Lifting Bracket for Wind Turbine Generator Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for lifting wind turbine generators are cumbersome and hazardous due to the weight and size of the nacelle connected to the generator, requiring manual adjustments of the generator's angle during assembly, which is time-consuming and risky, especially in poor weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

A lifting bracket with a coupling mechanism that rigidly attaches to the generator, allowing it to be lifted at a specific angle corresponding to the wind turbine's angle of attack, thereby maintaining the lifting angle during the lifting process and eliminating the need for manual adjustments at the assembly point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the generator is lifted vertically without angle adjustment, then the lifting process is simpler, but the generator cannot be properly aligned with the wind turbine's angle of attack

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting operationVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting bracket is pre-configured with an extension that engages with the securing means of the transport frame, establishing the correct lifting angle before the lifting operation begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the generator is lifted, it is already positioned at the required angle corresponding to the wind turbine's angle of attack, eliminating the need for post-lifting adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting bracket acts as an intermediary device between the lifting means and the generator. It includes a coupling means with a lifting bracket extension that rigidly couples to the transport frame's securing means, and a lifting angle adjusting means that positions the point of suspension to achieve the specific lifting angle. This intermediary mechanism translates the vertical lifting force into a controlled angled lift, ensuring precise alignment while simplifying the lifting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of the generator angle is performed during assembly, then the alignment can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and hazardous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting bracket is pre-configured with an extension that engages with the securing means of the transport frame, establishing the correct lifting angle before the lifting operation begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the generator is lifted, it is already positioned at the required angle corresponding to the wind turbine's angle of attack, eliminating the need for post-lifting adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of the generator angle is performed during assembly, then the alignment can be achieved, but the operation becomes more hazardous especially in poor weather

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidoperation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting bracket is pre-configured with an extension that engages with the securing means of the transport frame, establishing the correct lifting angle before the lifting operation begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the generator is lifted, it is already positioned at the required angle corresponding to the wind turbine's angle of attack, eliminating the need for post-lifting adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If the lifting bracket and generator are treated as separate entities, then the lifting mechanism is simpler, but the lifting angle cannot be maintained during lifting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting mechanism complexityVSAvoidlifting angle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting bracket is rigidly coupled to the generator transport frame through the coupling means, which includes a lifting bracket extension that engages with the securing means of the transport frame. This merging of the lifting bracket and generator into a single rigid entity ensures that the lifting angle is maintained throughout the lifting operation, as both components move together as one stable composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2604850B1Lifting bracket
Publication Date: 2015.09.16 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2604850B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2604850B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2604850B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention describes a lifting bracket (1) comprising a point of suspension (11) realised to attach a load (2, 42) to be lifted to a lifting means (5); a lifting angle adjusting means (10) realised to adjust the position of the point of suspension (11) on the lifting bracket (1) according to a specific lifting angle (α); and a coupling means (16) for rigidly coupling the lifting bracket (1) to the load (2, 42) to be lifted. The invention also describes a lifting assembly (100) and a method of lifting a wind turbine generator transport assembly (2, 42), comprising a wind turbine generator (42) mounted on a wind turbine generator transport frame (2), at a specific lifting angle (α).