Self-climbing Crane for Windmill Erection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for erecting upstanding constructions, such as windmills, require crane booms that increase in size and weight with height, making them sensitive to weather conditions and costly, with a large footprint and inefficient transportation needs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a crane mounted on a support and guide facility that allows it to move up and down along the construction, independent of its height, with the crane and construction parts transported together, reducing the crane's size and weight dependence on the construction's height and mass, and enabling onshore or offshore construction with minimal site preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the crane boom length is increased to reach higher construction parts, then the crane can erect taller structures, but the crane's size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The construction is divided into multiple longitudinal parts that are erected sequentially. The crane remains at a fixed position on the construction base and services each segment as it is placed, rather than requiring the crane to reach the entire final height. This allows the crane boom to remain relatively short while still enabling erection of tall structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of solving the height problem by extending the crane boom vertically, the solution moves the construction parts vertically one by one while the crane stays at ground level. The problem is solved in the dimension of sequential operation rather than spatial extension.
2Length of stationary object
If the crane boom length is increased to reach higher construction parts, then the crane can erect taller structures, but the crane becomes more sensitive to weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the construction into segments and erecting them sequentially with a fixed-position crane, the crane boom length is reduced. This shorter boom is inherently less sensitive to wind loads and weather conditions compared to a long boom reaching the full height.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the crane reach up to the construction parts, the crane stays fixed and the construction parts are brought to the crane's lifting capacity. This inversion reduces the exposed surface area of the crane boom to wind and weather.
3Length of stationary object
If the crane boom length is increased to reach higher construction parts, then the crane can erect taller structures, but the cost and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The construction is segmented into manageable parts that can be transported and erected using a smaller, more cost-effective crane. This avoids the need for expensive heavy-duty cranes with long booms, reducing both equipment costs and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The construction base serves as the support for the crane throughout the erection process. The crane is positioned on the construction base itself and moves up along with the construction, eliminating the need for external support structures or complex positioning systems.
4Length of stationary object
If the crane boom length is increased to reach higher construction parts, then the crane can erect taller structures, but the required ground area or footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
By erecting the construction in segments with a fixed-position crane, the crane does not need a large radial working area to reach high points. The crane operates from a compact footprint on the construction base, lifting parts vertically in sequence rather than requiring extensive horizontal clearance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for onshore or offshore erecting an upstanding construction comprising longitudinal construction parts (9), in particular parts of a windmill, comprising the steps of • -providing the longitudinal parts (9) of the construction; • -transporting the longitudinal parts (9) of the construction on a vehicle (4, 4', 4") to an erection site (5); • -providing a crane (1) for hoisting the longitudinal parts (9) of the construction; • -using the crane (1) for placing the respective longitudinal parts (9) of the construction on top of each other on a construction base (3) at the erection site (5); • -providing the construction base (3) and/or the longitudinal parts (9) of the construction with a support and guide facility (2) for the crane (1); • -arranging that the crane (1) is mountable on the support and guide facility (2); and • -mounting the crane (1) on the support and guide facility (2) of at least one of the construction base (3) and the longitudinal parts (9) of the construction that is placed on the construction base (3), so as to arrange that the crane (1) is movable up and down along the support and guide facility (2) of the construction. Crane (1) arranged for moving up and down a ver tical support and guide facility (2), comprising a mast (8) which is movable up and down the support and guide facility (2), wherein the remainder of the crane which comprises the crane's hoisting means is rotatably mounted on the mast (8).