transport scenarios, avoiding the constraint of a permanently extended vehicle length.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hub is mounted on the nacelle to carry substantially the entire weight, then the nacelle can be self-sustaining, but the additional length to an already long nacelle makes transport difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented from the nacelle structure itself. Instead of extending the nacelle with a hub to carry weight, the nacelle rests on a separate platform body that provides the necessary support and stability. This separation eliminates the need for additional length in the nacelle while maintaining self-sustaining capability during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform body acts as an intermediary between the nacelle and the ground/transport system. It provides the support function that would otherwise require the nacelle itself to bear the load through an extended hub, thereby avoiding the need to increase nacelle length while maintaining stability.
3Productivity
If a large crane is used to handle the nacelle at the harbour and load/unload from the trailer, then the nacelle can be handled efficiently, but transporting the crane to the erection site would be very expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The nacelle handling system is made self-sufficient by integrating the lifting capability into the platform body that travels with the nacelle. The hydraulic lifting system on the platform body can independently raise and lower the nacelle without requiring external cranes at the destination, enabling self-unloading at the erection site and eliminating the need to transport expensive crane equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform body serves multiple functions: it acts as a transport platform, provides lifting capability through integrated hydraulic systems, and functions as a stable base for the nacelle during both transport and operation. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate specialized equipment like cranes at different locations.
4Ease of operation
If special lifting equipment is fitted on the truck to transport the nacelle, then the nacelle can be handled without additional equipment, but the vehicle becomes specialized and must follow the nacelle during the entire trip
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting equipment is segmented from the truck and integrated into the detachable platform body. This allows the platform body with lifting capability to be separated from the truck for the majority of the journey, and only attached when lifting operations are needed. The truck can thus be used for other purposes during non-lifting portions of the trip, maintaining vehicle flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic reconfiguration where the platform body with lifting equipment can be attached to different trucks or trailers as needed. This dynamic capability allows the lifting equipment to travel with the nacelle only when required, rather than being permanently fitted to a specific truck for the entire journey, thereby maintaining operational flexibility.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a wind turbine nacelle handling system (11) in connection with self-loading or self-unloading of the nacelle (3) to or from a flatbed truck. The system (11) comprises two or more lifting means (15,16) for displacing the nacelle (3) substantially vertically during the self-loading or self-unloading of the nacelle (3). The lifting means (15,16) further comprises displacing means (28) for displacing the lifting means (15,16) or a part of the lifting means (15,16). The invention further relates to a method for transport of a wind turbine nacelle (3).