Wind Turbine Tower Clamping Element Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance work inside wind turbine towers is challenging due to the rigidity of tensioning elements under tensile stress, requiring significant effort to relax and re-tension them for access, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method using a lifting tool arrangement to move clamping elements away from the tower wall without relieving tension, allowing maintenance to be performed at a safe distance, utilizing pneumatic or hydraulic lifting tools to adjust the position of the clamping elements from a first to a second distance, enabling efficient access and maintenance without relaxing the tensioning elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tensioning elements are released and moved aside to allow maintenance work, then access to maintenance area is improved, but labor and time expenditure increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into a working section and a tension-free section. The tensioning element is segmented such that only the portion in the maintenance area is tension-reduced, while the rest remains under tension. This allows maintenance work to be performed on the clamping element without completely releasing the tensioning element, significantly reducing the time and labor required compared to traditional complete release and re-tightening procedures.
2Ease of operation
If tensioning elements are moved away from tower wall, then access for maintenance is improved, but the rigidity and stability of the tensioning system may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning element is segmented into a tension-reduced section in the maintenance area and a tension-maintained section elsewhere. This segmentation allows the clamping element to be moved away from the tower wall for maintenance access while the majority of the tensioning element remains under tension, preserving the overall stability and reliability of the tensioning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning element's stress state is made dynamic rather than static. The system transitions from a uniformly tensioned state to a differentiated state where tension is selectively reduced only in the maintenance area while maintained elsewhere. This dynamic adjustment enables maintenance access without compromising the overall integrity of the tensioning system.
3Productivity
If lifting tool arrangement is used to move clamping element while under tension, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but complexity of the maintenance system increases
Solution Approach 1:
A lifting tool arrangement acts as an intermediary device between the clamping element and the maintenance worker. This intermediary provides mechanical assistance to move the clamping element away from the tower wall while it remains under tension, enabling maintenance work to be performed efficiently without requiring complete release of the tensioning element. The lifting tool serves as a mediator that resolves the conflict between maintaining tension and enabling access.
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 reduces the effort and time required for maintenance by allowing safe and efficient access to clamping elements and maintenance objects without compromising the integrity of the tensioning system, thereby improving maintenance efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
moving the clamping element away from the tower wall by means of the lifting tool assembly
Implementation Method 2
at least one tensioning element under tensile stress running along the inside of the tower wall
Implementation Method 3
the resulting additional elongation does not result in failure of the tensioning element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (300) for carrying out maintenance work inside a tower (1) of a wind turbine, wherein the tower (1) has a tower wall (2) and has at least one tensioning element (3) running inside along the tower wall (2) and under tensile stress. According to the invention, the method comprises providing (301) a lifting tool arrangement (200) configured to move the clamping element (3) in a maintenance area (7) relative to the tower wall (2) and, while the clamping element (3) is under tensile tension, the steps of: a) attaching (303) the lifting tool arrangement (200) to the clamping element (3) in the maintenance area (7), wherein the clamping element (3) assumes a first distance (A1) relative to the tower wall (2), b) moving (305) the clamping element away from the tower wall (2) by means of the lifting tool arrangement (200), so that the clamping element (3) assumes a second distance (A2) relative to the tower wall (2),which is greater than the first distance (A1), c) performing (307) the maintenance work in the maintenance area (7) while the lifting tool arrangement (200) holds the clamping element (3) at the second distance (A2), and d) moving (309) the clamping element (3) back to the first distance (A1) to the tower wall (2) by means of the lifting tool arrangement (200) following the maintenance work.