Wind Turbine Tower Assembly Rig with Radial Segment Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size of wind turbine towers poses a challenge for rapid and safe assembly, as existing methods are inefficient and labor-intensive, requiring improved equipment and techniques for quicker and easier assembly.
Innovation Solution
An assembly rig comprising a central platform assembly, a radial segment supporting assembly, and a ground support boom, with adjustable booms and potential industrial robot integration for automated tasks, allowing for precise positioning and leveling of tower sections, and featuring telescopic segments and crane means for lifting heavy components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If wind turbine towers are made larger to increase power generation capacity, then energy production is improved, but assembly difficulty and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine tower is divided into multiple tower sections that can be assembled separately and then stacked vertically. Each section can be manufactured and prepared independently, allowing parallel production and reducing overall assembly time while enabling the construction of taller towers for increased energy generation.
Solution Approach 2:
An assembly rig with platform assembly and radial segment supporting assembly acts as an intermediary system to facilitate the joining of tower sections. This specialized equipment enables efficient assembly of large-scale towers without requiring excessively long assembly times, thus supporting both increased tower size and maintained productivity.
2Device complexity
If manual assembly methods are used for tower sections, then equipment complexity is reduced, but assembly time and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly rig serves as an intermediary system that automates and streamlines the assembly process. The platform assembly and radial segment supporting assembly work together to position and secure tower sections efficiently, significantly reducing assembly time while introducing controlled complexity through standardized mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly rig incorporates movable and adjustable components that can adapt to different tower section configurations. This dynamic capability allows the system to efficiently handle various assembly scenarios without requiring completely different equipment for each task, optimizing assembly time across diverse applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tower sections are sectioned into segments for transportation, then transportability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Tower sections are divided into transportable segments that can be moved separately and then assembled using the assembly rig. The standardized segmentation approach, when combined with the specialized assembly equipment, manages the complexity through systematic processes and consistent connection methods across all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly rig is designed with universal capabilities to handle different tower segment configurations and sizes. The platform assembly and radial segment supporting assembly can accommodate various segment arrangements, reducing assembly complexity through standardized procedures despite the diversity of segment configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An assembly rig for assembling a wind turbine tower or wind turbine tower sections, comprising: a platform assembly comprising a vertically oriented mast and one or more substantially horizontally oriented booms which are connected to the vertically oriented mast comprising a platform or a personnel basket; a radial segment supporting assembly comprising a vertically oriented mast and one or more substantially horizontally oriented booms connected to the vertically oriented mast comprising a segment holding means at its distal end; and a surface, in particular a ground support boom for supporting and levelling said platform assembly and said radial segment supporting assembly.