U.S. patent application number 12/346257 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for lifting equipment for handling a wind turbine component and a method for handling a wind turbine component.
Invention is credited to Gunnar Kamp Storgaard Pedersen.
Application Number | 20090107062 12/346257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38515844 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090107062 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pedersen; Gunnar Kamp
Storgaard |
April 30, 2009 |
Lifting Equipment For Handling A Wind Turbine Component And A
Method For Handling A Wind Turbine Component
Abstract
The invention relates to a lifting equipment for handling a wind
turbine component in connection with lifting means. The equipment
comprises a base frame with at least one attachment area, and at
least two attachment points for said wind turbine component. The at
least one of said attachment points are adjustable mounted in
relation to said base frame. The invention also relates to a method
for handling a wind turbine component.
Inventors: |
Pedersen; Gunnar Kamp
Storgaard; (Skjern, DK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ST. ONGE STEWARD JOHNSTON & REENS, LLC
986 BEDFORD STREET
STAMFORD
CT
06905-5619
US
|
Family ID: |
38515844 |
Appl. No.: |
12/346257 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/DK2007/000313 |
Jun 27, 2007 |
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12346257 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/223.13 ;
52/745.17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 10/72 20130101;
B66C 1/66 20130101; B66C 1/108 20130101; Y02E 10/728 20130101; F05B
2260/301 20130101; F05B 2240/912 20130101; F03D 13/10 20160501 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/223.13 ;
52/745.17 |
International
Class: |
E04C 5/12 20060101
E04C005/12; E04H 12/00 20060101 E04H012/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2006 |
DK |
PA 2006 00893 |
Claims
1. Lifting equipment for handling a wind turbine component in
connection with lifting means said equipment comprising a base
frame with at least one attachment area, and at least two
attachment points for said wind turbine component characterized in
that at least one of said attachment points are adjustable mounted
in order to perform an eccentric movement in relation to said base
frame.
2. Lifting equipment according to claim 1, wherein said wind
turbine component is a wind turbine tower segment.
3. Lifting equipment according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
said attachment points comprises at least one sleeve with a through
going hole which centre is dislocated from the centre of said
sleeve in order to perform an eccentric movement within the area of
a hole in said base frame.
4. Lifting equipment according to any of claims 1, wherein said
base frame comprises at least one through going hole, said through
going hole in base frame being substantially larger than said hole
in at least one sleeve.
5. Lifting equipment according to claim 3, wherein the number of
sleeves is two, first and second sleeve, which are partly or
totally integrated into each other or into the base frame.
6. Lifting equipment according to claim 3, wherein said first
sleeve is located in a depressed area of said base frame and a
second sleeve is located in a depressed area of said first sleeve
opposite to the base frame.
7. Lifting equipment according to claim 3, wherein the eccentric
movement between the holes in said two sleeves and the eccentric
movement between the hole in the first sleeve and the hole in the
base frame allows a double eccentric movement of the hole in the
second sleeve in relation to the base frame.
8. Lifting equipment according to claim 4, wherein said first
sleeve comprises a through going hole with a diameter larger than
the diameter of a hole in a second sleeve and said base frame
comprises a through going hole with a diameter larger than the
diameter of the hole in said first sleeve.
9. Lifting equipment according to claim 1, wherein at least a
further attachment point comprises a mounted strut in relation to
the base frame.
10. Lifting equipment according to claim 9, wherein said strut in
relation to the base frame is replaceable e.g. to a strut with an
other diameter and/or length and/or shape such as triangular or
circular
11. Lifting equipment according to claim 1, wherein the lifting
equipment comprises an area for handling, such as when fixing said
lifting equipment to a wind tower component.
12. Lifting equipment according to claim 1, wherein said base frame
comprises an area for connecting said lifting means.
13. Lifting equipment according to claim 12, wherein said area for
connecting lifting means comprises rotatable parts.
14. A method for handling a wind turbine component, said method
comprising steps of attaching lifting equipment to said wind
turbine component by performing an eccentric movement of at least
one attachment points included in the equipment, connecting lifting
means to said lifting equipment, and handling the wind turbine
component to a desired position.
15. Lifting equipment according to claim 4 wherein said hole in
base frame is at least twice the size of said hole in said
sleeve.
16. The lifting equipment according to claim 5 wherein the
depressed areas of the base frame and first sleeve are at least
partly integrated into each other.
17. Lifting equipment according to claim 12 wherein said lifting
means is a hole for attaching a crane wire and hook.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of pending
International patent application PCT/DK2007/000313 filed on Jun.
27, 2007 which designates the United States and claims priority
from Danish patent application PA 2006 00893 filed on Jun. 30,
2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to lifting equipment for handling a
wind turbine component and a method for handling a wind turbine
component.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Transportation and lifting of the different sections of a
wind turbine is always a challenge and especially wind towers or
tower segments are quite unmanageable. The shape and dimensions of
the units vary from unit to unit e.g. because of the conical shape
of wind towers.
[0004] Usually the tower segments of a wind turbine are mounted
with lifting equipment at the tower flanges.
[0005] EP patent no. EP-B 1 303 447 discloses an example of a known
lifting system wherein an outline of a gripping device for a wind
turbine tower segment. The gripping device can be fastened to the
tower segment in a certain position on the flanges, by screw
connections through holes adapted to said flanges. The holes in the
gripping device are arranged according to the holes in the flanges
of the tower section.
[0006] A problem with the solution of the above mentioned EP-patent
is that due to the unlike attachment points on the different
segments, different unique gripping devices has to be produced and
used when erecting a wind turbine. Consequently the erection
process will be prolonged and more expensive than necessary.
[0007] An object of the present invention is to describe a lifting
device without the mentioned disadvantages and especially does not
involve changing operations of lifting equipment during erection of
a wind turbine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention provides lifting equipment for handling wind
turbine components in connection with lifting means, said lifting
equipment comprising
[0009] a base frame with at least one attachment area, and
[0010] at least two attachment points for said wind turbine
component
[0011] where at least one of said attachment points are adjustable
mounted in relation to said base frame.
[0012] Hereby it is ensured that the lifting equipment can be
adapted and used with a plurality of different wind turbine
components where the distance and relative angle between attachment
points of the components vary.
[0013] In one aspect of the invention said wind turbine component
is a wind turbine tower segment. Hereby it is ensured that one
lifting equipment can be used with any of said tower segments
including the lower segments with larger diameters and the upper
segments with smaller diameters e.g. when erecting a conical wind
turbine tower. Furthermore the same lifting equipment can be used
when handling the different segments in connection with
manufacturing and transportation.
[0014] The preferred attachment points of wind turbine tower
segments are the connection holes of any flange of the
segments.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention at least one of said
attachment points comprises at least one sleeve with a through
going hole which centre is dislocated from the centre of said
sleeve in order to perform an eccentric movement within the area of
a hole in said base frame. It is hereby ensured that the distance
and angle between at least two attachment points of the lifting
equipment can be adjusted to desired positions i.e. the sleeve hole
may be positioned at a desired position within the area of the hole
of the base frame.
[0016] In another aspect of the invention the base frame comprises
at least one through going hole, the area of said through going
hole in the base frame being substantially larger than the area of
said hole in at least one sleeve e.g. at least twice in size in
relation to a hole in said at least one sleeve. Hereby it is
possible to achieve a high degree of freedom to place the hole of
the sleeve anywhere within the area of the hole of the base
frame.
[0017] In another aspect of the invention the number of sleeves is
two, first and second sleeve, which are partly or totally
integrated into each other or into the base frame e.g. in depressed
areas of the base frame and sleeve, respectively. By integrating
the sleeves into each other an enhanced stability can be ensured.
Further by entering locking means thru the sleeves and base frame
at the integration areas it is possible in an embodiment to lock
them to each other e.g. during transportation, positioning etc.
[0018] In a further aspect of the invention said first sleeve is
located in a depressed area of said base frame and a second sleeve
is located in a depressed area of said first sleeve opposite to the
base frame. Hereby it is achieved a higher stability in especially
a perpendicular direction in relation to the attachment of the wind
turbine component.
[0019] In an even further aspect of the invention the eccentric
movement between the holes in said two sleeves and the eccentric
movement between the hole in the first sleeve and the hole in the
base frame allows a double eccentric movement of the hole in the
second sleeve in relation to the base frame. It is hereby ensured
that it is possible to place the hole in the second sleeve over any
desired position within the area of the hole in the base frame
which gives the maximum flexibility of the invented lifting
equipment.
[0020] In another aspect of the invention said first sleeve
comprises a through going hole with a diameter larger than the
diameter of the hole in said second sleeve and said base frame
comprises a through going hole with a diameter larger than the
diameter of the hole in said first sleeve. Hereby is an
advantageous embodiment of the invention achieved.
[0021] In another aspect of the invention at least a further
attachment point comprises a mounted strut in relation to the base
frame. It is hereby ensured that shear stress between the wind
turbine component and the invented lifting equipment especially
during the initial lifting can be handled by a non-movable part of
the lifting tool. Furthermore when placing the invented lifting
equipment on its location of operation e.g. on the flange of a wind
turbine tower section, the steering of the lifting equipment is
eased by using the fixed mounted strut as a guard-pin.
[0022] In another aspect of the invention said strut in relation to
the base frame is replaceable e.g. to a strut with another diameter
and/or length and/or shape such as triangular or circular. Hereby
it is ensured that an optimal elaborated strut can be used and
adapted to the invented lifting equipment dependent of e.g. the
elaboration of the attachment point or attachment area.
[0023] In another aspect of the invention the lifting equipment
comprises an area for handling, such as when fixing said lifting
equipment to a wind tower component. Hereby it is ensured that a
crane or similar lifting means can be used e.g. when placing the
invented lifting equipment on its location of operation and thus
ensuring that the operating people are not required to lift the
equipment to the location manually.
[0024] In another aspect of the invention said base frame comprises
an area for connecting said lifting means e.g. a hole for attaching
a crane wire and hook. Hereby it is ensured that a crane or similar
lifting means can advantageously be used after placing the invented
lifting equipment on its location of operation.
[0025] The invention also provides a method for handling a wind
turbine component, said method comprising steps of
[0026] attaching lifting equipment according to one of the
above-described embodiments to said wind turbine component,
[0027] connecting lifting means to said lifting equipment, and
[0028] handling the wind turbine component to a desired
position.
[0029] Hereby is an advantageous method to be used with the lifting
equipment achieved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The invention will be described in the following with
reference to the figures in which
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a large modern wind turbine as seen from
the front,
[0032] FIG. 2a illustrates a conventional lifting equipment
attached to a wind turbine tower segment,
[0033] FIG. 2b illustrates an exploded view of a conventional
lifting equipment attached to a wind turbine tower segment,
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a section of a wind turbine
component,
[0035] FIG. 4a illustrates a three-dimensional view of one
embodiment of the universal lifting tool according to the
invention,
[0036] FIG. 4b illustrates a first side view of one embodiment of
the universal lifting tool according to the invention,
[0037] FIG. 4c illustrates a first cross sectional view of the
universal lifting tool according to one embodiment of the
invention,
[0038] FIG. 4d illustrates a second side view of one embodiment of
the universal lifting tool according to one embodiment of the
invention,
[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a second cross sectional view of the
universal lifting tool according to one embodiment of the
invention,
[0040] FIG. 6a illustrates schematically a three-dimensional view
of a preferred embodiment of the invented universal lifting tool
according to the present invention,
[0041] FIG. 6b illustrates schematically a first side view of a
preferred embodiment of the invention,
[0042] FIG. 6c illustrates schematically a second view of a
preferred embodiment of the invention,
[0043] FIG. 7a illustrates schematically the invented universal
lifting tool when attached to a wind turbine tower segment with a
first radius,
[0044] FIG. 7b illustrates schematically the universal lifting tool
according to the invention when attached to a wind turbine tower
segment with a second radius,
[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates schematically an explored view of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to a wind
turbine segment, and
[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates schematically a view of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention attached to and lifting a wind
turbine tower segment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates a modern wind turbine 1, comprising a
tower 2 and a wind turbine nacelle 4 positioned on top of the tower
2. The tower 2 is build up of a plurality of tower segments 3. The
wind turbine rotor 5, comprising three wind turbine blades 6, is
connected to the nacelle 4 through the low speed shaft which
extends out of the nacelle 4 front.
[0048] FIG. 2a illustrates schematically one tower segment 3 with
flanges 7. Said flanges are constructed with a number of
substantially equally spaced holes or connection points 8 around
its centreline which is used for attaching the tower segments 3
when the tower 2 is erected.
[0049] Besides for used in the purpose of attaching the tower
segments to each other, the connection points 8 are often used as
attachment points for lifting tool 9 during manufacturing,
transportation and installation. As an example when erecting a wind
turbine tower 2, lifting tool 9 can be attached to e.g. 2, 4 or 8
locations distributed around the flange 7.
[0050] During installation and erection of a wind turbine tower 2
said plurality of different tower segments 3 must be placed on top
of each other or on top of a foundation and be securely attached at
said attachment points.
[0051] The process of erecting a wind turbine tower comprises steps
of [0052] attaching lifting tool 9, 12 to one or more locations
around the flange 7, [0053] attaching lifting means to said lifting
tool 9, 12, [0054] a first sequence of lifting the tower section 3
from the ground. In this sequence the forces acting between the
tower section 3 and the lifting tool 9, 12 changes from being
primarily shear forces (when the tower section 3 is in
substantially horizontal position) to primarily tension forces
(when the tower section 3 is free of the ground and is in
substantially vertical position), [0055] a second sequence of
positioning the tower section 3 to its installation position on top
of a foundation or an other tower section 3, and [0056] a third
sequence of attaching and securing the tower section 3.
[0057] FIG. 2b illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of
the prior art of a conventional lifting tool 9 connected to said
attachment points 8 during e.g. installation. The lifting tool
comprises a base frame including an eyelet for the purpose of
attaching e.g. a shackle 23 connected to lifting means (e.g. a
crane) thru a wire 11.
[0058] During lifting the clamping bolts 10 are exposed to the
gravitational forces of the tower via sheer and tension and must be
dimensioned to comply with this.
[0059] FIG. 3 illustrates an origin to a problem with prior art.
Dependent on the construction of e.g. the flanges 7 of a wind
turbine tower segment 3, the distance % between the attachment
points 8 and the angle .alpha. relative to horizontal may vary.
This means that a lifting tool with fixed attachment points can
only be attached to a component with attachment points distributed
in a similar way. As e.g. the ends of wind turbine tower segments
may have different radius and may have a variable number of
attachment points, said l and .alpha. may vary in relation to the
different tower segments. For the purpose of lifting, a different
set of lifting equipment may therefore be required for each tower
section.
[0060] FIG. 4a illustrates a three-dimensional view of a universal
lifting tool 12 according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0061] For this embodiment the universal lifting tool 12 comprises
a base plate 13, a lifting plate 14 and two side plates 15 which in
total constitute a base frame for the invented universal lifting
tool.
[0062] The lifting plate 14 comprise an eyelet 21 for the
attachment of tower lifting means e.g. via a shackle 23.
[0063] One of the side plates 15 comprise an eyelet 22 for the
attachment of tool lifting means to be used when the invented
universal lifting tool 12 is to be manoeuvred to its operating
position.
[0064] In one embodiment the invented universal lifting tool 12 is
to be attached to three attachment points e.g. 8 of a flange 7 of a
wind turbine tower section 3.
[0065] A middle attachment point comprises a strut 19 that
penetrates the base plate 13 and is fastened to the base plate such
as with two screws 20. The strut can be replaced dependent on the
diameter of the connection points 8 and can be e.g. 30 mm, 36 mm,
42 mm or 48 mm in diameter.
[0066] FIG. 4b illustrates a first side view of the invented
universal lifting tool according to one embodiment and illustrates
the strut 19 penetrating the base plate 13.
[0067] One function of the strut 19 is to carry shear forces
between the universal lifting tool 12 and the flanges 7 during said
first sequence of lifting at said process of erecting a wind
turbine tower 2.
[0068] FIG. 4a further illustrates that the two distal connection
points of this embodiment 12 each comprises sleeves 16, 17 and a
bush 18 located on top of each other.
[0069] A first sleeve 16 is formed with a substantially circular
hole 25 dislocated from the centre point of said first sleeve 16.
Said first sleeve 16 can rotate around its centre point as
indicated by the dashed arrows.
[0070] A second sleeve 17 is also formed with a circular hole 26
into which the bush 18 fits. The centre of said hole 26 is
dislocated from the centre point of said second sleeve 17. Said
second sleeve can rotate around its centre point as indicated by
the dashed arrows.
[0071] The diameter of said hole 25 in said first sleeve 16 exceeds
the diameter of said hole 26 in said second sleeve 17.
[0072] For the described embodiment of the invention, the base
plate 13 is formed with a circular hole 24 for each distal
attachment point (shown on FIG. 5). The diameter of said hole 24
exceeds the diameter of said hole 25 of the second sleeve 16.
[0073] By placing the first 16 and second 17 sleeve on the base
plate 13 as illustrated in FIG. 4a, and furthermore rotating them
in relation to each other, it is possible to bring said hole 26 in
the second sleeve 17 in position within the area of said hole 24 in
the base plate 13 as desired with the positive result, that the
distance l and the angle .alpha. relative to the fixed attachment
point embodied by the strut 19, can be changed to desired.
[0074] It is hereby achieved that one lifting equipment 12 can be
adapted to the connection points 8 of any tower section 3 despite
of the angle .alpha. and distance l between the points 8.
[0075] This is further illustrated in FIG. 4c where an exploded
view of the attachment point 16b-18b, 13 of one embodiment of the
lifting tool 12 is shown. It is illustrated that the holes 25, 26
in said first and second sleeve 16b, 17b respectively is dislocated
from their centrelines c1, c2 and that dependent on the rotation of
the sleeves 16b, 17b in relation to the base frame 13, the hole 26
in the second sleeve 17 can be brought in position within the area
of said hole 24.
[0076] FIG. 4d illustrates a second side view of one embodiment of
the invented lifting equipment. It is illustrated that the angle
between the lifting plate 14 and the base plate 13 may be different
from 90 degrees.
[0077] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of one embodiment
of the invented lifting equipment comprising a base plate 13, a
first sleeve 16, a second sleeve 17 and a bush 18.
[0078] In one embodiment the first sleeve 16 can be countersunk and
fitted in the base plate 13. For said embodiment a pointed screw 28
is used for the purpose of keeping said first sleeve 16 positioned
during maneuvering of the lifting equipment.
[0079] In another embodiment the second sleeve 17 can be
countersunk and fitted in the first sleeve 16. For said embodiment
a pointed screw 28 is used for the purpose of keeping said second
sleeve 17 positioned during maneuvering of the lifting
equipment.
[0080] FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c illustrates different views of a
preferred embodiment of the invented universal lifting tool.
[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 6a for this preferred embodiment, the
universal lifting tool 12 comprises a base plate 13 that constitute
a base frame and an eyelet 21 for the attachment of tower lifting
means.
[0082] FIG. 6a further illustrates that two connection points of
this preferred embodiment 12 each comprises sleeves 16, 17 and a
bush 18 located on top of each other.
[0083] This example of a preferred embodiment is to be attached to
three attachment points e.g. 8 of a flange 7 of a wind turbine
tower section 3.
[0084] A middle attachment point (not illustrated in FIG. 6a)
comprises a strut 19 fastened to the base plate 13. For various
embodiments the strut can be replaced dependent on the diameter of
the connection points 8 and can be e.g. 30 mm, 36 mm, 42 mm or 48
mm in diameter.
[0085] Further a first sleeve 16 is formed with a substantially
circular hole 25 (not illustrated at FIG. 6a.) dislocated from the
centre point of said first sleeve 16. Said first sleeve 16 can
rotate around its centre point as indicated by the dashed
arrows.
[0086] A second sleeve 17 is also formed with a circular hole 26
(not illustrated on FIG. 6a) into which the bush 18 fits. The
centre of said hole 26 is dislocated from the centre point of said
second sleeve 17. Said second sleeve can rotate around its centre
point as indicated by the dashed arrows.
[0087] The diameter of said hole 25 in said first sleeve 16 exceeds
the diameter of said hole 26 in said second sleeve 17.
[0088] By placing the first 16 and second 17 sleeve on the base
plate 13 as illustrated in FIG. 6a, and furthermore rotating them
in relation to each other, it is possible to bring said hole 26 in
the second sleeve 17 in position within the area of said hole 24 in
the base plate 13 as desired with the positive result, that the
distance l and the angle .alpha. relative to the fixed attachment
point embodied by the strut 19, can be changed to desired.
[0089] It is hereby achieved that one lifting equipment 12 can be
adapted to the connection points 8 of any tower section 3 despite
of the angle .alpha. and distance l between the points 8.
[0090] For one preferred embodiment the eyelet 21 is constructed in
such a way that it penetrates the base plate 13 allowing tower
lifting means comprising one or more lifting wires to be
established through said eyelet 21. This is further illustrated in
FIG. 8.
[0091] The entrance/exit traces of the eyelet 21 are curved and
angled as to minimize stress on the wires and the base plate
13.
[0092] For various preferred embodiments, portions of the
entrance/exit traces of the eyelet 21 are rotatable parts 27 and
can follow any variation in angulation that occur e.g. when a
connected horizontal positioned tower segment is raised to vertical
position.
[0093] FIG. 6b illustrates a first side view of a preferred
embodiment of the invention comprising a strut 19.
[0094] FIG. 6c illustrates a second view of a preferred embodiment
of the invention.
[0095] FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrates schematically one embodiment of
the invented universal lifting tool 12 attached to flanges 7 of
wind turbine tower sections 3 with two different diameters.
[0096] FIG. 7a illustrates a preferred positioning of the two
sleeves 16 and 17 for a flange 7 with a first radius r1.
[0097] FIG. 7b illustrates a preferred positioning of the two
sleeves eccentrics 16 and 17 for a flange 7 with a second radius r2
(i.e. r1>r2).
[0098] FIG. 8 illustrates schematically a preferred embodiment of
the invented universal lifting tool 12 attached to flanges 7 of a
wind turbine tower section 3 and with attached lifting wire 11.
[0099] FIG. 9 illustrates schematically the invented universal
lifting tools 12 attached to a wind turbine tower segment 3 when
the segment is lifted to substantially vertical position.
* * * * *