GB2620562A

GB2620562A - Wind turbine support tool

Info

Publication number: GB2620562A
Application number: GB2209935.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nilsen Nicolai; Sandrib Bjarne
Original assignee: Mhwirth AS
Current assignee: Mhwirth AS
Priority date: 2022-07-06
Filing date: 2022-07-06
Publication date: 2024-01-17
Also published as: NO20230631A1; GB202209935D0

Abstract

A support tool 1 for a wind turbine comprises a guide part 2 having receptacle 20 for positioning a tower 3 of the wind turbine. A tool part 4 is fixed to the guide part and the guide part comprises support members 21a-d within the receptacle to engage the tower. The receptacle has two arm parts 22a, b, each with extendible arm members 23a, b, 24a, b. The support members may comprise rollers or wheels. Preferably the support tool comprises third and fourth arm parts (27, Fig 2), having extendible arm members. The tool part may be connected to the guide part by a coupling 40, to permit relative rotation. The tool part may comprise a holder 42 for a blade 30 and / or a personnel basket (34, Fig 4a) arranged on an extendible arm (35, Fig 4a). The tool part may comprise an inspection and/or servicing tool (36, Fig 5a) on the extendible arm. Preferably the support members are motorised to drive the support tool along the tower using rollers, belts or wheels. A winch may drive the support tool, located on the tower, on a base, or on the tool.

Description

WIND TURBINE SUPPORT TOOL

The present invention relates to a support tool for a wind turbine generator, and particularly to a support tool for installation, removal, replacement and/or servicing of components of a wind turbine generator.

BACKGROUND

Energy production from wind power has increased substantially over the recent years, and there is continued high investments into wind energy power plants in order to meet future demands for energy security and emissions reductions. Land-based wind turbine technology is well-developed and contributes a notable part of electric power generation capacity in many countries, and over the recent years considerable there has been increasing interest both from academic research groups and industrial players into offshore wind technology, both bottom-fixed and floating systems.

Publications which may be useful to understand the field of technology include WO 2020/167137.

In all such plants, there is a need for systems and methods for safe and efficient installation, removal, replacement and/or servicing of components of a wind turbine generator or a wind turbine generator plant. The present disclosure has the objective to provide technology which provides advantages, or at least useful alternatives, to the state of the art.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the disclosed technology we provide a support tool for 25 a wind turbine, the support tool comprising a guide part having receptacle for positioning a tower of the wind turbine therein, a tool part fixed to the guide part, wherein the guide part comprises a plurality of support members arranged within the receptacle and operable to engage the tower, wherein the receptacle is defined by two arm parts, each arm part having first and second longitudinally extendible arm members.

The first arm members may be extendible in a first direction and the second arm members may be extendible in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction.

Each of the arm members may comprise one support member. The support members may comprise rollers or wheels.

The two arm parts may be first and second arm parts, and the support tool further to comprising third and fourth arm parts, each of the third and fourth arm part each having first and second longitudinally extendible arm members.

The tool part may be connected to the guide part via a pivotable or rotatable coupling, the pivotable or rotatable coupling configured to permit relative rotation between the guide part and the tool part about an axis which is generally parallel to 15 the second arm members.

The tool part may comprise a holder for a wind turbine blade The tool part may comprise a personnel basket.

The personnel basket may be arranged on an extendible personnel basket arm.

The tool part may comprise an inspection and/or servicing tool.

zo The inspection and/or servicing tool may be arranged on an extendible arm.

The support members may be motorised and operable to drive the support tool along the tower. For example, the support members may comprise motorised rollers, belts or wheels.

The support tool may comprise a winch which is operable to drive the support tool zo along the tower.

The winch may be arranged on the tower, on a base adjacent the tower, or on the tool.

According to a second aspect of the disclosed technology we provide a method of replacing a wind turbine blade, the method comprising: driving a support tool having a holder along a tower of the wind turbine, engaging the blade with the holder and holding the blade with the support tool, releasing the blade from a nacelle of the wind turbine, lowering the support tool along the tower while holding the blade, removing the blade from the support tool.

The method may further comprise: positioning the blade in a vertical orientation proximate the tower prior to the step of engaging the blade with the holder, releasing the blade from the nacelle while the blade is in a vertical orientation, operating the support tool to rotate the blade to a horizontal orientation subsequent to releasing the blade from a nacelle.

The method may further comprise: rotating the blade while lowering the support tool.

The support tool may have a receptacle in which the tower is positioned, the receptacle being formed by two arm parts, each arm part having first and second longitudinally extendible and retractable arm members, and the method may comprise extending the arm members whilst lowering the support tool.

According to a third aspect of the disclosed technology, we provide a method of installing a wind turbine blade on a wind turbine using a support tool, the method comprising: mounting the blade in a holder of a support tool and holding the blade with the support tool, driving a support tool up a tower of the wind turbine, attaching the blade to a nacelle of the wind turbine, releasing the blade from the holder, and driving the support tool down the tower.

The method may comprise: positioning the blade in a horizontal orientation proximate the tower prior to the step of engaging the blade with the nacelle, rotating the blade to a generally vertical orientation, securing the blade to the nacelle while the blade is in a vertical orientation.

The method may comprise: rotating the blade while raising the support tool.

The support tool may have a receptacle in which the tower is positioned, the receptacle being formed by two arm parts, each arm part having first and second longitudinally extendible and retractable arm members, and the method may comprise retracting the arm members whilst raising the support tool.

According to a fourth aspect of the disclosed technology we provide a method of 15 inspecting or servicing a wind turbine comprising the method comprising: driving a support tool having an inspection or servicing tool along a tower of the wind turbine, the tool having a receptacle through which the tower extends.

The support tool may comprise a receptacle formed by two arm parts each arm part 20 having first and second longitudinally extendible and retractable arm members, and wherein the method may comprise extending the arm members whilst lowering the support tool or retracting the arm members whilst raising the support tool.

According to a fifth aspect of the disclosed technology we provide a method of inspecting or servicing a wind turbine comprising the method comprising: driving a support tool having a personnel basket along a tower of the wind turbine, the tool having a receptacle through which the tower extends.

The support tool may comprises a receptacle formed by two arm parts, each arm part having first and second longitudinally extendible and retractable arm members, and the method may comprise extending the arm members whilst lowering the support tool or retracting the arm members whilst raising the support too.

Any of the methods specified above may use a support tool with any of features or combination of features of the support tool first aspect of the disclosed technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of illustrative, non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: o Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a support tool according to an example.

Figures 3a-3h illustrate the use of a support tool in a wind turbine operation.

Figures 4a-4c illustrate a support tool according to another example and the use of a support tool in a wind turbine operation.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a support tool according to another example and the use is of a support tool in a wind turbine operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a support tool 1 for a wind turbine according to one example. The support tool 1 comprises a guide part 2 having receptacle 20 for positioning a tower 3 of the wind turbine therein. The guide part 2 comprises a plurality of support members 21a-d facing the receptacle 20 and operable to engage the tower 3 when the support tool 1 is positioned relative to the tower 3 such that the tower 3 is positioned in the receptacle. In this example, the support members 21a-d comprises rollers or wheels, however the support members 21a-d may in other examples be made up of belt drives, skid members, or the like.

The receptacle 20 is defined by two arm parts 22a,b, each arm part 22a,b having first and second longitudinally extendible arm members 23a,b, 24a,b. The arm members 23a,b, 24a,b may, for example, be telescopic arms. In this example, as indicated in the figures, the longitudinal extension or retraction of the arms 23a,b, 24a,b is effectuated by hydraulic cylinders, however any suitable actuator may be employed for this purpose.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the first arm members 23a,b are extendible in a first direction, illustrated by axis 25 and arrow 25'. By extending the first arm members 23a,b, the 5 width of the receptacle 20 can thus be adjusted. The second arm members 24a,b are extendible in a second direction, illustrated by axis 26 and arrow 26'. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction 25. By extending the second arm members 24a,b, the depth of the receptacle 20 can thus be adjusted. The receptacle 20 is thereby adjustable to accommodate for various diameters of a wind to turbine tower 3.

A tool part 4, described in further detail below, is fixed to the guide part 2 via a coupling 40.

In this example, each of the arm members 23a,b, 24a,b is provided with one support member 21a-d which are arranged within the receptacle 20. Each of the support members 21a-d is thereby movable with the respective arm member 23a,b, 24a,b. Alternatively, a different arrangement of the support members 21a-d can be used, for example providing one support member adjacent the coupling 40 together with support members 21b and 21d. In such an arrangement, the support tool 1 is supported against the tower 3 at three points and the extension of the arm members 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b allows for adjustment capability to account for different diameters of the tower 3 whilst maintaining contact between the support members 21b, 21d and the tower 3.

Illustrated in Fig. 2, the support tool 1 may further comprise third and fourth arm parts which are longitudinally spaced from and generally parallel to arm members 23a,b and 24a,b. The fourth arm part 27 is visible in Figure 2. Each of the third and fourth arm parts has first and second arm members which are each parallel to one of the first and second arm members 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b, and which are longitudinally extendible in the same way as arm members 23a,b and 24a,b. This may provide a more secure and stable connection to the tower 3.

In this example, the tool part 4 comprises a holder 42 for a wind turbine blade 30. The holder 42 can, for example, comprise one or more clamps operable to clamp and hold the blade 30, a receiver part, such as a frustoconical receiver, into which the blade 30 can be inserted such that the blade 30 is held by the holder 42, or another type of holding mechanism.

The tool part 4 may be connected to the guide part 2 via a pivotable or rotatable coupling 40, such that the pivotable or rotatable coupling 40 can permit or actively 5 effectuate relative rotation between the guide part 2 and the tool part 4 about an axis 41 which is generally parallel to the second arm members 24a, 24b. The coupling 40 may be a swivel or the like, optionally having a brake or locking mechanism, and the pivoting or rotation can be effected by external means. Alternatively, the coupling 40 may include or be directly connected to a motor which 10 is able to rotate the tool part 4 relative to the guide part 2.

Figures 3a-3h illustrate one example of the use of a tool 1 in a method of replacing a wind turbine blade 30. The wind turbine 38 comprises a tower 3 arranged on a base 32 and having a nacelle 39 at its upper end, with a plurality of blades 30 fixed thereto. As part of normal operations of the wind turbine 38, one or more of the blades 30 may need to be replaced. As illustrated in Fig. 3a, the tool 1 described in relation to Figs. 1 and 2 may be placed on the tower 3 such that the tower 3 is positioned in the receptacle 20. The tool 1 may then be lifted up the tower 3 to an upper part thereof (Figs 3b and 3c). In this example, the tool 1 is lifted by means of a winch 31 having a lifting member (such as a rope or a wire) extending to a sheave at the top of the tower 3 or at the nacelle 39. The winch 31 can be placed on the base 32. Optionally, the winch 31 can be placed on the tower 3, or on the tool 1 itself (in which case a sheave may not be needed, but the rope or wire can be fixed at the top part of the tower 3 or at the nacelle 39).

Alternatively, the tool 1 may have its own propulsion system engaging directly with the tower 3, for example in that the support members 21a-d may be motorized and operable to drive the support tool 1 along the tower 3. The support members 21a-d may, for example, comprise motorised rollers, belts or wheels for this purpose, which are arranged to engage the outer surface of the tower 3 and drive the tool 1. The motorized support members 21a-d may advantageously cooperate with the arm parts 22a,b such that the arm parts 22a,b affect a traction force pushing the motorized support members 21a-d towards the outer surface of the tower 3.

Wind turbine towers 3 are typically tapered, their diameter decreasing from the bottom of the tower 3 to the top. Therefore, in order to prevent significant horizontal movement of the receptacle 20 relative to the tower 3 as the tool 1 is lifted by means of a winch arrangement as described above, or, where the tool 1 has its own propulsion system, to ensure that there is always sufficient traction between propulsion system (e.g. the motorized support members 21a-21d) and the outer surface of the tower 3, the actuators which are operable to adjust the length and width of the receptacle 20 may be operated to retract, i.e. decrease the length of each of the arm members 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b so that contact between all the support members 21a-21d and the tower 3 is maintained at all time.

This may be achieved by providing springs which apply a generally constant force to io each arm member 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b to urge it to retract, thus ensuring that the support members 21a -21d are urged into contact with the tower 3 with a generally constant force as the tool 1 moves up or down the tower 3. The springs would be configured to apply a force which is strong enough to retract the arm members 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b as the tool 1 is raised up the tower 3, but which is low enough, that the arm members 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b can extend as the tool 1 is lowered down the tower 3 The spring force could be provided by a pneumatic spring or a mechanical spring.

Alternatively, the extension and retraction of the arm members 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b could be driven by an actuator, operation of which is controlled by a controller which is operable to coordinate automatically the operation of the drive system for lifting the tool 1 up the tower 3, e.g. a drive motor for the winch 31, or drive motor for the propulsion system of the tool itself. This coordination may be achieved by providing each of the support members 21a-21d with a pressure sensor which provides a pressure signal indicating the pressure on the support member 21a -21d, the sensors being connected to the controller so that the controller can receive pressure signals from each pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the pressure signals received, and if any of the pressure signals indicate that the pressure on one or more of the pressure sensors has fallen below, to operate one or more of the actuators to retract one or more of the arm members 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b a predetermined level until the pressure signals received from the pressure sensors indicate that the pressure on all the support members 21a-21d is substantially equal.

Alternatively, if the angle of taper of the tower 3 is known, the controller could be programmed to automatically retract the first and second arm members 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b at a rate calculated based on the angle of taper and speed of lifting of the tool 1. For example, if the tower 3 tapers such that its sides lie at an angle of a degrees to the vertical equally all the way around its diameter and along its length, and the tool 1 is lifted at a rate of X m/s, the rate of retraction of the arm members 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b would be set to 2X.tana m/s.

Conversely, when the tool us lowered, the actuators will be operated to extend the arm members 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b to increase the depth and width of the receptacle 20. Where pressure sensors are used, the controller would be configured to extend the arm members 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b when the pressure signals received from the pressure sensors indicate that the pressure exerted on one or more of the support io members 21a-21d exceeds a pre-determined level.

As illustrated in Fig. 3c, when the tool 1 is lifted to a position adjacent the blade 30, the tool 1 may engage the blade via the holder 42. The blade 30 may then be held by the tool 1, supported by the tower 3, and the blade 30 can be released from the nacelle 39, as illustrated in Fig. 3d.

The tool 1 can then be lowered towards the base 32 to be removed from the tool 1. The removal can be done by other equipment, such as a crane or other type of suitable machine therefor. For an offshore wind turbine 38, this may be a ship or a barge having such a crane or other equipment thereon.

A new blade can be placed in the tool 1 and the new blade installed by a reversed 20 operation equivalent to that described above, where the tool 1 is lifted with the new blade until in position adjacent the nacelle 39, whereupon the new blade can be fixed to the nacelle 39 and the tool 1 be lowered empty.

The blade 30 is advantageously engaged by the tool 1 and released from the nacelle 39 while in a substantially vertical orientation. The blade 30 may then be 25 rotated by the tool 1, by means of the coupling 40, such that the blade 30 is provided in a horizontal orientation at or adjacent the base 32.

Alternatively, the tool 1 may be configured such as to engage a horizontally arranged blade 30 of the wind turbine 38, so that the blade 30 can be released from the nacelle 39 while in a substantially horizontal orientation. In such an example, the 30 coupling 40 may not need to be pivotable or rotatable.

Figs 4a-c illustrate another example, in which the tool 1 comprises a personnel basket 34 at the tool part 4. The personnel basket 34 can be arranged on an extendible personnel basket arm 35, as illustrated, for example a hydraulically operated extendible arm. The tool 1 may in this example be used for manual inspection, servicing or repair of the blades 30 or other parts of the wind turbine 38.

Figs 4a-c illustrate another example, in which the tool 1 comprises an inspection and/or servicing tool 36. The inspection and/or servicing tool 36 is arranged on an extendible arm 35. The tool 1 may in this example be used for remote inspection, servicing or repair of the blades 30 or other parts of the wind turbine 38, for example inspection by camera or other sensors.

The invention is not limited by the embodiments described above; reference should 10 be had to the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A support tool (1) for a wind turbine, the support tool (1) comprising: a guide part (2) having receptacle (20) for positioning a tower (3) of the wind turbine therein, a tool part (4) fixed to the guide part (2), wherein the guide part (2) comprises a plurality of support members (21a-d) arranged within the receptacle (20) and operable to engage the tower (3), wherein the receptacle (20) is defined by two arm parts (22a,b), each arm part (22a,b) having first and second longitudinally extendible arm members (23a,b, 24a,b).
The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the first arm members (23a,b) are extendible in a first direction (25,25') and the second arm members (24a,b) are extendible in a second direction (26.26') which is perpendicular to the first direction (25).
The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein each of the arm members (23a,b, 24a,b) comprises one support member (21a-d).
The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the support members (21a-d) comprises rollers or wheels.
The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the two arm parts (22a,b) are first and second arm parts, and the support tool (1) further comprises third and fourth arm parts (27), each of the third and fourth arm part each having first and second longitudinally extendible arm members.
The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the tool part (4) is connected to the guide part (2) via a pivotable or rotatable coupling (40), the pivotable or rotatable coupling (40) configured to permit relative rotation between the guide part (2) and the tool part (4) about an axis (41) which is generally parallel to the second arm members 23a, 23b.
7. The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the tool part (4) comprises a holder (42) for a wind turbine blade (30). 3. 4.
8. The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the tool part (4) comprises a personnel basket (34).
9. The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the personnel basket (34) is arranged on an extendible personnel basket arm (35).
10. The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the tool part (4) comprises an inspection and/or servicing tool (36).
11. The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the inspection and/or servicing tool (36) is arranged on an extendible arm (35).
12. The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the support members (21a-d) are motorised and operable to drive the support tool (1) along the tower (3), particularly wherein the support members (21a-d) comprises motorised rollers, belts or wheels.
13. The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, comprising a winch (31) operable to drive the support tool (1) along the tower (3).
14. The support tool (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the winch is arranged on the tower (3), on a base (32) adjacent the tower, or on the tool (1).
15. A method of replacing a wind turbine blade (30), the method comprising: driving a support tool (1) having a holder (42) along a tower (3) of the wind turbine (38), engaging the blade (30) with the holder (42) and holding the blade with the support tool (1), releasing the blade (30) from a nacelle (39) of the wind turbine (38), lowering the support tool (1) along the tower (3) while holding the blade (30), removing the blade (30) from the support tool (1).
16. The method of claim 15, comprising: positioning the blade (30) in a vertical orientation proximate the tower (3) prior to the step of engaging the blade (30) with the holder (42), releasing the blade (30) from the nacelle (39) while the blade (30) is in a vertical orientation, operating the support tool (1) to rotate the blade (30) to a horizontal orientation subsequent to releasing the blade (30) from a nacelle (39).
17. The method of claim 16, comprising: rotating the blade (30) while lowering the support tool (1).
18 The method of any one of claims 15-17 wherein support tool (1) has a receptacle (20) in which the tower (3) is positioned, the receptacle (20) being formed by two arm parts (22a,b), each arm part (22a,b) having first and second longitudinally extendible and retractable arm members (23a,b, 24a,b), and wherein the method comprises extending the arm members (23a, b, 24a, b) whilst lowering the support tool (1).
19. A method of installing a wind turbine blade (30) on a wind turbine (38) using a support tool (1), the method comprising: mounting the blade (30) in a holder (42) of a support tool (1) and holding the blade with the support tool (1), driving a support tool (1) up a tower (3) of the wind turbine (38), attaching the blade (30) to a nacelle (39) of the wind turbine (38), releasing the blade (30) from the holder (42), and driving the support tool (1) down the tower (3).
20. The method of claim 19, comprising: positioning the blade (30) in a horizontal orientation proximate the tower (3) prior to the step of engaging the blade (30) with the nacelle (39), rotating the blade to a generally vertical orientation, securing the blade (30) to the nacelle (39) while the blade (30) is in a vertical orientation.
21. The method of claim 20, comprising: rotating the blade (30) while raising the support tool (1).
22 The method of any one of claims 19 -21 wherein the support tool (1) has a receptacle (20) in which the tower (3) is positioned, the receptacle (20) being formed by two arm parts (22a,b), each arm part (22a,b) having first and second longitudinally extendible and retractable arm members (23a,b, 24a,b), and wherein the method comprises retracting the arm members (23a, b, 24a, b) whilst raising the support tool (1).
23. A method of inspecting or servicing a wind turbine comprising the method to comprising: driving a support tool (1) having an inspection or servicing tool (36) along a tower (3) of the wind turbine (38), the tool (1) having a receptacle (20) through which the tower (3) extends.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the support tool (1) comprises a receptacle (20) formed by two arm parts (22a,b), each arm part (22a,b) having first and second longitudinally extendible and retractable arm members (23a,b, 24a,b), and wherein the method comprises extending the arm members (23a, b, 24a, b) whilst lowering the support tool (1) or retracting the arm members (23a, 23b, 24a, 24b) whilst raising the support tool (1).
A method of inspecting or servicing a wind turbine comprising the method comprising: driving a support tool (1) having a personnel basket (34) along a tower (3) of the wind turbine (38), the tool (1) having a receptacle (20) through which the tower (3) extends.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the support tool (1) comprises a receptacle (20) formed by two arm parts (22a,b), each arm part (22a,b) having first and second longitudinally extendible and retractable arm members (23a,b, 24a,b), and wherein the method comprises extending the arm members (23a, b, 24a, b) whilst lowering the support tool (1) or retracting the arm members (23a, 23b, 24a, 24b) whilst raising the support tool (1).