Wind Turbine Tower Segment Transport Tilting Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of large wind turbine tower segments is challenging due to their size and weight, leading to instability and uneven weight distribution when loaded on trailers, which can cause tire wear and balance issues during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A transportation system that includes a platform with a segment support capable of tilting the segment to align its center of gravity vertically with the platform's centerline, allowing for balanced and stable loading and unloading, using a pivot point that offsets the segment's weight for easier handling and reduced tire wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the segment is loaded horizontally with the arc spanning the transverse width of the trailer, then the weight is balanced across the width of the trailer, but the segment may be too large to fit on normal roads
Solution Approach 1:
The segment is tilted at an angle relative to the trailer bed, transitioning from a horizontal orientation to a three-dimensional angled position. This allows the segment to fit within road width constraints while maintaining proper weight distribution through the tilted configuration
2Length of moving object
If the segment is loaded at an angle with one side hanging over the trailer bed, then the segment fits on the trailer, but the weight distribution is不理想 and causes increased tire wear
Solution Approach 1:
The segment is positioned asymmetrically on the trailer with deliberate offset from the centerline. The support structure includes offset positioning and tilting mechanisms that create an asymmetric weight distribution pattern, where the segment's center of gravity is intentionally positioned to achieve proper balance during transport
3Stability of the object's composition
If the segment is loaded horizontally, then the weight is balanced, but the sheer size of the segment cannot fit on normal roads
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates tilting and angular adjustment capabilities, allowing the segment to be positioned dynamically at various angles. This enables the same transport system to accommodate segments of different sizes and maintain proper weight distribution across different loading scenarios
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures stable and balanced transportation of wind turbine tower segments by aligning the center of gravity with the platform's centerline, reducing tire wear and facilitating easier loading and unloading, while accommodating various segment sizes with adjustable components.
Implementation Method 1
the centre of gravity of the segment is offset transversely from: the support pivot point... it may be easier to load the segment, as the segment is now naturally biased to the appropriate side of the support... the segment's own weight will (at least initially) cause the tilting or rotating action
Data Source
AI summary
A transportation system (300) for, and a method (1104, 1106, 1108) of loading for transportation of, a segment (330) of a wind turbine tower are disclosed. The system has a transportation platform (304), the transportation platform having a centreline (320), and a segment support (306, 310) mountable on the transportation platform. The segment support is configured to permit tilting of a supported segment with respect to a pivot point (308) of the support. The segment support is further configured to receive a segment such that the centre of gravity (342) of the segment is offset transversely from: the support pivot point; and from the transport platform centreline. The segment support is also configured to, having received the segment, permit tilting of the segment with respect to the support pivot point to a rest position, and in the rest position the centre of gravity of the segment is alignable vertically with the transport platform centreline.