Wind Turbine Component Lifting With UAV-Crane Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assembling and maintaining wind turbines are inefficient and require a large number of personnel with high safety certifications due to the manual handling of heavy components, which poses safety and cost challenges.
Innovation Solution
The use of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and cranes, coordinated to lift and maneuver wind turbine components, such as blades, by supporting at least 50% of the component's weight, with the UAVs providing additional lifting support from above and the cranes supporting the majority of the weight, allowing for efficient and safer handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heavy lift plant equipment such as cranes is used to lift wind turbine components, then the components can be positioned correctly for assembly, but numerous personnel with high safety certifications are required to control the equipment and provide close-quarters support
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine is equipped with an integrated crane that can be deployed autonomously from the nacelle to lift and position components. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external heavy lift equipment and reduces personnel requirements, as the crane is controlled remotely or automatically rather than requiring multiple certified operators on-site
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from ground-based heavy lift equipment to aerial/unmanned systems for component handling. By using unmanned air vehicles or remotely operated cranes that can approach the turbine from above, the system achieves component positioning without requiring numerous ground-based personnel to manually guide equipment into position
2Reliability
If manual methods are used to handle wind turbine components, then equipment can be controlled and components guided into position, but safety risks increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling operations with automated or remotely operated systems. The integrated crane and potential use of unmanned air vehicles eliminate the need for personnel to physically接近 and manually guide heavy components, thereby reducing safety risks while maintaining or improving operational efficiency through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that mediates between the operator and the heavy lift equipment. By using remote operation or automated control algorithms as intermediaries, the system reduces direct human exposure to hazardous environments while maintaining precise control over component handling operations, thus improving both safety and efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A method of handling a wind turbine component (54) for assembly or maintenance, comprises coupling one or more unmanned air vehicles (20) with the wind turbine component (54) so that at least a portion of the weight of the wind turbine component (54) can be supported and lifted by the one or more unmanned air vehicles (20). The method further comprises coupling one or more cranes (50) with the wind turbine component (54) so that at least a portion of the weight of the wind turbine component (54) can be supported and lifted by the one or more cranes (50). The method further comprises controlling the one or more unmanned air vehicle (20) and crane (50) in coordination to lift the wind turbine component (54) and manoeuvre said component (54) with respect to a wind turbine (52).