Wind Turbine Component Placement Guide Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of large structures like wind turbines is hindered by wind loads, causing instability and making precise positioning of components, such as wind turbine blades, difficult or impossible due to unpredictable movements relative to the support structure.

Innovation Solution

A device with a hoisting means featuring a boom and a guide device with a catching construction that limits movement of the attaching means in directions transverse to the lifting plane, allowing for precise positioning of components by rotating the hoisting means and displacing the attaching means parallel to the lifting plane, thereby reducing wind-induced instability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If components are manipulated by a crane placed on a surface, then the assembly process can be performed on land or at sea, but wind load causes great and unexpected movements of the component relative to the support structure, making assembly difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly location flexibilityVSAvoidcomponent positioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support structure with a support beam that acts as an intermediary between the crane and the component. The support beam provides a stable reference frame that is less susceptible to wind load, enabling precise positioning of the component during assembly operations on land or at sea.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs multiple support beams arranged in different spatial dimensions to create a three-dimensional support structure. This dimensional approach allows the system to counteract wind-induced movements from multiple directions, improving positioning precision while maintaining assembly location flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If a component is attached by means of bolt connections to a hub, then a secure connection is achieved, but precise positioning of the component relative to the hub is required, which is hampered by wind-induced movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary positioning of the component using the stable support structure before the actual bolt connection is made. The support beams maintain the component in the correct position relative to the hub during the connection process, ensuring both positioning precision and connection strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure provides beforehand cushioning against wind-induced movements during the critical positioning and connection phase. The multiple support beams create a rigid framework that compensates for wind loads, allowing precise positioning to be achieved before the permanent bolt connection is established.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the boom is used for lifting and placing components, then the component can be moved to the support structure, but wind load causes unpredictable movements that complicate the placing operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent handling easeVSAvoidplacing operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support beams act as intermediaries that receive the component from the crane and provide a stable transfer platform. This intermediary structure isolates the component from wind-induced boom movements during the critical placing operation, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces reliance on the crane's mechanical stability with a separate support structure that provides mechanical stability independent of the crane. The support beams create a dedicated positioning system that is not affected by wind-induced movements of the crane boom, enhancing placing operation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10161380B2Device and method for placing components of a structure

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 DEME OFFSHORE HLDG NV

AI summary

A device for placing components of a structure, in particular a wind turbine includes hoisting means placed on a surface, a boom of which is provided with a hoisting cable with attaching means for a component for placing, wherein a lifting plane is defined by the boom and the free-hanging hoisting cable. The boom includes a guide device for the attaching means. The guide device is connected to the boom by means of a displacing device displaceable along a longitudinal axis of the boom. The guide device is configured to limit movement of the attaching means in a direction running transversely of the lifting plane, and further includes a catching construction configured to receive and displace the attaching means parallel to the lifting plane between a position in the vicinity of the boom and a position further removed from the boom and/or vice versa.