Wind Turbine Assembly Structure for Weather-Resilient Hoisting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine installation methods are sensitive to weather conditions and vessel movements, particularly when installing larger turbines in deeper waters or on floating foundations, requiring multiple operations that are challenging and weather-dependent.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a base and an assembling structure with a hoisting mechanism and rotor blade manipulator, allowing for simultaneous and independent handling of wind turbine components, including a support arrangement that guides and grips the tower to prevent uncontrolled movement, and a winch apparatus for precise positioning, enabling operations regardless of weather conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wind turbine components are installed using traditional jack-up vessels or floating vessels with cranes, then the installation can be performed, but the operation is highly sensitive to weather conditions and vessel movements, requiring suitable weather windows
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process is divided into separate independent operations: tower installation through the tower passage and rotor/nacelle assembly installation through the rotor passage. This segmentation allows each operation to be performed independently, reducing the impact of weather conditions on the overall installation process and enabling continued operation even when conditions are unfavorable for one specific operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary support structure with passages that acts as a mediator between the floating vessel and the wind turbine components. This structure provides stable reference points and guidance for component installation, reducing the direct impact of vessel movements and wave action on the precision and safety of the installation operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If larger bottom fixed wind turbines are installed in deeper water using floating vessels, then deeper water installation is enabled, but the assembly becomes highly sensitive to vessel movements caused by waves and wind
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure with tower passage and rotor passage serves as an intermediary that decouples the floating vessel from the wind turbine assembly process. This mediator provides stable guidance paths and support surfaces that maintain assembly stability even when the vessel experiences wave-induced movements, enabling reliable installation in deep water environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the installation system vertically by adding a multi-level support structure with passages at different heights. This dimensional extension creates multiple levels of support and guidance, with the tower passage for lower components and the rotor passage for upper components, thereby maintaining stability across different vertical zones despite vessel movements.
3Ease of manufacture
If wind turbine assembly is performed onshore at a shipyard or quay, then assembly can be completed, but the location must be far from the desired operation site requiring towing operations that are also weather-dependent
Solution Approach 1:
The floating installation vessel is designed with multi-functional capability to perform both assembly operations and installation operations directly at the offshore location. The vessel incorporates support structures with passages that enable it to function as both an assembly platform and an installation platform, eliminating the need for separate onshore assembly and subsequent towing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind turbine components are prepared and positioned in advance using the floating vessel's support structure with passages. The tower is installed through the tower passage and the rotor/nacelle assembly through the rotor passage before final installation, allowing preliminary assembly actions to be completed offshore, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for time-consuming towing operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate operations are used for tower and rotor/nacelle installation, then each operation can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming with multiple weather dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process is segmented into distinct operations with dedicated pathways: tower installation through the tower passage and rotor/nacelle assembly through the rotor passage. This segmentation allows each operation to use optimized equipment and procedures while maintaining overall process efficiency, as the independent passages enable parallel or sequential operations without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating vessel is designed with universal multi-functionality to perform both tower installation and rotor/nacelle assembly operations using the same platform and support structure. This eliminates the need for multiple separate vessels or repeated equipment deployment, thereby improving productivity while maintaining the benefits of dedicated operational capabilities.
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
Facilitates safe and efficient assembly of wind turbines onshore or offshore by minimizing the impact of wind and ocean waves, allowing for independent operations and reduced dependency on weather windows, thereby enhancing installation efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a winch apparatus operatively connected to the lower skid
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A device (1) and a method for assembling a wind turbine (WT), the device (1) comprising: an assembling structure (5) comprising; - a space for assembling a tower and a nacelle of a wind turbine (WT), the space being defined by side portions (51, 52, 53, 54) of the assembling structure, - a hoisting device (12, 12') configured for handling the wind turbine tower and for hoist- ing the nacelle onto a top of the wind turbine tower while being positioned within said space, the hoisting device (12, 12') being movably connected to a hoisting device support structure (10) arranged on top of the assembling structure, wherein the device (1) further comprising: - a support arrangement for supporting a portion of the wind turbine at least when being within said space; and - a rotor blade manipulator (20) for bringing rotor blades (R) in contact with the nacelle.