Multirotor Wind Turbine Component Lifting via Integrated Hoisting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for lifting components of multirotor wind turbines require a large area for setup and often necessitate external cranes, increasing costs and environmental impact, especially when dealing with offshore installations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving two hoisting mechanisms, one at the tower structure and another at the load carrying structure, allows components to be lifted from a base position to an operating position along a predetermined path, minimizing the required setup area and eliminating the need for external cranes by using mechanisms integrated into the wind turbine structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If external cranes are used for lifting components, then lifting capability is sufficient, but setup area requirement increases and installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidsetup area
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the lifting function with the wind turbine structure itself by integrating hoisting mechanisms onto the tower and load carrying structure. This eliminates the need for separate external cranes and reduces the setup area required for component installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wind turbine structure serves itself by incorporating hoisting mechanisms that enable it to lift its own components during assembly. The tower and load carrying structure become self-sufficient for installation operations without requiring external support equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Weight of moving object

If external cranes are used for lifting components, then lifting capability is sufficient, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the lifting function with the wind turbine structure itself by integrating hoisting mechanisms onto the tower and load carrying structure. This eliminates the need for separate external cranes and reduces the setup area required for component installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wind turbine structure serves itself by incorporating hoisting mechanisms that enable it to lift its own components during assembly. The tower and load carrying structure become self-sufficient for installation operations without requiring external support equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If component is lifted along a simple vertical path, then lifting process is simple, but flexibility and balance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting process simplicityVSAvoidlifting path flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control of the hoisting mechanisms to adjust the lifting path in real-time. The system can transition between vertical and angled paths, and coordinate multiple hoisting points to maintain balance, providing both operational simplicity and path flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback control to monitor the component's position and orientation during lifting, adjusting the hoisting mechanisms to maintain balance and follow the desired predetermined path. This ensures both simplicity of operation and adaptability to different lifting scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3449119B1A method for lifting a component of a multirotor wind turbine
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS
  • EP3449119B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3449119B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3449119B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for lifting a component (1a, 1b) of a multirotor wind turbine (100) from an initial position to an operating position. The initial position is near a base (2a) of a tower structure (2) of the wind turbine (100) while the operating position is arranged at a distance from the tower structure (2), on a load carrying structure (3) connected to the tower structure (2) and extending away from the tower structure (2). By operating a first hoisting mechanism provided at or near a connecting point between the tower structure (2) and a load carrying structure (3), and a second hoisting mechanism provided at or near the operating position, the component (1a, 1b) is moved from the initial position to the operating position along a predetermined path. The component (1a, 1b) is finally mounted on the load carrying structure (3) at the operating position.