Wind Turbine Elevator Guide Wire Pre-Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of wind turbine elevators is time-consuming and costly due to the need for on-site adjustment and testing of guide wires, which increases the overall installation time and expense, especially in offshore installations where specialized vessels are required.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where the wind turbine tower is pre-assembled with a pre-tensioned elevator system onshore, using a support arrangement to simulate the offshore installation, allowing for testing and adjustment before transport, thus minimizing offshore installation time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elevator system is installed and tested on-site at the offshore location, then the elevator can be properly installed and tested in its final position, but the installation time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wire fixture arrangement is pre-assembled with the guide wires attached and pre-tensioned onshore before the tower is transported offshore. This preliminary assembly and tensioning action is performed in a controlled environment, allowing the elevator system to be prepared in advance rather than installed from scratch at the offshore location.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wire fixture arrangement serves as an intermediary component that carries the guide wires from the tower interior through the platform opening to the foundation. By pre-assembling this fixture arrangement onshore and transporting it as a complete unit, the complex installation process is simplified and can be performed more efficiently offshore.
2Productivity
If the guide wires are tensioned and tested onshore before transport, then the elevator system is ready for immediate use offshore, but additional handling and reconnection steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wires are tensioned to the correct tension and the elevator system is tested onshore before the tower is transported offshore. This preliminary tensioning and testing ensures that the elevator system is ready for immediate use upon installation at the offshore location, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site adjustment and testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator system installation is divided into separate phases: onshore preparation (assembly and tensioning of guide wire fixture arrangement), transport, and offshore installation (lowering and connection to foundation). This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, with the onshore phase focusing on precision work in a controlled environment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the guide wire fixture arrangement is permanently fixed to the tower during transport, then the guide wires remain secure, but the arrangement cannot be lowered through the platform opening after installation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the guide wire fixture arrangement and the tower is made detachable rather than permanent. The fixture arrangement can be securely connected to the tower during transport to maintain stability, but can be easily detached and lowered through the platform opening after the tower is installed offshore. This dynamic connection allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wire fixture arrangement is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently handled. It is not permanently integrated into the tower structure but can be detached and lowered through the platform opening using the hoist system. This modular design enables flexible installation and maintenance operations.
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 approach reduces the time and cost of offshore wind turbine installations by allowing the elevator system to be pre-tested and pre-installed, ensuring quicker and more cost-effective setup of the wind turbine tower with a pre-tensioned elevator system.
Implementation Method 1
The platform comprises a hoist system to lower the guide wire fixture arrangement through the opening in the platform into a space below the tower
Implementation Method 2
The guide wires show a certain tension to allow the elevator cabin to be guided along the guide wires
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a wind turbine tower with an elevator system and a method to install the elevator system. The tower for a wind turbine comprises an elevator system comprising guide wires 11. The guide wires 11 are connected to a guide wire fixture arrangement 13. The tower 1 comprises a platform 6 that is arranged in the area of the lower end of the tower 1. The platform 6 comprises an opening to allow the guide wires 11 to pass through the opening. The platform 6 comprises connection means 5, to detachably connect the guide wire fixture arrangement 13 to the platform 6 during transportation and installation of the tower 1. The platform 6 comprises and a hoist system 15 to lower the guide wire fixture arrangement 13 through the opening in the platform 6 into a space below the tower 1 to extend the guide wires 11 through the opening in the platform 6.