Wind Turbine Load Guide Wires for Hoisting in Higher Winds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbine crane mechanisms can only be used in very low wind conditions to prevent excessive cargo swinging, limiting hoisting operations and incurring significant delays and costs, especially in offshore installations.
Innovation Solution
A guide apparatus with guide wire assemblies and a harness is installed using an existing nacelle crane, comprising nacelle and platform couplings, cables, and a slidable tether to restrain lateral movement of loads, allowing hoisting in higher wind speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional crane mechanisms are used for hoisting loads, then cargo swinging is prevented under low wind conditions, but hoisting operations are limited to very low wind conditions only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide wire assemblies as intermediary elements between the load and the environment. These guide wires act as mediators that provide lateral guidance and restraint to the load during hoisting, enabling safe operation in higher wind conditions by preventing excessive cargo swinging without requiring the crane itself to directly counteract wind forces.
2Reliability
If hoisting operations are delayed until optimal wind conditions, then cargo safety is ensured, but significant time and cost are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wire assemblies are installed on the wind turbine platform before hoisting operations begin. This preliminary setup creates a pre-established guidance system that allows loads to be hoisted safely in higher wind conditions, eliminating the need to wait for optimal low wind conditions and reducing operational delays.
3Reliability
If guide wire assemblies are added to restrain lateral movement, then cargo swing is reduced in higher winds, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function is segmented from the crane mechanism itself and implemented through separate, independent guide wire assemblies. Each guide wire assembly operates independently to provide lateral restraint, allowing the crane to maintain its original simple structure while the added guide wires handle the wind mitigation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wire assemblies serve as intermediary components that provide lateral guidance without requiring modifications to the crane mechanism. This intermediary approach adds minimal complexity to the overall system while effectively controlling lateral movement and cargo swing in higher wind conditions.
4Ease of operation
If guide wires are used to guide the load, then lateral movement is restrained, but the system requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wire assemblies are designed to perform multiple functions: providing lateral guidance, restraining cargo swing, and enabling safe operation in higher wind conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, as the guide wires accomplish several safety and operational goals simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A guide apparatus (1) for guiding a load (8) being hoisted between a wind turbine platform (3) and a nacelle (5). One or more guide wire assemblies (11a,11b) are provided, each comprising a nacelle coupling (14a,14b) for connection to an anchor point in the nacelle (5), a platform coupling (13a,13b) for connection to the wind turbine platform (3), and a cable (12a,12b) connecting between them. In each of the guide wire assemblies (11a,11b), one of the nacelle and platform couplings also comprises a tensioner (19) for pulling the cable (12a,12b) taut between the couplings. A harness (9) is provided for attachment to the load (8) and comprises one or more slidable couplings for slidably tethering the load (8) to the cables (12a,12b) for restraining its lateral movement as the load is hoisted.