Gripping Apparatus for Wind Turbine Tower Servicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for installing and dismantling cranes for wind turbines are time-consuming, costly, and pose safety risks, and they often require specialized equipment and individualized gripping features for different tower sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A method and gripping apparatus that uses a flexible arm system with pivotable sections, capable of encircling the wind turbine tower's circumference, which can be adjusted to fit various diameters and cross-sections, and is suspended by cables for safe and efficient handling and servicing of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stationary cranes or intermediate nacelle cranes are used for handling wind turbine components, then the crane is structurally integrated and stable, but the installation and dismantling time is excessive and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The crane is divided into multiple telescopic sections that can be independently extended and retracted. This segmentation allows the crane to be compact during transport and storage, yet fully extended when needed for operation, dramatically reducing installation time while maintaining structural stability during use
Solution Approach 2:
The crane transitions from a static, fixed-structure design to a dynamic, adjustable structure. The telescopic sections can be extended or retracted as needed, and the gripping apparatus can be positioned at different heights on the tower, allowing rapid adaptation to different operational requirements without full reinstallation
2Reliability
If cranes are designed for specific tower sizes and shapes with individualized gripping features, then the gripping is precise and reliable, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping apparatus is designed with adjustable gripping elements that can accommodate different tower diameters and cross-sectional shapes (circular, oval, polygonal). The gripping force and position can be adjusted to suit various tower configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized gripping devices for different turbine models
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping apparatus can change its parameters (gripping force, position, orientation) to adapt to different tower characteristics. This allows a single standardized design to reliably grip various tower types without requiring individualized customization for each tower size or shape
3Device complexity
If rigid frames with fixed size are used for climbing mechanisms, then the structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability to different wind turbine tower sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The climbing mechanism uses telescopic sections that can be extended or retracted to match different tower circumferences. This segmentation allows the same basic mechanism to adapt to various tower sizes without requiring completely different rigid frame designs for each turbine model
Solution Approach 2:
The climbing mechanism transitions from a fixed rigid frame to a dynamic, adjustable structure. The telescopic sections can be extended or retracted as needed, and the gripping apparatus can be positioned at different heights, allowing rapid adaptation to different operational requirements without full reinstallation
4Reliability
If supplemental holding equipment and individualized gripping features are required for different tower sizes, then the gripping security is improved, but the installation costs and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping apparatus is designed with adjustable gripping elements that can accommodate different tower diameters and cross-sectional shapes. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized gripping devices, reducing both installation time and costs while maintaining secure gripping across various tower configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping apparatus can dynamically adjust its parameters (gripping force, position, orientation) to adapt to different tower characteristics, providing secure gripping without requiring supplemental holding equipment or individualized customization for each tower type
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 solution reduces installation and dismantling time and costs, enhances safety by eliminating the need for supplemental holding equipment and individualized gripping features, and allows for versatile use on different sized wind turbines.
Implementation Method 1
raising the handling and/or servicing equipment to a position of use by means of the at least one cable by use of cable winding or hoisting equipment
Implementation Method 2
raising the handling and/or servicing equipment to a position of use by means of the at least one cable by use of cable winding or hoisting equipment
Implementation Method 3
said at least one arm being encircled around the wind turbine tower thereby reducing the gap between the gripping elements of the gripping apparatus, and mutually joining said gripping elements, and when the gripping elements are mutually joined, forming an annular circumferential gripping of the handling and/or servicing equipment to the wind turbine tower
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for handling and/or servicing components of a wind turbine, such as installing and/or dismantling components into or from a wind turbine nacelle or such as servicing exterior components such as blades, hub, tower and nacelle of the wind turbine are disclosed. The gripping apparatus comprising at least one arm for gripping around the wind turbine tower, the at least one arm capable of forming a gap between gripping elements of the gripping apparatus. The at least one arm extends around the entire outer circumference, seen perpendicular to a horizontal plane, of the wind turbine tower.