Split Crane Boom for Tall Wind Turbine Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of tall wind turbines at sea is hindered by the shortage of crane height on existing installation vessels, leading to costly modifications, stability issues, and safety risks, particularly due to the need for complex and costly dual-crane systems that complicate horizontal rigging and increase the risk of collisions.
Innovation Solution
A method and installation vessel with a crane featuring a lower boom part and a split configuration, where the right and left boom parts extend from an upper junction, allowing the tall structure to be supported between them, enabling stable lifting and reducing the need for extensive crane height modifications, with a stabilizing device providing upward and downward movement to maintain structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the height of existing crane is increased to beyond the height of the support structure, then the crane can lift the tall structure, but extensive and costly modifications are required and vessel stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The crane boom is divided into multiple segments (lower boom part and upper boom part) that can be extended vertically to increase crane height. This segmented approach allows the crane to reach the necessary height without requiring complete crane replacement, thereby reducing modification costs while maintaining vessel stability.
2Length of stationary object
If two cranes are used to compensate for the height shortage, then the support structure can be lifted above the crane height, but the cost increases and more deck space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The crane boom is made dynamically extendable through telescopic sections or articulated segments that can be extended vertically during operation. This dynamic extension capability allows a single crane to achieve the effective lifting height of multiple cranes, reducing the number of cranes needed while maintaining the ability to lift structures above original crane height.
3Length of stationary object
If two cranes are used to lift the support structure, then the height requirement is met, but horizontal rigging becomes difficult and synchronization is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The extended boom configuration provides multiple attachment points and flexible positioning capabilities that enable both vertical lifting and horizontal rigging operations from a single crane. This multi-functional capability eliminates the need for complex coordination between multiple cranes, simplifying the rigging process while maintaining the ability to lift tall structures.
4Quantity of substance
If a single crane is used with extended boom, then cost is reduced, but the crane must be positioned closer to the support structure which increases collision risk
Solution Approach 1:
The crane boom is extended in the vertical dimension rather than requiring horizontal proximity. By increasing the vertical reach through boom extension, the crane can maintain a safe horizontal distance from the support structure, reducing collision risk while still achieving the necessary lifting height with a single crane.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for installing a wind turbine or other tall structure at a target location at sea, the method comprising: —providing an installation vessel comprising at least one crane, wherein the crane comprises a lower boom part, a right boom part, and a left boom part, wherein the right boom part and the left boom part are connected to an upper portion of the lower boom part and extend from said upper portion, wherein a space is present between the right and left boom part, —lifting a tall structure part, in particular the nacelle assembly, with the crane, wherein in top view the tall structure part is supported at least partially between the right and left boom part by one or more hoist lines extending from the right and left boom part to the tall structure part.