Wind Turbine Elevator Pivoting Nacelle at Tower Top
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of deploying conventional lattice boom cranes to assemble and maintain wind turbines, especially for larger turbines, due to their limited height capacity and the need for remote installation, make the process costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine elevator system that includes a carriage and pivot mechanism for raising and pivoting the nacelle and rotor to the top of the tower, allowing for assembly and maintenance with smaller, less expensive cranes, and enabling remote operation during severe weather.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lattice boom cranes are used to hoist the nacelle and rotor, then the assembly can be completed, but the deployment cost becomes substantial and the process becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elevator system as an intermediary device between the ground and the nacelle position. The elevator includes a platform that can be raised along the tower and a conveyor that can tilt to transfer the nacelle from horizontal to vertical orientation. This intermediary system replaces the need for expensive lattice boom cranes, achieving the same assembly function at lower cost.
2Productivity
If larger towers and longer blades are developed to increase capacity, then wind turbine efficiency improves, but installation cost becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system serves as a cost-effective intermediary for installing larger wind turbine components. By using the elevator platform and conveyor system instead of scaling up crane capacity, the patent enables installation of larger towers and blades without proportionally increasing installation costs.
3Ease of operation
If conventional cranes are used for remote wind turbine installation, then assembly is possible, but the process becomes inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system provides a more efficient intermediary mechanism for remote installation. The platform can be raised to the required height and the conveyor can tilt to transfer components, eliminating the need for complex crane operations in remote locations and improving installation efficiency.
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
Enables cost-effective and efficient assembly and maintenance of wind turbines using smaller cranes, reducing deployment costs and allowing for remote operation during adverse conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a drive system for raising the carriage and nacelle along the guide rail
Implementation Method 2
a carriage movable along the guide rail and having a bearing and rotary drive
Implementation Method 3
a carriage movable along the guide rail and having a bearing and rotary drive for receiving a nacelle in a vertical position
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling a wind turbine includes: unloading a nacelle and hub from a truck; connecting the nacelle and hub to a carriage of an elevator in a vertical position; connecting blades to the hub, thereby forming a rotor; raising the carriage, nacelle, and rotor along a tower to a top of the tower; and pivoting the carriage, nacelle, and rotor to a horizontal position at the top of the tower.