Wind Turbine Internal Rail Lifting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine maintenance methods are inefficient and costly due to the need for large, bulky external cranes and hoist mechanisms to handle and replace heavy components, which are not flexible in terms of movement and are complex to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A rail-system with a means for lifting and/or transporting, comprising at least one rail-element that can extend through multiple cavities within the wind turbine, allowing for easy movement of heavy components between the nacelle, generator housing, and hub, with detachable and collapsible components for optimized space use and flexible movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If external cranes and hoist mechanisms are used to handle heavy components, then lifting capability is sufficient, but device complexity and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting means is nested within the existing cavities of the wind turbine structure (nacelle, generator housing, hub). The rail-element system utilizes the internal space of these cavities, allowing the lifting mechanism to be contained within the turbine rather than requiring external cranes. This resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient lifting capability through internal nesting, eliminating the need for complex external crane systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail-element system serves multiple functions: it provides lifting capability for heavy components, enables transportation of parts between cavities, and acts as a structural support framework. By making the lifting system multi-functional, the patent reduces overall device complexity while maintaining adequate lifting capability through a single integrated structure rather than separate specialized components.
2Force
If external cranes are used for maintenance, then heavy components can be handled, but availability and cost increase due to limited crane resources
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine becomes self-sufficient for maintenance operations through the integrated lifting means. The system allows the turbine to handle its own heavy components internally without requiring external crane resources. This resolves the contradiction by providing component handling capability through self-service, eliminating dependence on limited external crane availability and reducing maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting system is divided into detachable rail-elements that can be independently positioned in different cavities (nacelle, generator housing, hub). This segmentation allows flexible adaptation to different maintenance needs and component locations, enhancing versatility while maintaining handling capability through distributed, modular lifting points rather than a single fixed crane system.
3Force
If a fixed crane is installed inside the nacelle, then lifting capability is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to limited movement range
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting means is made dynamic through the movable rail-element system that can be repositioned along the cavity walls. Instead of a fixed crane, the rail-elements can be detached and reattached at different positions, allowing the lifting capability to adapt dynamically to different operational requirements. This resolves the contradiction by providing internal lifting capability through a dynamic, reconfigurable system rather than a static fixed crane.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the positional parameter of the lifting means by moving rail-elements between different cavities and locations. This parameter change capability enables the same lifting mechanism to serve multiple positions and functions, improving ease of operation while maintaining lifting capability through adjustable configuration rather than fixed installation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If rail-system extends through multiple cavities, then versatility of component movement increases, but device complexity increases due to assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The rail-system is segmented into individual rail-elements that can be independently installed and removed. Each rail-element is a discrete, manageable component rather than a single complex structure. This segmentation reduces assembly complexity by breaking down the multi-cavity rail system into simpler, modular units while maintaining versatility through the ability to configure rail-elements across different cavities as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail-system configuration is made dynamic and reconfigurable rather than fixed. Rail-elements can be detached and repositioned to create different transport paths through various cavities depending on maintenance needs. This dynamic capability provides versatile component transport range while reducing overall system complexity through modular, adaptable architecture rather than a permanent complex installation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Wind turbine (1) comprising a nacelle (3) being rotatably disposed on a tower (4) with the nacelle (3) having a first cavity (5), a generator housing portion (6) disposed upstream to the nacelle (3) having a second cavity (7), a hub disposed upstream to the generator housing portion with attached rotor blades (2) at it having a third cavity (9), whereby the first, second and third cavities (5, 7, 9) communicates with one another, and a rail-system (10) comprising at least one rail-element (11) having a means for lifting and/or transporting (12), the means for lifting and/or transporting (12) being movable along the rail-system (10), wherein the rail-system (10) at least partially extends through at least two adjacent cavities (5 - 7, 7 - 9).