Lifting assembly for elevating components to a wind turbine and a method for using the lifting assembly

Abstract

A lifting assembly for elevating components to a wind turbine. The lifting assembly comprises a plurality of tower segments adapted to be arranged on top of each other to form an elongated tower, and a lifting device including a support frame for supporting the tower, a securing assembly for securing the tower to the wind turbine, and a crane having a base part and a jib rotatably connected to the base part. The lifting device comprises a platform arranged vertically moveable between a lower and an upper position. The platform has a first storage area for supporting components with a weight of more than 10 tons. The crane is mounted on the platform and is configured to move the components between the platform and the wind turbine when the platform is in the upper position. The platform is provided with an opening adapted to receive the tower segments. The crane and the first storage area are arranged on opposite sides of the opening, and one of the tower segments is a top segment having an upper part provided with a second storage area for supporting components with a weight of more than 10 tons. The invention also relates to a method for using the lifting assembly for replacing an old component of a wind turbine with a new component.

Claims

1. A lifting assembly for elevating components to a wind turbine, comprising: a plurality of tower segments which together form an elongated tower with an adjustable height, and a lifting device including: a support frame for supporting the tower, a securing assembly for securing the tower to the wind turbine, and a crane, wherein the lifting device comprises: a platform arranged moveable relative the support frame between a lower position and an upper position, and the platform has a first storage area for supporting components weighing more than 10 tons, the crane is mounted on the platform and is configured to move the components between the platform and the wind turbine when the platform is in the upper position, the platform is provided with an opening adapted to receive the tower segments, the crane and the first storage area are arranged on opposite sides of the opening and one of the tower segments is a top segment, having an upper part provided with a second storage area for supporting components weighing more than 10 tons.

2. The lifting assembly according to claim 1, wherein said top segment comprises a cap connected to said upper part and having an upper surface defining said second storage area.

3. The lifting assembly according to claim 2, wherein said cap is removably connected to the upper part.

4. The lifting assembly according to claim 2, wherein said opening, and the peripheries of the tower segments and the cap are rectangular.

5. The lifting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lifting device comprises a drive unit for moving the platform and a power generation device configured to generate electric power to said drive unit, and the power generation device is mounted on said platform.

6. The lifting assembly according to claim 1, wherein said platform has a length of at least 4 m and a width of at least 2 m, and preferably said platform has a length of at least 6 m and a width of at least 3 m.

7. The lifting assembly according to claim 1, wherein said crane has a base part and a jib rotatably connected to the base part, and the jib has a maximum length of less than 40 m, and preferably the jib has a maximum length of less than 30 m.

8. The lifting assembly according to claim wherein the weight of the crane is more than 10 tons.

9. The lifting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the weight of the crane is less than 40 tons, and preferably less than 30 tons.

10. The lifting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the platform is provided with extendable beams, for supporting a wind turbine roof.

11. The lifting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the area of each of the first and second storage areas is at least 4 m.sup.2.

12. A method for using the lifting assembly as defined in claim 1 for replacing an old component of a wind turbine with a new component, wherein the method comprises: a) positioning the lifting device on the ground and in close proximity to the wind turbine, b) lifting the new component by means of the crane and placing the new component on the first storage area of the platform, c) moving one of the tower segments to the support frame in a vertical orientation through the opening of the platform by means of the crane, d) connecting the tower segment to the support frame, e) vertically moving the platform to an upper end of the tower segment, f) lifting another of the tower segments, placing the tower segment in a vertical orientation on the previous tower segment by means of the crane, and mechanically connecting the tower segments to each other, g) repeating the steps e-f to build the elongated tower, h) lifting the top segment and placing the top segment in a vertical orientation on the previous tower segment by means of the crane, and mechanically connecting the top segment to the previous tower segment, i) connecting the top segment to the wind turbine by means of the securing assembly, j) vertically moving the platform to the upper part of the tower segment, k) mechanically securing the platform to the top segment, l) moving the old component from the wind turbine and placing it on the second storage area by means of the crane, m) moving the new component from the platform and placing it on the wind turbine by means of the crane, n) moving the old component from the second storage area to the first storage area by means of the crane, o) removing the mechanical securing of the platform to the top segment, p) vertically moving the platform from the tower segment downwards to the previous tower segment, q) disconnecting the tower segments from each other, r) moving the tower segment to the ground by means of the crane, s) repeating the steps p-r until the platform has been moved to the last tower segment, t) moving the platform to the support frame, u) disconnecting the last tower segment from the support frame, and v) moving the last tower segment to the ground by means of the crane.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said component is any of a gear box, a generator, and a wind turbine wing.

14. The method according to claim 12 for using the lifting assembly, wherein the method further comprises starting the power generation devices before step b.

15. The method according to claim 12 for using the lifting assembly, wherein the method further comprises the following steps: removing the roof of the wind turbine and placing it on the extendable beams on the platform before performing step l, and lifting the roof back onto the wind turbine before step o.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be explained more closely by the description of different embodiments of the invention and with reference to the appended figures.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a lifting assembly for elevating components to a wind turbine.

(3) FIG. 2 shows the lifting assembly and the wind turbine in a view from above.

(4) FIG. 3 shows the platform from above as seen without an elongated tower.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a crane switching an old component for a new component.

(6) FIG. 5 shows the support frame as seen from above. FIG. 6 shows the platform bearing on the support frame.

(7) FIG. 6 shows the platform bearing on the support frame as seen from above.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a cap as seen in a perspective view.

(9) FIG. 8 shows a transportation vehicle positioning the lifting device in close proximity to the wind turbine.

(10) FIG. 9 shows a new component as it is lifted from the ground by means of the crane as seen in a side view.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a tower segment being lifted from the ground and moved to the support frame.

(12) FIG. 11 shows another tower segment being lifted from the ground and placed on the previous tower segment.

(13) FIG. 12 shows a zoomed in side view of the lifting device when the tower has been fully assembled and the platform is in an upper position and the crane is placing an old component on a second storage area.

(14) FIG. 13 shows the lifting device and the tower from the same view as in FIG. 12 but with the crane placing a new component in the wind turbine.

(15) FIG. 14 shows the lifting device and the tower from the same view as in FIG. 12 but with the crane placing the old component on a first storage area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) FIG. 1 shows a lifting assembly 1 for elevating components 3 to a wind turbine 5. The lifting assembly 1 is arranged in close proximity to the wind turbine 5. The lifting assembly 1 comprises a plurality of tower segments 13 which together form an elongated tower 9 with an adjustable height. The lifting assembly 1 further comprises a lifting device 2 including a support frame 11 for supporting the tower, a securing assembly 32 for securing the tower 9 to the wind turbine, a platform 7 arranged linearly moveable relative the support frame 11 and a crane 21 disposed on the platform. The platform 7 is arranged above the support frame 11. The platform is vertically movable in relation to the support frame 11. In this embodiment of the invention, the platform is also linearly moveable relative the tower 9 in a vertical orientation. The platform has a first storage area 19 for supporting components weighing more than 10 tons. The support frame 11 is arranged on the ground and is adapted to support the elongated tower 9.

(17) The tower is adapted to extend along its longitudinal axis A1 to a height substantially corresponding to the height of the wind turbine 5. The tower 9 is made up of a plurality of smaller tower segments 13 arranged on top of each other and connected to each other so to achieve the necessary height of the tower 9. The tower segments 13 are connected to each other with attachment means 15, e.g. bolts. The height of the tower segments can differ but is preferably of a height facilitating transport of the tower segments. Since the height of the tower 9 should substantially correspond to the height of the wind turbine 5, tower segments 13 of various heights could be needed to achieve the necessary height of the tower 9. One of the tower segments 13 is a top segment 26. The top segment 26 has an upper part 27 provided with a second storage area 28 for supporting components 3 with a weight of more than 10 ton. The top segment 26 is adapted to be arranged as the uppermost tower segment 13.

(18) The lifting device 2 comprises a securing assembly adapted to fixedly connect the tower 9 to the wind turbine 5 so to prevent the tower from swaying. The securing assembly 32 may comprises a plurality of securing devices 32 configured to clamp the tower of the wind turbine.

(19) FIG. 2 shows the lifting assembly 1 and the wind turbine in a view from above when the platform is in an upper position. Preferably, the platform 7 has a length L1 of at least 4 m and a width L2 of at least 2 m. In this embodiment the platform has a length L1 of more than 6 m and a width L2 extending perpendicular to the length L1 of more than 3 m. The platform 7 comprises securing means (not shown) adapted to mechanically connect the platform to the top segment 26 in the upper position so the platform 7 becomes fixed to the top segment 26. The securing means can be any suitable arrangement for removably attaching the platform to the top segment, for example, locking pins.

(20) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the lifting device comprises a folding gangway 31, adapted to be arranged between the platform 7 and the wind turbine 5 for providing safe passage for people between the platform and the wind turbine.

(21) FIG. 3 shows an example of the platform 7 in a view from above and seen without the elongated tower 9. The platform 7 is provided with an opening 17 adapted to receive the tower segments 13, as shown in FIG. 3. The size and shape of the opening 17 substantially correspond to the size and shape of the cross-section of the tower segments 13 so that the tower segments fit in the opening and to allow the tower segments to penetrate through the opening. The crane 21 and the first storage area 19 are arranged on opposite sides of the opening 17. In this embodiment, the crane 21 is arranged farther from the wind turbine 5 than the first storage area 19. In other embodiments the crane 21 can be arranged closer to the wind turbine than the first storage area and on a different side of the opening 17. The opening 17 surrounds the periphery of the tower 9 so that the platform 7 protrudes in different horizontal directions from the tower 9.

(22) The crane 21 has preferably a weight of more than 10 ton and less 40 ton and most preferably a weight less than 30 ton. The crane 21 comprises a base part 23 connected to the platform 7 and a jib 24 rotatably connected to the base part 23. The jib 24 is adapted to lift and move the components 3 to and from the platform 7. The jib has preferably a maximum length of less than 40 m, and most preferably the jib 24 has a maximum length of less than 30 m. The lower position corresponds to the position of the platform 7 relative the tower 9 in which the platform 7 is bearing on the support frame 11. The upper position is a position at a distance above the support frame and may correspond to the highest position the platform can be moved to relative the tower, and a position in which the components 3 can be moved from the platform 7 to the upper part of the wind turbine 5. The crane 21 is configured to move the components 3 between the platform 7 and the wind turbine 5 when the platform 7 is in the upper position and preferably between the ground and the platform 7 when the platform is in the lower position.

(23) The platform 7 is arranged movable relative the tower 9 between an upper position and a lower position by means of one or more drive units 30. The drive units 30 are disposed in close vicinity to the opening 17 of the platform. The tower segments 13 are provided with one or more drive devices, such as gear racks (not shown), adapted to cooperate with the drive units 30 in order to move the platform relative the tower segments. In this embodiment, the platform is provided with four drive units 30 and the tower segments are provided with four drive devices. The drive unit 30 may comprise a motor, a gear box and a drive mechanism (not shown) including one or more drive elements, such as gear wheels, adapted to engage to the drive devices provided on the tower segments 13 in order to move the platform 7 between the upper and lower positions. Preferably the motor is an electric motor, and the driving mechanism comprises at least one gearwheel and the drive device comprises at least one gear rack.

(24) In this embodiment, the drive unit 30 is powered by a power generation device 36 configured to generate electric power to the drive unit by means of cables. The power generation device 36 is also configured to generate electric power to the crane 21. Thus, the crane 21 and the drive are powered by the power generation device 36. In this embodiment, the power generation device is arranged at the same side relative the opening 17 as the crane 21. In other embodiment, the power generation device 36 can be arranged at the same side of the opening 17 as the first storage area 19. Alternatively, the crane 21 and the drive units 30 can also be coupled to the electrical system of the wind turbine 5 and receive electrical power directly from the wind turbine, thus no power generation device is necessary.

(25) In this embodiment, the top segment 26 comprises a cap 38 covering the upper part 27 of the top segment and removably attached to the upper part 27, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the upper part 27 of the top segment is protruding from the opening 17 so that the cap 38 is arranged above the opening 17 when the platform is in the upper position. The cap 38 has an upper surface defining the second storage area 28. The opening 17 and the periphery of the cap 38 and tower segments 13 are of the same shape e.g. rectangular. Rectangular shapes are easy to produce and rectangular tower segments 13 are easily stacked, which makes e.g. transportation easier. The cap 38 has a width L3 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1 of the tower 9, and the width of the cap 38 at its widest part is preferably equally large or larger than the width of the opening 17. The area of each of the first and second storage area 19, 28 is preferably at least 4 m.sup.2. Each of the sides L3 of the cape is preferably longer than 2 m in order to provide room enough for the components. The cap 38 is preferably made out of steel or some kind of metal, but could also be made of any kind of high strength material such as carbon fiber.

(26) In this embodiment, the platform 7 is provided with extendable beams 40 adapted to support a wind turbine roof 41, as shown in FIG. 3. The extendable beams 40 are connected to the platform 7 and comprises a first and a second beam 40a-40b arranged at a distance from each other and the beams protrude parallel to each other a distance from the platform 7. The beams are adapted to temporarily support the wind turbine roof 41.

(27) The maneuver of the crane and the platform can be done in a wireless manner. Using wireless control means increases the safety of the lifting assembly since no personal needs to be positioned on the platform, while the crane and the platform is operating.

(28) FIG. 4 shows the upper part of the lifting assembly when the platform 7 is in the upper position. The top segment 26 is penetrating through the opening 17 of the platform 7. The upper part 27 of the top segment including the cap is slightly protruding from the platform so that the second storage area 28 can be reached from the platform. The second storage area 28 is disposed on top of the tower 9 and by that is supported by the tower. FIG. 4 shows the crane 21 switching an old component 3a for a new component 3b in the wind turbine 5. The old component 3a has temporarily been placed in the second storage area 28 and the new component 3b has been lifted from the first storage area 19 by means of the crane 21 before being placed into the wind turbine 5. In this embodiment the platform 7 comprises a reinforced cage 43. The cage is made up of a plurality of beams preferably made out of steel. The cage comprises the drive unit 30. In this embodiment, the driving mechanism (not shown) comprises a plurality of gearwheels (not shown) extending inwards from the cage and adapted to engage to fixed gear racks (not shown) on the tower segments. The cage 43 is adapted to surround the tower 9 and by means of the driving mechanism support the platform 7 to the tower.

(29) FIG. 5 shows the support frame 11 as seen from above. The support frame 11 comprises a body 45, support legs 46 extending perpendicular to the body 45 and adapted to bear on the ground and support the body. The body comprises connection means (not shown) for fixedly connecting the tower to the support frame. The support frame 11 further comprises means for removably attach the platform 7 to the body 45. The platform 7 is adapted to bear on an upper surface of the body when the lifting device 2 is not in use as seen in FIG. 6.

(30) FIG. 6 shows the lifting assembly and the wind turbine from above. The lifting assembly comprises a securing assembly 32 adapted to fixedly connect the tower 9 to the wind turbine 5 so to prevent the tower from swaying. In this embodiment, the securing assembly 32 comprises two clamping parts. Each clamping part comprises two clamping rods 34, 35 adapted to extend perpendicular relative the tower 9 and around a part of the periphery of the wind turbine 5. The clamping rods 34, 35 are pressed against the tower 9 by means of a clamping mechanism (not shown) thus fixedly connecting the tower 9 to the wind turbine 5.

(31) FIG. 7 shows the cap 38 as seen in a perspective view. The cap comprises a plurality of connection bars 48 protruding from the cap. The connection bars are adapted to connect the cap to the top segment 26 by engaging in through holes (not shown) of the upper part 27 of the top segment.

(32) A method for using the lifting assembly to replace an old component with a new one is described herein with reference to FIGS. 8-14.

(33) FIG. 8 shows a transportation vehicle transporting the lifting device 2 as it is positioning the lifting device in close proximity to the wind turbine 5. Suitably, the lifting device 2 is pre-assembled before it is loaded on the transportation vehicle, e.g. a truck, meaning no assembly of the lifting device 2 is required at the location of the wind turbine 5. This also means that only one transportation vehicle is required for the transport of the lifting device 2, which decreases the total amount of transport vehicles. The transportation vehicle lowers the support legs 46 in order to place the lifting device 2 on the ground and drives away once the lifting device 2 is positioned. Since the transportation vehicle directly places the lifting device 2 in the correct position, there is no need for e.g. an extra lifting assembly for the positioning of the lifting device 2. Once the lifting device 2 is positioned, the power generation device 36, e.g. a diesel generator, which is configured to generate electric power to the drive unit 30, is started. Since the power generation device 36 is arranged on the platform 7, there will be no need for long cords, which there would have been if the power generation device 36 had been arranged, for example, on the ground.

(34) In FIG. 9, the new component 3b is lifted from the ground by means of the crane 21 and is placed on the first storage area 19 of the platform 7. By only having to lift the component 3 the distance from the ground to the platform 7, the crane does not need to use long wires to accomplish this. Long wires are sensitive to wind since they might start to swing while lifting objects. This means that by lifting the component 3 onto the platform 7, instead of e.g. having to lift it directly from the ground to the wind turbine 5, this solution becomes less sensitive to wind, which means there will be less stoppage of production. The component 3 can, for instance, be any of a gear box, a generator, and a wind turbine wing. These components 3 are the most common components of a wind turbine 5 needing replacing.

(35) In FIG. 10, one of the tower segments 13 is lifted from the ground and moved to the support frame 11 in a vertical orientation through the opening 17 of the platform 7 by means of the crane 21. By producing the opening 17 and the periphery of the tower segments 13 in the same shape, the tower segments 13 can easily be placed through the opening 17 while the tower 9 is built and the platform 7 can easily be moved upwards along the tower 9 by means of the drive unit 30. The tower segment 13 is connected mechanically to the support frame 11 by the use of the connection means, e.g. bolts. In doing so, the lifting assembly 1 becomes more stable.

(36) In FIG. 11, the platform 7 has been moved vertically to an upper end of the tower segment 13, by means of the drive unit 30 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 6. During the moving of the platform 7, it is important to have the weight of the platform 7 balanced so as to not wear out the drive unit 30. By having the crane 21 and the power generation device 36 placed on one side of the platform 7 and the new component 3b placed on the other, these weights cancel each other out, meaning that the platform 7 becomes balanced.

(37) Another tower segment 13 has been lifted from the ground and placed in a vertical orientation on the previous tower segment 13 by means of the crane 21, which is also shown in FIG. 10. The two tower segments 13 are mechanically connected to each other by using attachment means 15, e.g. bolts, making the lifting assembly 1 more stable. The platform 7 is once again moved vertically by means of the drive unit 30 to an upper end of the newly placed tower segment 13. A new tower segment 13 is then moved from the ground and placed on the previous one by means of the crane 21. These steps are then repeated so as to build the elongated tower 9 as seen in FIG. 1. When the approximate required height of the tower 9 is reached and only one tower segment remains, i.e. the top segment 26, these steps are no longer performed. This in an easy way to assemble the tower 9, and it is a lot less time consuming than assembling conventional lifting assemblies. Due to the fact that many tower segments 13 are used, the tower segments 13 can be produced in sizes that are easy to transport, meaning less means for transportation are needed. Since the amount of tower segments 13 used for the tower 9 is optional, the height of the tower 9 can also be easily regulated by adding more or less tower segments 13. By being able to regulate the height of the tower 9 it can be optimized so as to easily reach the components 3 of the wind turbine 5. The tower 9 is, preferably, a lattice tower, meaning that the weight of the tower segments 13 as well as the wind sensitivity of the tower 9 is reduced due to the fact that the overall surface of the tower 9 is small.

(38) In FIG. 12 the tower has been assembled. The top segment 26 has been lifted and placed in a vertical direction on the previous tower segment 13 by means of the crane 21, and the two tower segments are mechanically connected to each other. Again, the connecting of the tower segments 13 is done by using the attachment means 15, which makes the lifting assembly 1 more stable. The periphery of the top segment 26 is of the same size and shape as the rest of the tower segments 13, but the length of the top segment 26 can vary, meaning that the height of the tower 9 is easy to regulate. The height of the other tower segments 13 can also vary, thus further facilitating the regulation of the height of the tower 9.

(39) The top segment 26 is connected to the wind turbine 5 by means of the securing assembly 32, which is shown in FIG. 11. This provides extra stability of the lifting assembly 1 and makes it more resistant to wind, since the securing assembly 32 will ensure that the resulting forces from, for instance, wind, will be counteracted by the wind turbine 5. By making the tower 9 more stable, the safety of the people working on and near the wind turbine 5 is increased, since the probability of the tower 9, e.g., falling or breaking is decreased.

(40) The platform 7 is vertically moved by means of the drive unit 30 to the upper part 27 of the top segment 26 and is then mechanically secured to the top segment 26. The securing of the platform 7 to the top segment 26 can be done by using the securing means, and in doing so, the drive unit 30 no longer has to support the platform 7. This means that if the weight on the platform 7 becomes imbalanced, this will not affect the drive unit 30 and therefore the imbalance will not wear on the drive unit 30. After this, the elongated tower 9 is completed. Once the platform 7 is at the upper part 27 of the top segment 26, the crane 21 will be as close as it can be to the old component 3a on the wind turbine 5 that needs to be replaced. In this embodiment the top segment 26 has been provided beforehand with the cap 38, which is removably attached to the upper part 27 and has the surface defining the second storage area 28. The cap 38 is of the same shape as the opening 17 and the periphery of the tower segments 13 is in this embodiment rectangular, and is preferably the same size as the periphery of the top tower segment 26.

(41) Suitably, the protruding extendable beams 40 are extended once the elongated tower 9 has been built, and the wind turbine roof 41 is removed from the wind turbine 5 and placed on said beams 40 by means of the crane 21. By removing the wind turbine roof 41, the components 3 inside the wind turbine 5 will be replaceable. Preferably, the folding gangway 31 is placed with one end on the platform 7 and an opposite end on the wind turbine 5. By adding this folding gangway 31, there is an easy and safe way for people to get between the wind turbine 5 and the platform 7, which might be necessary during the replacing of the old component 3a. This set-up can be seen in FIG. 2.

(42) FIG. 12 also shows the old component 3a being moved from the wind turbine 5 and placed on the second storage area 28 by means of the crane 21.

(43) In FIG. 13, the new component 3b is moved from the platform 7 and placed on the wind turbine 5 by means of the crane 21.

(44) In FIG. 14, the old component 3a is moved from the second storage area 28 to the first storage area 19 by means of the crane 21. By performing these steps, the replacing of the old component 3a is completed. Due to the fact that the crane 21 is arranged on the platform 7, which has been moved as close as possible to the wind turbine 5, the distances when moving the components 3 to their different locations are all very short, which means that the moving of the components 3 can be performed without the need for long wires. This is an easier and less wind sensitive solution for replacing the old component 3a, in comparison to other lifting assemblies where all components need to be transported to and from the ground using long wires. By placing the old component 3a on the second storage area 28, the weight balance of the platform 7 remains intact. By moving the old component 3a from the second storage area 28 to the first storage area 19 after the new component 3b has been placed on the wind turbine 5, the weight balance will once again be intact. This is because the weight of the old component 3a will replace the new component 3b as a counterweight to the objects on the other side of the platform 7, e.g. the crane 21 and the power generation device 36. Because of this, the drive unit 30 will not be as worn out during the disassembly of the tower 9, as it would have been if the platform 7 was imbalanced.

(45) Once the old component 3a has been replaced with the new component 3b, the disassembly of the tower 9 can begin. The folding gangway 31 is removed from the wind turbine 5 and is placed on the platform 7. The wind turbine roof 41 is placed back on the wind turbine 5. This needs to be done since. The extendable beams 40 are then retracted. This can be done any time after the roof 41 has been replaced, but suitably, it is done before the platform 7 has been brought down to the support frame 11, since it is easier to retract the beams 40 if they are not directly placed on a surface, but are, at least, slightly elevated.

(46) The mechanical securing of the platform 7 to the top segment 26 is removed, which enables the platform 7 to become vertically movable from the top segment 26 downwards to the previous tower segment 13 by means of the drive unit 30. The tower segments are disconnected from each other and the tower segment 13 is moved to the ground be means of the crane 21. By using the crane 21, there is no need for an extra lifting assembly for the disassembling of the tower 9, which simplifies the disassembly. The above mentioned steps are repeated until the platform 7 has been moved to the last tower segment 13.

(47) The platform 7 is moved to the support frame 11. The last tower segment 13 is disconnected from the support frame 11 and is then moved to the ground by means of the crane 21. Again, since the crane 21 is very close to the ground, there is no need for long wires, making the solution less sensitive to wind. By moving the last tower segment 13, the lifting device 2 is liberated and can easily be lifted by a transport vehicle, e.g. a truck, and be removed from the location of the wind turbine 5.

(48) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims. For example, in another embodiment of the invention, the tower segments of the lifting assembly can be telescopic and the platform can be fixedly attached to the top segment. Further, the crane and the first storage area can switch place so that the crane is closer to the wind turbine than the first storage area. The lifting assembly can also be used to build a complete wind turbine, including building the wind tower.