Movable Module for Hoisting Telescopic Towers and Method for Hoisting Telescopic Towers

Abstract

The invention relates to a movable module and to a method of hoisting telescopic towers, preferably wind turbine towers, an ascending section of the tower being hoisted in relation to a supporting section of the tower immediately outside. The movable module preferably comprises at least one hydraulic jack; at least one hoisting cable pre-installed through the hydraulic jack and which remains connected to the jack throughout the performance of the method of hoisting the telescopic tower; and grouping means arranged at the free end of at least one hoisting cable. Advantageously, during hoisting, the movable module is temporarily fixed to the head of the supporting section, and the grouping means (4) are temporarily fixed to the base of the ascending section.

Claims

1. A movable module for hoisting telescopic towers, suitable for hoisting an ascending section of a tower hoisted in relation to a supporting section immediately outside of said tower, and the movable module also being suitable for being temporarily fixed to the head of said supporting section, the movable module: at least one hydraulic jack; at least one hoisting cable formed by a plurality of strands going through said hydraulic jack, such that one end of the hoisting cable protrudes from an upper part of the hydraulic jack and the other end of the hoisting cable protrudes from a lower part of the hydraulic jack; and grouping means positioned substantially at one end of the hoisting cable, keeping the strands making up said hoisting cable grouped together, and wherein the mean diameter D of said cable is less than 4.Math.d.Math.(N).sup.1/2, where d is the mean diameter of the strands forming the hoisting cable and N is the total number of strands forming the hoisting cable; a supporting frame to which a lower part of the hydraulic jack is fixed, and comprising a channel for the step of the hoisting cable; wherein said movable hoisting module allow s a two-way movement of the hoisting cable through the hydraulic jack and said hoisting cable is able to both be extended in the essentially descending direction and be taken up in essentially the ascending direction; and wherein the movable module comprises a cable take-up element which allows said movable module to adopt a transfer position in which the hoisting cable is completely drawn in or taken up, and in which the lower end of the hoisting cable and the grouping means are housed in the channel of the frame.

2. The movable module for hoisting telescopic towers according to claim 1, wherein the cable take-up element is arranged in a raised position in relation to the assembly of the module, suitable for facilitating the circulation of workers during hoisting.

3. The movable module for hoisting telescopic towers according to claim 1, further comprising at least one guiding element for guiding a cable which allows the guiding of the hoisting cable protruding from the hydraulic jack.

4. The movable module for hoisting telescopic towers according to claim 3, wherein the guiding element is in contact with an ascending section of the tower.

5. The movable module for hoisting telescopic towers according to claim 1, wherein the grouping means are reclaimable and comprise: a screw-in wedge plate; and/or a first screw-in distribution plate that can be screwed into said wedge plate; and/or a second distribution plate with a hole through which said wedge plate can pass.

6. The movable module for hoisting telescopic towers according to claim 5, wherein the wedge plate comprises a guiding element configured for running through a plurality of conduits in the sections intended for housing the hoisting cables.

7. The movable module for hoisting telescopic towers according to claim 1, further comprising at least one auxiliary structure for adapting the movement of said module to the geometry of the telescopic tower in the collapsed situation.

8. The movable module for hoisting telescopic towers according to claim 1, further comprising one or more work platforms and/or equipment storage connected to the frame.

9. A method of hoisting a telescopic tower comprising at least one ascending section hoisted in relation to a supporting section immediately outside of said tower, and using at least one movable module according to claim 1, the method comprising the following steps performed in any technically possible order: a) arranging the movable module on the head of the supporting section; b) using the movable module for deploying the hoisting cable, extending it in the descending direction from the head of the supporting section to the base of an ascending section; c) using the movable module for taking up the hoisting cable in the ascending direction with the hydraulic jack and hoisting the ascending section until its base contacts the head of the supporting section; d) fixing the base of the hoisted ascending section to the head of the supporting section; e) releasing the hoisting cable from the base of the ascending section; f) positioning the movable module in the transfer position; and g) removing the movable module from the head of the supporting section.

10. The method of hoisting telescopic towers according to claim 9, wherein at least two different sections of the tower are hoisted, characterized in that steps a) to g) are repeated for hoisting different sections of the tower, and wherein between different hoisting operations of said sections, the following steps are performed: h) repositioning the movable module in a new position; and/or i) horizontally transferring the movable hoisting module to the head of another supporting section of the tower for another hoisting operation.

11. The method of hoisting telescopic towers according to claim 9, wherein: at least two different sections of the tower are hoisted, and wherein the innermost section of the tower is initially hoisted; and/or the heads of different tower sections to be hoisted are positioned at considerably the same level.

12. The method of hoisting telescopic towers according to claim 9, wherein the hoisting module is moved radially for the positioning thereof at the heads of the different tower sections through at least one horizontal movement means.

13. The method of hoisting telescopic towers according to claim 9, further comprising, before step b) j) arranging an auxiliary work structure at the base of the innermost section of the tower.

14. A telescopic tower installed according to the method of claim 9.

15. A wind-driven power generator supported on the telescopic tower of claim 14.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The preceding and other features and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of embodiments in reference to the attached drawings, which must be considered by way of illustration and not limitation, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a general view of the movable module for hoisting telescopic towers of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the movable module of the invention further comprising an auxiliary structure for guiding the cable and a take-up element for taking up said cable.

[0040] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the movable module of the invention further comprising a guiding element.

[0041] FIG. 4 a) shows a front view of an embodiment of the invention based on a configuration with two hydraulic jacks.

[0042] FIG. 4 b) illustrates a plan view of a possible tower hoisting configuration based on the application of several integrated modules.

[0043] FIGS. 5a-5f depict different steps of a possible embodiment of the method of hoisting described in the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the grouping means described in the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows a possible embodiment of a protective element of the wedge plate described in the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE FIGS.

[0046]

TABLE-US-00001   (1) Movable hoisting module   (2) Hydraulic jack   (2′) Frame   (3) Hoisting cable   (3′) Strands making up the hoisting cable   (4) Grouping means   (5) Cable guiding structure   (6) Cable take-up element   (7) Guiding element   (8) Horizontal movement means   (9) Screw-in wedge plate   (10) First screw-in distribution plate   (11) Second screw-in distribution plate   (12) Protective element  (100) Telescopic tower  (101) Wind turbine tower  (200) Tower sections  (202) First adjacent section  (203) Second adjacent section  (210) Ascending section  (211) Supporting section  (300) Work platform

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate different views of the movable module (1) of the invention for hoisting telescopic towers (100), preferably wind turbine towers (101). In a preferred embodiment, the movable module (1) comprises a hydraulic jack (2), a hoisting cable (3) pre-installed through the hydraulic jack (2) and which remains connected to said jack throughout the performance of the method of hoisting the telescopic tower (100), and grouping means (4) arranged substantially at the free end of the hoisting cable (3).

[0048] Preferably, the hoisting cable (3) is formed by a plurality of strands (3′)(see the schematic distribution thereof in FIG. 6). The cable (3) goes through the hydraulic jack (2), such that the upper end thereof preferably protrudes from the upper part of the hydraulic jack (2), and its lower end protrudes from the lower part of the hydraulic jack (2) (see FIGS. 2-3), said hoisting cable (3) remaining connected to the hydraulic jack (2) throughout the performance of the method of hoisting the telescopic tower (100) (see, for example, FIG. 5).

[0049] More preferably, the strands (3′) are integrated in the hoisting cable (3) independently, that is, the strands (3′) are not intertwined or mechanically connected, but rather are grouped together in a substantially parallel bundle.

[0050] The movable module (1) of the invention also has grouping means (4) intended for preventing the strands (3′) from crossing each other, as well as to facilitate threading the hoisting cable (3) through the head of a supporting section (211) and the base of an ascending section (210) (see said sections in FIG. 5) of the telescopic tower (100). The hoisting cable (3) may, additionally and as shown in FIG. 7, have a pointed geometry for facilitating the guiding thereof through said sections (210, 211).

[0051] Additionally, the grouping means (4) are essentially positioned at the lower end of the hoisting cable (3), keeping all the strands (3′) making up said hoisting cable (3) grouped together. In addition to grouping, the grouping means (4) contribute to keeping the strands (3′) positioned so as to maintain the distribution thereof which is used both in the hydraulic jack (2) and at the lower end of the cable, furthermore being able to act as anchoring means for holding said position.

[0052] In additional embodiments of the invention, the grouping means (4) can be detachable, being removable for adding anchoring means, and being added again at the lower end of the cable at a later time of the method of hoisting the tower (100).

[0053] As described, the movable hoisting module (1) of the invention allows a two-way movement of the hoisting cable (3) through the hydraulic jack (2), said hoisting cable (3) being able to both be extended in the essentially descending direction and be taken up in essentially the ascending direction.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mean diameter “D” of the hoisting cable (3) is less than 4.Math.d.Math.(N).sup.1/2, where “d” is the mean diameter of the strands (3′) forming the hoisting cable (3) and “N” is the total number of strands (3′). This thereby achieves the hoisting cable (3) presenting suitable dimensions for going through the flanges of the sections (210, 211) of the telescopic tower (100).

[0055] The movable module (1) of the invention preferably comprises a supporting frame (2′) to which the lower part of the hydraulic jack (2) is fixed, and comprising a channel for the passage of the hoisting cable (3), the dimension of which allows housing the grouping means (4). Thus, the movable hoisting module (1) can adopt a transfer position in which the hoisting cable (3) is completely drawn in or taken up, and in which the lower end of the hoisting cable (3) and the grouping means (4) are housed in a channel of the frame (2′). As a result of this configuration, the movable module (1) may be transferred between hoisting operations or between towers, or even between farms, supported on its frame (2′). To that end, in the transfer position the cable (3) is prevented from protruding below the frame (2′). Likewise, in different embodiments of the invention, the movable module (1) may comprise one or more jacking points (not shown in the figures) which allow suspending the module completely. Said jacking points are preferably positioned substantially on the vertical of the center of gravity of the movable module in its transfer position.

[0056] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame (2′) may adopt a horizontal dimension such that the movable module (1) simply supported on said frame (2′) is sufficiently stable against horizontal loads, which facilitates storage and transfer of the module (1), for example, between towers of the farm.

[0057] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame (2′) comprises horizontal movement means (8) for facilitating the horizontal transfer of the movable module (1) for different hoisted. Said movement means (8) can be of any of the types known in the art for the movement of equipment, such as rails and/or rolling means, or elements for facilitating the sliding of the module (1). They may likewise incorporate or use pushing or pulling means for applying force to move the module (1) from one position to another (for example, from the head of one supporting section (211) to the next one).

[0058] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable module (1) further comprises one or more work platforms and/or equipment storage, preferably connected to the frame (2′). The equipment that can be housed in the mentioned platforms is typically power pack-type systems (hydraulic pumps) or manifolds which allow hydraulically powering the jacks (2) and/or controlling their operation. They may also incorporate telecommunication means for facilitating the remote control of the movable module (1).

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the movable module (1) further comprising a cable guiding structure (5), which allows the guiding of the hoisting cable (3) protruding from the hydraulic jack (2). Said cable guiding structure (5) acts throughout the entire process of hoisting the sections of the telescopic tower (100), directing the cable to a cable take-up element (6) also comprised in the movable module (1). In this case, said cable take-up element (6) is arranged in a raised position, such that the circulation of workers on the corresponding work platform (300) during the process of hoisting the telescopic tower (100) is facilitated. The need to install a larger and therefore more expensive platform is thereby eliminated.

[0060] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the movable module described in the present invention which additionally incorporates a guiding element (7) in contact with the ascending section (210). Said contact can preferably be a sliding or rolling contact, or contact by means of caterpillar track-type elements. Therefore, said guiding element may exert a force perpendicular to the structure for restricting possible inclinations of the sections of the telescopic tower (100) during the process of hoisting.

[0061] FIG. 4a shows a front view of another preferred embodiment of the invention. In this case, the movable module (1) comprises two hydraulic jacks (2) and the corresponding hoisting cables (3), cable guiding structures (5) for guiding said cables, and the cable take-up elements (6). Furthermore, this embodiment also comprises a guiding element (7) positioned between the two hydraulic jacks (2). This embodiment allows exerting a greater hoisting force if the sections to be hoisted require more powerful means, while at the same time optimizing the entire overall process of hoisting the telescopic tower.

[0062] FIG. 4b illustrates a plan view of a possible hoisting configuration of a telescopic tower with several integrated modules (1) arranged homogenously on the perimeter of the tower sections to be hoisted. The possible arrangement of the horizontal movement means (8) (for example, rails) comprised in the method and allowing the movement of the movable module (1) for the positioning thereof in each step of hoisting can be observed in this figure.

[0063] The arrangement of a work platform (300) which is smaller as a result of the cable take-up elements (6) being arranged in a raised position, thereby facilitating the circulation of workers, can be observed in this embodiment.

[0064] The additional arrangement of three hoisting modules (1) arranged in the outermost section of the tower (100) acting only in the last phase of hoisting due to the need to lift the entire structure, with a much greater weight than in the preceding phases, can also be observed.

[0065] FIG. 5 depicts a possible embodiment of the method of hoisting same described in the present invention.

[0066] FIG. 5a shows a first hoisting step in which the movable module (1) is first positioned at the head of the supporting section (211), which in this case is the immediately adjacent section (202) and the hoisting cable (3) is fixed to the base of the ascending section (210), which in this case is the innermost section of the tower (201), by the grouping means (4) positioned at the base of said section to subsequently perform the hoisting thereof by means of taking up said cable.

[0067] Once hoisted, as shown in FIG. 5b, the base of the hoisted section (201) is fixed to the head of the supporting section (211), releasing the grouping means (4) and releasing the movable module (1) from the head of the supporting section (211). Next, FIG. 5c illustrates the movement of the movable module (1) as a single part to the head of the following supporting section (211), which in this case is the immediately adjacent section (203). In this case, the movement is performed by lifting the module by means of cranes, although it can also be performed by sliding the module through the horizontal movement means (8).

[0068] FIG. 5d shows the following hoisting step where the hoisting cable (3) slides and is fixed to the base of the new ascending section (210).

[0069] FIG. 5e depicts a subsequent hoisting step in which the previously fixed sections (201, 202) are hoisted.

[0070] Lastly, FIG. 5f shows the next step similar to the step depicted in FIG. 5b, in which the hoisted sections (201, 202) are fixed to the supporting section (211).

[0071] As described above, an advantage of the method of the invention is that it does not require any step of connecting and/or disconnecting between the hoisting cable (3) and the hydraulic jack (2), or any operation for placing loose cables. The movable module (1) itself is thereby capable of deploying the taken up cable (3) for placing it the hoisting position.

[0072] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the grouping means (4) described in the present invention, comprising a screw-in wedge plate (9), a first screw-in distribution plate that can be screwed into said wedge plate (10), and a second distribution plate (11) with a hole through which said wedge plate can pass.

[0073] This configuration allows performing the method of hoisting same avoiding the placement of the wedge plate (9) in each hoisting phase, keeping the hoisting cable (3) threaded and connected to the hydraulic jack (2) throughout the entire method.

[0074] Lastly, FIG. 7 shows a protective element (12) installed in the wedge plate (9) such that it is able to run through the conduits of the different sections intended for housing the hoisting cables (3). Furthermore, said protective element (12) may be pointed to prevent jamming in the conduits.