SYSTEM FOR HANDLING A NACELLE OF A WIND TURBINE AND RELATED METHODS
20250059954 · 2025-02-20
Inventors
- Luis PALACIOS BURGOS (Navarra, ES)
- Unai ARRAZTON MAGAÑA (Navarra, ES)
- Idoia ABOITIZ GARROGUERRICAECHEBARRIA (Navarra, ES)
- Iñaki GONZALEZ LAHERA (Bilbao, ES)
Cpc classification
B60P3/40
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F03D13/403
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B60P1/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F03D13/40
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F05B2240/14
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Y02E10/72
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
F03D13/40
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system for handling a nacelle of a wind turbine for instance for the purpose of transporting the nacelle to or from a site of installation of the wind turbine, wherein the system reduces the loading and/or unloading time and provides a more flexible planning for the nacelle transportation, and the invention also relates to a method for loading a nacelle of a wind turbine on a transportation means and a method for unloading a nacelle of a wind turbine from a transportation means.
Claims
1. A system for handling a nacelle (30) of a wind turbine, the system comprising a longitudinal direction and a transversal direction (T); wherein the nacelle (30) comprises a nacelle frame (31) being adapted to rest, by means of a first transport frame (1), on a transportation means (40); wherein the nacelle frame (31) comprises a first width (W1) defined in the transversal direction (T), a main support frame (32) and a generator frame (33); wherein the transportation means (40) comprises a second width (W2) defined in the transversal direction (T) and a loading platform (41); and wherein the system comprises: the first transport frame (1) configured to be connected to the main support frame (32) of the nacelle frame (31) and configured to rest on the transportation means (40); at least one first crossbeam (11) disposed in the transversal direction (T) of the system and comprising: a first length (L1) defined in the transversal direction of the system; an upper surface (21), wherein the first transport frame (1) is configured to be supported on the upper surface (21) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle (30) on the transportation means (40); a first end (22) and a second end (23), each one of the first end (22) and the second end (23) comprising a lower surface (24); wherein the first length (L1) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) is bigger than the second width (W2) of the transportation means (40); at least two first lateral supports (101) configured to be disposed on a ground (G) separated by a first distance (D1) defined in the transversal direction (T) of the system, wherein the first distance (D1) is bigger than the second width (W2) of the transportation means (40) and smaller than the first length (L1) of the at least one first crossbeam (11), the at least two first lateral supports (101) also configured to support the at least one first crossbeam (11), the first transport frame (1) and the nacelle (30), such that the lower surface (24) of the first end (22) and the second end (24) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) rests on the at least two first lateral supports (101) during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle on the transportation means (40).
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first transport frame (1) comprises at least two coupling openings (3) disposed in opposite sides of the first transport frame (1) in the transversal direction (T), and wherein the at least one first crossbeam (11) is configured to be coupled to the first transport frame (1) by means of the at least two coupling openings (3).
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the first transport frame (1) comprises a connection flange (4) configured to be connected to the main support frame (32) of the nacelle frame (31).
4. The system according to any one of the previous claims comprising at least two first crossbeams (11), wherein the at least two first crossbeams (11) are disposed in a symmetrical way with regard to an axis of symmetry which passes by a centre of the first transport frame (1) in the transversal direction (T).
5. The system according to any one of the previous claims further comprising: a second transport frame (2) configured to be connected to the generator frame (33) of the nacelle frame (31) and configured to rest on the transportation means (40); at least one second crossbeam (12) disposed in the transversal direction (T) and comprising: a second length (L2) defined in the transversal direction of the system; an upper surface (26), wherein the second transport frame (2) is configured to be supported on the upper surface (26) of the at least one second crossbeam (12) during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle (30) on the transportation means (40); a first end (27) and a second end (28), each one of the first end (27) and the second end (28) comprising a lower surface (29); wherein the second length (L2) of the at least one second crossbeam (12) is bigger than the second width (W2) of the transportation means (40); at least two second lateral supports (102) configured to be disposed on the ground (G) separated by a second distance (D2) defined in the transversal direction (T) of the system, wherein the second distance (D2) is bigger than the second width (W2) of the transportation means (40) and smaller than the second length (L2) of the at least one second crossbeam (12), the at least two first lateral supports (102) also configured to support the at least one second crossbeam (12), the second transport frame (2) and the nacelle (30), such that the lower surface (29) of the first end (27) and the second end (28) of the at least one second crossbeam (12) rests on the at least two second lateral supports (102) during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle (30) on the transportation means (40).
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the second transport frame (2) comprises a through-hole (5) disposed in the transversal direction (T) and wherein the at least one second crossbeam (12) is configured to be coupled to the second transport frame (2) by means of the through-hole (5).
7. The system according to any one of claim 5 or 6, wherein the second transport frame (2) comprises at least two support units (7) configured to be connected to the generator frame (33) of the nacelle frame (31).
8. The system according to any one of the previous claims further comprising at least two third lateral supports (103) configured to be disposed on the ground (G) separated by a third distance (D3) defined in the transversal direction (T) of the system, wherein the third distance (D3) is bigger than the second width (W2) of the transportation means (40) and smaller than the first length (L1) of the at least one first crossbeam (11), the at least two third lateral supports (103) also configured to support the first transport frame (1) and the nacelle (30) during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle (30) on the transportation means (40), such that the at least two third lateral supports (103) comprise an upper surface (25) disposed at a greater height than the upper surface (21) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) when the lower surface (24) of the first end (22) and the second end (23) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) rests on the at least two first lateral supports (101) during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle (30) on the transportation means (40).
9. Method for loading a nacelle of a wind turbine on a transportation means, the method carried out with the system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a step of positioning the loading platform (41) of the transportation means (40) under the first transport frame (1), the nacelle (30) and optionally under the at least one first crossbeam, in between the at least two first lateral supports (101) wherein the lower surfaces (24) of the first end (22) and the second end (23) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) are configured to rest; and a step of raising the loading platform (41) of the transportation means (40) such that the at least one first crossbeam (11) ceases to rest on the at least two first lateral supports (101), and the at least one first crossbeam (11), the first transport frame (1) and the nacelle (30) rest on the loading platform (41).
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising: a step of coupling the at least one first crossbeam (11) to the first transport frame (1) by means of the at least two coupling openings (3) of the first transport frame (1) before the step of positioning the loading platform (41) of the transportation means (40) under the the first transport frame (1) and the nacelle (30) and optionally under the at least one first crossbeam (11),, in between the at least two first lateral supports (101).
11. The method of any one of claim 9 or 10 further comprising: a step of connecting the connection flange (4) of the first transport frame (1) to the main support frame (32) of the nacelle frame (31).
12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11 carried out with the system of claim 5 further comprising: a step of positioning the loading platform (41) of the transportation means (40) under the second transport frame (2) and the nacelle (30) and optionally under the at least one second crossbeam (12), in between the at least two second lateral supports (102) wherein the lower surfaces (29) of the first end (27) and the second end (28) of the at least one second crossbeam (12) are configured to rest; such that in the step of raising the loading platform (41) of the transportation means (40), the at least one second crossbeam (12) also ceases to rest on the at least two second lateral supports (102), and the at least one second crossbeam (12), the second transport frame (2) and the nacelle (30) rest on the loading platform (41).
13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12 carried out with the system of claim 8 further comprising: a step of positioning one third lateral support (103) of the at least two third lateral supports (103) on the ground (G) at each side of the transportation means (40) and under the first transport frame (1); a step of taking down the loading platform (41) of the transportation means (40) such that the first transport frame (1) rests on the at least two third lateral supports (103), supporting the first transport frame (1) and the nacelle (30); a step of removing the at least one first crossbeam (11); and a step of raising the loading platform (41) of the transportation means (40) such that the first transport frame (1) ceases to rest on the at least two third lateral supports (103), and the first transport frame (1) and the nacelle (30) rest on the loading platform (41).
14. Method for unloading a nacelle of a wind turbine from a transportation means, the method carried out with the system of any one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a step of positioning the loading platform (41) of the transportation means (40) carrying the first transport frame (1) and the nacelle (30) and optionally the at least one first crossbeam (11), in between the at least two first lateral supports (101); and a step of taking down the loading platform (41) of the transportation means (40) such that the lower surface (24) of the first end (22) and the second end (23) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) rests on the at least two first lateral supports (101), supporting the at least one first crossbeam (11), the first transport frame (1) and the nacelle (30).
15. The method of claim 14 carried out with the system of claim 5 wherein: in the step of positioning the loading platform (41) of the transportation means (40) carrying the first transport frame (1) and the nacelle (30) and optionally the at least one first crossbeam (11), in between the at least two first lateral supports (101), the at least one second crossbeam (12) and the second transport frame (2) are also disposed on the loading platform (41); and in the step of taking down the loading platform (41) of the transportation means (40), the lower surface (29) of the first end (27) and the second end (28) of the at least one second crossbeam (12) rests on the at least two second lateral supports (102), supporting the at least one second crossbeam (12), the second transport frame (2) and the nacelle (3).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0099] A detailed description of the system for handling a nacelle of a wind turbine and the related methods of the present invention is now described, according to
[0100] The system for handling a nacelle of a wind turbine comprises a longitudinal direction and a transversal direction (T); [0101] wherein the nacelle (30) comprises a nacelle frame (31) being adapted to rest, by means of a first transport frame (1), on a transportation means (40); [0102] wherein the nacelle frame (31) comprises a first width (W1) defined in the transversal direction (T), a main support frame (32) and a generator frame (33); [0103] wherein the transportation means (40) comprises a second width (W2) defined in the transversal direction (T) and a loading platform (41); and [0104] wherein the system comprises: [0105] the first transport frame (1) configured to be connected to the main support frame (32) of the nacelle frame (31) and configured to rest on the transportation means (40); [0106] at least one first crossbeam (11) disposed in the transversal direction (T) of the system and comprising: [0107] a first length (L1) defined in the transversal direction of the system; [0108] an upper surface (21), wherein the first transport frame (1) is configured to be supported on the upper surface (21) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle on the transportation means (40); [0109] a first end (22) and a second end (23), each one of the first end (22) and the second end (23) comprising a lower surface (24); [0110] wherein the first length (L1) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) is bigger than the second width (W2) of the transportation means (40); [0111] at least two first lateral supports (101) configured to be disposed on a ground (G) separated by a first distance (D1) defined in the transversal direction (T) of the system, wherein the first distance (D1) is bigger than the second width (W2) of the transportation means (40) and smaller than the first length (L1) of the at least one first crossbeam (11), the at least two first lateral supports (101) also configured to support the at least one first crossbeam (11), the first transport frame (1) and the nacelle (30), such that the lower surface (24) of the first end (22) and the second end (23) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) rests on the at least two first lateral supports (101) during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle on the transportation means (40).
[0112] Optionally, the system further comprises: [0113] a second transport frame (2) configured to be connected to the generator frame (33) of the nacelle frame (31) and configured to rest on the transportation means (40); [0114] at least one second crossbeam (12) disposed in the transversal direction (T) and comprising: [0115] a second length (L2) defined in the transversal direction of the system; [0116] an upper surface (26), wherein the second transport frame (2) is configured to be supported on the upper surface (26) of the at least one second crossbeam (12) during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle on the transportation means (40); [0117] a first end (27) and a second end (28), each one of the first end (27) and the second end (28) comprising a lower surface (29); [0118] wherein the second length (L2) of the at least one second crossbeam (12) is bigger than the second width (W2) of the transportation means (40); [0119] at least two second lateral supports (102) configured to be disposed on the ground (G) separated by a second distance (D2) defined in the transversal direction (T) of the system, wherein the second distance (D2) is bigger than the second width (W2) of the transportation means (40) and smaller than the second length (L2) of the at least one second crossbeam (12), the at least two first lateral supports (102) also configured to support the at least one second crossbeam (12), the second transport frame (2) and the nacelle (30), such that the lower surface (29) of the first end (27) and the second end (28) of the at least one second crossbeam (12) rests on the at least two second lateral supports (102) during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle on the transportation means (40).
[0120] In a first preferred embodiment shown in
[0121] The first transport frame (1) comprises a connection flange (4) configured to be connected to the main support frame (32) of the nacelle frame (31). Preferably, the at least two coupling openings (3) of the first transport frame (1) are disposed in a vertical projection of the connection flange (4) of the first transport frame (1).
[0122] Preferably, the system comprises two first crossbeams (11) and the first transport frame (1) comprises four coupling openings (3) disposed, two by two, in opposite sides of the first transport frame (1) in the transversal direction (T), and wherein the two first crossbeams (11) are configured to be coupled to the first transport frame (1) in the transversal direction (T) by means of the four coupling openings (3) disposed, two by two, in opposite sides of the first transport frame (1) in the transversal direction (T).
[0123] Preferably, the two first crossbeams (11) are disposed in a symmetrical way with regard to an axis of symmetry which passes by a centre of the first transport frame (1) in the transversal direction (T), as shown in
[0124] In this first preferred embodiment, the second transport frame (2), shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5 comprises a through-hole (5) disposed in the transversal direction (T) and wherein the at least one second crossbeam (12) is configured to be coupled to or decoupled from the second transport frame (2) by means of the through-hole (5) disposed in a hollow profile (6) of the second transport frame (2).
[0125] The second transport frame (2) also comprises at least two support units (7) configured to be connected to corresponding housings (34) of the generator frame (33) of the nacelle frame (31). These housings (34) are configured to impede the transversal displacement of the second transport frame (2) once the second transport frame (2) is connected to the generator frame (33) of the nacelle frame (31).
[0126] In a second preferred embodiment shown in
[0127] The first transport frame (1) comprises a connection flange (4) configured to be connected to the main support frame (32) of the nacelle frame (31).
[0128] Preferably, the system comprises two first crossbeams (11) (only one of them is shown in
[0129] Preferably, the two first crossbeams (11) are disposed in a non-symmetrical way with regard to an axis of symmetry which passes by a centre of the first transport frame (1) in the transversal direction (T), as shown in
[0130] In this second preferred embodiment, the second transport frame (2), shown in
[0131] The second transport frame (2) also comprises at least two support units (7) configured to be connected to corresponding housings (34) of the generator frame (33) of the nacelle frame (31) (not shown in
[0132] For both the first and second preferred embodiments, the second transport frame (2) may optionally comprise two forklift pockets (9) disposed in the hollow profile (6) which go through the through-hole (5) of the second transport frame (2) in the longitudinal direction (L). The two forklift pockets (9) are configured to be engaged by a forklift in case the second transport frame (2) must be displaced.
[0133] The number of first crossbeams (11) in the first and second preferred embodiments may vary. By example,
[0134] Optionally, the system comprises at least two third lateral supports (103) configured to be disposed on the ground (G) separated by a third distance (D3) defined in the transversal direction (T) of the system, wherein the third distance (D3) is bigger than the second width (W2) of the transportation means (40) and smaller than the first length (L1) of the at least one first crossbeam (11), the at least two third lateral supports (103) also configured to support the first transport frame (1) and the nacelle (30) during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle on the transportation means (40), such that the at least two third lateral supports (103) comprise an upper surface (25) disposed at a greater height than the upper surface (21) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) and optionally the at least one second crossbeam (12) when the lower surface (24) of the first end (22) and the second end (23) of the at least one first crossbeam (11) rests on the at least two first lateral supports (101) and optionally the at least one second crossbeam (12) rests on the at least two second lateral supports (102) respectively during at least a loading or unloading operation of the nacelle on the transportation means (40), as shown in
[0135] In this way, the nacelle (30), the first transport frame (1) and optionally the second transport frame (2) may be lifted by the platform transform (41) of the transportation means (40) without any crossbeam (11, 12) protruding on the lateral sides of the transport platform (41) as shown in
[0136] Preferably, the at least one first crossbeam (11) and/or the at least one second crossbeam (12) are made of steel.
[0137] Preferably, the first lateral supports (101) and/or the second lateral supports (102) and/or the third lateral supports (103) are made of steel, concrete or wood, optionally of stackable pieces of steel, concrete or wood.
[0138] The method for loading a nacelle (30) of a wind turbine on a transportation means (40) with the system described above is shown in
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[0142] When the method for loading a nacelle of a wind turbine on a transportation means is carried out with the system described in the second preferred embodiment and with the at least two third lateral supports (103), it is possible to release the at least one first crossbeam (11) making that the first transport frame (1) rests on the at least two third lateral supports (103).
[0143] In this case, the method further comprises, after the step of raising the loading platform (40), the following steps: [0144] a step of positioning the at least two third lateral supports (103) on the ground (G) beneath the first transport frame (1) at both sides of the loading platform (41) in the transversal direction (T) (
[0148] The method for unloading a nacelle (30) of a wind turbine from a transportation means (40) with the system described above is shown in