TOWER POSITIONING SYSTEM

Abstract

An arrangement to position a part of the tower of a wind turbine to be used during the installation of the tower, and a method to position the part of the tower is provided. An arrangement to position at least a part of a wind turbine tower in respect to a counterpart during installation is disclosed. The arrangement includes a sensor to sense a position of a part of the tower, and means to transmit sensor information to a place in a certain distance from the sensor. The system further includes means to evaluate the sensor data, and means to influence the position of the part of the tower according to the evaluation of the sensor data.

Claims

1. An arrangement to position at least a part of a wind turbine tower with respect to a counterpart during installation, the arrangement comprising: a sensor to sense a position of a part of the wind turbine tower; a means to transmit sensor information to a place in a certain distance from the sensor; a means to evaluate the sensor data; and a means to influence the position of the part of the wind turbine tower with respect to the counterpart according to an evaluation of the sensor data.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an attachment means to attach the sensor to the part of the wind turbine tower.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a magnet to attach the sensor to the part of the wind turbine tower magnetically.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is at least one of: a proximity sensor, an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, and an acoustic sensor.

5. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a camera to produce an image of the positioning situation.

6. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising at least three sensors to sense the position of the part of the wind turbine tower.

7. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the means to transmit the sensor information is a wireless transmission system.

8. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the means to influence the position of the part of the wind turbine tower comprises a guiding wire attached to the part of the wind turbine tower.

9. The arrangement according claim 8, further comprising a certain number of sensors and a same number of guiding wires.

10. The arrangement according claim 9, wherein the certain number of sensors is three sensors and the same number of guiding wires is three guiding wires.

11. The arrangement according to claim 8, further comprising a means to act on the guiding wire to influence the position of the part of the wind turbine tower.

12. A method to position at least a part of a wind turbine tower with respect to a counterpart during installation, whereby an arrangement comprises a sensor, a means to transmit sensor information, a means to evaluate sensor information, and a means to influence a position of the part of the wind turbine tower, the method comprising: attaching the sensor to the part of the wind turbine tower; sensing the position of the part of the wind turbine tower; transmitting sensor information to a place in a certain distance from the sensor; evaluating the sensor information; and influencing the position of the part of the wind turbine tower according to the evaluating of the sensor information.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the sensor comprises a magnet, and the method further comprises the step of attaching the sensor to the part of the wind turbine tower by magnetic force.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the arrangement comprises a camera, and the method further comprises: generating an image of the positioning situation, transmitting the image taken by the camera, and evaluating the image.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the arrangement comprises a guiding wire, and the method further comprises: attaching the guiding wire to the part of the wind turbine tower, influencing the position of the part of the wind turbine tower by acting on the guiding wire.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0076] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0077] FIG. 1 shows an arrangement as in use at the tower, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0078] FIG. 2 shows a second installation situation, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0079] FIG. 3 shows a different sensor attached to the tower, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a birds-eye view on the installation situation, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] FIG. 1 shows the arrangement that is installed at the tower.

[0082] The arrangement comprises a sensor 1. The sensor 1 can be a mechanical sensor, optical sensor, acoustic sensor for example.

[0083] The part of the tower 10 comprises a flange 11 at the lower end. The flange 11 needs to be connected to a foundation 12 whereby the bolt holes and the flange 11 of the part of the tower 10 need to be aligned with the bolt holes 15 and the foundation 12.

[0084] The sensor 1 senses the position of the part of the tower 10 in respect to the foundation 12.

[0085] The signal of the sensor 1 is transmitted by means 2 to transmit the sensor signal to an evaluation unit 3. The signal of the sensor 1 and thus the position of the part of the tower 10 can be an evaluated with the means 3 to evaluate the position in certain distance from the tower.

[0086] The tower is lowered onto the foundation in a mounting direction M.

[0087] After the position of the tower is evaluated the position of the tower can be influenced by means 4 to influence the position of the tower. The position of the tower can be influenced in the directions D.

[0088] Thus, no worker needs to be present at the tower or in the tower, to visually survey the positioning of the tower, and no worker needs to be present close to the tower to influence the position of the tower, during the installation of the tower on the foundation.

[0089] FIG. 2 shows a second installation situation.

[0090] The part of the tower 10 is installed on the foundation 12. The part of the tower 10 comprises a flange 11 with a bolt hole 15. The foundation 12 comprises bolts 16 and the part of the tower 10 needs to be aligned with its bolt holes 15 to fit to the position of the bolts 16.

[0091] An electrical cabinet 13 is present on the foundation 12 and the part of the tower 10 is installed on the foundation 12 over the electrical cabinet 13 in a way that the electrical cabinet 13 is positioned within the part of the tower 10 after the installation of the part of the tower 10 to the foundation 12.

[0092] Thus, during the installation of the part of the tower 10 a special care has to be taken that the electrical cabinet is not damaged by the part of the tower 10 and the flange 11.

[0093] Thus, the arrangement to position the tower is used. Sensors 1 are connected by a magnet 6 to the flange 11 of the part of the tower 10. The sensors 1 sense the position of the tower in respect to the electrical cabinet 13 and in respect to the bolts 16 of the foundation 12.

[0094] The arrangement comprises means 2 to transmit the sensor signal to an evaluation unit. The means 2 to transmit the sensor signal are wireless connection means.

[0095] The means 3 to evaluate the sensor signal receives the information from the sensor 1. After the evaluation of the position of the tower, the position of the tower can be influenced by means 4 to influence the position.

[0096] The means 4 comprises guiding wires 8 that can be handled by means 9 to act on a guiding wire. The tower is lowered onto the foundation in a mounting direction M. During lowering of the tower the position of the tower can be influenced by the means 9 acting on a guiding wire 8.

[0097] FIG. 3 shows a different sensor attached to the tower.

[0098] The part of the tower 10 comprises a flange 11 with bolt holes 15. The part of the tower 10 is installed on a foundation 12 that comprises a flange 14. For an adjustment of the position of the part of the tower 10 in respect to the counterpart 12, a sensor is attached to the part of the tower 10.

[0099] The sensor 1 is a visual sensor with a camera 7. The camera 7 creates an image of the installation situation of the tower and the counterpart.

[0100] The camera is attached to the tower by attachment means 5. The camera comprises a moveable joint so that the camera 7 at the sensor 1 can be adjusted in its position.

[0101] Preferably, the moveable joint and thus the position of the camera 7 at the sensor 1 can be adjusted by a remote control and by a motor at the joint 17.

[0102] FIG. 4 shows a birds-eye view on the installation situation.

[0103] The part of the tower 10 shows a circular cross-cut. Sensors 1 are installed within the tower.

[0104] At the outside of the tower guiding wires 8 are attached to the tower to influence the position of the tower. The means to position the influence of the tower comprises the guiding wire and means 9 to act on the guiding wire.

[0105] The signals of the sensors 1 are transferred to the means 3 to evaluate the position of the tower. The position of the tower can then be influenced by pulling on the guide wires 8.

[0106] The arrangement comprises three sensors 1 and three guide wires 8. The guiding wires 8 are attached to the tower in a distance of around 120 degrees along the circular cross-cut of the tower.

[0107] Thus, the position of the tower can be precisely defined through three wires, and three wires is the minimum number needed to precisely define the position of the tower.

[0108] For every guiding wire 8 one sensor 1 is needed. Thus, a direct relation exists between the sensor signal 1 and the guiding wire 8. Thus the handling of the positioning of the tower is simplified.

[0109] The illustration in the drawings is in schematic form. It is noted that in different figures, similar or identical elements are provided with the same reference signs.

[0110] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0111] It should be noted that the use of a or an throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and comprising does not exclude other steps or elements. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.