Wind Turbine Tower Bolt Adapter for Sling Anchorage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of anchoring transport tools in wind turbines is labor-intensive and time-consuming, requiring the use of heavy hydraulic torque tools to loosen tower bolts and install adapters for swivel eye bolts, especially when handling heavy equipment at elevated positions.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a cylindrical outer holding surface is placed atop the nut, covering its edges and allowing a sling to be securely wrapped around it, eliminating the need to loosen tower bolts or use heavy torque tools, by matching the adapter's inner thread with the bolt's thread and providing a robust, resilient, and easy-to-handle solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy hydraulic torque tools are used to loosen tower bolts and install adapters, then secure anchorage points can be created, but the manual work becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The solution divides the anchorage system into separate functional components: the existing nut-and-bolt connection remains intact while a separate adapter assembly with swivel eye bolt provides the anchorage function. This segmentation allows the anchorage to be installed without disturbing the structural bolts, eliminating the need for heavy torque tools and reducing installation time while maintaining secure anchorage points
Solution Approach 2:
An adapter assembly acts as an intermediary element between the existing nut and the required anchorage point. The adapter includes a body that fits over the nut and a swivel eye bolt that provides the lifting anchorage. This intermediary component enables anchorage creation without modifying or loosening the tower bolts, thereby avoiding the need for heavy hydraulic torque tools while ensuring reliable anchorages
2Ease of manufacture
If heavy hydraulic torque tools are brought to elevated positions, then bolts can be loosened for adapter installation, but the operation becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the structural connection function (performed by existing nuts and bolts) from the anchorage function (provided by the adapter with swivel eye bolt). This segmentation enables simple installation of the adapter by simply placing it over the nut without requiring loosening of structural bolts, thereby eliminating the need for heavy torque tools and reducing operational complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly is designed to be self-installing by simply fitting over the existing nut. The adapter body engages with the nut through friction and geometry without requiring any tools or loosening of bolts. This self-service installation mechanism eliminates the need for heavy hydraulic torque tools and complex installation procedures at elevated positions, reducing both device complexity and operational cost
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
This method significantly reduces the time and cost associated with anchoring holding means, such as slings, by creating anchorage points without loosening tower bolts, allowing for efficient lifting operations within the wind turbine tower.
Implementation Method 1
an inner thread of an upper portion of the adapter is provided, matching the thread of the bolt... The adapter is preferably firmly mounted on top of the nut using the thread of the corresponding bolt projecting out of the nut
Implementation Method 2
allows to wrap a sling around its outer holding surface and thus the nut, thereby creating an anchorage point (lifting point)... The upper rim functions as a stop collar for the holding means, in particular a sling, wrapped around the adapter on the outer holding surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method for anchoring a sling of a rope for supporting loads, in a wind turbine, the wind turbine includes at least two components connected via a bolt-and-nut arrangement includes multiple pairs of bolts and nuts at opposing flanges, the nuts fastening to the bolts at the upper flange, wherein at least one adapter includes a cylindrical outer holding surface for receiving the sling is placed atop of at least one nut covering its edges, and the sling is fastened to the adapter is provided.