Patent classifications
B66C23/207
SELF-HOISTING CRANE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF HOISTING A SELF-HOISTING CRANE
The self-hoisting crane is adapted to be hoisted from a container to a nacelle by operating a cable winch in the container, at least one cable is adapted to extend from the cable winch, around an exit sheave arranged in the container, and exit the container from the exit sheave in an upward direction in order to pass around at least one roller arranged at a crane base on the nacelle and continue in a downward direction to the crane, enter through a central opening in the crane pedestal and continue to the hook block. The exit sheave is located at a longitudinal position of the container deviating not more than 10 percent of the length of the container from the longitudinal position of the centre of gravity of the container.
Nacelle mountable lift system for a wind turbine
A lift system mountable in a nacelle of a wind turbine has a boom having a proximal end mountable in the nacelle and a distal end extending over a hub of a rotor of the wind turbine when the lift system is mounted in the nacelle. The lift system has a frame structure for mounting the proximal end of the boom in the nacelle, a winch mounted to the boom, a fastener situated below the boom and operatively connected to the winch by at least one cable, and a trolley movably mounted to the boom to permit translation of the trolley longitudinally along the boom thereby permitting longitudinal movement of the fastener with respect to the boom.
METHOD OF MOUNTING A SELF-HOISTING CRANE ON A WIND TURBINE AND SELF-HOISTING CRANE
The crane is hoisted from the ground to the nacelle by operating a cable winch at ground whereby a cable extends from the crane to a roller at the nacelle and to the cable winch. A hoist block with the roller is arranged on a jib at a first hoist block position above a second hinge part of a crane base and extended in horizontal direction from the nacelle. When a first hinge part of the crane is positioned at a corresponding second hinge part of the crane base, the cable extends in a downward direction directly from the roller of the hoist block and through a central opening in a pedestal. After mutual connection of the first and second hinge parts, the hoist block is removed from its first hoist block position.
METHOD FOR HANDLING A WIND TURBINE COMPONENT AND ASSOCIATED LIFTING SYSTEM
A method for handling a wind turbine component (20) is disclosed. The method includes providing a lifting system including a hoist cable (36) and an attachment assembly (38). The attachment assembly includes one or more removable ballast weights (48). The method includes positioning the attachment assembly near a working surface, removing at least some of the one or more ballast weights from the attachment assembly, and attaching a lifting tool (34) to the attachment assembly. The combined weight of the attachment assembly and the lifting tool is sufficiently greater than a threshold weight of the lifting system. The method further includes attaching a wind turbine component to the lifting tool and moving the wind turbine component using the lifting system. A lifting system is also disclosed. The lifting system includes a hoist cable, an attachment assembly, and a lifting tool. The combined weight of the attachment assembly and the lifting tool is sufficiently greater than a threshold weight of the lifting system.
A SECURING ASSEMBLY FOR SECURING A TOWER TO A WIND TURBINE TOWER
The present invention relates to a securing assembly (1) for securing an elongated support tower (2) to a wind turbine tower (3). The securing assembly (1) comprises a base part (1a) including: a tower holding part (4), a fixed part (5), two arms (6), a plate (6c) arranged at the outer part of each of the two arms (6), the plates (6c) can adapt to the curvature of the wind turbine tower (3) and each comprising at least one rope sliding element (9). The securing assembly (1) comprises a rope (8), being arranged via the rope sliding elements (9), and a rope tightening device (11) arranged on the base part (1a). The rope (8) presses the plates (6c) against the wind turbine tower (3) when tightened.
Nacelle for a wind turbine, the nacelle comprising side units
A nacelle for a wind turbine and a method for erecting a wind turbine are disclosed. The nacelle comprises a main unit arranged to be connected to a wind turbine tower, via a yawing arrangement, and at least one side unit mounted along a side of the main unit in such a manner that direct access is allowed between the main unit and the side unit(s), each side unit accommodating at least one wind turbine component, and at least one side unit being capable of carrying the wind turbine component(s) accommodated therein. The main unit and at least one of the side unit(s) are distributed side by side along a substantially horizontal direction which is substantially transverse to a rotational axis of a rotor of the wind turbine. A sufficient interior space of the nacelle is obtained while allowing the nacelle to be transported due to the modular construction. The weight of the wind turbine components is arranged close to the tower due to the transversal arrangement of the side unit(s) relative to the main unit.
Wind turbine with a transportation system for moving drive train components
A wind turbine (1) comprising a tower (2) and one or more nacelles (3) mounted on the tower (2) is disclosed, at least one of the nacelle(s) (3) housing one or more drive train components (9,10,11) and a transportation system for moving drive train components (9,10,11) of the wind turbine (1). The transportation system comprises one or more sliding rails (15) configured to carry a drive train component (9, 10,11) during movement, and one or more sledges (19). Each sledge (19) is movably connected to a sliding rail (15), and configured to be attached to a drive train component (9,10,11), thereby allowing the drive train component (9,10,11) to move along the sliding rail(s) (15). Each sliding rail (15) comprises two or more rail modules (6,13,14) being detachably connected to each other along a direction of movement defined by the sliding rail (15).
Tower erection and climbing systems
Disclosed are tower erection systems and tower climbing systems and associated methods of operation. A tower erection system, in accordance with various embodiments, includes a ground-installed lifting structure, and a lifting frame configured to latch onto individual tower sections and traveling vertically inside the ground-installed lifting structure, lifted by a winch-and-cable or other lifting mechanism. Using this system, a tower may be assembled from multiple sections from the top down. A tower climbing system, in accordance with various embodiments, includes upper and lower climbers that can latch onto the lateral surface of a tower and a lifting mechanism that can move the climbers vertically relative to each other. The system can be used to carry a crane or other heavy equipment up and down along the tower. A climbing crane may be used, for example, during tower construction, or to reach the top of the tower for maintenance or repair.
Method and an assembly for handling wind turbine blades
A method and a lifting arrangement for mounting a blade on a wind turbine rotor carried by a wind turbine structure. The method comprises providing a control line guide at the wind turbine structure, the control line guide forming a control line point configured to restrain the control line attaching the control line to the control line point; lifting the blade with an external blade lifting crane while a root end of the blade is guided towards the rotor by use of said control line restrained at said control line point, and connecting said blade to said rotor.
A LIFTING ASSEMBLY AND A METHOD FOR HANDLING A COMPONENT
The invention provides a lifting assembly comprising a support structure (4) arranged to support a load (2) suspended from the support structure, a guide line (501) arranged to extend from a first location, to a second location, a wheel assembly (601) with one or more wheels (621, 622, 623) arranged to engage, and roll along, the guide line (501), and a control line assembly (701) arranged to extend from the wheel assembly (601) to the load (2), wherein the lifting assembly comprises a retainer (801) arranged to connect, between the first and second locations, the guide line (501) to the support structure (4).