WO2011076238A1

WO2011076238A1 - Adjustable transport feet

Info

Publication number: WO2011076238A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/009261
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ralf Wilhelm
Original assignee: Powerwind Gmbh
Priority date: 2009-12-23
Filing date: 2009-12-23
Publication date: 2011-06-30

Abstract

The invention relates to a support assembly (10, 110) for unloading and loading a unit load from/onto a height-adjustable loading area of a transport means, comprising a support element (12), which has a storage surface (14) that can be placed on a ground area and which is designed to introduce the weight of the unit load into the ground area after unloading/before loading the unit load from/onto the loading area, and an adapter element (20, 120) designed for connection to the support element (12). The adapter element (20, 120) has a fastening region (24, 124), which is designed for releasably fastening to a specific unit load, wherein the unit load is a component of a wind turbine.

Description

Adjustable transport feet

The invention relates to a support assembly for unloading and loading a piece goods from / to a height-adjustable loading area of a means of transport with a support element with a auflegbaren on a bottom surface contact surface for initiating the weight of the cargo after unloading / before charging the cargo from / to the / n charging area in a bottom surface and an adapter element designed for connection to the support element.

Support arrangements are known, for example, in connection with so-called swap bodies or swap bodies. A swap body is a replaceable load carrier, usually a container that can be separated from its host vehicle. It has adjustable, in particular fold-out support elements or support feet, which can be folded out to unload the container, so that the support feet rest at least partially on the ground. Subsequently, the loading area of the carrier vehicle on which the container rests, lowered by means of the air suspension of the carrier vehicle, so that the container is completely supported by the support legs. The carrier vehicle can then exit under the swap body. In this way, heavy containers can be used, otherwise only with the help of a crane or a larger one Lifting device could be separated from the carrier vehicle, be unloaded in a simple and cost-effective manner. The loading of a swap body is done in the reverse order: the carrier vehicle positions itself under the container supported by support assemblies and the support surface is then raised until the container is fully supported by the carrier vehicle.

However, bulk goods or heavy bulk goods, which due to their size can not be stored in containers, give rise to considerable problems in handling or transporting. Although they can be transported with special trucks, such as low loaders or so-called Kesselbrücken, for unloading the piece goods from the means of transport, however, a crane or a special lifting device is necessary. A boiler bridge has a motor vehicle with attached semitrailer and connected thereto, for example, via spars trailer, the piece goods between motor vehicle and trailer is stored. At the point of unloading or reloading the piece goods, a crane or a lifting device must be available at all times so that the goods can be unloaded and the means of transport, for example for picking up another piece of goods, released. The same problems arise at places of loading such as ports or at interim storage facilities, where a crane is always required to unload the piece goods. The loading of the cargo equally causes problems.

Particular problems in handling and transport prepare components of wind turbines, in particular tower segments, hubs, rotor blades, machine housings or parts thereof due to their size and weight. For example, tower segments are usually made of steel and regularly have a length over 15 m, a diameter of about 3 m and a weight over 20 tons. At both ends in the axial direction of such an approximately circular-cylindrical tower segment are approximately annular flange areas over which the individual sections are connected to each other in the construction of the tower. The connection is usually made by screws or bolts, which are received in through holes in the flange portions of the tower segments. Although rotor blades are usually not excessively heavy, their transport is only possible with special vehicles such as boiler bridges or low loaders with a special length due to their length and the associated unwieldiness. For unloading and loading of these components of the transport vehicles usually crane or at least a special lifting device is necessary. Devices for gripping a piece goods, in particular a tower segment having a handle portion in the form of a container corner and can be fastened to the cargo are already known from WO 02/04321. These devices facilitate the handling of the piece goods with designed for the transport of containers lifting and transport facilities, but also for the loading and unloading of the cargo is always a lifting device, usually a crane necessary.

Smaller tower segments with a diameter of up to about 3.5 m can be transported on a low loader. By contrast, tower segments with a larger diameter are advantageously transported by a boiler bridge. As described above, however, the cost of permanently providing a crane for unloading or reloading the tower segments at construction sites, interim storage facilities and / or ports are very high. In addition, the crane is often not in permanent use, but the cost of crane downtime is not materially different from the cost of having a crane in operation. It is often even necessary to match the dates on which the tower segments are transported to the unloading location to the dates at which a crane is available at this location. The full transportation plan then depends on the availability of a crane, which results in a significant limitation in the preparation of logistics and construction plans with regard to wind turbines.

In view of these problems in the prior art, the invention has the object to simplify the transport and handling of large piece goods.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a support assembly, the adapter element has a mounting portion, which is designed for releasable attachment to a specific piece goods, the piece goods is a component of a wind turbine.

The invention is based on the knowledge that a crane for unloading the piece goods from the loading area of a means of transport is not necessary if the loading area of the loaded with the cargo transport is lowered as in a swap body and then move out the transport under the supported by support assemblies cargo can. Before lowering the Aufladebereichs supporting arrangements according to the invention are attached to the cargo such that the bearing surfaces of the support elements rest on a bottom surface, so that the weight of the cargo can be introduced via the support elements in the bottom surface and the cargo from the support elements after lowering the Aufladefläche is completely worn. The support assemblies have adapter elements, the attachment area is designed specifically for the detachable attachment to the cargo. The adapter element is thus specially adapted to the cargo to be unloaded and so attached to it that it represents an adapter between the cargo and the support element. Components of wind turbines are, as described above, particularly unwieldy, large and / or heavy, so that usually only a few, usually one or two components can be charged to a transport vehicle at the same time. If the adapter element, in particular its attachment region, is specially matched to the component, the component can be carried particularly securely and reliably after being unloaded / before being charged by the support assembly. In addition, the unloading process and the subsequent support by the support assembly can be done very safely and easily, since the support assembly with respect to statics, structure and choice of materials optimally on the component, especially in terms of weight distribution, particularly suitable points of attack, material can be tuned ,

Preferably, the support element is already connected to the adapter element before the unloading process, and is brought to a position in which its support surface rests at least partially on the bottom surface for unloading. However, it is also conceivable that the support element is separated from the adapter element before being unloaded, and connected to the adapter element for unloading.

The charging of the piece goods can be carried out in an analogous manner, in which case a transport means with its charging area is initially positioned under the piece goods carried by support arrangements. Subsequently, the loading surface of the means of transport is increased by means of the height adjustment, until the piece goods are completely carried by the means of transport.

Support arrangements according to the invention can also be used for the so-called roll on-roll off traffic. The piece goods are unloaded by the means of transport, for example in the hold of a ship, without relying on crane technology and / or the assistance of external third parties. Thus, crane costs, crane mobilization costs and costs for loading personnel can be saved. At the point of arrival of the ship, the general cargo can in turn be loaded onto another means of transport for further transport on land without the help of third parties.

Preferably, the adapter element has a connection region which is designed to connect the adapter element to the support element. The support assembly according to the invention simplifies the unloading and charging particularly strong when the cargo is a tower segment, a hub, a rotor blade, a machine housing or a part of these components. These components are particularly heavy, large and / or unwieldy. The fastening region of the adapter element is then matched to one of these components.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support member has a fastened to the cargo on the adapter element and after unloading, or before charging the cargo in approximately vertical direction extending support portion, wherein the support element can occupy at least two operating positions and from a first operating position in a second operating position is adjustable, wherein the smallest distance between the support surface of the support element and the adapter element in the first operating position 10 cm or more, preferably 30 cm or more, in particular 50 cm or more smaller than in the second operating position. In particular, the support surface is at least partially on the bottom surface in the second operating position.

It has proven to be particularly practical if the support element is already connected during transport by the transport means with the adapter element, wherein the support assembly is in a first operating position in which the support surface of the support element is located at a sufficient distance from the ground, so that a safe transport of the piece goods with attached support arrangement is possible. For unloading the support element is adjusted to a second operating position, in which the support surface of the support element rests at least partially on the bottom surface. In a preferred embodiment, the support member can occupy more than two operating positions, in particular, the smallest distance between support surface and adapter element may also be infinitely adjustable, so that the support member can be brought in any case in a position in which the support surface at least partially on the bottom surface rests.

The adapter element preferably has a rail section with an approximately vertical direction extending hollow and / or approximately U-shaped longitudinal profile, wherein the support portion of the support member is at least partially receivable in the profile such that the adjustment of the first to the second operating position by moving the support element can be made in profile direction. If the support portion is at least partially included in such a profile, an unwanted change in the mutual position of the support element and adapter element, in particular a mutual twisting or pivoting is not under the effective weight load of the piece good more is possible. As a result, the stability of the support assembly is increased in the use position. The support section can, for example, at least partially consist of a metal rod or a steel support with a rectangular or round cross-section, which is at least partially received in the rail section of the adapter element in a complementary to this cross-section hollow profile and can be moved in the profile direction.

In the first operating position, the support section can be received in the profile of the rail section in such a way that over 75%, preferably over 90%, of the support section is received in the profile in the profile direction. In this way, the cargo forms with attached support assembly in the first operating position, especially during transport by the transport a compact overall arrangement.

The position of the support element with respect to the adapter element is preferably lockable in at least one operating position, in particular in the second operating position, preferably in each operating position. Preferably, the locking via a securing element, preferably via a securing bolt, which engages in bores in the connecting region of the adapter element and the support portion of the support element, wherein the connecting portion or the support portion has at least two spaced apart in the profile direction bores and the securing element in each operating position in one of Operating position associated hole engages. Particularly in the second operating position, when the weight of the piece good at least partially loads on the support assembly, a reliable and stable designed fuse element according to the invention important because a large part of the weight is introduced via the securing element of the adapter element in the support element. In the first operating position, the securing element can serve above all the secure mounting of the support element on the adapter element.

In another embodiment of the invention, a support portion of the support member extends transversely in a first operating position, in particular approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction and is adjusted by pivoting about an approximately horizontally extending pivot axis in a second operating position. The support member is then folded during transport and can be pivoted to unload the piece goods in the second operating position that it rests at least partially on the ground. In this position it can be secured by a suitable securing means. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening region of the adapter element is adapted to an arcuate flange region of the piece good preferably before unloading / after charging in a vertical plane, wherein the adapter element can be detachably fastened to the arcuate flange region via the attachment region. For example, tower segments have such arcuate flange portions which, as described above, are interconnected during assembly of the wind turbine. Hubs may also have arcuate flange portions. These arcuate flange portions usually have through holes with a predetermined diameter and mutual spacing. The fastening region is preferably designed for attachment to an arcuate flange region which has a radius of curvature of one meter or more, in particular 1.5 m or more. The radii of curvature of the arcuate flange portions of tower segments are regularly greater than 1.5 m.

The fastening region of the adapter element preferably has attachment means, such as through-holes for receiving bolts and / or screws, in particular fastening bolts or threaded bolts. The arcuate flange region of the piece goods that can be fastened to the fastening region usually also has bores into which the screws and / or bolts for fastening the adapter element to the component can engage.

The attachment region preferably has at least two bores which, including their diameter and mutual distance, are adapted to the arcuate flange region of the article to be attached, which has a pattern of equally spaced bores. Thus, the fastening means of the fastening region can be optimally adapted to the flange region which can be fastened thereto and holes already present therein. By changing the bore diameter and bore spacing, the adapter element can be adapted, for example, to the flange region of a tower segment with a larger diameter, whose holes present in the flange region regularly have a greater distance.

The bores may lie on a straight line extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the support element. For example, if two holes are formed in the mounting area, a fixed by the centers of these holes straight after attachment to the cargo a secant of the circle or Represent circular arc on which lies at least a portion of the holes formed in the arcuate flange portion of the piece goods.

It has proven to be structurally particularly advantageous if the bore centers of the holes in the mounting area lie on a circular arc. The radius of the arc can be adapted to the radius of the arcuate flange portion of the piece good. For example, a tower segment of the tower of a wind turbine usually at its axially opposite ends about circular arc flange portions with holes, the holes lie on a circular arc and thus cover when mounted on the adapter element with the holes formed therein.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, which mainly serves for the unloading and loading of components which do not have an arcuate flange region, the adapter element has two connection regions, each connection region being designed for connection of the adapter element to a support element, and the connection regions preferably are spaced apart, that the mutual distance of the bearing surfaces of the two support elements after connection with the adapter element is greater than the width of the charging of the transport vehicle in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel direction. Thus, the adapter element has two connection areas in opposite sides of the adapter element, which projects in horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of travel and which at least partially protrude laterally beyond the transport means. The adapter element thus extends over the entire width of the transport means, wherein the adapter element is assigned a support element on each of the two sides conveying means.

Since the adapter element extends over the entire width of the Aufladefläche, it can also serve in this embodiment as a transition element between Aufladefläche and cargo on which the cargo rests at least partially during transport and / or of which it is held. The cargo is then during transport not directly on the Aufladefläche of the means of transport. Rather, the adapter element can rest directly on the Aufladefläche, wherein the cargo is secured during transport to the adapter element, that it is kept at a distance from the Aufladefläche. In particular, in the case of easily damaged, particularly long and / or voluminous components such as rotor blades, the component can be additionally protected against damage by external mechanical action. Preferably, the adapter element of this embodiment comprises a frame as well as two optionally rail-detachably connected to the frame, each having a rail portion having rail elements, wherein each rail portion has one of the two connecting portions. It is therefore intended that the rail elements of the adapter element, possibly together with the support elements connected to the rail elements detachable from the frame of the adapter element. For unloading the piece goods, the rail elements are connected together with the support elements with the frame. However, the rail elements can also be made in one piece with the frame.

The frame preferably has at least two, preferably four or more attachment areas, wherein the attachment areas are designed by their mutual distance and the fastening means arranged therein for releasably securing a component of a wind turbine, in particular a rotor blade or a part of a machine house or a hub. The component is fastened to a frame assigned to it and subsequently, for example by means of lever tabs attached to the frame, the frame can be loaded onto a means of transport.

In particular, rotor blades of wind turbine can be particularly effectively transported by means of supporting arrangements, if the adapter element has a frame with two, three or more approximately vertically stacked transport layers, each transport tray has at least two mounting areas whose mutual distance is about the width of a rotor blade in the Transport stage assigned portion of the rotor blade corresponds. Thus, two, three or more rotor blades can be transported and unloaded at the same time with the help of a transport vehicle.

On the adapter element, a lifting tab for lifting and transporting the adapter element, possibly with attached thereto piece goods by means of a lifting device, in particular be mounted with a crane. Such lifting tabs can also be used to support the cargo on attached support arrangements. Also, the lifting tabs can be used for erecting a tower segment in building the tower and / or securing the cargo on a storage area, for example in the storage room of a ship, by chains or ropes.

The invention further comprises an arrangement consisting of the component of a wind energy plant and at least one support arrangement according to the invention attached to the component. The invention further comprises a method for unloading a component of a wind turbine from a height-adjustable charging area of a means of transport, in which at least two support arrangements according to the invention are connected via their respective attachment area / s to the component, in which first the support elements of the support arrangements with them associated adapter elements are connected so that the bearing surfaces of the support elements at least partially rest on the bottom surface, preferably the support elements are secured in this position by means of a securing element, the charging of the transport is lowered until the component is completely supported by the support assemblies, and then the Means of transport, preferably by moving out of the means of transport under the component is removed.

The support elements preferably each have a support nabschnitt extending in an approximately vertical direction after the component has been unloaded, the support elements each being able to assume at least two operating positions and being adjustable from a first operating position to a second operating position, wherein the smallest distance between the bearing surface and the adapter element in the first operating position 10 cm or more, preferably 30 cm or more, in particular 50 cm or more smaller than in the second operating position. The support elements can then be in the first operating position before unloading, in particular during transport by the means of transport. The method step of connecting consists in that the support elements for unloading the component are adjusted to the second operating position, in which the bearing surface of the respective support element at least partially rests on the bottom surface.

The support arrangements can be additionally connected to each other by bracing and / or stiffening elements. The overall arrangement of a supported by support assemblies component can be stabilized in this way. Additional stiffeners of the overall arrangement can be important, for example, for securing the supported component in the storage space of a ship, which is inevitably subject to accelerations caused by the waves.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for charging a component of a wind energy plant carried by supporting arrangements according to the invention onto a height-adjustable charging area of a transport means, in which at least two support arrangements according to the invention are connected to the component via its attachment area are initially positioned, the charging area of the means of transport under the supported by the support member components and the charging area of the transport is then raised about the height adjustment until the component rests at least indirectly on the Aufladefläche of the transport and is fully supported by the transport.

Preferably, the support elements each have a prior to charging of the component in approximately vertical direction extending support portion, the support assemblies can each occupy at least two operating positions and are adjustable from a first operating position to a second operating position, wherein the smallest distance between the support surface and the adapter element in the first operating position is 10 cm or more, preferably 30 cm or more, in particular 50 cm or more smaller than in the second operating position, in particular the bearing surface in the second operating position rests at least partially on the bottom surface, and the support assemblies prior to charging of the component are in the second operating position and adjusted after raising the Aufladebereichs in the first operating position. Subsequently, the support elements can be secured in the first operating position by means of a securing means.

In the method according to the invention for unloading or loading a component, it is also possible to use four support arrangements according to the invention, two support arrangements each being fastened to the front side and the rear side of the component. In particular, four support arrangements may be necessary for carrying out the method according to the invention if the four support arrangements each have only one support element. For example, when unloading a tower segment of a wind turbine at the arcuate flange portion of both the front and the back in the axial direction of the tower segment two support assemblies are fixed such that viewed from above at each of the four "corners" of the approximately rectangular tower tower segment a support assembly In each case, the two support arrangements fastened to a flange of the tower segment can be connected by additional struts and / or stiffening elements.

The inventive method is particularly suitable for loading and unloading a tower segment of a tower of a wind turbine, the tower segment in the axial direction at the front and at the back each having an approximately circular flange with bores, via which the attachment of the mounting portions of the support assemblies. The inventive method is also suitable for unloading and recharging a component of a wind turbine, which has no arcuate flange portion. Possibly. In this case, only two support arrangements according to the invention, each having two support elements, are connected to the component.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for transporting a component of a wind energy plant, in particular a tower segment, a hub, a machine house or rotor blade or parts thereof, in which the component is first unloaded by the method described above and then charged as described. In particular, in roll on - roll off traffic, the component can be unloaded from a first transport vehicle in the hold of a ship in this way and be charged after arrival of the ship at the destination to a second transport vehicle for further transport.

It is additionally pointed out that so-called tower feet, which are usually used for transporting and storing tower segments, can be developed into adapter elements of the present invention, so that the tower legs can then be used in double functionality as bearing elements and as adapter elements of support arrangements according to the invention.

In the following, the invention will be explained with reference to the drawing, to which reference is expressly made with regard to all details essential to the invention and details which are not further detailed in the description. In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of two attached to a piece goods according to the invention support arrangements (first embodiment) in the first operating position.

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of two attached to a piece goods according to the invention support arrangements (first embodiment) in the second operating position.

3 shows a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of a support arrangement according to the invention with two piece goods attached thereto, 4a shows a first method step in the unloading of piece goods from a means of transport with two support arrangements according to the invention (each second embodiment),

4b shows a second method step during the unloading of piece goods from a transport means with two support arrangements according to the invention (in each case the second embodiment),

4c shows a third method step for unloading piece goods from a transport means with two support arrangements according to the invention (each second embodiment).

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a substantially hollow-cylindrical tower segment 30 of the tower of a wind energy plant mounted on a height-adjustable charging area 42 of a transport means 40. The cylinder axis points into the plane of the drawing, so that the arcuate flange region 32 of the front or rear side of the tower segment is annularly visible with bores formed therein, the bores serving to secure another tower segment in the construction of the tower. At the arcuate flange portion two support assemblies 10 according to the invention are attached. Each support assembly 10 consists essentially of a support element 12 and an adapter element 20. The adapter element 20 is fastened via a fastening region 24 with fastening means 26 to the arcuate flange region 32, wherein the fastening region 24 is adapted to the arcuate flange region. In the mounting area 24 holes 27 are namely formed, which lie on a circular arc, which has the same radius as the circular arc on which lie the holes of the flange portion of the tower segment. Furthermore, the holes are adjusted by the choice of their diameter and mutual distance to the holes in the flange area. The adapter element also has two lifting tabs 25.

The adapter element 20 further has a connection region 22, in which the adapter element is connected to a support element 12. The support member 12 includes a support surface 14 for support on a bottom surface 50 and extending approximately in the vertical direction support portion 16. In Fig. 1 are both support assemblies 10 in the first operating position, in which the smallest distance D between support surface 14 and the adapter element more than 50 cm smaller than in the second operating position (see Fig. 2). In the first operating position of the support portion 16 of the support member 12 is so in an approximately U-shaped profile of a rail section 28 of the Adapter element 20 added that substantially only the support surface 14 protrudes in the vertical direction over the adapter element 20. The support member 12 can be adjusted by moving in profile direction A in the second operating position in which the support surface 14 at least partially rests on the bottom surface 50. The second operating position is shown in FIG. 2. In each operating position, the support element can be secured by a securing bolt 19. The embodiment of the support arrangement shown in the drawing has a total of five possible operating positions, wherein in each operating position, the securing element 19 engages in a bore assigned to the operating position 17. In this way, an operating position in which the support surface rests at least partially on the bottom surface, be selected by using the appropriate hole for different levels of transport.

In Fig. 2, the support surface 42 of the carrier vehicle 40 is lowered, which is preferably done by means of an air suspension of the transport vehicle, so that the tower segment is completely supported by the support assemblies 10. The transporting means 40 can now move out below the supported tower segment 30.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a support arrangement 110 according to the invention. The adapter element 120 of this support arrangement has a frame 121 with fastening areas 124 for fastening two piece goods 130. The attachment areas 124 are designed for attachment of a rotor blade. The frame comprises two approximately vertically stacked transport layers 123, each with two attachment portions 124, wherein the attachment of a rotor blade 130 per transport day is provided. In addition, the mutual distance corresponds in each case to two attachment regions 124 of a transport layer 123 of the width of a rotor blade in the section in which its attachment to the attachment regions is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 4 a to 4 c, two support assemblies 110 of the second embodiment are connected to the piece goods for unloading and the piece goods of the transporting means 40, wherein a first support arrangement 10 is arranged in the front area of the loading area 42 of the transporting means 40 and a second Support arrangement 110 in the rear region of the Aufladebereichs 42. Thus, the two support goods 130 can be completely carried by the two support assemblies 110 after unloading of the transport means 40, wherein the weight of the two piece goods is introduced via the total four bearing surfaces of the support elements in the bottom surface 50 ( see Fig. 4c). The width of the adapter element 120 is greater than the width of the transporting means 40 in the region of the charging region 42, so that the two connection regions 122 on opposite sides of the adapter element 120 in horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of travel F at least partially over the lateral boundary of the charging region 42 protrude. In particular, the mutual distance b of the bearing surfaces 14 is greater than the width of the charging region 42 of the transport means in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel F extending direction. The adapter element 120 is associated with two support elements 12, wherein each support element is connected to the adapter element in each case a connection region 122. The support elements are essentially constructed as the support elements of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. They can each occupy several operating positions, wherein in a second operating position, the support surface 14 of the support element 12 at least partially rests on the bottom surface 50. In the first operating position shown in FIG. 4a, the smallest distance D between support surface 14 and adapter element 120 is more than 50 cm smaller than in the second operating position shown in FIGS. 3, 4b and 4c. The support elements 12 each have a support surface 14 and a support portion 16 which is at least partially receivable in a hollow profile of the rail portion 128 of the support member associated rail member 129. The adjustment is made by moving the support member 12 in the profile direction A. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the two rail elements 129 are releasably attached to the frame. However, they can also be made in one piece with the frame. Securing elements for locking the support element in an operating position are not shown. However, the fuse element may correspond to, for example, the fuse element of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows three method steps for unloading piece goods from a means of transport according to the method according to the invention. Two support assemblies 110 are connected via their respective attachment regions to two piece goods 130 loaded on a transport means 40 (FIG. 4a). Now, the support elements are connected to the adapter element such that the bearing surfaces of the support elements in each case rest on the bottom surface. This is done by adjusting the support elements in the second operating position (Fig. 4b). The support elements are secured in the second operating position (not shown). Subsequently, the loading area of the transport means is lowered until the piece goods are completely carried by the support arrangements (Figure 4c). The transport 40 can only drive out of the piece goods 130.

Claims

1. Support arrangement (10, 110) for unloading and loading a piece good (30, 130) from / on a height-adjustable loading area (42) of a transport means (40) with a support element (12) with a floor surface auflegbaren bearing surface ( 14) for initiating the weight of the piece goods (30, 130) after unloading / before loading the piece goods from / on the charging area (42) into the bottom surface (50) and an adapter element (20) designed for connection to the support element (12) , 120), characterized in that the adapter element (20, 120) has a fastening region (24, 124), which is designed for releasable attachment to a specific cargo (30, 130), wherein the cargo is a component of a wind turbine.

2. Support arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter element (20, 120) has a connection region (22, 122), in which the support element (12) with the adapter element (20, 120) can be connected.

3. Support arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cargo (30, 130) is a tower segment, a hub, a rotor blade, a machine housing or a part of these components.

4. Support arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (12) has a fastening element (16) extending after fastening of the support assembly on the piece goods and after unloading / before charging the piece goods in approximately vertical direction, wherein the support element (12 ) is at least two operating positions and can be adjusted from a first operating position to a second operating position, wherein the smallest distance (D) between support surface (14) of the support element and the adapter element (20, 120) in the first operating position 10 cm or more, preferably 30 cm or more, in particular 50 cm or more smaller than in the second operating position, in particular the bearing surface in the second operating position at least partially rests on the bottom surface (50).

5. Support arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the adapter element (20, 120) has a rail section (28, 128) with an approximately vertical direction, at least partially hollow and / or approximately U-shaped longitudinal profile wherein the support portion (16) of the support element (12) is at least partially receivable in the profile such that the adjustment from the first to the second operating position by displacement of the support element in profile direction (A) can take place.

6. Support arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that in the first operating position about 75%, preferably over 90% of the support portion (16) in the profile direction (A) in the profile of the rail portion (28, 128) are added.

7. Support arrangement according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the position of the support element (12) with respect. The adapter element (20, 120) in at least one operating position, preferably in the first and in the second operating position lockable, preferably via a Secured element (19), particularly preferably via a securing bolt is securable, which engages in bores in the connecting region (22, 122) of the adapter element and the support portion (16) of the support element, wherein the connecting portion or the support portion spaced at least two in the profile direction (A) Has holes (17) and engages the fuse element in each operating position in one of the operating position associated hole.

8. Support arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support element (12) can assume at least two operating positions and is adjustable from a first operating position to a second operating position, wherein a support nabschnitt (16) of the support element (12). extends transversely in the first operating position, in particular approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction and is adjusted by pivoting about an approximately horizontally extending pivot axis in the second operating position.

9. support assembly (10) for loading and unloading a piece goods (30) from / on a height adjustable charging area (42) of a transport (40) with a support element (12) with a auflegge on a bottom surface support surface (14) for initiation the weight of the piece goods (30) after unloading / before loading the piece goods from / on the / charging area (42) in a bottom surface (50) and an adapter element (20) designed for connection to the support element (12), in particular according to one of previous claims, characterized in that the adapter element (20) has a fastening region (24), which for releasable attachment to a preferably before unloading / after charging approximately in one Vertical plane extending arcuate flange portion (32) of the piece goods (30) is designed.

10. Support arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the fastening region for attachment to an arcuate flange region with a radius of curvature greater than 1 m, in particular greater than 1, 5 m is designed.

11. Support arrangement according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the fastening region (24) fastening means (26) such as through holes (27) for receiving bolts and / or screws, in particular bolts.

12. Support arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 1 1, characterized in that the fastening region (24) has at least two bores (27), including their diameter and mutual distance to the attachable thereto arcuate flange portion (32) of the piece goods (30) having a pattern of equally spaced bores adapted.

13. Support arrangement according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the bores (27) lie on a circular arc.

14. Support arrangement (110) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the adapter element has two connecting regions (122), each connecting region (122) for connecting the adapter element (120) with a support element (12) is designed, and the connecting regions are preferably spaced such that the mutual distance (b) of the bearing surfaces of the two support elements (12) after their connection to the adapter element is greater than the width of the charging region (42) of the transport vehicle (40) perpendicular to the direction of travel (F) running direction.

15. Support arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the adapter element (120) comprises a frame (121) and two possibly releasably connected to the frame, each having a rail portion (128) having rail elements (129), each rail section one of the two Has connecting regions (122).

16. Support arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that the frame (121) has at least two, preferably four or more attachment areas (124), wherein the attachment areas by their mutual distance and the arranged therein fastening means (126) for releasably securing a component of a wind turbine, in particular a rotor blade (130) or a machine house or a hub or a part thereof are designed.

17. A support arrangement according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the frame (121) has two, three or more approximately vertically stacked transport layers (123), each transport tray has at least two mounting portions (124) whose mutual distance about the width a rotor blade in which the transport layer associated portion of the rotor blade corresponds.

18. Support arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one attached to the adapter element lifting tab (25) for lifting and transporting the adapter element, optionally with attached cargo, using a lifting device, in particular with a crane.

19, assembly comprising a component of a wind turbine and at least one attached to the component support assembly according to one of the preceding claims.

20. A method for unloading a component of a wind turbine from a height-adjustable charging area (42) of a transport means (40), wherein at least two support arrangements (10, 110) according to one of claims 1 to 18 via their respective attachment area (s) (24, 124) are connected to the component (30, 130), characterized by the method steps:

connecting the support elements (12) to the adapter elements (20, 120) such that the bearing surfaces of the support elements each rest at least partially on the bottom surface (50),

preferably securing the support elements in this position by means of securing elements (19),

lowering the loading area of the means of transport until the component is fully supported by the support assemblies, and

the removal of the means of transport, preferably by moving the means of transport under the component.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the support elements (12) each occupy at least two operating positions and are adjustable from a first operating position to a second operating position, wherein the smallest distance (D) between Support surface of the support element and the adapter element in the first operating position 10 cm or more, preferably 30 cm or more, in particular 50 cm or more smaller than in the second operating position, in particular the support surface in the second operating position on the bottom surface at least partially rests, characterized that

the support elements are in the first operating position before unloading, in particular during transport by the means of transport, and

the step of joining consists of displacing the support elements for unloading the component into the second operating position, in which the bearing surfaces of the support elements rest at least partially on the floor surface.

22. The method according to any one of claims 20 or 21, characterized in that the support assemblies (10) are additionally connected to each other by bracing and / or stiffening elements.

23. A method for charging a component of a wind turbine on a height-adjustable charging area (42) of a transport means (40), wherein at least two support assemblies (10, 110) according to one of claims 1 to 18 via their respective Befestigungsungsbereich / e (24, 124) are connected to the component and support the component, characterized by the method steps

- Positioning the Aufladebereichs a means of transport under the supported by the support assemblies component and

-the lifting of the loading area of the means of transport via the height adjustment until the component is completely carried by the means of transport.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the support elements can each occupy at least two operating positions and are adjustable from a first operating position to a second operating position, wherein the smallest distance (D) between the support surface and the adapter element in the first operating position 10 cm or more, preferably 30 cm or more, in particular 50 cm or more smaller than in the second operating position, in particular the bearing surface in the second operating position at least partially rests on the bottom surface, characterized in that

the support elements are in the second operating position before charging the component,

- The support elements are moved after lifting the Aufladebereichs of the transport in the first operating position and Preferably, the support elements are secured in the first operating position by means of Sicherungselemehten (19).

25. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, characterized in that four support assemblies (10) are used according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein in each case two support assemblies are attached to the front and on the back of the component.

26. A method for transporting a component of a wind turbine, in particular a tower segment, a hub, a machine house or rotor blade or a part thereof, wherein the component is unloaded by a method according to any one of claims 20 to 22 and then with a method according to one of Claims 23 to 25 is charged or vice versa.