Wind Turbine Positioning Device with Catching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of wind turbines is challenging due to the risk of damage from incorrect positioning and external influences like wind, requiring precise and stable crane operations, which are time-consuming and dependent on operator skill and weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A positioning device with a catching device and actuator system that allows for controlled pivoting and translational movement of the turbine, ensuring precise alignment and minimizing the risk of damage during assembly, allowing for autonomous operation without external cranes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external crane is used to position the turbine during assembly, then the turbine can be lifted and positioned, but the process becomes time-consuming and dependent on operator skill and weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the crane function from an external device and integrates it into the wind turbine structure itself. The lifting device with cable and winding mechanism is built into the tower, allowing the turbine to be positioned without external crane equipment, thereby eliminating weather dependencies and operator skill requirements while reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind turbine structure provides its own lifting and positioning capability through the integrated cable and winding mechanism. The system serves itself by using its own structural components (tower, cable, winding mechanism) to perform the positioning function that would otherwise require external equipment, making the assembly process independent of external cranes and environmental conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the turbine is positioned manually by crane operator, then flexibility is maintained, but the risk of damage from incorrect positioning and external influences increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide elements as intermediaries between the turbine and the lifting device. These guide elements constrain the movement path of the turbine during positioning, ensuring that the turbine follows a predetermined safe trajectory. This intermediary mechanism prevents incorrect positioning and reduces damage risk while maintaining operational flexibility through controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements are pre-installed on the tower structure before the turbine assembly operation. These elements establish the correct positioning path in advance, so that when the turbine is moved into position, it automatically follows the predetermined safe trajectory. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual positioning judgment and prevents damage from incorrect positioning.
3Manufacturing precision
If centering pins or positioning aids are used for short distance guidance, then positioning precision is improved, but the risk of unwanted contact and damage to fastening elements remains
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements serve as intermediaries that maintain a safe distance between the turbine and fastening elements during the positioning process. Instead of allowing direct contact between positioning aids and fastening elements, the guide elements mediate the positioning action, ensuring precise alignment while preventing unwanted contact that could damage the fastening elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements provide a cushioning effect by maintaining controlled spacing between the turbine and the tower structure during positioning. This preliminary spacing prevention mechanism ensures that even if positioning variations occur, the fastening elements are protected from direct impact or unwanted contact, thereby maintaining their integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a positioning device for positioning a turbine of a wind turbine while assembling or disassembling the turbine which is suspended on a cable, comprising at least one catching device (13), which is rotatably arranged on the machine housing (2) of the wind turbine (W) and has a depression (18) for receiving a catching rod (12) that is rigidly arranged on the turbine (T), in order to introduce a pivoting movement of the turbine (T) into the machine housing (2) and into a secured position, at least one actuator (16), which is connected to the machine housing (2) and to the catching device (13), in order to move the catching device (13), and a controller (17) for controlling the actuator (16) in order to move the catching device (16). The controller (17) is designed to control the actuator (16) such that the actuator (16) allows a remaining translational movement of the turbine (T) into the secured position after the pivoting movement of the turbine (T). The remaining translational movement substantially perpendicular to the tower axis (3) can be superimposed by a controlled lowering movement.