Wind Turbine Flange Adapter for Sling Anchorage Without Bolt Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of anchoring holding means, such as slings, in wind turbines is time-consuming and costly due to the need for heavy hydraulic torque tools to loosen tower bolts and install adapters at elevated positions.
Innovation Solution
An adapter is mounted to the nut without loosening existing bolts, covering the nut's sharp edges and allowing a sling to be wrapped around its outer surface, creating a secure anchorage point without requiring hydraulic tools to be raised.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy hydraulic torque tools are brought to elevated positions to loosen bolts and install adapters, then secure anchorage points can be created, but the manual work becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the anchorage function from the bolt-nut connection itself and transfers it to the adapter component. The adapter is designed with a specific geometry that provides a natural anchorage point for slings, separating the lifting function from the fastening function. This allows the anchorage to be created without requiring complex operations at elevated positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the existing bolt-nut connection and the sling. Instead of directly modifying the bolt or nut, the adapter provides a mediating structure that creates the anchorage point, simplifying the installation process and reducing the difficulty of manual operations at elevated positions.
2Reliability
If hydraulic torque tools are used to install adapters at flanges, then proper anchorage is achieved, but the operation time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the anchorage system into modular components: the existing bolt-nut connection and the separate adapter component. This segmentation allows the adapter to be installed independently without requiring the disassembly or loosening of the main structural connections, dramatically reducing operation time while maintaining anchorage reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed to be pre-formed with the anchorage geometry already integrated. This preliminary preparation of the adapter component allows for quick installation at the flange without requiring complex on-site fabrication or adjustment, reducing both time and cost while ensuring reliable anchorage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adapters are installed by loosening existing tower bolts, then anchorage points are created, but the structural connection stability is compromised during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the anchorage point for slings while maintaining the structural connection through its integration with the existing bolt-nut system. This multi-functionality allows adaptability for lifting operations without compromising the stability of the tower connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is nested onto the existing bolt or nut structure, utilizing the existing connection geometry. This nesting approach allows the anchorage functionality to be added without removing or loosening the original structural connectors, preserving connection stability while enabling adaptability for lifting operations.
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
Significantly reduces the time and cost associated with lifting operations by eliminating the need to raise heavy tools and loosen bolts, enabling efficient anchoring of transport tools at wind turbine flanges.
Implementation Method 1
The adapter (8) is screwed onto a projecting part (13) of the bolt (6)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Method for anchoring a holding means (19) of a transport tool (23), in particular a sling (20) of a rope (24) for supporting loads, in a wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising at least two components (1, 2) connected via a bolt-and-nut arrangement comprising multiple pairs of bolts (6) and nuts (7) at opposing flanges (4, 5), the nuts (7) fastening to the bolts (6) at the upper flange (4), wherein at least one adapter (8) comprising a cylindrical outer holding surface (15) for receiving the holding means (19) is placed atop of at least one nut (7) covering its edges, and the holding means (19) is fastened to the adapter (8).