Wind Turbine Tower Guide Track for Stable Blade Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine installation methods, particularly offshore, are challenging due to the need for precise alignment and stability during blade mounting, which is difficult in harsh weather conditions, and the time constraints imposed by short intervals of calm weather.

Innovation Solution

A dolly system supported on a guide track along the wind turbine tower, which stabilizes the blade or nacelle during elevation and mounting, allowing installation in harsher weather conditions by maintaining the mass center close to the tower.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a crane is used to lift blades from a horizontal position, then the blade can be mounted onto the nacelle, but the mass centre of the crane with the blade shifted away from the turbine tower causes stress on the crane and tower, especially in windy and wavy conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade mounting capabilityVSAvoidstress on crane and tower

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of lifting the blade horizontally from the ground and rotating it into position (conventional method), the invention inverts the approach by lifting the blade vertically from below the nacelle and lowering it into position. This reversal of the lifting direction keeps the mass centre closer to the tower, reducing the moment arm and associated stresses on the crane and tower structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spatial dimension of blade handling by transitioning from horizontal lifting (conventional) to vertical lifting (invention). The blade is lifted from a vertical position below the nacelle and lowered into horizontal mounting position, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal moment arm and minimize stress on the support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If blades are lifted high and away from the turbine centre, then the blade can be positioned for mounting, but wind and waves cause stress to the crane and wind turbine tower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade positioning capabilityVSAvoidstress from wind and waves

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional lifting approach by lifting the blade from below the nacelle in a vertical direction rather than from the ground horizontally. This keeps the blade and crane mass centre closer to the tower during lifting, reducing the exposure to wind and wave stresses that would otherwise act on the extended crane arm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies preliminary anti-action by designing the lifting operation to counteract the harmful effects of wind and waves before they can cause significant stress. By lifting from below and keeping the mass centre close to the tower, the system pre-positiones itself to resist the momentary forces from wind and waves rather than being vulnerable to them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Strength

If installation is performed during calm weather, then stress on the crane and tower is minimized, but the time intervals for acceptable wave conditions offshore are very short

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress on crane and towerVSAvoidinstallation time window

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional horizontal lifting method to a vertical lifting method from below the nacelle. This reversal allows the blade mass centre to remain closer to the tower during lifting operations, enabling installation to proceed during shorter windows of acceptable weather conditions without requiring extended periods of calm weather.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of blade lifting by transitioning from horizontal to vertical lifting direction. This parameter change reduces the moment arm and associated stresses, allowing installation operations to be conducted during shorter periods of acceptable wave conditions rather than requiring long intervals of calm weather.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If the crane head reaches out to hold the blade in the correct position, then the blade can be mounted, but the mass centre is shifted away from the turbine tower mass centre

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade positioning precisionVSAvoidmass centre alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by lifting the blade from below the nacelle rather than from the ground. This vertical lifting from below positions the blade's mass centre closer to the tower's mass centre during the lifting phase, improving stability while still allowing precise positioning for mounting through controlled lowering and alignment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20260085659A1Arrangement and methods for installation, construction, replacement of parts, or maintenance of a wind turbine

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 WINDSPIDER AS

AI summary

An arrangement is for use in any of installing or replacing a part, maintaining, and constructing a wind turbine, the arrangement having a longitudinal structure at least partially supported on a wind turbine tower, a guide track connected to the longitudinal structure and a dolly arranged to follow the guide track along the longitudinal structure.