Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Mounting Device with Cable Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly and maintenance of large wind turbines with high hub heights require significant logistical effort and space due to the need for large cranes, which are costly and inefficient, especially for disassembly and repair tasks that necessitate rotor blade removal.

Innovation Solution

A mounting device comprising a load winch device, a guide winch device, and a cable deflection system that allows for the assembly or disassembly of rotor blades with reduced effort by using cable arrangements between the winch devices and the rotor hub, eliminating the need for a large crane and minimizing the required space, enabling maintenance access to the rotor blade root.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If large cranes are used to assemble and disassemble rotor blades, then the rotor blades can be handled and positioned, but the space requirements and logistical effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRotor blade assembly and disassembly capabilityVSAvoidAssembly area space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of rotor blade handling from the large crane system and implements it through a specialized mounting device with winches and cable arrangements that can be positioned close to the turbine, eliminating the need for extensive crane assembly areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mounting device as an intermediary system between the rotor blade and the ground equipment. This device uses cable arrangements and winches to provide mechanical advantage and precise positioning control, replacing the need for large cranes while reducing space requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If large cranes are used for rotor blade assembly, then the rotor blades can be lifted and positioned, but the assembly time and logistical preparation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRotor blade handling capabilityVSAvoidCranes preparation and assembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the rotor blade handling system into modular components (mounting device, winches, cable arrangements) that can be independently positioned and operated. This modular approach eliminates the need for complex crane assembly and preparation, reducing time loss while maintaining full handling capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If rotor blades are disassembled for maintenance, then repair work can be performed on rotor blade bearings, but significant space and equipment are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRotor blade bearing accessibilityVSAvoidMaintenance area space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the maintenance function from the large crane system by providing a specialized mounting device that can position the rotor blade at convenient heights and angles near the turbine base, enabling bearing maintenance without requiring extensive crane assembly areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses cable arrangements and winches to create equipotential positioning capabilities, allowing the rotor blade to be held at various positions and orientations that provide optimal access to bearings for maintenance work, eliminating the need for large clearance zones required by cranes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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

This solution reduces the assembly effort and space requirements by using cable systems to lift and position rotor blades, allowing for efficient maintenance and repair without the need for extensive crane setups, thus improving operational efficiency and reducing logistical challenges.

Implementation Method 1

the connecting device has a cable deflection device for deflecting at least one load cable of a load cable arrangement connected to a rotor blade root and received on the load winch device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Implementation Method 2

a rotor blade detached from the rotor hub can be guided by means of the guide device connected to the rotor blade along a guide cable arrangement tensioned between the guide winch device and the attachment device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 3

The mounting device comprises a load winch device, a guide winch device, and a cable deflection system that allows for the assembly or disassembly of rotor blades with reduced effort

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3839252B1Mounting device for rotor blades of a wind energy system
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 FUHRLANDER JURGEN
  • EP3839252B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3839252B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3839252B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a mounting device (10) for rotor blades (13) of a wind turbine comprising a load winch device (19), a guide winch device (20), a connection device (25) for connection to a rotor hub (12) of the wind turbine and a guide device connectable to the rotor blade (13), wherein the connection device (25) comprises a rope deflection device (30) for deflecting at least one load rope (31) connected to a rotor blade root (14) and received on the load winch device (19) and a stop device for connecting at least one guide rope (39, 40) received on the guide winch device (20) to the rotor hub (12).