Displaceable maintenance device, displaceable assembly device, and method

Abstract

Provided is a displaceable maintenance device, to a displaceable assembly device, to a method for servicing a fastening element, and to a method for servicing and/or assembling a fastening element of a flange of a wind power installation tower. Provided is a displaceable maintenance device for a wind power installation tower, comprising a mobile unit which is specified for moving the maintenance device along a flange of the wind power installation tower; a first maintenance unit having an impact element for impacting a fastening element, in particular a flange connection element, and a noise-receiver unit for detecting a noise generated by the impacting; a control unit for evaluating the noises detected by means of the noise-receiver unit, said control unit, based on the evaluation, being specified for assigning a maintenance status to a fastening element.

Claims

1. A displaceable maintenance device for a wind power installation tower comprising: a mobile unit configured for moving the maintenance device along a flange of the wind power installation tower; a first maintenance unit having an impact element for impacting a fastening element and a noise-receiver for detecting a noise generated by the impacting; and a controller for evaluating the noise detected by the noise-receiver, the controller, based on the evaluation, being configured for assigning a maintenance status to the fastening element.

2. The displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, comprising: at least one guide rail for guiding the maintenance device along the fastening element of the flange, wherein an inner guide rail and an outer guide rail are disposed in such a manner that, when displacing the maintenance device along the flange, the inner guide rail is disposed on a radially inward side of the fastening element, and the outer guide rail is disposed on a radially outward side of the fastening element that lies opposite the inward side.

3. The displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile unit has a plurality of wheel elements.

4. The displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the mobile unit comprises a magnetic unit configured for moving the maintenance device on a vertical internal circumferential face along the flange; and the maintenance device has a support element coupled to the magnetic unit by structural elements.

5. The displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile unit has an upper clamp and a lower clamp, wherein the upper clamp is configured to act in a supporting manner on a vertically upper side of the flange, and the lower clamp is configured to act in a supporting manner on a vertically lower side of the flange.

6. The displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile unit comprises a drive unit.

7. The displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the noise-receiver is configured as a microphone or an accelerometer.

8. The displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, comprising an interface for reading the maintenance status, wherein the interface is configured as a wire-based interface or a wireless interface.

9. The displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the controller is configured for moving the maintenance device along the flange by actuating the mobile unit; and the actuation takes place in such a manner that the maintenance device is moved along the flange in such a manner that successive impacting of fastening elements by the impact element takes place.

10. The displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured for storing the maintenance status in a readable storage medium.

11. The displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the controller is coupled to the first maintenance unit and configured for providing an impact signal for carrying out the impacting for the first maintenance unit, and the first maintenance unit when receiving the impact signal is configured for carrying out the impacting of the fastening element and for receiving a noise signal which characterizes the noise and is generated by the first maintenance unit, and for evaluating the noise signal in terms of the maintenance status; and the maintenance status represents the fastening element that is disposed according to the intended use.

12. The displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first climbing unit configured for moving an assembly device along a cat ladder of the wind power installation tower.

13. A displaceable assembly device for a wind power installation tower, comprising: a second climbing unit which is configured for moving the assembly device along a cat ladder of the wind power installation tower; a second maintenance unit having an impact element for impacting a fastening element, a noise-receiver for detecting a noise generated by the impacting, a control unit for evaluating the noise detected by the noise-receiver, the control unit, based on the noise, being specified for assigning a maintenance status to the fastening element; and an assembly unit having an assembly arm for positioning an assembly tool on the fastening element of the wind power installation tower, wherein the assembly tool is specified for fastening the fastening element.

14. The displaceable assembly device as claimed in claim 13, wherein: the second climbing unit has a clamping device for disposing the assembly device on the cat ladder; and the clamping device has a first clamping unit and a second clamping unit.

15. The displaceable assembly device as claimed in claim 14, wherein: each of the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit have two clamping rollers for fixing the assembly device in a vertical direction, wherein the respective two clamping rollers are configured to be disposed on two opposite sides of a strut of the cat ladder that are spaced apart in a radial tower direction; and each of the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit have four clamping rollers that are disposed in pairs on top of one another in the vertical direction.

16. The displaceable assembly device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the clamping rollers are able to be driven by a drive so as to move the assembly device in the vertical direction along the cat ladder.

17. The displaceable assembly device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the assembly arm is configured as an articulated arm.

18. The displaceable assembly device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the assembly tool is configured as at least one of: a screwdriver tool for generating a torque on the fastening element or a tensioning cylinder for stretching the fastening element.

19. A method for servicing a fastening element of a flange of a wind power installation tower, the method comprising: moving the displaceable maintenance device as claimed in claim 1 along the flange of the wind power installation tower; and impacting the fastening element, detecting the noise generated by the impacting, evaluating the noise, and assigning the maintenance status to the fastening element.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, comprising: moving the displaceable maintenance device into a region adjacent to a cat ladder of the wind power installation tower; and moving the maintenance device along the cat ladder in a vertical direction.

21. A method for servicing or assembling a fastening element of a flange of a wind power installation tower, the method comprising: moving the displaceable assembly device as claimed in claim 13 along the cat ladder of the wind power installation tower; impacting the fastening element, detecting the noise generated by the impacting, evaluating the noise, and assigning the maintenance status to the fastening element; and positioning the assembly tool on the fastening element and fastening the fastening element.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, comprising: disposing and pre-tensioning the fastening element by the assembly tool; and moving the assembly device upward in a vertical direction, and subsequently carrying out the positioning.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred exemplary embodiments will be explained in an exemplary manner by means of the appended figures in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic, three-dimensional, view of an exemplary embodiment of a wind power installation;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic, two-dimensional, view of a displaceable maintenance device;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic, two-dimensional, view of the maintenance device shown in FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic, two-dimensional, view of a further exemplary embodiment of a displaceable maintenance device;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic, two-dimensional, view of the displaceable maintenance device shown in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic, two-dimensional, view of a further exemplary embodiment of a displaceable maintenance device;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a schematic, three-dimensional, view of an exemplary embodiment of a displaceable assembly device;

(9) FIGS. 8-9 show schematic exemplary methods for servicing a fastening element of a wind power installation tower; and

(10) FIGS. 10-11 show schematic exemplary methods for servicing and/or assembling a fastening element of a flange of a wind power installation tower.

(11) Identical elements or elements which are substantially identical or similar in terms of function are identified by the same reference signs in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) FIG. 1 shows a schematic, three-dimensional, view of an exemplary embodiment of a wind power installation 100. The wind power installation 100 has a tower 102 and a nacelle 104 on the tower 102. An aerodynamic rotor 106 having rotor blades 108 and a spinner 110 is provided on the nacelle 104. The aerodynamic rotor 106 in the operation of the wind power installation 100 is set in a rotating motion by the wind and thus also rotates an electorate dynamic rotor or armature of a generator which is coupled directly or indirectly to the aerodynamic rotor 106. The electric generator is disposed in the nacelle 104 and generates electric energy.

(13) The tower 102 comprises at least two tower segments 112, 114 which are mutually spaced apart in the vertical direction. The upper tower segment 112 has at least one lower flange. The lower tower segment 114 has at least one upper flange. The lower flange and the upper flange in the assembled wind power installation 100 bear substantially on one another.

(14) Said flanges furthermore have in each case passage openings, wherein one passage opening of the upper flange is in each case assigned to a passage opening of the lower flange such that said passage openings have a common passage axis. Fastening elements, in particular screws, which connect the two flanges to one another are guided through these openings. The tower segments 112, 114 are connected to one another by connecting the flanges.

(15) On account of the high number of fastening elements per flange connection, the assembly and maintenance complexity and optionally also the post-assembly testing complexity is complex. The wind power installation 100 has been assembled using a displaceable maintenance device 200. The displaceable maintenance device 200 comprises a mobile unit 210 which is specified for moving the maintenance device 200 along the flange of the wind power installation tower 102. The displaceable maintenance device 200 furthermore comprises a first maintenance unit 230 having an impact element 232 for impacting a fastening element 4, and the noise-receiver units 234 for detecting a noise generated by the impacting.

(16) The displaceable maintenance device 200 moreover comprises a control unit (controller) 240 for evaluating the noises detected by means of the noise-receiver unit 234, said control unit 240, based on the evaluation, being specified for assigning a maintenance status to a fastening element 4. The maintenance device 200 during maintenance can move along the flange 1 of the tower 102. A fastening element of this flange is thereafter impacted, the noise generated by the impacting is detected, and this noise is subsequently evaluated, wherein a maintenance status is assigned to the fastening element 4.

(17) Furthermore, a displaceable assembly device 300 has been used when assembling the wind power installation tower 102. The displaceable assembly device 300 comprises a second climbing unit 310 which is specified for moving the assembly device 300 along a cat ladder 331 of a wind power installation tower 102. The assembly device 300 moreover comprises second maintenance unit having an impact element 232 for impacting a fastening element 4, and a noise-receiver unit 234 for detecting a noise generated by the impacting, and a control unit 240 for evaluating the noises detected by means of the noise-receiver unit 234, said control unit 240, on the basis of the noise, being specified for assigning a maintenance status to the fastening element. Additionally or alternatively, the assembly device 300 can comprise an assembly unit 340 having an assembly arm 342 for positioning an assembly to 344 on a fastening element 4 of the wind power installation tower 102, wherein the assembly tool 344 is specified for fastening the fastening element 4.

(18) A method for servicing and/or assembling the fastening elements of the flanges of the wind power installation tower 102 has preferably been used, said method comprising the following steps: moving an assembly device 300 along a cat ladder of the wind power installation tower 102; impacting the fastening element 4, detecting a noise generated by the impacting, evaluating the noise, and assigning a maintenance status to the fastening element 4; and/or positioning an assembly tool on the fastening element 4 and fastening the fastening element 4.

(19) FIG. 2 shows a schematic, two-dimensional, view of a displaceable maintenance device 200. The maintenance device 200 is disposed on an upper flange 1 of a tower segment 112 of a wind power installation 100. The upper flange 1 has a plurality of fastening elements 4 which are secured by means of nuts 6. The maintenance device 200 is disposed on the upper face of the upper flange 1. The maintenance device 200 comprises a mobile unit 210. The maintenance device 200 furthermore comprises a support element 212. The first and second front wheel elements 214, 215, shown in FIG. 3, and the first and second rear wheel elements 216, 217 are disposed on the support element 212. The mobile unit furthermore comprises a drive unit 218 which is coupled to at least one of the wheel elements 214 to 217. The wheel elements 214 to 217 can be driven by means of the drive unit 218 such that the maintenance device 200 can move in the circumferential direction U.

(20) The support element 212, on the lower side thereof that faces the flange 1, has a first guide rail 220 and a second guide rail 222. The guide rails 220, 222 in the operation of the maintenance device 200 are mutually spaced apart in the radial direction of the tower in such a manner that a fastening element 4 and optionally also a nut 6 can be disposed therebetween. Said guide rails 220, 221 are in particular disposed in such a manner that at least two, preferably three, preferably more than three, fastening elements 4 and/or nuts 6 can be disposed between the first guide rail 220 and the second guide rail 222.

(21) The maintenance device 200 furthermore has the first maintenance unit 230. The first maintenance unit 230 comprises the impact element 232 and the noise-receiver unit 234. The impact element 232 is specified for impacting the fastening element 4. The noise-receiver unit 234 is specified for detecting a noise generated by the impacting. The maintenance device 200 moreover comprises a control unit 240 which is specified for evaluating the noise detected by means of the noise-receiver unit and, based on this evaluation, to assign a maintenance status to the impacted fastening element.

(22) The maintenance device 200 preferably extends from a first end 202 toward a second end 204. The drive unit 218 is disposed at the first end 202. The first maintenance unit 230 is disposed at the second end 204. The control unit 240 is disposed between the first maintenance unit 230 and the drive unit 218. The support element 212 has a substantially rectangular geometry, wherein the extent from the first end 202 to toward the second end 204 represents the direction of main extent. The rotation axis of the wheel elements 214 to 217 is disposed between the first end 202 and the second end 204 so as to be orthogonal to this main extent. The maintenance device 200 furthermore has an interface 242 and a storage medium 244.

(23) FIGS. 4 and 5 show an exemplary embodiment of a displaceable maintenance device. The mobile unit 210 has a magnetic unit 224. The magnetic unit 224 is specified for moving the maintenance device 200 along the flanges on a vertical internal circumferential face of said flanges 1, 2. The magnetic unit 224 is coupled to the support element 212 by means of a first structural element 226 and a second structural element 227. The maintenance device 200 by means of the magnetic unit 224 can move in the circumferential direction U along the vertical internal circumferential face 3.

(24) FIG. 6 shows a schematic, two-dimensional, view of a further exemplary embodiment of a displaceable maintenance device. The maintenance device 200 by way of the support element 212 is coupled to the upper flange 1 by means of an upper clamp 229, and coupled to the lower flange 2 by means of a lower clamp 228. A movement of the maintenance device 200 in the circumferential direction U is possible by means of the upper clamp 228 and/or the lower clamp 229.

(25) FIG. 7 shows a schematic, three-dimensional, view of an exemplary embodiment of a displaceable assembly device 300. The displaceable assembly device 300 has a second climbing unit 310 which is specified for moving the assembly device 300 along a cat ladder 331. The displaceable assembly device 300 furthermore comprises an assembly unit 340. The assembly unit 340 has an assembly arm 342 which is configured as an articulated arm, and an assembly tool 344. The assembly tool 344 is specified for fastening the fastening element 4, 6. Alternatively or additionally to the assembly tool 344, the assembly device 300 can have a second maintenance unit which can be, or is, configured in a manner analogous to that of the first maintenance unit 230. That end of the assembly arm 342 that faces away from the assembly tool 344 has a fastening plate 302 by way of which the assembly arm 342 is coupled to a coupling device 326.

(26) The coupling device 326 has two vertically aligned lateral walls 328, 330. A first bar 332 and a second bar 334 extends between the lateral walls 328, 330. The bars 332, 334 by way of the direction of main extent thereof extend substantially in the horizontal direction. The coupling device 326 is coupled to a first clamping unit 312 and a second clamping unit 320.

(27) The first clamping unit 312 will be explained in more detail hereunder as an exemplar for the clamping units. The first clamping unit 312 has a vertically aligned base plate 314 which is aligned so as to be substantially parallel to the faces of the lateral walls 328, 330 of the coupling device 326. A clamping roller is disposed in the region of each corner of the base plate 314; the first clamping roller 316, the second clamping roller 318, and the third clamping roller 324 can be seen here. The clamping rollers 316, 318 are disposed so as to be spaced apart in a region on an upper edge of the base plate 314. The clamping rollers 316, 318 in the radial direction are spaced apart in such a manner that the second strut 338 of the cat ladder 331 can be disposed between said clamping rollers 316, 318. The bars of the cat ladder extend between the first strut 336 and the second strut 338.

(28) The assembly device 300 can be used for assembling and/or servicing the fastening elements 4, 6. On account of the articulated arm 342 of the assembly unit 340, the assembly tool 344 can be flexibly disposed within the tower, and the fastening elements 4, 6 can be reached by the assembly tool 344.

(29) FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show schematic exemplary methods for servicing a fastening element of a wind power installation tower. In a first step 1001, the maintenance device 200 is moved along a flange 1 of a wind power installation tower 102. In step 1002, a fastening element 4 of the flange 1 is impacted. In step 1004, the noise generated by the impacting is detected. The detected noise is evaluated in step 1006. In step 1008, the assignation of a maintenance status to the fastening element 4 takes place based on the evaluation. A maintenance status can assume the value of tight, loose, or else the defined indication of a tightening torque, for example.

(30) A variant of the afore-described method is shown in FIG. 9; in step 1010 here the maintenance device 200 is moved into a region adjacent to a cat ladder 331 of the wind power installation tower 102. In step 1010, the maintenance device 200 is moreover moved along the cat ladder 331, preferably upward in the vertical direction. The maintenance device 200 can thus make its way from one flange to a higher flange without manual steps being required.

(31) FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show schematic exemplary methods for servicing and/or assembling a fastening element 4, 6 of a flange 1 of a wind power installation tower 102. In step 1101, the assembly device 300 is moved along the cat ladder 331 of the wind power installation tower 102. In step 1102, the fastening element 4 is impacted. In step 1104, the noise generated by the impacting is detected. In step 1106, this noise is evaluated and a maintenance status is assigned to the impacted fastening element 4, 6. In step 1108, an assembly tool 344 is positioned on the fastening element 4, 6, and the fastening element is fastened. Steps 1106 and 1108 can be carried out alternatively or additionally to one another.

(32) The method shown in FIG. 11 is a preferred variant of the afore-described method, wherein in step 1110 the fastening element 4, 6 is pre-tensioned by means of an assembly tool 344. Furthermore, in this step the assembly device 300 is moved upward in the vertical direction, and the step of positioning described above is subsequently carried out.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(33) 1 Upper flange 2 Lower flange 3 Vertical internal circumferential face of the flange 4 Fastening element 5 Head 6 Nut 8 Upper tower wall 9 Lower tower wall 100 Wind power installation 102 Tower 104 Nacelle 106 Rotor 108 Rotor blades 110 Spinner 200 Maintenance device 202 First end 204 Second end 210 Mobile unit 212 Support element 214 First front wheel element 215 Second front wheel element 216 First rear wheel element 217 Second rear wheel element 218 Drive unit 220 First guide rail 222 Second guide rail 224 Magnetic unit 226 First structural element 227 Second structural element 228 Lower clamp 229 Upper clamp 230 First maintenance unit 232 Impact element 234 Noise-receiver unit 240 Control unit 242 Interface 244 Storage medium 300 Assembly device 302 Fastening plate 310 Climbing unit 312 First clamping unit 314 Base plate 316 First clamping roller 318 Second clamping roller 320 Second clamping unit 321 Clamping roller 322 Clamping roller 324 Third clamping roller 326 Coupling device 328 First lateral wall 330 Second lateral wall 331 Cat ladder 332 First bar 334 Second bar 336 First strut 338 Second strut 340 Assembly unit 342 Assembly arm 344 Assembly tool

(34) The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.