Wind Turbine Component Stacking via Jack-Up Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size of wind turbine components poses challenges in transportation and storage, particularly due to the need for large cranes, which adds complexity and planning, and roll-on-roll-off systems do not allow for stacking without cranes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of handling interface devices with wheels and jack-up devices to raise and stack wind turbine components vertically, allowing for stacking without cranes, and facilitating the transportation of large components by rolling them onto vehicles or vessels individually and then stacking them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cranes are used to load and stack wind turbine components, then components can be lifted and positioned, but the complexity and planning of transport procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional crane-based mechanical lifting systems with a self-propelled modular trailer system that uses hydraulic jack-up devices and wheel-based rolling motion. This substitution eliminates the need for external cranes and complex lifting procedures, allowing components to be loaded by rolling them onto trailers and stacking them through controlled vertical movement and horizontal sliding.
2Device complexity
If roll-on-roll-off systems are used to load components without cranes, then transport procedure complexity is reduced, but stacking of components is not allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic, self-propelled modular trailers that can actively move components both horizontally and vertically. The trailers are equipped with jack-up devices that can raise components to stacking height, and the modular design allows for flexible positioning. This dynamic capability enables stacking functionality while maintaining the simplicity of roll-on-roll-off loading, as components are rolled onto trailers and then actively positioned for stacking rather than requiring static crane operations.
3Force
If large cranes with high capacity are used for handling large wind turbine components, then components can be lifted, but ground capacity problems occur at harbour quays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy-duty crane systems with self-propelled modular trailers that distribute component weight across multiple wheels and axles. The trailers use hydraulic jack-up devices to lift components locally at the loading point rather than requiring ground-based cranes. This substitution transfers the lifting function from ground-based equipment to the trailer system itself, eliminating ground capacity constraints at harbour quays while maintaining the ability to handle large, heavy wind turbine components.
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
This method simplifies the handling and transportation of large wind turbine components by eliminating the need for cranes, increasing carrying capacity, and reducing the complexity of transport procedures while enabling efficient stacking and unstacking of components.
Implementation Method 1
raising the first object to a second location above the first location, so as to enable insertion of a second wind turbine object underneath the first object
Implementation Method 2
A way to avoid cranes when loading components onto or off from a vessel (e.g. a sea vessel) or a vehicle (e.g. a road truck or a railway vehicle) is to use a roll-on-roll-off system, i.e. a system where support devices with wheels are secured to the transported components
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for storing and/or transporting a plurality of objects (5a, 5b) for one or more wind turbines is presented, the method comprising -arranging a first object (5a) to be supported by a plurality of wheels(901), -arranging a second object (5a) to be supported by a plurality of wheels(901), -rolling the first object into a first location(13a), -subsequently raising the first object to a second location (13b) above the first location,and -subsequently rolling the second object into the first location, thereby inserting the second object under the first object.