Wind Turbine Lifting Device Angled Arm Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for assembling wind power plant components are costly and weather-dependent, particularly due to the need for crane-based lifting, which is inefficient and can be halted by high wind speeds.

Innovation Solution

A lifting device with angled and pivotable arms, a carriage system, and multiple attachment units allows for the efficient lifting and positioning of wind turbine components, enabling faster assembly by reducing crane usage and optimizing component placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If crane-based lifting is used to transport components into the rotor, then components can be installed in or attached to the rotor, but the process is costly and dependent on prevailing weather conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly costVSAvoidweather dependency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the lifting function from the crane and integrates it directly into the lifting device through integrated fastening units with lifting eyes, allowing components to be lifted and positioned simultaneously without requiring separate crane operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Components are pre-assembled on the lifting device on the ground before being transported to the rotor, allowing assembly work to be performed in favorable weather conditions before the critical crane-based lifting is needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple components are assembled separately using crane, then each component can be installed, but the assembly process is time-consuming and requires multiple crane movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidcrane time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple fastening units are combined into a single lifting device structure, allowing multiple rotor components to be lifted and positioned in one coordinated operation rather than requiring separate crane movements for each component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting device serves multiple functions: it acts as a lifting mechanism, a positioning platform, and an assembly station, eliminating the need for separate crane operations for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed lifting device structure is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different component positions and orientations required for rotor assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device incorporates rotatable and adjustable fastening units that can change orientation and position dynamically during the lifting process, allowing adaptation to different component requirements without requiring multiple fixed structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting device is divided into modular fastening units that can be independently positioned and oriented, allowing each unit to be optimized for specific component placement while maintaining overall structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3400385B1Lifting device for lifting a component of a wind turbine and method for assembling components of a wind turbine
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
  • EP3400385B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3400385B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3400385B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a lifting device (1000) for lifting components of a wind turbine (100). The lifting device has at least a first and a second fastening unit (1110, 1120) in each case for fastening a component (1500, 1502) of a wind turbine (100) and a first arm (1200) having a plurality of bores (1001-1008). The bores (1001-1008) have different angles relative to the first and second fastening unit (1110, 1120).