Tilting Frame for Windmill Transport and Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size and weight of offshore wind turbines pose limitations for offshore crane lifting capacity and height, necessitating the assembly of windmill towers and turbines horizontally onshore, with a goal to minimize offshore construction work by enabling onshore preparation and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring an elongated tilting frame hingedly connected to a water vessel, allowing the windmill to transition from a horizontal transport position to a vertical installation position using lifting means, with adjustable support cribs for depth adaptation and low-friction bearing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If windmills are assembled vertically onshore, then the structure is ready for installation, but the lifting height and lifting capacity requirements increase beyond available offshore crane capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the assembly dimension from vertical to horizontal. The windmill is assembled horizontally onshore on a tilting frame, then the entire assembly is tilted 90 degrees during transport to a vertical position for installation. This dimensional change allows the windmill to be assembled within onshore facility constraints while still achieving the required installation orientation offshore.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting frame is designed to be dynamically adjustable between horizontal and vertical positions. This dynamic capability allows the same structure to accommodate both onshore assembly constraints and offshore installation requirements, eliminating the need for separate assembly and installation operations.
2Force
If windmills are assembled horizontally onshore, then lifting capacity requirements are reduced, but a mechanism is needed to transition from horizontal transport position to vertical installation position
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting frame serves multiple functions: it supports the windmill during horizontal assembly, provides a platform for transport, and acts as a tilting mechanism to transition the windmill to vertical position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate assembly jigs, transport fixtures, and installation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting frame is designed to tilt under its own weight or with minimal external assistance. The hinge connection and bearing systems allow the frame to perform the tilting action autonomously, reducing the need for complex external tilting mechanisms or additional lifting equipment.
3Strength
If the tilting frame is made rigid for structural stability, then load-bearing capacity increases, but adaptability to different water depths and structure types decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple cribs that can be independently positioned along the tilting frame. These modular cribs can be adjusted to accommodate different water depths and structure types while the overall tilting frame maintains its structural integrity and load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support cribs are designed to be displaceable relative to the tilting frame, providing dynamic adjustability. This allows the same rigid tilting frame to adapt to various installation scenarios by repositioning the support points, maintaining both structural strength and versatility.
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 onshore assembly and transportation of windmills to offshore locations, reducing offshore construction work by allowing horizontal transport and vertical installation, adaptable for various depths and structures, including bases, facilitating reduced noise and visual pollution while maintaining stable wind conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated tilting frame (8) is hingedly connected at a pivoting point (10) to a water vessel (6), with the tilting frame (8) designed to be able to assume an essentially horizontal or slightly tilted position, corresponding to a transport position, and to be able to be tilted about the hinge connection to an essentially vertical position
Implementation Method 2
low-friction bearing systems
Data Source
AI summary
A device for transporting structures on water, as well as dismounting or installation of the structure(s) includes an elongated tilting frame (8) hingedly connected at a pivoting point (10) to a water vessel (6). The tilting frame (8) holds one or more support cribs (5) designed for being displaceable relative to the tilting frame and possibly relative to each other, the tilting frame further being designed to be able to assume an essentially horizontal or slightly tilted position, corresponding to a transport position, and being designed for being able to be tilted about the hinge connection to an essentially vertical position by suitable means, the vertical position corresponding to a lifting or operating position wherein the structure(s) carried by the support crib(s) may be lifted or lowered up from or down into the water, respectively, or up or down above water level.