Pivoting Cable Winch Unit for Stable Wind Turbine Component Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling and disassembling wind turbine components, such as rotor blades and generators, lack safety and stability during crane operations, particularly in managing holding ropes or guide ropes.
Innovation Solution
A cable winch unit comprising a base unit, pivot arm, and holding unit, equipped with a cable winch and force gauge, allows for controlled tensioning and adjustment of holding cables, featuring a pivot arm with non-straight sections for improved force distribution and a pulley unit to manage cable angles, ensuring secure positioning of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If holding cables are used to secure wind turbine components during crane operations, then component stability is improved, but control over cable tension and angle is insufficient leading to safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot arm is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the cable winch unit to adapt its angle and position during crane operations. This enables real-time control over holding cable tension and angle, improving both reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing of operational parameters such as the angle of the pivot arm and tension force through the cable winch mechanism. This provides precise control over cable characteristics, enabling operators to optimize safety and stability for different lifting scenarios.
2Device complexity
If a simple cable winch unit is used, then device complexity is reduced, but force distribution and cable angle management are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cable winch unit is segmented into distinct functional components: a base unit, a pivot arm with specific angular sections, a cable winch, and a holding unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot arm introduces an angular dimension to the system, allowing adjustment of the cable angle in three-dimensional space. This enables better force distribution and cable management without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
3Force
If the pivot arm has non-straight sections with specific angles, then force distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot arm incorporates specific angular sections (first section with angle less than 180° greater than 90°, and second section with angle greater than 180°) that are designed to optimize force distribution during operation. These angular configurations create mechanical advantages that improve force management.
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
Enhances safety and stability during assembly/disassembly by providing precise control over holding cable tension and angle adjustment, preventing unwanted movement of large components, thus ensuring secure and efficient crane operations.
Implementation Method 1
The free end of the holding unit is moved from its current position and can lock into a new position due to gravity
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for assembling or disassembling components of a wind turbine (100) is described. Assembly or disassembly is carried out by attaching at least one holding cable or guide cable (400) to a component (108, 200) to be assembled, by attaching the holding cable or guide cable (400) to a winch unit (300), and by raising or lowering the component (108, 200) to be assembled or disassembled using a crane (500). The component (108, 200) to be assembled or disassembled is held or guided by means of the holding cable or guide cable (400). The winch unit (300) comprises a base unit (310), a swivel arm (320), and a holding unit (330). The swivel arm (320) is pivotably coupled to the base unit at its first end. At its second free end, a winch (340) is provided for receiving the holding rope or guide rope (400).The holding unit (330) is pivotably coupled to the swivel arm (320). The base unit has a plurality of locking units (313) for receiving a first end of the holding unit (330).