Wind Turbine Tower Assembly Under Wind Load With Climbing Crane

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Solution Overview

Problem

The erection and dismantling of wind turbine towers are complex processes that incur significant costs, time, and space requirements, and the load-bearing capacity during these phases is altered, posing safety risks due to varying wind loads.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a climbing crane to lift and fasten tower segments, implement temporary securing measures, and adjust the crane's position to manage wind loads, ensuring the tower's stability by determining and managing natural frequency and vortex formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a climbing crane is used to erect and dismantle the tower, then time and space requirements are reduced, but the load-bearing capacity during erection/dismantling is altered and safety risks increase due to wind loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime requirementsVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining expected wind speeds and calculating corresponding tower loads before erection/dismantling operations begin. Safety measures are planned and implemented in advance based on forecasted wind conditions, allowing the climbing crane to operate continuously without unexpected interruptions while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring actual wind speeds and comparing them against expected values. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts safety measures and operational decisions, ensuring that the tower remains safe throughout the erection/dismantling process while maximizing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If safety measures are implemented to secure the tower during assembly, then reliability improves, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting safety measure intensity based on wind load parameters. When expected wind speeds indicate low risk, minimal safety measures are implemented. When wind speeds exceed thresholds, additional safety measures are activated. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains safety while minimizing unnecessary complexity during low-risk periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making safety measures temporary and adaptable rather than permanent and fixed. Safety measures are activated only when needed based on real-time wind conditions and are discontinued when conditions improve, allowing the system to adapt its complexity level to current operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the tower is erected or dismantled during adverse wind conditions, then productivity increases, but the risk of tower damage or collapse increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction continuityVSAvoidwind load risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining expected wind speeds and calculating tower loads before each construction phase. This advance planning allows the system to anticipate harmful wind conditions and take preventive measures, enabling continuous work during moderate adverse conditions while avoiding dangerous high-wind periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by monitoring actual wind speeds against expected values and adjusting construction operations accordingly. When actual winds exceed expected thresholds, the system pauses or modifies operations to prevent tower damage, while resuming work when conditions improve, thus balancing productivity with safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4386203B1Method for erecting and/or dismantling a tower, in particular a tower of a wind energy plant
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
  • EP4386203B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4386203B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4386203B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for erecting and/or dismantling a tower, in particular a tower of a wind turbine. The method (1) comprises providing (1001) a climbing crane, erecting (1006) the tower by lifting and securing tower segments and/or dismantling the tower by releasing and lowering tower segments, carrying out, preferably temporary, securing measures to secure the tower in the assembly state, in particular in the event of expected wind loads on the tower, characterized by taking the climbing crane, in particular its weight, into account when carrying out the securing measures.