Wind Turbine Alignment Tool Protrusion Sequence
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of wind turbine towers and segments poses safety risks due to the need for human intervention to align heavy components, which are influenced by wind and crane movements, leading to uncontrollable conditions and potential injuries.
Innovation Solution
An alignment tool system comprising multiple protruding areas and a guide pin that abut the counterpart to stabilize and secure the position of wind turbine parts, eliminating the need for human intervention and allowing for precise alignment without damage from excessive forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If guiding means are used to assist in aligning tower parts, then alignment precision is improved, but safety deteriorates due to human exposure to heavy moving components
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool system performs alignment automatically through its mechanical design. The protruding areas and guide pins self-align with the counterpart features without requiring human operators to manually position or guide the heavy tower segments, eliminating human exposure to safety risks while maintaining alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment tool acts as an intermediary device between the tower segment and the counterpart. It mediates the alignment process by providing controlled contact points (protruding areas and guide pins) that enable precise positioning without direct human intervention in the hazardous zone between heavy components
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple alignment tools with different protrusion lengths are used, then alignment precision in multiple directions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool system is segmented into multiple independent alignment tools, each with a specific protrusion length designed for a particular alignment direction or stage. This segmentation allows each tool to perform a specialized function while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Each alignment tool is designed with specific local characteristics (different protrusion lengths) suited for its particular function. The first alignment tool has a longer protrusion for initial contact and coarse alignment, while the second alignment tool has a shorter protrusion for fine alignment, optimizing each tool's performance for its specific role
3Adaptability or versatility
If the alignment tool protrudes far over the physical dimensions of the wind turbine part, then alignment capability in multiple directions is improved, but the risk of damage from excessive forces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tools are designed to make preliminary contact with the counterpart before the main connection is established. The protruding areas and guide pins engage first to establish proper positioning, preventing excessive forces from acting on the main connection components during the alignment process
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical design of the alignment tools incorporates inherent cushioning through controlled deformation zones and flexible contact surfaces. The protruding areas are designed to absorb alignment forces without transmitting excessive stress to critical components, protecting the system from damage during the alignment process
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement and a method to align a part of a wind turbine to a counterpart. An arrangement to align a part 1 of a wind turbine to its counterpart 3 is disclosed, whereby the arrangement comprises an alignment tool 4a. The alignment tool 4a comprises a first area to be connected to a part 1 of the wind turbine, and a second area that protrudes over the physical dimensions of the part 1 of the wind turbine. The second area is arranged and prepared in a way that it abuts on the counterpart 3 during the alignment of the part 1 of the wind turbine and its counterpart 3. The arrangement comprises a second alignment tool 4b. The second alignment tool 4b protrudes less far over the physical dimensions of the part 1 of the wind turbine then the first alignment tool 4a. Thus the first alignment tool 4a abuts to the counterpart 3 before the second alignment tool 4b when the part 1 of the wind turbine approaches the counterpart 3.