STRETCHING TENSIONER

Abstract

Provided is a stretching tensioner for tensioning a guide wire comprising: a tensioner base attachable to a lift platform, a housing located on a bottom side of the tensioner base for housing the guide wire, and a wire lock clamped on the guide wire underneath the housing and fixing the guide wire with respect to a base of the housing, wherein the housing comprises a hollow threaded shaft, an activation nut, a bearing between the hollow threaded shaft and the bottom side of the tensioner base, a tensioning nut, a resilient element arranged between the tensioning nut and the base of the housing such that upon rotation of the activation nut the tensioning nut moves axially to compress the resilient element and tensioning the guide wire, as well as wire guided lifts and wind turbines comprising such tensioners.

Claims

1. Stretching tensioner for tensioning a guide wire comprising: a tensioner base attachable to a lift platform and having a first opening, a housing located on a bottom side of the tensioner base for housing the guide wire, and a wire lock clamped on the guide wire underneath the housing and fixing the guide wire with respect to a base of the housing, wherein the housing comprises: a hollow threaded shaft that extends through the first opening from a top side of the tensioner base to the bottom side of the tensioner base, the hollow threaded shaft having an external thread and an internal through hole for the guide wire, an activation nut located on the top side of the tensioner base, and rotatably fixed to the hollow threaded shaft, a bearing between the hollow threaded shaft and the bottom side of the tensioner base for allowing rotation of the hollow threaded shaft with respect to the tensioner base, a tensioning nut with a thread mating with the external thread of the hollow threaded shaft, wherein the tensioning nut is axially displaceable within the housing but rotatably fixed to the housing, a resilient element arranged between the tensioning nut and the base of the housing such that upon rotation of the activation nut the tensioning nut moves axially to compress the resilient element.

2. A stretching tensioner according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-tension mechanism, the pre-tension mechanism comprising: a pre-tension rod with a through-hole for the guide wire, the pre-tension rod having an outer thread, a pre-tension wire lock clamped on the guide wire underneath the pre-tension rod fixing the guide wire with respect to the pre-tension rod, a pushing nut arranged on the pre-tension rod having an internal thread mating with the outer thread of the pre-tension rod, such that a first distance between the pushing nut and the pre-tension wire lock can be adjusted.

3. A stretching tensioner according to claim 2, wherein the pre-tension mechanism further comprises a pre-tensioner base that is fixed with respect to the base of the housing, wherein the pushing nut is arranged to abut against the pre-tensioner base when pre-tensioning the guide wire.

4. A stretching tensioner according to claim 2, wherein the pre-tension mechanism further comprises: a locknut for jamming up against a pre-tension nut when pre-tensioning the guide wire; wherein the pre-tension nut and the locknut are arranged on the pre-tension rod and have an internal thread mating with the outer thread of the pre-tension rod, such that a second distance between the pushing nut and respectively the pre-tension nut and the locknut can be adjusted.

5. A stretching tensioner according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises: two cover parts telescopically connected to each other and configured to house the resilient element.

6. A stretching tensioner according to claim 5, wherein the housing further comprises: a measuring tape provided at one cover part of the housing and a cooperating index mark at the other cover part, a second opening arranged in the tensioner base and configured to provide a view of the measuring tape.

7. A stretching tensioner according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning nut is arranged rotatably fixed with respect the hollow threaded shaft.

8. A stretching tensioner according to claim 3, wherein the pre-tensioner base is attached to the housing through connecting elements so that a locking chamber is defined between the pre-tensioner base, the connecting elements and the base of the housing.

9. A stretching tensioner according to claim 1, wherein the resilient element comprises a spring.

10. A wire-guided lift comprising a stretching tensioner according to claim 1.

11. A wind turbine tower comprising a stretching tensioner according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal top isometric cross section view of a stretching tensioner according to an example;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a bottom isometric view of the stretching tensioner of FIG. 1 during a pre-stretch adjustment;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a bottom isometric view of the stretching tensioner of FIG. 1 in a further step of the pre-stretch adjustment of FIG. 2;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross section view of the stretching tensioner during a pre-stretching adjustment;

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross section view of the stretching tensioner of FIG. 3;

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal cross section view of the stretching tensioner according to another example during a stretch adjustment;

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal cross section view of the stretching tensioner of FIG. 6 during a further step of the stretch adjustment of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

[0033] In these figures the same reference signs have been used to designate matching elements.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal top isometric cross section view in top perspective of a stretching tensioner 1 for a guide wire 100 according to an example. The stretching tensioner 1 may comprise:

[0035] A housing 3 conceived to house a portion of the guide wire 100. The stretching tensioner in this example further comprises a tensioner base 2 which may be attached to a lift bottom platform 200 and which may comprise a first opening 21. The tensioner base 2 may be attachable to any kind of lift platform 200. In particular, the tensioner base 2 may be mounted to a lowermost or starting platform. A wire lock 4 which may be configured to clamp the guide wire 100 just below the bottom of housing 3, see FIGS. 6 and 7. All the parts of the stretching device 1 may be conceived so as to receive the passing-through guide wire 100 as per FIG. 1.

[0036] As can be seen in the attached figures, for instance 6 and 7, the housing 3 may be arranged between the tensioner base 2 and the wire lock 4, such that an action-reaction force pair F1, F2 may be defined between the housing 3 and the wire lock 4.

[0037] Further in this example, the housing 3 comprises a tensioning nut 31 which has threads mating outer threads of threaded hollow shaft 34. A resilient element 32, which in this example is a compression spring, is provided between the tensioning nut 31 and a base 33 of the housing 3, the resilient element 32 may be configured to urge the base 33 towards the wire lock 4. In the illustrated examples the tensioning nut 31 may be urged towards the tensioner base 2 and away from both the base 33 and the wire lock 4, by the action of the resilient element 32. The resilient element 32 may comprise a spring, such as a helical or coil spring able to receive the guide wire 100 along its longitudinal axis. However, any other part resilient or elastic element may be envisaged to provide the housing 3 with elastic properties and therefore being able to tension the guide wire 100 and/or absorbing any overstress transmitted by the guide wire 100. As per the attached figures, the base 33 may comprise a third opening 39 through which the guide wire 100 may be led.

[0038] A hollow threaded shaft 34 has outer threads that mate with tensioning nut 31. The guide wire 100 is arranged to pass through an inner through hole of hollow threaded shaft 34. Activation nut 35 may be fixed on the hollow threaded shaft such that rotation of the activation nut 35 results in rotation of hollow threaded shaft 34.

[0039] The tensioning nut 31 may be movable along the hollow threaded shaft 34 and with respect the tensioner base 2, such that the biasing force of the resilient element 32 may be adjustable. The relative movement of the tensioning nut 31 and the hollow threaded shaft 34 will be explained later in detail. In any case, the movement may be aimed to vary the overall length of the resilient element 32 by compressing or releasing it. The adjustment of length implies an adjustment of the tension applied to the guide wire 100 and consequently an adjustment of a degree of stretching. Examples as per the attached illustrations may comprise a tensioning nut 31 being urged towards the tensioner base 2 so the tension applied to the guide wire 100 may be increased by shortening the length of the resilient element 32. Thereby the guide wire 100 may be stretched.

[0040] The stretching tensioner 1 according to an example may further comprise a pre-tension mechanism 5 which may comprise:

[0041] A pre-tension rod 54 with a through-hole for the guide wire 100, the pre-tension rod 54 may have an outer thread; a pre-tension wire lock 53 may be clamped on the guide wire 100 underneath the pre-tension rod 54 fixing the guide wire 100 with respect to the pre-tension rod 54; a pushing nut 52 arranged on the pre-tension rod 54 may have an internal thread mating with the outer thread of the pre-tension rod 54, such that a first distance between the pushing nut 52 and the pre-tension wire lock 53 may be adjusted. The pre-tension rod 54 may pass through a third opening 39.

[0042] The pre-tension mechanism 5 may further comprise a pre-tensioner base 51 that may be fixed with respect to the base 33 of the housing 3, wherein the pushing nut 52 may be arranged to abut against the pre-tensioner base 51 when pre-tensioning the guide wire 100.

[0043] It should be noted that the pre-tensioner base 51 may adopt a plurality of configurations, e.g. circular-shaped or square-shaped. The pre-tensioner base 51 may be attached to the housing 3 and may comprise a bore configured to receive the pre-tension rod 54.

[0044] The pre-tension rod 54 may be configured to tension the guide wire 100 through the respective abutments of the pre-tension rod 54 on the pre-tension wire lock 53 and the pushing nut 52 on the pre-tensioner base 51. In any case the distance between the pushing nut 52 and the pre-tension wire lock 53 may be adjustable at a predefined degree.

[0045] In some alternative examples, the pre-tension mechanism 5 may further comprise: a locknut 57 for jamming up against a pre-tension nut 56 when pre-tensioning the guide wire 100. The pre-tension nut 56 and the locknut 57 may be arranged on the pre-tension rod 54 and both of them may have an internal thread mating with the outer thread of the pre-tension rod 54, such that a second distance between the pushing nut 52 and respectively the pre-tension nut 56 and the locknut 57 may be adjusted to a predefined amount. As a consequence, the first distance may also be adjusted.

[0046] The operation of the pre-tension mechanism 5 for the above described examples will be explained later in detail.

[0047] In some examples, the housing 3 may further comprise two cover parts 36A, 36B telescopically connected to each other and configured to house the resilient element 32.

[0048] In further examples, the activation nut 35 may be arranged so that it emerges from the first opening 21. This configuration allows an improved access for maintenance personnel. The activation nut 35 may be arranged over the tensioner base 2 level, but in any case the activation nut 35 is accessible from the upper side of the lift platform 2.

[0049] According to further examples, the housing 3 may further comprise an axial bearing 342 arranged between the hollow threaded shaft 34 and the bottom side of the tensioner base 2, so that the hollow threaded shaft 34 may be able to rotate about its longitudinal axis LA through the operation of the activation nut 35. The hollow threaded shaft 34 may have a seat 341 where the hollow threaded shaft 34 may abut, so the axial bearing 342 may be arranged between the seat 341 and the tensioner base 2.

[0050] In some examples, the tensioning nut 31 may be arranged rotatably fixed with respect the hollow threaded shaft 34 for instance by means of rotation impeding pins 311 or the like (keys) which slide relative to respective slots of one cover part 36A.

[0051] The tensioning nut 31 may be coupled through mating threads with the hollow threaded shaft 34. The rotation impeding pins 311 may be positioned at the tensioning nut 31 and may protrude from it. Therefore, the tensioning nut 31 may be axially displaceable but rotatably fixed with respect to the housing 3.

[0052] In examples of the stretching tensioner 1 the housing 3 may further comprise a measuring tape 37 which may be provided at one cover part 36B of the housing 3 and a cooperating index mark at the other cover part 36A of the housing 3, and a second opening 22 which may be arranged in the tensioner base 2 and configured to provide a view of the measuring tape 37.

[0053] In more examples, the pre-tensioner base 51 may be attached to the housing 3 through connecting elements 55 so that a locking chamber 6 may be defined among the pre-tensioner base 51, the connecting elements 55 and the base 33. The quantity and shape of connecting elements 55 may vary but in the herein illustrated examples there are three arms.

[0054] The herein disclosed examples of the stretching tensioner 1 may be form part of a wire-guided lift. Such a wire guided lift may be implemented in a wind turbine tower or in another structure.

[0055] In the following, the operation of an example of the stretching tensioner 1 which comprises a pre-tension mechanism 5 will be explained. This example regards a basement of a tower of a wind power generator.

[0056] FIGS. 2-5 are related to different steps of a pre-stretch adjustment; FIGS. 3, 5 illustrate a step after that one of FIGS. 2, 4.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a bottom isometric view of an example of the stretching tensioner 1 during a pre-stretch adjustment and FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross section view of the stretching tensioner 1 according to the same example. The guide wire 100 may be passed through all the parts of the stretching tensioner 1 which are conceived to receive it including the pre-tension mechanism 5 such as the pre-tensioner base 51 and the pre-tension rod 54. Before starting the operation the strands (not shown) of the guide wire 100 are not tensioned. The user then places the pre-tension wire lock 53 at the guide wire 100 and near the lower end of the pre-tension rod 54. It should be noted that at the very beginning of the pre-stretch adjustment the pre-tension rod 54 may be introduced into the housing, particularly surrounded by the resilient element 32 and received by the third opening 39 of the base 33.

[0058] Depending on the structure of the pre-tension mechanism 5, the user may act in different ways:

[0059] When the pre-tension mechanism 5 comprises the pre-tension nut 56 and the locknut 57, the user blocks the pushing nut 52 by using a wrench for example, to allow a relative movement between the pushing nut 52 and the pre-tension rod 54. The user may turn the pre-tension nut 56 towards the pre-tension wire lock 53 but the locknut 57 prevent the pre-tension nut 56 from moving relative to the pre-tension rod 54. That is to say, the lock nut 57 is jammed up against the pre-tension nut 56 so both the pre-tension nut 56 and the lock nut 57 are tightened against each other.

[0060] As the pre-tension nut 56 has become fixed with respect to the pre-tension rod 54, turning the pre-tension nut 56 implies turning the pre-tension rod 54 about its longitudinal axis. By blocking the pushing nut 52 in position, for instance by using a wrench, and turning the pre-tension nut 56 (R2), the pushing nut 52 and the pre-tension rod 54 move relatively to each other. Then the pre-tension rod 54 moves downwards relative to the pre-tensioner base 51 and abuts against the pre-tension wire lock 53. Therefore, the first distance or separation between the pushing nut 52 and the pre-tension wire lock 53 may be adjusted. The pre-tension may be achieved.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a bottom isometric view of the same example of the stretching tensioner 1 as FIGS. 2, 4 but in a further step of the pre-stretch adjustment and FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross section view of the stretching tensioner 1 according to the same example. When pushing nut 52 reaches the pre-tensioner base 51 and the pre-tension rod 54 reaches the pre-tension wire lock 53 the guide wire 100 may become stretched. Once at least a portion of the length of the pre-tension rod 54 comes out of the third opening 39 of the base 33, a wire lock 4 may be assembled on the guide wire 100 below the base 33. The respective abutments of the pre-tension rod 54 on the pre-tension wire lock 53 and the pushing nut 52 on the pre-tensioner base 51 may produce another action-reaction pair force F3, F4 between the pre-tension wire lock 53 and the pre-tensioner base 51, pre-tensioning the guide wire 100 (see FIG. 5).

[0062] The wire lock 4 may be fixed on the guide wire 100 by taking advantage of the locking chamber 6 which may be defined between the pre-tensioner base 51, the connecting elements 55 and the base 33.

[0063] Once a predefined pre-stretch loading level on the guide wire 100 is achieved the user may follow as will be explained. It should be noted that an example of the stretching tensioner 1 without the pre-tension mechanism 5 might also be used to follow the next depicted normal stretch adjustment. Examples comprising the pre-tension mechanism 5 might be used to perform both the pre-stretch and the stretch adjustment.

[0064] As the above described pre-stretch adjustment may be done only during the installation of the lift, it does not matter that a worker may be beneath the lift bottom platform 200 to carry out the pre-stretch adjustment.

[0065] In the following the operation of an example of the stretching tensioner 1 which comprises a pre-tension mechanism 5 will be explained. However, FIGS. 6, 7 do not illustrate all the parts of such pre-tension mechanism 5 for the sake of clarity.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal cross section view of the stretching tensioner 1 according to another example during a stretch adjustment whereas FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal cross section view of the stretching tensioner 1 during a further step of the cited stretch adjustment. In order to stretch the guide wire 100 this one may be pre-tensioned or not. In any case the guide wire 100 may be led along the longitudinal axis of the stretching tensioner 1. A wire lock 4 may be assembled on the guide wire 100 below the base 33. That operation may be already done during the pre-tension adjustment. Once the wire lock 4 is placed, the user, positioned above the lift bottom platform 200, may turn the hollow threaded shaft 34 through the activation nut 35 (R1) giving as a result the relative movement between the hollow threaded shaft 34 and the tensioning nut 31. As previously explained, the hollow threaded shaft 34 may comprise a threated outer surface. The tensioning nut 31 may be arranged rotatably fixed relative to the hollow threaded shaft 34 so the turning of the hollow threaded shaft 34 about its longitudinal axis causes the longitudinal movement of the tensioning nut 31 along the hollow threaded shaft 34. FIGS. 1, 6-7 show the rotation impeding pins 311 sliding relative to the respective slots of one cover part 36A.

[0067] In some examples, the rotation impeding pins 311 may act as the index mark by sliding along the slot, and the tape 37 may be arranged next and along the slot.

[0068] The hollow threaded shaft 34 may be able to freely rotate about its longitudinal axis LA owing to the arrangement of the axial bearing 342.

[0069] As the tensioning nut 31 moves away from the tensioner base 2, the resilient element 32 may become compressed towards the base 33 (see FIG. 6). The base 33 may abut the wire lock 4 so the compressed resilient element 32 urges the base 33 and indirectly the wire lock 4. Therefore an action-reaction force pair F1, F2 may be generated between the housing 3 and the wire lock 4. The length of the guide wire 100 may be shortened along the lift shaft.

[0070] The user may tune the tension applied to the guide wire 100, which may be previously pre-tensioned or not through the pre-stretch adjustment, from the upper side of the lift platform 200 since the hollow threaded shaft 34 may be easily accessible through the first opening 21 and the second opening 22 may allow to precisely determine the value of tension.

[0071] Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and/or equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow. If reference signs related to drawings are placed in parentheses in a claim, they are solely for attempting to increase the intelligibility of the claim, and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim.