Mobile Tilting Frame for Wind Tower Erection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for erecting and repairing tall wind towers are inefficient and costly due to transportation and crane limitations, making it impractical to construct or maintain towers over 100 meters in height.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a mobile tilting frame with gin poles and cables to pivot and secure the wind tower in a vertical position, allowing for on-site construction and easy access for repairs, which can be scaled for towers up to 150 meters or taller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If wind tower height is increased to improve energy efficiency, then energy generation efficiency is improved, but transportation feasibility deteriorates due to base diameter limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy generation efficiencyVSAvoidtransportation feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wind tower is divided into multiple transportable sections that can be assembled on-site. The base section with hub and blade attachment points can be manufactured and transported separately, then connected to the tower sections during erection, avoiding transportation constraints while achieving tall hub heights for improved energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from horizontal transportation constraints to vertical assembly by erecting tower sections upward from a prepared base. The base section remains stationary while tower sections are lifted and connected vertically, eliminating the need to transport the entire assembled tower through highway clearances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Use of energy by moving object

If wind tower height is increased beyond 100 meters to improve efficiency, then energy generation is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to crane availability and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy generation efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The tilting frame provides dynamic reconfigurability, allowing the tower to be tilted from vertical to horizontal position for maintenance. This dynamic capability enables workers to access the turbine and blades at ground level rather than requiring cranes to reach heights over 100 meters, significantly improving ease of repair while maintaining tall operational height for energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tilting frame serves multiple functions: it acts as an erection aid during assembly, provides maintenance access by tilting the tower horizontal, and can be reused for future repairs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate expensive crane operations for maintenance, making tall towers economically viable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional erection methods are used for tall wind towers, then structural stability is ensured, but construction time increases making the project economically unviable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetower structural stabilityVSAvoidconstruction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The base section is prepared in advance with pre-installed hub and blade attachment points before tower sections are erected. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming on-site assembly operations and allows rapid connection of tower sections using the tilting frame, significantly increasing construction speed while maintaining structural stability through pre-engineered connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables efficient and cost-effective erection and maintenance of tall wind towers, reducing the need for large cranes and allowing for rapid relocation and reuse of equipment, thereby lowering project costs and increasing economic viability of wind energy.

Implementation Method 1

tilting the tilting frame so that the major gin pole is substantially vertical

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

A tilting power system can be provided to tilt the tilting frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

The tilting frame has a first support cable connecting the major and minor gin poles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 4

Attaching the base section of the wind tower to a pivot base so that the support structure can be pivoted to a vertical position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10392827B2Wind tower erection system

Publication Date: 2019.08.27 PARSONS CORPROATION

AI summary

Tall wind towers can be erected using a mobile tilting frame comprising a major gin pole and a minor gin pole having a longitudinal axis. The tilting frame has a support cable connecting the major/minor gin poles. The minor gin pole can pivot relative to the major gin pole so that the longitudinal axis of the minor gin pole can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the major gin pole.