MODULAR WORK PLATFORM AND SYSTEM HAVING A MODULAR WORK PLATFORM AND A FIXTURE FOR A TUNED MASS DAMPER IN A WIND TURBINE

Abstract

Provided is a modular work platform including multiple modules for assembly about a tuned mass damper in a wind turbine, whereby the multiple modules are a first base platform, a second base platform, a first base connecting railing, and a second base connecting railing, whereby in an assembled state of the modular work platform, the modular work platform includes a platform opening for the tuned mass damper, wherein the platform opening is formed between the first base platform, the second base platform, the first base connecting railing and the second base connecting railing. A system including the modular work platform and a fixture for the tuned mass damper in the wind turbine, whereby the modular work platform is connected to the fixture is also provided.

Claims

1. A modular work platform comprising multiple modules for assembly about a tuned mass damper in a wind turbine, whereby the multiple modules comprise: (a) a first base platform having a first accessible area for providing working space to a first worker, the first base platform having at least one first connection means; (b) a second base platform having a second accessible area for providing working space to a second worker, the second base platform having at least one third connection means; (c) a first base connecting railing for connecting the first base platform with the second base platform, the first base connecting railing having two fifth connection means, wherein one of the two fifth connection means is configured to be connected to the at least one first connection means and another one of the two fifth connection means is configured to be connected to the at least one third connection means; and (d) a second base connecting railing for connecting the first base platform with the second base platform, the second base connecting railing having two eighth connection means, wherein one of the two eighth connection means is configured to be connected to the at least one first connection means and another one of the two eighth connection means is configured to be connected to the at least one third connection means, wherein, in an assembled state of the modular work platform, in which the fifth connection means and eighth connection means are respectively connected to the first connection means and the third connection means, the modular work platform comprises a platform opening for the tuned mass damper, further wherein the platform opening is formed between the first base platform, the second base platform, the first base connecting railing and the second base connecting railing.

2. The modular work platform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first connection means are two first connection means and the at least one third connection means are two third connection means, wherein one of the fifth connection means is configured to be connected to one of the two first connection means and the other one of the fifth connection means is configured to be connected to one of the two third connection means, and wherein one of the eighth connection means is configured to be connected to the other one of the two first connection means and the other one of the eighth connection means is configured to be connected to the other one of the two third connection means.

3. The modular work platform according to claim 1, wherein the first base platform and the second base platform are located opposite of one another in the assembled state.

4. The modular work platform according to claim 1, wherein the modular work platform comprises as further ones of the multiple modules (a) a first base railing having at least one eleventh connection means configured to be connected to at least one second connection means of the first base platform, and (b) a second base railing having at least one fourteenth connection means configured to be connected to at least one fourth connection means of the second base platform.

5. The modular work platform according to claim 4, wherein the modular work platform comprises as further ones of the multiple modules (a) a first railing connecting railing having two seventeenth connection means, wherein one of the two seventeenth connection means is configured to be connected to a twelfth connection means of the first base railing and the other one of the two seventeenth connection means is configured to be connected to one of two ninth connection means of the second base connecting railing, and (b) a second railing connecting railing having two nineteenth connection means, wherein one of the two nineteenth connection means is configured to be connected to a fifteenth connection means of the second base railing and the other one of the two nineteenth connection means is configured to be connected to the other one of the two ninth connection means of the second base connecting railing, whereby in the assembled state of the modular work platform, the first railing connecting railing connects the first base railing with the second base connecting railing and the second railing connecting railing connects the second base railing with the second base connecting railing.

6. The modular work platform according to claim 4, wherein the modular work platform comprises as further ones of the multiple modules (c) a fifth cross member having two eighteenth connection means, wherein one of the two eighteenth connection means is configured to be connected to a thirteenth connection means of the first base railing and the other one of the two eighteenth connection means is configured to be connected to one of two tenth connection means of the second base connecting railing, and (d) a sixth cross member having two twentieth connection means wherein one of the two twentieth connection means is configured to be connected to a sixteenth connection means of the second base railing and the other one of the two twentieth connection means is configured to be connected to the other one of the two tenth connection means of the second base connecting railing, whereby in the assembled state of the modular work platform the fifth cross member connects the first base railing with the second base connecting railing and the sixth cross member connects the second base railing with the second base connecting railing.

7. The modular work platform according to claim 1, wherein the modular work platform comprises as further ones of the multiple modules (c) a first swivel door having a twenty-first connection means configured to be swivel connected to a first one of a sixth connection means of the first base connecting railing, and/or (d) a second swivel door having a twenty-third connection means configured to be swivel connected to a second one of a sixth connection means of the first base connecting railing.

8. The modular work platform according to claim 1, wherein each of the first base connecting railing and the second base connecting railing is provided with two railing posts and a handrail.

9. The modular work platform according to claim 8, wherein the handrails are formed integrally with their respective railing posts.

10. The modular work platform according to claim 8, wherein respective ends of the railing posts re of the first base connecting railing and the second base connecting railing serve as the fifth connection means and the eighth connection means, whereby each of the respective ends of the railing posts comprises a through hole for a pin.

11. The modular work platform according to claim 10, wherein the first connection means and the third connection means are sleeves configured in size and/or shape corresponding to the ends of the railing posts of the first base connecting railing and the second base connecting railing, whereby each of the sleeves comprises a through hole for the pin.

12. The modular work platform according to claim 11, wherein the ends of the railing posts of the first base connecting railing and the second base connecting railing are received by the first connection means and the third connection means in the assembled state of the modular work platform, whereby the railing posts and the sleeves are locked by means of locking elements, in particular double wire lock pins.

13. The modular work platform according to claim 1, wherein the first base connecting railing and the second base connecting railing are curved.

14. The modular work platform according to claim 1, wherein a first wall is attached to the first base module, a second wall is attached to the second base module, a third wall is attached to the first base connecting railing and a fourth wall is attached to the second base connecting railing, so that the first wall, the second wall, the third wall and the fourth wall together enclose the first accessible area, the second accessible area and the platform opening.

15. A system comprising the modular work platform according to claim 1, for the tuned mass damper in the wind turbine, whereby the modular work platform is connected to the fixture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0034] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention having a modular work platform and a fixture;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a modular work platform as shown in FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a first step of assembling the modular work platform of FIG. 2 on the fixture;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a second step of assembling the modular work platform of FIG. 2 on the fixture;

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a view on a detail from FIG. 4;

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a third step of assembling the modular work platform of FIG. 2 on the fixture;

[0041] FIG. 7 shows a fourth step of assembling the modular work platform of FIG. 2 on the fixture;

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a fifth step of assembling the modular work platform of FIG. 2 on the fixture; and

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a view on a detail from FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Same objects in FIGS. 1 to 9 are denominated with the same reference number.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a system 30 according to an embodiment of the invention having a modular work platform 100 according to an embodiment of the invention and a fixture 20. The modular work platform 100 is mounted on the fixture 20, in particular on two clamping arms 21.1, 21.2 of the fixture 20. The clamping arms 21.1, 21.2 clamp the damper mass 12 of a tuned mass damper 10. Further, a support structure 22 is attached to the clamping arms 21.1, 21.2 supporting and partially enclosing the damper mass 12. The damper mass 12 is attached by means of a pendulum rod 11 of the tuned mass damper 10 within a wind turbine, which is not shown here.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the modular work platform 100 of FIG. 1. The modular work platform 100 comprises a first base platform 110, a second base platform 120, a first base connecting railing 130, a second base connecting railing 140, a first base railing 150, a second base railing 160, a first railing connecting railing 170, a second railing connecting railing 180, a first swivel door 190 and a second swivel door 200 as separate modules, which are shown in the assembled state, in which the modular work platform 100 is formed. The modular work platform 100 comprises a platform opening 102 for the tuned mass damper 10, as being shown in FIG. 1.

[0047] In the following, an exemplary assembly process of the modular work platform 100 and details thereof will be described in detail.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a first step of assembling the modular work platform 100 of FIG. 2 on the fixture 20. In this first step, the first base module 110 and the second base module 120 are attached to the clamping arms 21.1, 21.2. Each of the first base module 110 and the second base module 120 is placed on top of both clamping arms 21.1, 21.2 by means of form fitting. For this purpose, a frame structure of the first base module 110 and second base module 120 corresponds in form to the clamping arms 21.1, 21.2 for achieving the form fit. The frame structure may comprise a grating. This grating may be arranged on top of the clamping arms 21.1, 21.2 and provide high stability and lightweight design of the base modules 110, 120.

[0049] The first base module 110 and the second base module 120 are arranged opposed of one another and with the pendulum rod 11 and the damped mass 12 in between. The first base module 110 and the second base module 120 respectively comprise a first accessible area 111 and a second accessible area 121, each providing working space to a worker. The mentioned grating may support these accessible areas 111, 121. The first base module 110 and the second base module 120 further respectively comprise a first wall 112 and a second wall 122, the first wall 112 being designed with three separate wall sections 112.1, 112.2, 112.3 enclosing three sides of the first accessible area 111 and the second wall 122 being designed with three separate wall sections 122.1, 122.2, 122.3 enclosing three sides of the second accessible area 121. The first base module 110 and the second base module 120 respectively comprise at least one first eyelet 113 and at least one second eyelet 114 for allowing easy lifting of the first base module 110 and the second base module 120 to the fixture 20.

[0050] The first base module 110 further comprises two first connection means 114.1, 114.2 located opposite of one another and being separated by the first accessible area 111. The two first connection means 114.1, 114.2 are located next to a side of the first base module 110 not being surrounded by the first wall 112. The two first connection means 114.1, 114.2 are arranged on an outer side of the first wall 112 facing away from the first accessible area 111. In particular, the first connection means 114.1 is arranged at the first wall section 112.1 and the first connection means 114.2 is arranged at the first wall section 112.3. Moreover, two second connection means 115.1, 115.2 are arranged opposite of one another being separated by the first accessible area 111 and located next to the first wall section 112.2. The two second connection means 115.1, 115.2 are also arranged on the outer side of the first wall 112.

[0051] The second base module 120 is designed alike the first base module 110. That is, the second base module 120 comprises two third connection means 124.1, 124.2 located opposite of one another and being separated by the second accessible area 121. The two third connection means 124.1, 124.2 are located next to a side of the second base module 120 not being surrounded by the second wall 122. The two third connection means 124.1, 124.2 are arranged on an outer side of the second wall 122 facing away from the second accessible area 121. In particular, the third connection means 124.1 is arranged at the second wall section 122.1 and the third connection means 124.2 is arranged at the second wall section 112.3. Moreover, two fourth connection means 125.1, 125.2 are arranged opposite of one another being separated by the second accessible area 121 and located next to the second wall section 122.2. The two fourth connection means 125.1, 125.2 are also arranged on the outer side of the second wall 122.

[0052] The first connection means 114.1, 114.2, the second connection means 115.1, 115.2, the third connection means 124.1, 124.2 and the fourth connection means 125.1, 125.2 are designed as sleeves with through holes.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a second step of assembling the modular work platform 100 of FIG. 2 on the fixture 20. In this second step, the first base connecting railing 130 and the second base connecting railing 140 are assembled with the first base module 110 and the second base module 120. For this purpose, the first base connecting railing 130 comprises fifth connection means 136.1, 136.2 and the second base connecting railing 130 comprises eighth connection means 146.

[0054] The first base connecting railing 130 comprises a first railing post 131, a second railing post 132 and a first handrail 133 attached thereto. Here, an end of the first railing post 131 serves as the fifth connection means 136.1 and an end of the second railing post 132 serves as the fifth connection means 136.2. By means of inserting the ends of the fifth connection means 136.1, 136.2 into the corresponding first connection means 114.1 and the third connection means 124.1, the first base connecting railing 130 is connecting the first base module 110 with the second base module 120. Moreover, the first base connecting railing 130 comprises a first cross member 134 attached underneath the first handrail 133 and in between the first railing post 131 and the second railing post 132 as well as a third wall 135 underneath the first cross member 134. The first handrail 133, the first cross member 134 and the third wall 135 are curved in the direction away from the platform opening 102.

[0055] The second base connecting railing 140 is designed alike the first base connecting railing 130. That is, the second base connecting railing 140 comprises a third railing post 141, a fourth railing post 142 and a second handrail 143 attached thereto. Here, an end of the second railing post 141 serves as the eighth connection means 146.1 and an end of the fourth railing post 142 serves as the eighth connection means 146.2. By means of inserting the ends of the eighth connection means 146.1, 146.2 into the corresponding second connection means 114.2 and the third connection means 124.2, which cannot be seen in this illustration, the second base connecting railing 140 is connecting the first base module 110 with the second base module 120. Moreover, the second base connecting railing 140 comprises a second cross member 144 attached underneath the second handrail 143 and in between the third railing post 141 and the fourth railing post 142 as well as a fourth wall 145 underneath the second cross member 144. The second handrail 143, the second cross member 144 and the fourth wall 145 are curved in the direction away from the platform opening 102.

[0056] Further, the first base connecting railing 130 comprises sixth connection means 137.1, 137.2 and seventh connection means 138.1, 138.2 and the second base connecting railing 140 comprises eighth connection means 147.1, 147.2 and ninth connection means 148.1, 148.2, whose functions will be described later. The sixth connection means 137.1, 137.2, the seventh connection means 138.1, 138.2, the eighth connection means 147.1, 147.2 and the ninth connection means 148.1, 148.2 are also designed as sleeves comprising through holes.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a view on a detail A from FIG. 4. The detail shows the connection of the fifth connection means 136.1 with the first connection means 114.2. This detail is representative for all of the connected connection means of the modular work platform 100 from FIG. 4 in the sense that the respective connected connection means are connected by means of a locking element 101. In this case, the locking element 101 is a double wire lock pin comprising a pin 101.1 and a double wire 101.2.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a third step of assembling the modular work platform 100 of FIG. 2 on the fixture 20. In this third step, the first base railing 150 and the second base railing 160 are assembled with the first base module 110 and the second base module 120.

[0059] Both, the first base railing 150 and the second base railing 160 comprise respective fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth railing posts 151, 152, 161, 162 and thereto attached third and fourth handrails 153, 163 and third and fourth cross members 154, 164. Respective eleventh and fourteenth connection means 155.1, 155.2, 165.1, 165.2 of the first base railing 150 and the second base railing 160 are inserted into the second connection means 115.1, 115.2 of the first base platform 110 and the fourth connection means 125.1, 125.2 of the second base platform 120 and are locked by means of double wire lock pins.

[0060] The first base railing 150 and the second base railing 160 further comprise alike twelfth, thirteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth connection means 156, 157, 166, 167, respectively, which are designed as sleeves with through holes and are alike the sixth connection means 137.1, 137.2, the seventh connection means 138.1, 138.2, the eighth connection means 147.1, 147.2 and the ninth connection means 148.1, 148.2 of the first base connecting railing 130 and the second base connecting railing 140. Their functions will be described later.

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a fourth step of assembling the modular work platform 100 of FIG. 2 on the fixture 20. In the fourth step, the first railing connecting railing 170 with its seventeenth connection means 171.1, 171.2, the second railing connecting railing 180 with its nineteenth connection means 181.1, 181.2, the fifth cross member 172 with its eighteenth connection means 172.1, 172.2 and the sixth cross member 182 with its twentieth connection means 183.1, 183.2 are respectively connected with the twelfth, thirteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth connection means 156, 157, 166, 167 of the first base railing 150 and the second base railing 160 and with the eighth connection means 147.1, 147.2 and the ninth connection means 148.1, 148.2 of the second base connecting railing 140 and locked by means of double wire lock pins. The seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth connection means 171.1, 171.2, 172.1, 172.2, 181.1, 181.2, 183.1, 183.2 of the respective first railing connecting railing 170, second railing connecting railing 180, fifth cross member 172 and sixth cross member 182 are protruding portions thereof. Generally, the first railing connecting railing 170, second railing connecting railing 180, fifth cross member 172 and sixth cross member 182 have the shape of a square bracket. In that square bracket, the ends of the bracket giving the bracket its square shape and protruding perpendicular from the straight portion of the square bracket are the respective connection means.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows a fifth step of assembling the modular work platform 100 of FIG. 2 on the fixture 20. In the fifth step, the first swivel door 190 is attached with its twenty-first connection means 191 to the sixth connection means 137.1 and with its twenty-second connection means 192 to the seventh connection means 138.1. Further, the second swivel door 200 is attached with its twenty-third connection means 201 to the sixth connection means 137.2 and with its twenty-fourth connection means 202 to the seventh connection means 138.2. The first swivel door 190 and the second swivel door 200 are generally U-shaped and have a circular cross-section. Their connection means 191, 192, 201, 202 are protruding portions of the swivel doors 190, 200. In particular, each of the respective connection means 191, 192, 201, 202 of a swivel door 190, 200 protrudes, in particular in a direction perpendicular thereto, from one open end of the U-shaped swivel doors 190, 200.

[0063] FIG. 9 shows a view on a detail B from FIG. 8. The detail shows the connection of the sixth connection means 137.2 with the twenty-third connection means 201. This detail is representative for all of the connected connection means of the first swivel door 190 and the second swivel door 200 from FIG. 8 in the sense that the respective connected connection means are connected by means of a locking element 101. In this case, the locking element 101 is a double wire lock pin comprising a pin 101.1 and a double wire 101.2. The pin 101.1 has a head for restricting the pin 101.1 from unintentional loosening. It may be preferable to insert the pin 101.1 with its head facing away from the modular work platform 100. Thereby, the opening angle of the swivel doors 190, 200 towards the accessible areas 111, 121 may be increased to ensure safe entry for the workers, whereas the opening angle of the swivel doors 190, 200 in the direction facing away from the modular work platform 100 may be decreased.

[0064] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0065] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements.