Rotational Assembly for Wind Turbine Tower Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotating large and heavy wind turbine components, such as towers and blades, around a vertical axis in an offshore environment is hazardous and difficult due to reliance on manual handling and crane hook properties, posing risks to personnel.
Innovation Solution
A rotational assembly comprising an inner and outer rim system with a drive unit, adjustable fixation points, and alignment wheels, allowing controlled and safe rotation of suspended loads around a vertical axis, with the drive unit engaging a belt or toothed surface for continuous movement, and a counterweight for balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual handling and crane hook properties are used to rotate suspended loads, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and safety deteriorate due to personnel risk and difficulty in controlling large heavy components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary rotation assembly with inner and outer rims between the crane hook and the suspended load. This assembly mediates the rotation process by providing a controlled interface that transfers rotational motion from the tag lines to the load, eliminating the need for personnel to directly handle heavy components while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical rotation system with an automated drive unit that uses a motor to rotate the inner rim. This substitution eliminates manual labor and personnel risk while providing precise, controlled rotation of the suspended load through the rim assembly
2Device complexity
If tag lines are used to rotate the load by hand, then the device complexity is minimized, but the ease of operation deteriorates when rotating large heavy components like 90 meter towers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual tag line system with an automated drive unit featuring a motor that rotates the inner rim. This substitution maintains the relatively simple overall structure while dramatically improving ease of operation by eliminating the need for personnel to manually handle heavy components or complex tag line systems
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit with motor provides self-powered rotation of the inner rim, making the system self-sufficient for the rotation function. The assembly serves itself by automatically rotating the suspended load without requiring external manual intervention, thus improving ease of operation while keeping device complexity low
3Reliability
If fixed tag lines are used to prevent over-rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in adjusting for different load requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic, adjustable tag lines that can be modified in length and tension according to different load requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains reliability by allowing proper control of rotation limits for each specific load while improving ease of operation through adaptability to various operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The tag line system is segmented into adjustable components that can be independently configured for different loads. This segmentation allows the system to be customized for each specific rotation task, maintaining reliable control while improving ease of operation through flexible adjustment capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an assembly for rotating a suspended load around a substantially vertical axis, the assembly comprising an inner rim configured to have a fixed relationship with the suspended load to be rotated, an outer rim engaging the inner rim in a manner so that the inner and outer rims are configured to perform rotational movements relative to each other during rotation of the suspended load, and a drive unit for performing the relative rotational movement between the inner and outer rims. The assembly of the present invention may be secured to a lifting yoke for lifting wind turbine related components, such as entire wind turbine towers, wind turbine tower sections, nacelles, rotor blades or containers.