Automated Pipe Coating Device for Wind Turbine Towers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coating process for wind power generator towers is inefficient, hazardous for workers, and results in nonuniform coating due to manual labor, limiting the effectiveness and quality of the process.
Innovation Solution
A pipe-shape structure coating device that automatically applies coatings to the inner circumferential surface of large-scale structures like wind power generator towers using a work vehicle with a movable vehicle, adjustable column member, rotation arms, and a distance adjustable mechanism, allowing for efficient grit blasting, collection, and spray coating while maintaining a consistent distance from the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual coating process is used by workers, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity is low, working conditions are harmful, and coating quality is nonuniform
Solution Approach 1:
The coating device performs the coating process automatically without requiring manual intervention. The work vehicle travels along the pipe-shape structure while the coating apparatus applies coating material to the inner circumferential surface autonomously, eliminating the need for workers to manually coat the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical coating operations with an automated coating system. The work vehicle equipped with coating apparatus substitutes human workers, and the mechanical system is controlled automatically to apply coating uniformly along the entire length of the pipe-shape structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual coating process is used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and coating uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The work vehicle is designed to travel dynamically along the pipe-shape structure, adapting to the structure's geometry. The coating apparatus adjusts its position and movement to maintain optimal coating conditions, ensuring uniform coating application despite the complex cylindrical geometry of the tower.
Solution Approach 2:
The work vehicle integrates multiple functions including travel along the pipe-shape structure, coating application, and potential grit blasting capabilities. This multi-functional design achieves precise coating uniformity while managing device complexity through functional integration rather than separate specialized components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If workers perform coating manually, then device complexity is minimized, but harmful factors increase due to exposed working conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts workers from the coating process entirely, removing them from the harmful environment inside the pipe-shape structure. The automated work vehicle performs all coating operations, eliminating exposure to hazardous coating materials, confined space risks, and physically demanding conditions for human workers.
4Productivity
If automatic coating device is implemented, then productivity and coating quality improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coating system is segmented into modular components: the work vehicle for travel, the coating apparatus for material application, and the support structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together as an integrated system, achieving high productivity with manageable complexity through modular design.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a pipe-shape structure coating device. A pipe-shape structure coating device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a rack unit on which a pipe-shape structure is placed, and a work vehicle which carries out a coating process on an inner surface of the pipe-shape structure by driving inside the pipe-shape structure placed on the rack unit along a longitudinal direction of the pipe-shape structure.