Rotatable Tower Bolt Tensioning Assembly for Wind Turbine Flanges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tensioning tower bolts in wind turbine towers requires manual handling and is time-consuming due to the need to position the tensioning tool above or below flanges, which is strenuous and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A tool assembly with a connecting arrangement and a rotatable tool holding part that allows the tool to be oriented for tensioning bolts from above or below, reducing manual handling and enabling fast tensioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of the bolt tensioning tool is used to position it above or below flanges, then the tool can be positioned for tensioning bolts, but the process becomes strenuous and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The tool holding part is attached to the connecting arrangement in a rotatable manner, allowing the tool to be rotated between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. This dynamic rotation mechanism eliminates the need for manual handling to reposition the tool above or below flanges, thereby reducing both operational effort and time consumption while maintaining the ability to tension bolts from different positions
Solution Approach 2:
The tool assembly is designed to tension tower bolts from both above and below the flanges using a single integrated system. The connecting arrangement with rotatable tool holding part enables the same tool to perform multiple positioning functions, eliminating the need for separate manual positioning operations and reducing overall tensioning time
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tool assembly can rotate between multiple orientations, then the tool can selectively tension bolts below or above flanges, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable connection between the tool holding part and connecting arrangement provides multi-position adaptability through a relatively simple rotational mechanism. This dynamic design allows the tool to selectively tension bolts from different positions (above or below flanges) without requiring complex multi-component systems, as the rotation capability is integrated into the connecting arrangement itself
Data Source
AI summary
A tool assembly (1) for tensioning tower bolts (12) of a wind turbine tower is disclosed. The tool assembly (1) comprises a connecting arrangement (2, 13, 14) configured to connect the tool assembly (1) to a part of a wind turbine tower, and a tool holding part (3) arranged to hold a tool (5) for tensioning tower bolts (12). The tool holding part (3) is attached to the connecting arrangement (2, 13, 14) in a rotatable manner, thereby allowing the tool (5) to be rotated between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The connecting arrangement (2, 13, 14) may retain the tool assembly (1) relative to a tower wall by means of a magnet (17).