Wind Turbine Tower Hub Docking for Modular External Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine platforms are inadequate for supporting heavy and bulky equipment like electrolysers and solar panels, as they are not easily installable, removable, or scalable, and can compromise the structural integrity and balance of the turbine, especially in offshore applications.
Innovation Solution
A modular, cantilevered support system comprising a hub encircling the wind turbine tower with docking bays and releasable support modules that can be easily installed and removed, allowing for the mounting of heavy equipment like electrolysers and solar panels, with a rotating hub design to facilitate installation without requiring vessel repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional lifting equipment is used to lift heavy components to great heights, then the lifting capacity is sufficient, but the complexity of assembly and disassembly increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is divided into multiple independent lifting units that can be attached at different locations on the turbine structure. Each unit operates independently, allowing the system to handle components of various weights and sizes without requiring a single complex heavy-duty lifting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting equipment is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable from the turbine structure at different operational stages. This allows the system to adapt its configuration based on the specific lifting requirements at each phase of installation or maintenance, reducing overall system complexity.
2Strength
If conventional lifting equipment is used for installation and maintenance, then lifting capacity is adequate, but the time required for assembly and disassembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting units are pre-positioned on the turbine structure during manufacturing or initial installation. This preliminary placement eliminates the need for time-consuming installation of lifting equipment during subsequent maintenance or component replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pre-positioned lifting units allow parallel operations where different components can be lifted and installed simultaneously, significantly reducing the total time required for assembly or maintenance tasks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If heavy components are lifted to great heights, then installation capability is achieved, but the risk of injury to personnel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables components to be lifted and positioned with minimal human intervention. The automated or semi-automated lifting units can grasp, lift, and place heavy components without requiring personnel to be in hazardous positions near moving loads or at great heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting units act as intermediaries between the ground-based control system and the heavy components. They provide a safe interface that eliminates the need for personnel to directly handle or be near heavy lifting operations at height, thereby reducing injury risk.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional methods are used for installing components, then installation can be performed, but disruption to the wind farm operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system allows for dynamic scheduling of installation or maintenance operations. Components can be lifted and installed during periods of low wind or reduced operational demand, minimizing disruption to overall wind farm productivity while maintaining installation capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A support system arranged to support equipment such as electrolysers externally on a wind turbine. A hub encircling or coextensive with a tower or transition piece of the wind turbine surrounds a central vertical axis. The hub defines at least one docking bay having mounting formations to which a support module can be releasably engaged, thereby providing an equipment platform cantilevered from the hub. Where the hub comprises a plurality of docking bays spaced apart angularly around the central axis, a corresponding plurality of support modules are engageable with the hub in a petaloid arrangement. In plan view, the docking bays correspond with respective sides of a polygon. On installation, each support module is suspended on hook formations of a docking bay and is then pivoted into engagement with other mounting formations of the docking bay. The hub can be assembled from sections around the tower in a retrofitting operation.