Wind Turbine Hoist and Puller Transfer for Offshore Component Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limited availability and high operational costs of jack-up vessels restrict the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of service operations for offshore wind turbines, necessitating a more efficient method for moving heavy components between the wind turbine platform and a vessel.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a hoist coupled between the object and a fixation site on the wind turbine, combined with a pulling means, to vertically lift and radially deflect objects between the wind turbine platform and a vessel, leveraging the wind turbine as a crane, allowing the use of smaller and more available crew transfer vessels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a jack-up vessel is used to move heavy components onto the wind turbine, then the heavy components can be moved effectively, but the operational costs increase and availability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice operation efficiencyVSAvoidvessel availability time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wind turbine serves itself by using its own structure (tower and nacelle) as the crane system. The hoist is coupled to the nacelle and the pulling means is coupled to the tower, allowing the wind turbine to lift and move components without requiring external jack-up vessels. This self-service approach eliminates dependency on limited availability of specialized vessels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The wind turbine's existing structure is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both power generation and component handling operations. The nacelle and tower, originally designed for structural support and power transmission, are now also used as the crane system for moving heavy components, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized vessels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a jack-up vessel is used for moving heavy components, then reliable transport is achieved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent transport reliabilityVSAvoidoperational cost efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The wind turbine uses its own structural elements (nacelle for hoist coupling, tower for pulling means coupling) to perform component handling operations. This eliminates the need to hire expensive jack-up vessels, significantly reducing operational costs while maintaining reliable component transport through the proven stability of the wind turbine structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a crane is mounted on top of the wind turbine to move components, then component handling is enabled, but the stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent handling capabilityVSAvoidwind turbine stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of mounting a separate crane on top of the wind turbine, the crane system is merged with the existing structural elements. The hoist is coupled to the nacelle and the pulling means is coupled to the tower, combining the crane functionality with the existing structural framework. This integration maintains the stability of the wind turbine while enabling component handling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 need for external cranes, lowers operational costs, and increases the availability of service operations, enabling quicker and more effective component exchanges by using the wind turbine's stability and smaller vessels.

Implementation Method 1

the object is moved vertically by a hoist coupled between the object and at least one fixation site of the wind turbine located above the platform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the object is deflected radially from the tower by a pulling means coupled between the object and the vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the tower of the wind turbine is more stable than for instance a crane mounted on top of the wind turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12473892B2Method for moving an object between a platform of a wind turbine and a deck of a vessel and frame structure used for coupling of pulling means or a puller

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

Provided is a method for moving an object between a platform of a wind turbine and a deck of a vessel, wherein the platform is located at a tower of the wind turbine, wherein the object is moved vertically by a hoist coupled between the object and at least one fixation site of the wind turbine located above the platform and the deck, wherein the object is deflected radially from the tower by a puller coupled between the object and the vessel.