Wind Turbine Tower Platform Lowering for Offshore Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of internal platforms and equipment in offshore wind turbines requires complex operations in the sea, necessitating the use of a crane vessel and increasing risk and operation time.
Innovation Solution
The method involves pre-installing internal platforms on the tower, transporting the tower to the installation site, and lowering them into the foundation using remote-controlled lowering means, eliminating the need for workers to enter the tower and reducing the need for a crane vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workers manually install internal platforms inside the tower after monopile installation, then platforms can be installed, but the operation becomes complex requiring crane vessels and increases risk and operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The internal platforms are pre-installed on the tower structure before the tower is installed on the foundation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex sea-based installation operations, as platforms are already in position when the tower is erected, thereby reducing operational complexity and safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical installation operations with a automated lowering mechanism. The platform lowering system uses a controlled lowering device to descend the pre-installed platform from the tower to the foundation, substituting complex manual sea-based operations with a simpler, safer automated process.
2Ease of operation
If crane vessels are used for platform installation in the sea, then platforms can be installed, but operation time increases and risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Platforms are prepared and installed on the tower in advance at the manufacturing site, eliminating the need for time-consuming sea-based installation operations. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces operation time and simplifies the installation process by transferring complex operations to the manufacturing phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the platform installation operation from the complex sea-based installation process. By pre-installing platforms on the tower and using a simplified lowering mechanism, the complex crane vessel operations are eliminated, leaving only the straightforward tower installation and platform lowering steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If workers enter the tower to install platforms, then platforms can be installed, but safety risks increase due to sea-based operations
Solution Approach 1:
Platforms are installed on the tower at the manufacturing site under controlled conditions, eliminating the need for workers to enter the tower during sea-based operations. This preliminary action transfers the installation task to a safer, land-based environment, removing workers from hazardous sea conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual installation operations with an automated platform lowering system. The controlled lowering device automatically descends the pre-installed platform from the tower to the foundation, eliminating the need for workers to enter the tower and perform manual installation in hazardous sea conditions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A method for installing a wind turbine comprising a tower and a foundation is provided. The method comprises the steps of inserting at least one platform 4, 5, 6 in the tower 2, transporting the tower 2 with a transport system to a wind turbine installation site, mounting the tower 2 on the foundation 3 at the wind turbine installation site, activating the lowering means 7 through the activation means 8 to lower the at least one platform 4, 5, 6 into the foundation 3 by lowering means 7.