Nut-Plane Continuous Drive for Flange Bolt Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bolt tightening solutions for wind turbine tower construction are labor-intensive and costly due to the use of electromagnets for propulsion, which increase power requirements and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A tightening device with a continuous drive disposed on the nut plane of pre-screwed nuts, utilizing the top surfaces of the nuts as a drive surface for propulsion, eliminating the need for additional mechanisms and reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnets are used to press the belt drive against the side wall for propulsion, then the robot achieves reliable propulsion along the flange connection, but the power requirements and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electromagnets from the system entirely. Instead of using electromagnetic force to press the belt against the wall, the invention uses a simple belt drive that relies on friction between the belt and the flange surface, eliminating the complex electromagnetic components and their associated power requirements while maintaining propulsion functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The belt drive system is designed to utilize the natural friction between the belt material and the flange surface for propulsion. The system serves itself by using the existing surface properties rather than requiring additional active components like electromagnets to create the necessary gripping force
2Reliability
If electromagnets are used to press the belt drive against the side wall, then propulsion is achieved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnets are completely removed from the system. The propulsion mechanism relies solely on passive friction between the belt and flange surface, eliminating the need for electrical power to activate electromagnetic fields while maintaining reliable propulsion through the friction-based belt drive
3Productivity
If a belt drive with electromagnets is used for propulsion, then the robot can move along the flange connection, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex and expensive electromagnet components are removed from the design. The simplified belt drive system uses standard mechanical components that are cheaper to manufacture and assemble, reducing overall system cost while maintaining the automated bolt tightening capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive belt and pulley components instead of expensive electromagnetic systems. These basic mechanical parts are much cheaper to manufacture and replace if needed, reducing the overall manufacturing cost of the automated tightening device
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a reliable, robust, and cost-effective means of automatically tightening bolts in wind turbine towers, reducing labor intensity and operational costs while maintaining efficient propulsion along the flange connection.
Implementation Method 1
The continuous drive interacts with the nuts in a way, that the continuous drive can also grip the edges of the nuts and can use these edges to provide grip
Data Source
AI summary
Tightening device for tightening a series of nuts pre-screwed on bolts, which bolts are arranged in a linear or in a curved flange connection, wherein each nut comprises a top surface located at one end of the nut, wherein the top surfaces are arranged in a nut plane of the flange connection, and wherein the tightening device comprises a propulsion unit for moving the tightening device along the flange connection, wherein the propulsion unit comprises a continuous drive, wherein in an operating state of the tightening device, the continuous drive is disposed essentially on the nut plane on one or more top surfaces of one or more of the nuts.