Pivotable Rotor Blade Mounting Adapter for Reduced Crane Hook Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of assembling rotor blades on wind turbines with larger hub heights is exacerbated by the need for cranes with suitable hook heights that are often not readily available, complicating the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A mounting adapter with pivotable adapter sections and adjustable angles, facilitated by hydraulic or telescopic units, allows for simplified assembly by varying the angle between flange surfaces, enabling reduced crane hook height requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the hub height is increased, then the wind turbine can be optimized for better wind capture, but a crane with greater hook height is required for assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting adapter is divided into two pivotable adapter sections (first and second sections) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the adapter to be configured in different operating positions, enabling blade assembly at reduced heights while maintaining the capability to service taller hubs.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting adapter incorporates a pivotable connection between its two adapter sections, allowing dynamic adjustment of the angle between them. This dynamic configuration enables the adapter to adapt to different hub heights and assembly positions, reducing the fixed height requirement for crane operations.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed mounting adapter structure is used, then the assembly process is simplified, but the adapter cannot adapt to different hub heights and assembly positions
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable connection between adapter sections enables dynamic reconfiguration of the mounting adapter during assembly operations. The adapter can be adjusted between different operating positions to accommodate varying hub heights and blade assembly requirements, maintaining ease of operation across different installation scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting adapter is designed to perform multiple functions through its pivotable sections, which can be positioned in different operating positions. This multi-functionality allows a single adapter design to serve various hub heights and assembly configurations, eliminating the need for multiple fixed adapter types.
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
Enables efficient assembly of rotor blades with larger hub heights using a single crane, reducing the necessary crane hook height and simplifying the installation process.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic unit with an adjustable length can be provided between the first and second adapter sections. This allows an angle between the first and second adapter sections to be adjusted.
Implementation Method 2
The first and second adapter sections are pivotally connected to one another via a pivot axis. Thus, the angle between the first and second flange surfaces can be varied or adjusted.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A mounting adapter (300) for mounting rotor blades (200) of a wind turbine (100) is provided, comprising a first adapter section (310) with a first flange surface (311) suitable for attaching a rotor blade (200) of the wind turbine (100), and a second adapter section (320) with a second flange surface (321) suitable for attaching to a rotor blade connection (121, 122, 123) of a wind turbine (100). The first and second adapter sections (310, 320) are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis (S). An angle (α) formed by the first and second flange surfaces (311, 321) is adjustable to ensure at least one first and one second operating position of the mounting adapter (300) with different angles (α).