Modular Wind Turbine Tower Transport for Upending Preassembled Towers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting wind turbine towers, especially large and heavy ones, are complex, costly, and inefficient, often requiring costly support structures and hoisting devices, and are not suited for completely preassembled towers, leading to increased installation time and safety risks, particularly in offshore installations.
Innovation Solution
A modular transport system comprising a frame, wing, and lifting unit that can be coupled to either end of the tower, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and featuring a coupler unit and base for secure attachment, enabling horizontal transport and upending of towers, with the lifting unit supporting the tower during transport to prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the tower is transported as a preassembled single piece, then assembly time at installation site is reduced and installation complexity is lowered, but transport complexity and cost increase due to required support structures and hoisting devices
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is divided into modular components: a frame that couples to the tower end, wings that attach to the frame, and lifting units that support the tower. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies assembly and disassembly operations at the installation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system transitions from a static support structure to a dynamic system where lifting units actively support the tower during transport. The system can be configured and reconfigured as needed, providing adaptability rather than requiring a fixed complex structure.
2Length of moving object
If costly dedicated offshore vessels are used for tower transport, then transport capability for large towers is achieved, but operational costs increase and vessel availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is designed to be universally applicable to different tower sizes and configurations. The modular frame and lifting units can be adapted to various tower diameters and weights, eliminating the need for specialized vessels for each tower type and improving cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring unique expensive vessels for each tower transport, the invention uses a standardized modular transport system that can be replicated and reused across multiple installations, significantly reducing per-transport costs.
3Device complexity
If tower sections are assembled at installation site, then transport complexity is reduced, but installation time increases and worker safety risks increase due to suspended load operations
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system enables the tower to be preassembled at the manufacturing site before transport, eliminating the need for complex suspended load operations at the installation site. The tower is prepared in advance in a controlled environment and then transported as a complete unit.
4Length of moving object
If interface devices are assembled and disassembled for each tower end, then tower sections can be transported separately, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device is segmented into the frame and wing components that attach to the tower end, allowing the tower to be prepared in advance with these components already installed. This eliminates the need for time-consuming assembly operations at the installation site.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a transport system (1) for transporting a tower (2) of a wind turbine comprising a frame (5) coupled to a tower end (3) of the tower (2), a wing (6) coupled to the frame (5), and a lifting unit (31) configured to lift the tower (2). The present invention further relates to a tower (2) of a wind turbine comprising said transport system (1). The present invention further relates to a method of transporting a tower (2) of a wind turbine using said transport system (1).