Wind Turbine Rotor Hub Access Platform Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine maintenance access solutions do not provide safe and easy access to the inner hub, particularly for maintenance personnel, as they require extensive safety gear and are not efficient for larger turbines.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine design featuring a hollow stator shaft with a detachably mounted support platform device that allows direct access to the rotor hub, including multiple platforms and fences for safety, and a transport rail for moving heavy components, ensuring secure entry and reduced maintenance expenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If access to the hub is provided through a ladder structure mounted to the outside of the hub, then service personal can gain access to the hub, but the access is not safe and easy for maintenance personal
Solution Approach 1:
A support platform is introduced as an intermediary element between the hollow stator shaft and the rotor hub. The platform provides a stable, secure surface for maintenance personnel to stand on while accessing the hub, eliminating the safety concerns of external ladders. The platform is detachably mounted to the stationary mounting surface and can support the weight of personnel safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The access solution transitions from an external vertical ladder approach to an internal platform-based approach utilizing the hollow stator shaft space. By creating a stable platform within the shaft that extends toward the hub, the solution provides both safety through stable footing and ease of access by utilizing the existing internal geometry of the turbine structure.
2Ease of operation
If the hub size increases to accommodate larger wind turbines, then the hollow stator shaft diameter increases allowing easier access, but extensive safety gear is required compromising efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The support platform is designed to be self-supporting and detachably mounted to the stationary mounting surface. Once installed, the platform autonomously provides safe support for maintenance personnel without requiring them to wear or carry extensive safety gear. The platform itself becomes the primary safety mechanism, eliminating the need for additional safety equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution extracts the safety function from external safety gear (belts, harnesses, etc.) and integrates it directly into the support platform structure. The platform is designed with inherent safety features through its mounting to the stationary surface, removing the burden of safety equipment from the maintenance personnel.
3Reliability
If maintenance personal wear or carry extensive safety gear to access the hub, then security is maintained, but inspection time increases and maintenance expenses rise
Solution Approach 1:
The support platform provides inherent safety through its detachable mounting to the stationary surface, making the maintenance personnel self-supported. This eliminates the need for them to wear or carry safety gear, thereby reducing maintenance time and expenses while maintaining security. The platform serves both as a structural support and a safety mechanism simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Wind turbine, comprising a hollow stator shaft (7), a rotor (8) and a rotor hub (5), with at least one support platform device (18) facilitating access to the inner of the rotor hub (5), with the at least one platform device (18) comprises a first platform (19) which is detachably mounted to a stationary mounting surface (20) facing directly to the inner of the rotor hub (5).