Lever-Arm Tower Segment Clamping for Fast Vessel Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
The unbolting process of wind turbine tower segments during transport is time-consuming and risky due to vessel movement, especially when using smaller vessels without jack-up fixation means, posing a danger of the segment falling due to uncontrolled motion.
Innovation Solution
A fixation arrangement with at least two clamping mechanisms, each comprising a base member, lever arm, and a tensioning element, allowing for rapid clamping and release of the tower segment using hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders for simultaneous control, enabling quick and secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bolt fixation is used to secure tower segments during transport, then the fixation reliability is improved, but the unbolting process becomes time-consuming and dangerous due to vessel movement
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is divided into multiple independent fixation means (at least two), each with its own lever arm and tensioning element. This segmentation allows individual fixation points to be released independently or simultaneously, reducing the overall unbolting time while maintaining reliability through distributed fixation points around the tower segment
Solution Approach 2:
The lever arms are designed to be pivotable around a pivot axis, transitioning between a clamping position (for secure fixation during transport) and a released position (for quick unbolting). This dynamic mechanism enables rapid state changes from fixed to released, solving the time-consuming unbolting problem while maintaining fixation reliability when engaged
2Ease of manufacture
If smaller vessels without jack-up means are used for transport, then the transport cost is reduced, but the safety deteriorates due to uncontrolled vessel movement during unbolting
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning elements are pre-positioned and ready to engage the lever arms immediately. The fixation means are designed to be quickly engaged before vessel movement becomes problematic, and quickly released when needed. This preliminary preparation enables safe operation on smaller vessels without jack-up means by eliminating the delayed response time that creates safety risks
Solution Approach 2:
The lever arm acts as an intermediary between the tensioning element and the tower segment. It provides a mechanical advantage through its pivotable connection, amplifying the clamping force while allowing rapid engagement and disengagement. This intermediary mechanism enables safe fixation on moving vessels by decoupling the direct connection between tensioning means and the tower segment
3Strength
If multiple bolts are used to securely fasten the tower segment, then the fixation strength is improved, but the complexity of the fixation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fixation means are arranged around the tower segment, each comprising a base member, lever arm, and tensioning element. These identical modular units work together to distribute the fixation strength around the tower, achieving high overall strength while keeping individual components simple and standardized. The merging of multiple simple units creates a strong system without proportionally increasing complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and secure fixation and release of wind turbine tower segments, allowing the use of smaller vessels without jack-up means, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing transport efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a tensioning means for clamping the lever arm with a clamping section against the tower segment, wherein the tensioning means comprises at least one tensioning element supported relative to the base member and movable from a non-clamping position in a clamping position and back
Implementation Method 2
a lever arm connected to the base member and pivotable around a pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
Fixation arrangement adapted to releasably fix a wind turbine tower segment (4) to a support (3) of a transport vessel (20), comprising at least two fixation means (2), wherein each fixation means (2) comprises a base member (6) fixed or to be fixed to the support (3), a lever arm (8) connected to the base member (2) and pivotable around a pivot axis (9), and a tensioning means (13) for clamping the lever arm (8) with a clamping section (10) against the tower segment (4), wherein the tensioning means (13) comprises at least one tensioning element (14) supported relative to the base member (6) and movable from a non-clamping position in a clamping position and back, wherein the tensioning element (14) directly or indirectly interacts with the lever arm (8) which is pivoted into a clamping engagement of the clamping section (10) with the tower segment (4) when the tensioning element (14) moves from a non-clamping position into a clamping position and which is released when the tensioning element (14) moves back to the non-clamping position.