Wireless Crane for Offshore Wind Turbine Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind farm maintenance and construction face challenges due to the need for frequent visits to turbines, which are hindered by rough seas preventing operators from boarding access platforms, necessitating a solution for flexible and safe loading of equipment and personnel without manual crane operation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a wireless-activated and operated crane with a winch and wire assembly, coupled with a coupling device that can be wirelessly controlled to load and unload transport containers from a water-borne vessel, allowing for remote operation and decoupling, enabling flexible and safe handling of equipment and personnel without requiring operators to be on the turbine platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an operator boards the access platform to operate cranes/davits manually, then equipment and personnel can be loaded onto the platform, but rough sea conditions prevent the operator from boarding, causing operations to be canceled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical crane operation with an automated wirelessly controllable crane system. The crane can be operated remotely via wireless signals from the vessel, eliminating the need for an operator to physically board the access platform. This substitution of manual mechanical operation with automated remote control allows operations to continue even when sea conditions prevent operator boarding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the crane and coupling devices can be controlled automatically or remotely without requiring human presence on the platform. The wireless control system allows the vessel to direct crane operations and coupling/decoupling actions autonomously, making the system self-sufficient in adverse weather conditions.
2Productivity
If a crane is mounted on the access platform to handle equipment, then loading can be performed, but the crane requires manual operation that becomes impossible in rough seas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual crane control with wireless remote control capability. The crane is equipped with wireless receivers that accept commands from the vessel, allowing loading operations to be controlled electronically rather than mechanically through direct operator intervention. This maintains high productivity while eliminating the operational difficulty of manual control in rough seas.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system acts as an intermediary between the vessel and the crane. Instead of direct mechanical control requiring operator presence, wireless signals transmit control commands through the air medium, enabling remote operation of the crane from the safety of the vessel deck.
3Adaptability or versatility
If operators are required to be on the platform for loading operations, then equipment can be handled, but safety risks increase and operational flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs loading operations autonomously through wireless remote control, eliminating the need for human operators to be present on the hazardous platform. The crane and coupling devices serve themselves by responding to wireless commands, keeping personnel safely aboard the vessel while maintaining operational flexibility in various sea conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the operator from the hazardous environment by removing the requirement for human presence on the platform. The control function is separated from the execution function, allowing the crane to perform loading tasks independently based on wireless instructions, thereby eliminating safety risks associated with operator exposure to rough seas.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for loading equipment and/or personnel onto a platform mounted on the nacelle tower of an offshore wind farm is provided. This method enables loading of equipment onto a platform mounted on the nacelle tower or on the monopile or tripod or jacket foundation of an offshore wind turbine without needing to mount the construction during the loading operation.