Portable Crane for Floating Wind Turbine Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crane solutions for floating wind turbines are limited by their placement on the wind turbine tower, requiring tower design modifications and posing challenges in installation, maintenance, and operational reach.
Innovation Solution
A portable crane system that includes a floating sub-structure with an interface for receiving and locking the crane, and a service operation vessel with a ship crane to lift and deploy the portable crane, allowing for component exchange without the need for tower modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a crane is permanently attached to the tower of the wind turbine, then the crane is readily available for operations, but maintenance becomes challenging and the tower must be designed to carry the crane load
Solution Approach 1:
The crane system is divided into a portable crane unit that can be detached from the tower. The crane is no longer a permanent fixed installation but a separable component that can be removed for maintenance and reinstalled when needed, resolving the contradiction between availability and maintainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The crane transitions from a static permanent installation to a dynamic portable system. The crane can be installed, removed, and reinstalled as needed, providing operational availability while enabling easy maintenance through removal, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and ease of repair.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a crane is attached to the tower structure, then the crane has a stable mounting point, but the tower must be specifically designed to carry the crane and its load
Solution Approach 1:
The crane is extracted from the tower structure as a separate portable unit. Instead of being integrated into the tower design, the crane is a standalone component that can be positioned and secured as needed, eliminating the requirement for the tower to be specifically designed to carry the crane.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable crane can be used on various floating wind turbine configurations without requiring specific tower design modifications. The crane system becomes universal and adaptable to different tower types and sizes, resolving the contradiction between mounting stability and design complexity.
3Length of stationary object
If the crane reach is extended by placing it higher on the tower, then the crane can access more areas, but the crane may interfere with the rotor and blades
Solution Approach 1:
The portable crane can be dynamically positioned at different locations and heights as needed for specific maintenance tasks. Unlike a fixed tower-mounted crane, the portable unit can be moved to optimal positions that provide necessary reach without interfering with rotor and blade operations.
4Weight of moving object
If a heavy-lift crane is installed on the tower for component replacement, then large components can be handled, but the installation and removal of the crane becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy-lift crane capability is achieved through a portable system that can be transported and assembled in sections. The crane is divided into manageable components that can be easily transported and assembled on the floating platform, eliminating the cumbersome installation and removal processes associated with permanent tower-mounted heavy-lift cranes.
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 portable crane system enables efficient and versatile maintenance operations for floating wind turbines, reducing the risk of personnel on the turbine during operations and allowing for the replacement of components like wind turbine blades and gear units without the need for heavy-lift crane installation on the tower.
Implementation Method 1
a service operation vessel with a ship crane to lift and deploy the portable crane
Implementation Method 2
a service operation vessel with a ship crane capable of lifting said portable crane from said vessel and onto said sub-structure
Implementation Method 3
said floating sub-structure having an interface capable of receiving and fixedly locking said portable crane to said sub-structure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An operations and maintenance arrangement for floating wind turbines (1), comprising a floating sub-structure (2) on which at least one wind turbine unit (3) is situated, a service operation vessel (11) and a portable crane (14), said floating sub-structure (2) having an interface capable of receiving and fixedly locking said crane (14) to said sub-structure (2), said service operation vessel (11) having a ship crane (12) capable of lifting said portable crane (14) from said vessel (11) and onto said sub-structure (2). A method for replacing components using the arrangement is also described.