Patent classifications
B66C1/108
SPLIT CRANE FOR INSTALLATION OF WIND TURBINES AND OTHER TALL STRUCTURES
The present invention relates to a method for installing a wind turbine or other tall structure at a target location at sea, the method comprising: providing an installation vessel comprising at least one crane, wherein the crane comprises a lower boom part, a right boom part, and a left boom part, wherein the right boom part and the left boom part are connected to an upper portion of the lower boom part and extend from said upper portion, wherein a space is present between the right and left boom part, lifting a tall structure part, in particular the nacelle assembly, with the crane, wherein in top view the tall structure part is supported at least partially between the right and left boom part by one or more hoist lines extending from the right and left boom part to the tall structure part.
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LIFTING AN OBJECT FROM A DECK OF A VESSEL SUBJECT TO MOVEMENTS
Described is a device for lifting an object from a deck of a vessel subject to movements in a heave direction. The device comprises a support surface (6a) for the object provided at a first height (11) in the heave direction relative to the deck. A lifting crane (5) is configured to take up the object from the support surface (6a) at a lifting point thereof at a lifting speed. An actuator system (16) is configured to lower the support surface (6a) relative to the deck at the instant in time at which the object is lifted from the surface to a second height in the heave direction at a lowering speed. A method using the device is also described.
CLAMPING OF COMPONENTS, PARTICULARLY WIND TURBINE BLADE TIPS
The disclosure relates to methods and tools for handling a component, the tools (10) comprising a first clamp seat (12) for receiving a first surface of the component and a second clamp seat (14, 16) for receiving a second surface of the component, the second surface being opposite to the first surface. The tool further comprises an actuator (45) for moving the first clamp seat to clamp the component between the first clamp seat and the second clamp seat with a predetermined clamping force, and an electric motor (40) for driving the actuator (45). The tool (10) further comprises a control configured to determine currents in the electric motor and to control the electric motor to provide the predetermined clamping force based on the determined currents. Also methods for determining a desired current level in an electric motor driving an actuator for clamping a component and methods for controlling a clamping force in a tool are provided.
LIFTING BEAM AND LIFTING DEVICE
A lifting beam and a lifting device are provided according to the embodiments of the present application. The lifting beam includes a beam body, a lifting lug adjusting member and lifting lugs, wherein the beam body extends in a first direction; the lifting lug adjusting member includes a lifting member and an adjusting member connected with each other, the lifting member is movably fitted over the beam body, and a position of the lifting member with respect to the beam body in the first direction can be adjusted by the adjusting member; and the lifting lugs are arranged on the lifting member and are located above the beam body. The lifting device includes the lifting beam. In the embodiments of the present application, the position of the lifting lugs can be adjusted according to the lifting requirements at any time, to ensure the stability of the lifting process.
WIND TURBINE INSTALLATION METHOD
The present invention relates to a method for installing an offshore wind turbine at a target location at sea with an installation vessel, the vessel comprising:—a nacelle support structure for temporarily supporting a nacelle comprising a hub having a plurality of root end connectors to which the root ends of the blades are to be connected, the nacelle support structure comprising:—a support tower extending upwardly from a deck of the installation vessel,—a support platform configured to temporarily support the nacelle,—one or more lifting devices configured for:—lifting the nacelle onto the support platform,—lifting a nacelle assembly including the blades onto a wind turbine mast located adjacent the vessel, wherein the method comprises: a) lifting the nacelle onto the support platform, and securing the nacelle to the support platform, b) orienting a root end connector of the hub of the nacelle in a direction facing a guide path of the blade moving system, c) connecting the root end of the first blade to the corresponding first root end connector of the hub, d) repeating steps b) and c) for subsequent blades and root end connectors until all blades are connected to the hub of the nacelle, thereby providing a RNA, e) lifting the RNA from the nacelle support structure and positioning the RNA onto a wind turbine mast located adjacent the vessel.
A LIFTING TOOL
A lifting tool for lifting an element of an offshore structure, such as a transition piece of an offshore wind turbine comprises a frame and a plurality of engagement members for engaging an element to be lifted. The engagement members are mounted to the frame at an angular distance from each other about a centerline of the frame. The lifting tool also comprises a hoisting member to be connected to a hoisting cable of a crane, and located within a virtual cylinder on which the engagement members lie. The hoisting member and the frame are interconnected rigidly through at least three linear actuators which are arranged such that the hoisting member is movable with respect to the frame in a plurality of radial directions with respect to the centerline, independently from the engagement members.
Equipment for handling a wind turbine component and method of assembling such equipment and handling a wind turbine component using such equipment
Equipment for handling a wind turbine component includes a lifting cable and a mounting block having a block main body with a cable passage and a pair of bushings coupled to the mounting block. Each bushing has an aperture defined by an aperture wall and the lifting cable extends through the aperture of each of the bushings. At least an outer region of the aperture wall forms a closed loop about the lifting cable and is substantially circumferentially continuous. This allows the lifting cable extending the bushings to move in a circumferential direction along the aperture wall relative to the bushings during use. A method of assembling such handling equipment and a method of using such equipment for handling a wind turbine component is also disclosed.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING OR DISASSEMBLING OF A WIND TURBINE
Provided is a system for assembling or disassembling components of a wind turbine including: a motion compensation mechanism, wherein the motion compensation mechanism includes: a first connection interface for connection with a first component of the wind turbine moved by a crane, a second connection interface for connection with a second component of the wind turbine, a tension element connecting the first connection interface and the second connection interface, and a tension device for keeping the tension element under constant tension as the first component and the second component move relative to each other, wherein the motion compensation mechanism allows a movement of the first component relative to the second component as the first component and the second component are moved relative to each other on a given trajectory.
FIELD MACHINING OF WIND TURBINE GEARBOXES
A gearbox repair assembly is disclosed herein. The gearbox repair assembly includes a sleeve having an inner diameter configured to receive a bearing assembly and an outer diameter configured to fit within a bore of a gearbox housing. The gearbox housing can be part of a gearbox of a wind turbine. The gearbox repair assembly further includes a retaining plate configured to be attached to the gearbox housing for preventing an outer race of the bearing assembly from rotating in the bore relative to the gearbox housing. Also provided are methods to repair such a gearbox. The gearbox repair assembly and related methods reduce the time and cost needed to repair the gearboxes.
ROTOR BLADE CLAMPING TOOL
A rotor blade clamping tool includes a first and a second clamping element connected by by a clamping mechanism and each including a first and a second balancing lever being arranged pivotally about a pivot axis and having a first end flexibly connected with a corresponding first rotor blade contacting surface and a second end flexibly connected with a corresponding second rotor blade contacting surface. At least one clamping element includes a main balancing lever arranged pivotally about a main pivot axis and having a first end on which the corresponding first balancing lever is arranged pivotally and a second end on which the corresponding second balancing lever is arranged pivotally. First and second balancing levers arranged on the same main balancing lever are aligned in their longitudinal direction.