WO2011131254A2 - Fixture and frame which is connectable to an end of a member and method for connecting a fixture to an end of a member - Google Patents

Fixture and frame which is connectable to an end of a member and method for connecting a fixture to an end of a member Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011131254A2
WO2011131254A2 PCT/EP2010/063662 EP2010063662W WO2011131254A2 WO 2011131254 A2 WO2011131254 A2 WO 2011131254A2 EP 2010063662 W EP2010063662 W EP 2010063662W WO 2011131254 A2 WO2011131254 A2 WO 2011131254A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fixture
frame
disc
flange
holes
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2010/063662
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2011131254A3 (en
Inventor
Soeren Steffensen
Original Assignee
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens Aktiengesellschaft filed Critical Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority to DE112010005504T priority Critical patent/DE112010005504T5/en
Publication of WO2011131254A2 publication Critical patent/WO2011131254A2/en
Publication of WO2011131254A3 publication Critical patent/WO2011131254A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
    • B66C1/10—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
    • B66C1/62—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled
    • B66C1/66—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled for engaging holes, recesses, or abutments on articles specially provided for facilitating handling thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D80/00—Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
    • B66C1/10—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
    • B66C1/108—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means for lifting parts of wind turbines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/40—Arrangements or methods specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2230/00—Manufacture
    • F05B2230/60—Assembly methods
    • F05B2230/61—Assembly methods using auxiliary equipment for lifting or holding
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2260/00—Function
    • F05B2260/30—Retaining components in desired mutual position
    • F05B2260/301—Retaining bolts or nuts
    • Y—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
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
    • Y—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
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Definitions

  • Fixture and frame which is connectable to an end of a member and method for connecting a fixture to an end of a member
  • the present invention relates to a fixture and to a frame which is connectable to an end of a member, for example to a wind turbine tower section or a wind turbine rotor blade.
  • the present invention further relates to a method for connecting a fixture to an end of a member, for example a wind turbine tower section or wind turbine rotor blade.
  • a part of the attachment means comprises two or more pivotally bolts with holding means clamping a flange of a tower section to the fixture.
  • the pivotally bolts and holding means are facing in a cross direction of the length axis of the tower section it might be difficult and time con ⁇ suming to adjust and tighten the holding means towards the flange and the fixture as the holding means are placed behind a console near the flange of the tower section.
  • a first objective of the present invention to provide an advantageous fixture which is more flexible and easier to handle compared with a previously mentioned solu ⁇ tions. It is a second objective of the present invention to provide an advantageous frame.
  • a third objective of the pre ⁇ sent invention is to provide an advantageous method for con ⁇ necting a fixture to an end of a member.
  • the first objective is solved by a fixture as claimed in claim 1.
  • the second objective is solved by a frame as claimed in claim 9.
  • the third objective is solved by a method as claimed in claim 12.
  • the depending claims define further de- velopments of the invention. All features mentioned in the claims and in the following description are advantageous alone and in any combination with each other.
  • the inventive fixture is connectable to an end of a member.
  • the end of the member comprises a number of holes.
  • the fix ⁇ ture comprises a base element and at least two discs. Each disc comprises a centre line. Each disc is connected to the base element such that it can be freely rotated about the centre line. Each disc comprises at least one opening which is located eccentrically related to the centre line. This means, that the at least one opening of the disc is not lo ⁇ cated at the position of the centre line.
  • the discs are connected to the base element such that they can be freely rotated about the centre line about an angle of 360 deg.
  • the fixture comprises at least four discs, for example exactly four discs.
  • the member can be a wind turbine tower section or a wind turbine rotor blade.
  • the end of the member comprises a flange with a number of holes.
  • the discs can be detachable connected to the base element.
  • the discs can be attached to a bracket, as a de- tachable part of the fixture, where each disc is able to ro ⁇ tate in an opening in the bracket or parallel to an opening in the bracket rotatable attached by fastening means attached to the bracket.
  • the opening in the disc has the shape of a round hole or a long hole or a slit.
  • the disc may comprise a number of holes placed on the disc in a helix pat ⁇ tern.
  • the disc may comprise at least two, pref ⁇ erably more than two round holes placed on the disc in a he- lix pattern.
  • the disc may comprise at least two or more long holes or slits placed on the disc in parallel.
  • the at least two long holes or slits may each have a longitudinal direction and may be placed on the disc such that their longitudinal directions run in parallel.
  • long holes or slits can be placed on the disc such that their longitudinal directions include an angle which each other.
  • the opening in the disc can be advantageously a through going opening.
  • the base element can comprise at least one opening with a centre line. At least one of the discs can be connected to the base element such that it is located in the opening. Al ⁇ ternatively, at least one of the disc can be connected the base element such that the centre line of the disc is located parallel of the centre line of the opening. In this case the disc can be able to rotate parallel to an opening in the base element and can be rotatable attached by fastening the means which are attached to the base element.
  • the disc may comprise at least one handle for ro- tating the disc.
  • the base element may comprise at least one through going long hole or slit.
  • This additional through go ⁇ ing long hole or slit can for example be used to fix or con- nect the member to the base element before the discs are ro ⁇ tated for finally fixing the member.
  • the discs act as locking plates and can also be designated as locking plates.
  • the discs may have any suitable shape, preferably they are circular discs.
  • the fixture may comprise at least one connecting means for connecting the fixture to a frame or to a transpor- tation vehicle.
  • the fixture may comprise a cradle for receiv ⁇ ing one end of the member.
  • the fixture may comprise a locking mechanism for securing the fixture to a frame.
  • the fixture comprises two or more connecting means for connecting the fixture to a frame or directly to a transportation vehicle.
  • These connect ⁇ ing means may comprise openings with one or more through go ⁇ ing holes or standard corner castings or similar connecting means .
  • the fixture may be used in a stacking system.
  • the fix ⁇ ture is vertical displaceable and/or detachable connected to a frame where the frame may comprise corner castings for stacking.
  • the frames may be put into a standard container, e.g. a 20 ft container, for transportation.
  • one or more fixtures By connecting one or more fixtures to a frame it is possible to connect the end of e.g. one or more tower sections to a frame. Normally then two sets of frames each with the same number of fixtures are used, one set of frame with fixtures to each end of the tower sections, where the tower sections are placed above each other.
  • the inventive frame comprises at least one fixture as previ ⁇ ously described.
  • the fixture is displaceable and/or detachable connected to the frame.
  • the frame may comprise a top portion and a bot ⁇ tom portion.
  • a first fixture may be connected to the frame at the top portion.
  • a second fixture may be connected to the frame at the bottom portion.
  • a third fixture may be connected to the frame between the top portion and the bottom portion or to a middle portion of the frame.
  • a first tower section can be connected at one of its ends to the second fixture at the bottom portion of the frame and to the third fixture in the middle of the frame.
  • the second tower section can be connected to the frame at its end to the first fixture at the top portion of the frame.
  • the inventive frame has the same advantages as the inventive fixture .
  • the inventive method for connecting a fixture to an end of a member makes use of a previously described in ⁇ ventive fixture.
  • the end of the member comprises a number of holes, preferably a flange with a number of holes.
  • the inven- tive method is characterised in placing the fixture at the end of the member, rotating each disc until one opening of the disc matches a hole of the end of the member, and detach ⁇ able fixing the end of the member to the disc using the open- ings of the disc matching a hole of the member.
  • the disc is bolted or screwed to the end of the member.
  • the fixture After connecting the fixture to the member, the fixture can be connected to a frame, especially a frame as pre- viously described.
  • the end of the member can be screwed or bolted to the base element using at least one through going long hole or slit in the base element.
  • the end of the member can be connected to the base element using at least one through going long hole or slit in the base element imme ⁇ diately after placing the fixture at the end of the member and before connecting the disc to the end of the member.
  • the member may be a wind turbine tower section or a wind turbine rotor blade.
  • the end of the member may have a circular cross section.
  • the end of the member may have a circular cross section with a diameter between 1.5 m and 5.5 m, especially between 2 m and 5 m.
  • the present invention provides a fixture and/or flange bracket for holding the end of e.g. a tower section compris ⁇ ing two or more rotatable discs having one or more openings. Each disc is rotated until an opening fits to an opening in a flange in the end of the tower section and a bolt can be in ⁇ serted connecting the flange to the fixture.
  • the fix ⁇ tures may comprise a locking mechanism for securing the fixture to the frame.
  • the fixtures may also comprise two or more pins for attaching the fixtures to the frame.
  • a rest hook is preferably connected to a top part of a tower flange and con ⁇ nected to one side of a bottom part of the bracket of a fix ⁇ ture where the fixture is attached to a frame. This rest hook makes it possible for the flange to hang on the fixture on a frame.
  • the frame for the fixture may comprise one or more brackets for a J-hook or other kind of hooks for lifting one end of the frame.
  • the frame may comprise support legs, typically H-beams of steel connected in a triangular way.
  • the frame may comprise an upper fixture and a pin hole connection for connecting the support legs to the frame in a detachable way.
  • the frame may comprise longitudinal adjustment means for the flange
  • each fixture here called a flange bracket
  • the flange bracket may here be of the same type as the flange bracket used on top of the stacking system.
  • the frame may comprise one or more displaceable flange sus ⁇ pension means and one or more openings, preferably slits, in a part of the frame structure for connecting an end of e.g. a first tower section to the frame, and an end of e.g. a second tower section placed above the first tower section attached to the frame by a flange bracket.
  • the frame may comprise corner castings for sea fastening on a ship.
  • the method for attaching a fixture or flange bracket to the end of a tower section can be performed as follows: At first, the flange bracket may be lifted up to the tower flange by a reach stacker or a fork lift or similar vehicle or a crane. Then the lowermost hole, also called as "six o'clock hole", in the tower flange and the long hole or slit in the bracket are bolted together. The four discs can then be rotated until the openings in the discs catch a hole in the tower flange.
  • the method for attaching a frame to the end of a tower section can be performed as follows: An upper and a lower fixture are placed in a frame and connected to the frame by connecting means, e.g.
  • the frame comprising a rest hook, an upper fixture and a lower fixture is lifted up by a reach stacker or a fork lift or similar vehicle or a crane.
  • the rest hook is placed on the inside of a tower flange by the lifting of the frame.
  • the up ⁇ permost hole, also called as "twelve o'clock hole", in the tower flange and the long hole or slit in the upper fixture are bolted together. Then the four discs in the upper fixture are rotated until the openings in the discs catch a hole in the tower flange.
  • the lowermost hole or "six o'clock hole” in the tower flange and the long hole or slit in the lower fix ⁇ ture are bolted together by a bolt.
  • the four discs in the lower fixture are rotated until the openings in the discs catch a hole in the tower flange.
  • a method for lifting frames with a connected tower section to a vessel can be performed as follows: The frames and the lower tower section are lifted on board a vessel.
  • the system can either be lifted by the J-hook or by means of slings or shackles.
  • the frames are fastened to the deck of the vessel by corner castings and twist locks and/or sea fastenings, like knees or brackets, and/or lashes.
  • a method for attaching an upper tower section to a frame can be performed as follows: An upper tower section having an attached flange bracket in each end is lifted up above the frames by a reach stacker or a fork lift or similar vehicle or a crane.
  • the flange brackets are attached to the frames by corner castings and may be adjusted in the longitudinal di ⁇ rection by an adjustment mechanism, e.g. two or more plates having two or more connecting holes that may be displaced in relation to each other.
  • Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
  • Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
  • Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
  • Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
  • Fig. 5 schematically shows a disc in a perspective view.
  • Fig. 6 schematically shows a second fixture in a perspec ⁇ tive view onto the back side of the fixture.
  • Fig. 7 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
  • Fig. 8 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
  • Fig. 9 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
  • FIG. 10 schematically shows a perspective view of the bot ⁇ tom portion of an inventive frame.
  • Fig. 11 schematically shows part of the top portion of an inventive frame in a perspective view.
  • Fig. 12 schematically shows part of a wind turbine tower section in a perspective view.
  • Fig 13 schematically shows part of an end of a wind tur ⁇ bine tower section in a frontal view.
  • Fig. 14 schematically shows an inventive frame and part of a wind turbine tower section in a perspective view .
  • Fig. 15 schematically shows an inventive frame connected to a wind turbine tower section in a perspective view.
  • Fig. 16 schematically shows a wind turbine tower section with two frames connected to it in a perspective view .
  • Fig. 17 schematically shows part of an inventive frame
  • Fig. 18 schematically shows the connection of a second
  • FIG. 19 schematically shows the connection between the
  • Fig. 20 schematically shows part of two wind turbine tower sections connected to an inventive frame in a per ⁇ spective view.
  • Fig. 21 schematically shows a number of inventive frames stacked onto each other in a perspective view.
  • Fig. 22 schematically shows a fixture which is connected to a flange in a frontal view.
  • Fig. 23 schematically shows a fixture connected to part of a flange in perspective view.
  • Fig. 24 schematically shows the adjustment of the fixture in a frame depending on the size of the member to be fixed.
  • Fig. 25 schematically show an inventive frame used as
  • Fig. 26 schematically show an inventive frame used as
  • Figure 1 schematically shows an inventive frame in a perspec ⁇ tive view.
  • the frame 1 comprises a front side 40 and a back side 41. It further comprises a top portion 2 and a bottom portion 3.
  • Two support legs 6 a connected to the frame 1 at the bottom portion 3.
  • the frame 1 further comprises four corner castings 4 for stacking which are connected to the frame 1 at the front side 40 at the four corners of the frame 1.
  • two corner castings 5 for sea fasting are connected to the frame 1.
  • the frame 1 comprises a first fixture 10, a second fixture 11 and a third fixture 12.
  • the fixtures 10, 11, 12 can for exam- pie be flange brackets. This means, that a flange of a mem ⁇ ber, for example of a wind turbine tower, can be connected to the fixture or bracket 10, 11, 12.
  • a first flange of a mem ⁇ ber, for example of a wind turbine tower
  • the first fixture 10 is connected to the frame 1 at the top portion 2 of the frame 1.
  • the frame 1 comprises means for longitudinal adjustment 7 of the first fixture 10.
  • the second fixture 11 is connected to the frame 1 close to the bottom portion 3 of the frame 1.
  • the frame comprises a number of holes 8 which run along the vertical direction 9 of the frame 1.
  • the second fixture 11 is connected to the frame 1 by means of pins or balls using the holes 8.
  • the third fixture 12 is connected to the frame 1 at a posi ⁇ tion between the top portion 2 and the bottom portion 3, which means that the third fixture 12 is located between the first fixture 10 and the second fixture 11 in vertical direc ⁇ tion 9.
  • the third fixture 12 is also connected to the frame 1 by means of bolts or pins using the holes 8 along the verti ⁇ cal direction 9 of the frame 1.
  • a first flange 20 is laid onto a cradle 13 which is part of first fixture 10.
  • the first flange 20 is connected to the frame 1 by means of the first fixture 10.
  • the second flange 21 is hanged on a hook 42 which is part of the third fixture 12.
  • the second flange 21 is connected to the frame 1 by means of the second fixture 11 and the third fixture 12.
  • the first flange 20 and the second flange 21 each comprise an upper portion 37 and a lower portion 39.
  • the lower portion 39 of the first flange 20 is connected to the first fixture 10.
  • the upper portion 37 of the second flange 21 is connected to the third fixture 12 and the lower portion of the second flange 21 is connected to the second fixture 11.
  • a J-hook 30 is shown which can be used for lifting the whole frame 1.
  • Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view onto the back side 41 of the frame 1.
  • the frame 1 comprises four corner castings 4 for stacking which are connected to the back side 41 at the four corners of the frame 1.
  • FIG 3 schematically shows the front side 40 of the first fixture 10 in a perspective view.
  • the first fixture 10 com ⁇ prises a cradle 13 which is located at the front side 40. It further comprises a number of corner castings 14 which are located at the back side 41 of the first fixture 10.
  • the first fixture 10 comprises a base plate 23a.
  • the first fixture 10 further comprises a longitudinal direction 33 and a transversal direction 34.
  • the base plate 23a comprises a slit or long hole 19a.
  • the slit extends along the transver ⁇ sal direction 34.
  • the slit 19a is located in the middle of the base plate 23a.
  • the first fixture 10 further comprises two openings 18 which can be used for lifting the first fixture 10, for example by means of a crane.
  • the base plate 23a comprises four circular through holes 22.
  • the through holes or openings 22 are located in the base plate 23.
  • Four discs 15 are placed inside of the four
  • each disc 15 comprises a centre line 17.
  • Each disc 15 has a circular shape.
  • the discs 15 or plates are connected to the base plate 23a such that they are able to freely rotate about an angel of 360° about the centre line 17.
  • Each disc 15 comprises a long hole 16.
  • the long holes 16 are true holes in the present embodiment.
  • the long holes extend in radial direction from the centre line 17 of the particular disc 15 towards the circumference of the disc 15.
  • FIG 4 schematically shows the back side 41 of the first fixture 10 in a perspective view.
  • the discs 15 are rotatably fixed to the base plate 23a by means of a number of fasten ⁇ ings 31. Furthermore, each disc 15 comprises to handles 32 for rotating the disc 15 from the back side 41 of the fixture 10.
  • Figure 5 schematically shows a disc 15 in a perspective view.
  • the disc 15 comprises a centre line 17 and a long hole 16 ex ⁇ tending in radial direction.
  • the disc 15 has a circular shape. It can be rotated about the centre line 17, for exam- pie by using the handles 32 which a placed on the back side 41 of the disc 15.
  • Figure 6 schematically shows the second fixture 11 in a per ⁇ spective view onto the back side 41.
  • the second disc 11 com- prises a base plate 23b.
  • Four discs 15 are connected to the base plate 23b in the same way as it is described in con ⁇ junction with figures 3 and 4.
  • the second fixture 11 further comprises four openings 38 for lifting means, which can be designed as fork lift pockets.
  • the second fix- ture 11 comprises two locking mechanism 35, which can for example be used for securing the fixture 11 in the frame 1.
  • the fixture 11 further comprises a number of pins 36 which can be used for connecting the fixture 11 to the frame 1.
  • Figure 7 schematically shows the front side 40 of the second fixture 11 in a perspective view.
  • the base plate 23b of the second fixture 11 comprises a slit 19b which extends in transversal direction 34.
  • the slit 19b is lo ⁇ cated in the middle of the base plate 23b.
  • two of the discs 15 are located on one side of the slit 19b and the other two discs 15 are located on the other side of the slit 19b.
  • Figure 8 schematically shows the back side 41 of the third fixture 12 in a perspective view.
  • the third fixture 12 has generally the same shape as the second fixture 11.
  • Figure 9 schematically shows the front side 40 of the third fixture 12 in a perspective view.
  • the third fixture 12 additionally comprises a hook 42.
  • the hook 42 comprises a supporting surface 43, which can for example be use for hanging a flange of a mem- ber on the third fixture 12, as shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 10 schematically shows the bottom portion 3 of the inventive frame 1 in a perspective view.
  • the frame 1 com ⁇ prises holes 145 at each edge of the bottom portion 3 of the frame 1 for connecting the supporting legs 6 to the frame 1. Therefore, the supporting legs 6 comprise corresponding holes 146. By using the holes 145 and 146 the support legs 6 can be bolted or screwed to the frame 1.
  • Figure 11 schematically shows part of the top portion 2 of the frame 1 in a perspective view.
  • Figure 11 schematically shows the connection between the frame 1 and the first fix ⁇ ture 10 using a longitudinal adjustment means 7.
  • the adjust ⁇ ment means 7 comprises a first plate 44 and a second plate 46.
  • the first plate 44 comprises a number of holes 45, for example through holes, which can be used for bolt connec- tions.
  • the holes 45 are arranged in the plate 44 in a pattern which allows a stepwise adjustment.
  • the second plate 46 also comprises a number of holes 47, for example through holes.
  • the holes 47 are disposed in the plate 46 in a pattern which allows a stepwise adjustment.
  • the holes 47 can be used for bolt connections between the first plate 44 and the second plate 46.
  • the second plate 46 further comprises two protrusions 48 which can be used to provide a plug connection between the second plate 46 and the first fixture 10.
  • the first plate 44 is connected to the frame 1.
  • the second plate 46 can be placed at a desired longitudinal position related to the frame 1.
  • the longitudinal direction is desig ⁇ nated by reference numeral 33.
  • the second plate 46 can be connected to a first plate 44 using the holes 45 and 47.
  • the second plate 46 can be bolted or screwed onto the first plate 44.
  • the first fixture 10 can be laid onto the second plate 46.
  • the first fixture 10 can be hold in its position by means of the protrusions 48.
  • inventive frame with at least inventive fix- ture will now be described in a second embodiment with ref ⁇ erence to Figures 12 to 21.
  • Elements corresponding to ele ⁇ ments of the first embodiment will be designated the same reference numerals and will not be described again in de ⁇ tail .
  • FIGs 12 and 13 schematically show part of a wind turbine tower section 50.
  • the wind turbine tower section 50 comprises a circular flange 51 forming an end of the wind tur ⁇ bine tower section 50.
  • the flange 51 comprises a number of holes 52 which are arranged about the circumference of the end of the wind turbine tower section 50.
  • the first fixture or flange bracket 10 is lifted up to the bottom portion 39 of the end of the wind turbine tower section.
  • the first fix ⁇ ture can for example be lifted up to the bottom portion 39 of the tower flange 51 by a fork lift, for instance using the openings 18 in the base plate of the fixture 10.
  • the lowermost hole 52 in the tower flange 51 is connected to the long hole 19a in the base plate 23a of the fixture 10.
  • the lowermost hole 52 of the flange 51 and the long hole 19a in the fixture 10 can be bolted to ⁇ gether .
  • the four discs 15 are rotated about its centre line 17 until the long hole 16 of the particular disc 15 matches a hole 52 in the tower flange 51.
  • the flange 51 can then be connected, for example bolted, to each of the discs 15.
  • FIGs 14 and 15 schematically show the connection of a frame 1 comprising a second fixture 11 and a third fixture 12 to a second wind turbine tower section 60.
  • the wind tur- bine tower section 60 comprises an end formed by a flange 61 as described in conjunction with the wind turbine tower sec ⁇ tion 50 in figures 12 and 13.
  • a frame 1 comprising a second fixture 11 and a third fixture 12 as described in conjunction with the first embodiment is lifted up, for example by a fork lift. Then the hook 42 is placed on the inside of the tower flange 61. The uppermost hole 62 of the flange 61 and the long hole or slit 19c in the third fixture 12 are connected together, for example bolted together. Then the four discs 15 in the third fixture 12 are rotated until each long hole 16 of the discs matches a hole 62 in the tower flange 61. The third fixture 12 and the flange 61 can then be connected, for example bolted, to ⁇ gether .
  • the lowermost hole 62 in the tower flange 61 and the slit or long hole 19b in the second fixture 11 are connected, for example bolted, together.
  • the four discs 15 in the sec ⁇ ond fixture 11 are rotated until the long hole 16 of each disc matches a hole 62 in the tower flange 61.
  • the discs and the flange can be connected, for example bolted, together .
  • Figure 16 schematically shows a wind turbine tower section 60 which is connected to two inventive frames la, lb.
  • the wind turbine tower section 60 comprises two ends formed by a first flange 61a and a second flange 61b.
  • a first frame la is connected to the first flange 61a and a second frame lb is connected to a second flange 61b, as previously de ⁇ scribed .
  • Figure 17 schematically shows part of one of the frames 1 connected to the tower section 60 in a perspective view.
  • a J-hook is inserted into the frame 1 for lifting the frame 1 and the tower section 60.
  • the frames la and lb and the tower section 60 can then be lifted on board of a vessel, for ex ⁇ ample.
  • the system can either be lifted by the J-hook 30 or by means of slings or shackles.
  • the frames 1 can then be fastened to the ship deck by corner castings 4 and twist locks .
  • Figure 18 and 19 schematically show how to connect a second wind turbine tower section 50 with a first fixture 10 onto the frame 1.
  • the wind turbine tower section 50 to which a first fixture 10 is connected as described in conjunction with Figures 12 and 13 is lifted, for example on board of the vessel where the second wind turbine tower sec- tion 60 is located which is connected to the frame la as de ⁇ scribed in conjunction with Figures 14 and 15.
  • the first tower section 50 comprises two fixtures 10, one fixture placed on each end of the tower section 50.
  • the fixtures or flange brackets 10 are then attached to the frames la and lb. If necessary the protrusions 48 or cones are moved in longitudinal direction using the described longitudinal ad ⁇ justment means 7.
  • the longitudinal adjustment may be neces ⁇ sary to compensate for variations in the tower length be ⁇ tween the two tower sections 50 and 60.
  • the frame 1 can be fastened, for example on the ship deck by lashing.
  • This is schematically shown in Figure 20.
  • the frame la is connected to a vehicle, for example a ship deck by means of a number ropes 54 which run diagonally.
  • the flange 51 of the first tower section 50 is secured to the vehicle, for example a ship deck, by means of a second set of ropes 53 which run vertically.
  • Figure 21 schematically shows a number of inventive frames stacked on each other in a perspective view.
  • a first frame la is stacked onto a second frame lb which is stacked onto a third frame lc.
  • the third frame lc is stacked onto a fourth frame Id.
  • the back side 41a of the first frame faces the front side 40b of the second frame.
  • the back side 41b of the second frame lb faces the frond side 40c of the third frame lc and so forth.
  • the frames la to Id are stacked onto each other using the corner castings 4 for stacking.
  • the frames 1 can be stacked and transported in a standard 20ft container.
  • Figure 22 schematically shows a fixture 70 which is connected to a flange 71 in a frontal view.
  • Figure 23 schematically shows the fixture 70 connected to part of the flange 71 in a perspective view.
  • the fixture 70 in figure 22 comprises a base plate 73.
  • the base plate 73 comprises a slit 79 which runs in transversal direction 34.
  • a base plate 73 comprises four discs 75 which differ from the discs 15 described the context with the first and the second embodiment in such that they comprise a number of openings or holes 76 in state of one long hole 16.
  • the openings or holes 76 are through holes which are eccentri- cally placed, advantageously in a helix pattern.
  • the discs 75 can be rotated until one of the openings or holes 76 fixes or matches to an opening 72 of a flange 71, which can for example be a wind turbine tower flange.
  • the fixture 70 which is shown in figure 22 and figure 23 may for example be a first fixture 10 of an inventive frame 1.
  • Figure 24 schematically shows the adjustment of the fixture in a frame depending on the size of the member to be fixed.
  • Figure 24A shows the fixture of two flanges 80 with a diame ⁇ ter of 5 meters on one inventive frame 1.
  • Figure 24B sche- matically shows the same frame as shown in figure 24A but ad ⁇ justed for being connected to flanges 81 with a diameter of 4.8 meters.
  • Figure 24C schematically shows the same frame as shown in figures 24A and 24B but adjusted for being connected to two flanges 82 of a diameter of 4.5 meters.
  • Figure 24D schematically shows the frame 1 adjusted for being connected to two flanges 83 with a diameter of 2.392 meters.
  • the exam ⁇ ples shown in figure 24 give examples for a flexible use of the inventive frame and the inventive fixture.
  • the fixtures 11 and 12 can be adapted to a number of different sizes of members to be fixed.
  • the inventive frame 1 can also be used as flange suspension. This is shown in figure 25 and figure 26.
  • Figure 25 and fig ⁇ ure 26 schematically show an inventive frame used as flange suspension in a perspective view.
  • Figure 25 shows a front side 91 and figure 25 shows a back side 92 of the frame 90.
  • the frame 90 comprises a first fix ⁇ ture 10 as described in the first and in the second embodi- ment .
  • the frame can be comprise a number of tower flange suspensions 93 which can be placed between the top portion 2 and the bottom portion 3 of the frame 90.
  • a number of flanges 95 of different sizes can be stored by the hanging them on the tower flange suspensions 93 of the frame 90.
  • one of the flanges 95 can be connected to the first fixture 10 as described in the previ ⁇ ous embodiments.
  • a tower section can be hanged on a frame by some kind of flange suspension means 93 displaceable attached to the frame 90 or by a flange bracket or fixture 10 attached to an upper tower section 2.
  • the fixture 10 can be connected to the flange of the tower by rotatable discs having one or more openings, as previously described, and one or more supporting legs (not shown) attached to the frame 90.
  • the inventive frame as previously described in conduction with the embodiments can be flexibly used as transporting and lifting means or as storing means for different members, es ⁇ pecially wind turbine components.

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Abstract

A fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) which is connectable to an end of a member (50, 60) is disclosed. The end of the member comprises a number of holes (52, 62, 72). The fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) comprises a base element (23, 73) and at least two discs (15, 75). Each disc (15, 75) comprises a centre line (17) and each disc (15, 75) is connected to the base element (23, 73) such that it can be freely rotated about the centre line (17). Each disc (15, 75) comprises at least one opening (16, 76) which is located eccentrically related to the centre line (17). Moreover, a method for connecting the fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) to an end of a member (50, 60) is disclosed. The end of the member (50, 60) comprises a number of holes (52, 62, 72). The method is characterised in placing the fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) at the end of the member (50, 60), rotating each disc (15, 75) until one opening (16, 76) of the disc (15, 75) matches a hole (52, 62, 72) of the end of the member (50, 60), and detachably fixing the end of the member (50, 60) to the disc (15, 75) using the openings (16, 76) of the disc (15, 75) catching a hole (52, 62, 72) of the member (50, 60).

Description

Description
Fixture and frame which is connectable to an end of a member and method for connecting a fixture to an end of a member
The present invention relates to a fixture and to a frame which is connectable to an end of a member, for example to a wind turbine tower section or a wind turbine rotor blade. The present invention further relates to a method for connecting a fixture to an end of a member, for example a wind turbine tower section or wind turbine rotor blade.
In the context with installations of wind turbines it is nec¬ essary to transport wind turbine power sections or other large components of a wind turbine, for example wind turbine rotor blades, in a fast and save way. Thereby, it is advanta¬ geous, if the means for connecting for instance the tower sections to a vehicle, for example a truck, trailer, chip or railway wagon, are able to be connected to different circum- ferential sizes of for instance the tower sections which are to be transported.
From the patent application WO 2007/093854 A2 it is known to have a fixture to be connected to an end of a member, e.g. a tower section, and having a frame connected to the fixture. Parts of the connecting means, so called locking elements, are slideably arranged in openings. A difficulty with this solution is that it may depend on the circumferential size of the tower section concerning what angle to choose for the slideably movement in the openings. So a lot of different openings with different angles for the slideably movement in the openings might be needed.
From the patent application WO 2010/012280 Al it is known to have a fixture for attachment of an end of a member such as a tower section and where the fixture is attached to a frame part. A part of the attachment means comprises two or more pivotally bolts with holding means clamping a flange of a tower section to the fixture. As the pivotally bolts and holding means are facing in a cross direction of the length axis of the tower section it might be difficult and time con¬ suming to adjust and tighten the holding means towards the flange and the fixture as the holding means are placed behind a console near the flange of the tower section.
Therefore, it is a first objective of the present invention to provide an advantageous fixture which is more flexible and easier to handle compared with a previously mentioned solu¬ tions. It is a second objective of the present invention to provide an advantageous frame. A third objective of the pre¬ sent invention is to provide an advantageous method for con¬ necting a fixture to an end of a member.
The first objective is solved by a fixture as claimed in claim 1. The second objective is solved by a frame as claimed in claim 9. The third objective is solved by a method as claimed in claim 12. The depending claims define further de- velopments of the invention. All features mentioned in the claims and in the following description are advantageous alone and in any combination with each other.
The inventive fixture is connectable to an end of a member. The end of the member comprises a number of holes. The fix¬ ture comprises a base element and at least two discs. Each disc comprises a centre line. Each disc is connected to the base element such that it can be freely rotated about the centre line. Each disc comprises at least one opening which is located eccentrically related to the centre line. This means, that the at least one opening of the disc is not lo¬ cated at the position of the centre line.
Preferably, the discs are connected to the base element such that they can be freely rotated about the centre line about an angle of 360 deg. Advantageously, the fixture comprises at least four discs, for example exactly four discs. By having the fixture with the rotatable discs comprising one or more openings it is possible to rotate the discs until an opening fits or matches to an opening in the end of the mem¬ ber, for example a flange of a tower section. A bolt can then be connected through the opening of the disc and further through the opening in the end of the member, for example a flange of a tower section.
Generally the member can be a wind turbine tower section or a wind turbine rotor blade. Preferably, the end of the member comprises a flange with a number of holes.
The discs can be detachable connected to the base element. For example, the discs can be attached to a bracket, as a de- tachable part of the fixture, where each disc is able to ro¬ tate in an opening in the bracket or parallel to an opening in the bracket rotatable attached by fastening means attached to the bracket. Preferably the opening in the disc has the shape of a round hole or a long hole or a slit. Advantageously, the disc may comprise a number of holes placed on the disc in a helix pat¬ tern. For example, the disc may comprise at least two, pref¬ erably more than two round holes placed on the disc in a he- lix pattern. Moreover, the disc may comprise at least two or more long holes or slits placed on the disc in parallel. Al¬ ternatively, the at least two long holes or slits may each have a longitudinal direction and may be placed on the disc such that their longitudinal directions run in parallel. Al- ternatively, long holes or slits can be placed on the disc such that their longitudinal directions include an angle which each other.
Generally, the opening in the disc can be advantageously a through going opening.
The base element can comprise at least one opening with a centre line. At least one of the discs can be connected to the base element such that it is located in the opening. Al¬ ternatively, at least one of the disc can be connected the base element such that the centre line of the disc is located parallel of the centre line of the opening. In this case the disc can be able to rotate parallel to an opening in the base element and can be rotatable attached by fastening the means which are attached to the base element.
Preferably, the disc may comprise at least one handle for ro- tating the disc.
Advantageously, the base element may comprise at least one through going long hole or slit. This additional through go¬ ing long hole or slit can for example be used to fix or con- nect the member to the base element before the discs are ro¬ tated for finally fixing the member.
In the context of the present invention the discs act as locking plates and can also be designated as locking plates. Generally, the discs may have any suitable shape, preferably they are circular discs.
Furthermore, the fixture may comprise at least one connecting means for connecting the fixture to a frame or to a transpor- tation vehicle. The fixture may comprise a cradle for receiv¬ ing one end of the member. Moreover, the fixture may comprise a locking mechanism for securing the fixture to a frame.
In a further preferred embodiment the fixture comprises two or more connecting means for connecting the fixture to a frame or directly to a transportation vehicle. These connect¬ ing means may comprise openings with one or more through go¬ ing holes or standard corner castings or similar connecting means .
The fixture may be used in a stacking system. Here the fix¬ ture is vertical displaceable and/or detachable connected to a frame where the frame may comprise corner castings for stacking. The frames may be put into a standard container, e.g. a 20 ft container, for transportation.
By connecting one or more fixtures to a frame it is possible to connect the end of e.g. one or more tower sections to a frame. Normally then two sets of frames each with the same number of fixtures are used, one set of frame with fixtures to each end of the tower sections, where the tower sections are placed above each other.
The inventive frame comprises at least one fixture as previ¬ ously described. Preferably, the fixture is displaceable and/or detachable connected to the frame. For example, the frame may comprise a top portion and a bot¬ tom portion. A first fixture may be connected to the frame at the top portion. A second fixture may be connected to the frame at the bottom portion. A third fixture may be connected to the frame between the top portion and the bottom portion or to a middle portion of the frame. This allows for trans¬ porting or fixing of for example two wind turbine tower sec¬ tions by means of one frame at each end of the two tower sec¬ tions. In other words, only two frames are needed to trans¬ port or fix two tower sections. Advantageously, a first tower section can be connected at one of its ends to the second fixture at the bottom portion of the frame and to the third fixture in the middle of the frame. The second tower section can be connected to the frame at its end to the first fixture at the top portion of the frame.
The inventive frame has the same advantages as the inventive fixture .
The inventive method for connecting a fixture to an end of a member, for example a wind turbine tower section or a wind turbine rotor bladed, makes use of a previously described in¬ ventive fixture. The end of the member comprises a number of holes, preferably a flange with a number of holes. The inven- tive method is characterised in placing the fixture at the end of the member, rotating each disc until one opening of the disc matches a hole of the end of the member, and detach¬ able fixing the end of the member to the disc using the open- ings of the disc matching a hole of the member.
Preferably the disc is bolted or screwed to the end of the member. After connecting the fixture to the member, the fixture can be connected to a frame, especially a frame as pre- viously described.
Furthermore, the end of the member can be screwed or bolted to the base element using at least one through going long hole or slit in the base element. Preferably, the end of the member can be connected to the base element using at least one through going long hole or slit in the base element imme¬ diately after placing the fixture at the end of the member and before connecting the disc to the end of the member. Generally, the member may be a wind turbine tower section or a wind turbine rotor blade. The end of the member may have a circular cross section. Preferably, the end of the member may have a circular cross section with a diameter between 1.5 m and 5.5 m, especially between 2 m and 5 m.
The present invention provides a fixture and/or flange bracket for holding the end of e.g. a tower section compris¬ ing two or more rotatable discs having one or more openings. Each disc is rotated until an opening fits to an opening in a flange in the end of the tower section and a bolt can be in¬ serted connecting the flange to the fixture.
By the invention it is very easy to place and connect an end of e.g. a tower section on/to a fixture and/or to a frame with the fixture, as a connecting hole in the end flange of a tower section is just found by rotating the disc when the tower section is e.g. placed on a cradle of the fixture. In this way a lot of time and money is saved compared to other known solutions.
More detailed embodiments of the invention will now be de- scribed. For example, through going holes in the discs may be placed in a helix pattern. Through going slits in the discs may be placed in different angles or in parallel. The fix¬ tures may comprise a locking mechanism for securing the fixture to the frame. The fixtures may also comprise two or more pins for attaching the fixtures to the frame. A rest hook is preferably connected to a top part of a tower flange and con¬ nected to one side of a bottom part of the bracket of a fix¬ ture where the fixture is attached to a frame. This rest hook makes it possible for the flange to hang on the fixture on a frame. The frame for the fixture may comprise one or more brackets for a J-hook or other kind of hooks for lifting one end of the frame.
The frame may comprise support legs, typically H-beams of steel connected in a triangular way. The frame may comprise an upper fixture and a pin hole connection for connecting the support legs to the frame in a detachable way. The frame may comprise longitudinal adjustment means for the flange
bracket. For example each fixture, here called a flange bracket, may be connected to a frame by e.g. two or more cor¬ ner castings or similar connecting means. The flange bracket may here be of the same type as the flange bracket used on top of the stacking system. The frame may comprise one or more displaceable flange sus¬ pension means and one or more openings, preferably slits, in a part of the frame structure for connecting an end of e.g. a first tower section to the frame, and an end of e.g. a second tower section placed above the first tower section attached to the frame by a flange bracket. Moreover, the frame may comprise corner castings for sea fastening on a ship. The method for attaching a fixture or flange bracket to the end of a tower section can be performed as follows: At first, the flange bracket may be lifted up to the tower flange by a reach stacker or a fork lift or similar vehicle or a crane. Then the lowermost hole, also called as "six o'clock hole", in the tower flange and the long hole or slit in the bracket are bolted together. The four discs can then be rotated until the openings in the discs catch a hole in the tower flange. Moreover, the method for attaching a frame to the end of a tower section can be performed as follows: An upper and a lower fixture are placed in a frame and connected to the frame by connecting means, e.g. pins and a locking mechanism. The frame comprising a rest hook, an upper fixture and a lower fixture is lifted up by a reach stacker or a fork lift or similar vehicle or a crane. The rest hook is placed on the inside of a tower flange by the lifting of the frame. The up¬ permost hole, also called as "twelve o'clock hole", in the tower flange and the long hole or slit in the upper fixture are bolted together. Then the four discs in the upper fixture are rotated until the openings in the discs catch a hole in the tower flange. The lowermost hole or "six o'clock hole" in the tower flange and the long hole or slit in the lower fix¬ ture are bolted together by a bolt. The four discs in the lower fixture are rotated until the openings in the discs catch a hole in the tower flange.
A method for lifting frames with a connected tower section to a vessel can be performed as follows: The frames and the lower tower section are lifted on board a vessel. The system can either be lifted by the J-hook or by means of slings or shackles. The frames are fastened to the deck of the vessel by corner castings and twist locks and/or sea fastenings, like knees or brackets, and/or lashes.
A method for attaching an upper tower section to a frame can be performed as follows: An upper tower section having an attached flange bracket in each end is lifted up above the frames by a reach stacker or a fork lift or similar vehicle or a crane. The flange brackets are attached to the frames by corner castings and may be adjusted in the longitudinal di¬ rection by an adjustment mechanism, e.g. two or more plates having two or more connecting holes that may be displaced in relation to each other.
Further features properties and advantages of the present in¬ vention will become clear form the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. All mentioned features are advantageous alone and in any com¬ bination with each other.
Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
front side of an inventive frame.
Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
back side of an inventive frame.
Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
front side of a first fixture.
Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
back side of a first fixture.
Fig. 5 schematically shows a disc in a perspective view.
Fig. 6 schematically shows a second fixture in a perspec¬ tive view onto the back side of the fixture.
Fig. 7 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
front side of a second fixture.
Fig. 8 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
back side of a third fixture.
Fig. 9 schematically shows a perspective view onto the
front side of a third fixture. Fig. 10 schematically shows a perspective view of the bot¬ tom portion of an inventive frame. Fig. 11 schematically shows part of the top portion of an inventive frame in a perspective view.
Fig. 12 schematically shows part of a wind turbine tower section in a perspective view.
Fig 13 schematically shows part of an end of a wind tur¬ bine tower section in a frontal view.
Fig. 14 schematically shows an inventive frame and part of a wind turbine tower section in a perspective view .
Fig. 15 schematically shows an inventive frame connected to a wind turbine tower section in a perspective view.
Fig. 16 schematically shows a wind turbine tower section with two frames connected to it in a perspective view .
Fig. 17 schematically shows part of an inventive frame
connected to a wind turbine tower section in a perspective view. Fig. 18 schematically shows the connection of a second
wind turbine tower section to an inventive frame connected to a first wind turbine tower section in a perspective view. Fig. 19 schematically shows the connection between the
first fixture and the frame in a perspective view. Fig. 20 schematically shows part of two wind turbine tower sections connected to an inventive frame in a per¬ spective view.
Fig. 21 schematically shows a number of inventive frames stacked onto each other in a perspective view.
Fig. 22 schematically shows a fixture which is connected to a flange in a frontal view.
Fig. 23 schematically shows a fixture connected to part of a flange in perspective view.
Fig. 24 schematically shows the adjustment of the fixture in a frame depending on the size of the member to be fixed.
Fig. 25 schematically show an inventive frame used as
flange suspension in a perspective view.
Fig. 26 schematically show an inventive frame used as
flange suspension in a perspective view.
A first embodiment of the present invention will now be de¬ scribed with reference to figures 1 to 11.
Figure 1 schematically shows an inventive frame in a perspec¬ tive view. The frame 1 comprises a front side 40 and a back side 41. It further comprises a top portion 2 and a bottom portion 3. Two support legs 6 a connected to the frame 1 at the bottom portion 3. The frame 1 further comprises four corner castings 4 for stacking which are connected to the frame 1 at the front side 40 at the four corners of the frame 1. Furthermore, at the bottom of the frame 1 two corner castings 5 for sea fasting are connected to the frame 1.
The frame 1 comprises a first fixture 10, a second fixture 11 and a third fixture 12. The fixtures 10, 11, 12 can for exam- pie be flange brackets. This means, that a flange of a mem¬ ber, for example of a wind turbine tower, can be connected to the fixture or bracket 10, 11, 12. In figure 1 a first flange
20 and a second flange 21 a connected to the frame 1, as an example.
The first fixture 10 is connected to the frame 1 at the top portion 2 of the frame 1. In figure 1 the frame 1 comprises means for longitudinal adjustment 7 of the first fixture 10.
The second fixture 11 is connected to the frame 1 close to the bottom portion 3 of the frame 1. The frame comprises a number of holes 8 which run along the vertical direction 9 of the frame 1. The second fixture 11 is connected to the frame 1 by means of pins or balls using the holes 8.
The third fixture 12 is connected to the frame 1 at a posi¬ tion between the top portion 2 and the bottom portion 3, which means that the third fixture 12 is located between the first fixture 10 and the second fixture 11 in vertical direc¬ tion 9. The third fixture 12 is also connected to the frame 1 by means of bolts or pins using the holes 8 along the verti¬ cal direction 9 of the frame 1. A first flange 20 is laid onto a cradle 13 which is part of first fixture 10. The first flange 20 is connected to the frame 1 by means of the first fixture 10. The second flange
21 is hanged on a hook 42 which is part of the third fixture 12. The second flange 21 is connected to the frame 1 by means of the second fixture 11 and the third fixture 12. The first flange 20 and the second flange 21 each comprise an upper portion 37 and a lower portion 39. The lower portion 39 of the first flange 20 is connected to the first fixture 10. The upper portion 37 of the second flange 21 is connected to the third fixture 12 and the lower portion of the second flange 21 is connected to the second fixture 11. Moreover, in figure 1 a J-hook 30 is shown which can be used for lifting the whole frame 1.
Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view onto the back side 41 of the frame 1. The frame 1 comprises four corner castings 4 for stacking which are connected to the back side 41 at the four corners of the frame 1.
Figure 3 schematically shows the front side 40 of the first fixture 10 in a perspective view. The first fixture 10 com¬ prises a cradle 13 which is located at the front side 40. It further comprises a number of corner castings 14 which are located at the back side 41 of the first fixture 10. The first fixture 10 comprises a base plate 23a. The first fixture 10 further comprises a longitudinal direction 33 and a transversal direction 34. The base plate 23a comprises a slit or long hole 19a. The slit extends along the transver¬ sal direction 34. Preferably, the slit 19a is located in the middle of the base plate 23a.
The first fixture 10 further comprises two openings 18 which can be used for lifting the first fixture 10, for example by means of a crane.
The base plate 23a comprises four circular through holes 22. The through holes or openings 22 are located in the base plate 23. Four discs 15 are placed inside of the four
through holes 22. Advantageously, two of the discs 15 are located on one side of the slit 19a and the other two discs 15 are located on the other side of the slit 19a. Each disc 15 comprises a centre line 17. Each disc 15 has a circular shape. The discs 15 or plates are connected to the base plate 23a such that they are able to freely rotate about an angel of 360° about the centre line 17.
Each disc 15 comprises a long hole 16. The long holes 16 are true holes in the present embodiment. The long holes extend in radial direction from the centre line 17 of the particular disc 15 towards the circumference of the disc 15.
Figure 4 schematically shows the back side 41 of the first fixture 10 in a perspective view. The discs 15 are rotatably fixed to the base plate 23a by means of a number of fasten¬ ings 31. Furthermore, each disc 15 comprises to handles 32 for rotating the disc 15 from the back side 41 of the fixture 10.
Figure 5 schematically shows a disc 15 in a perspective view. The disc 15 comprises a centre line 17 and a long hole 16 ex¬ tending in radial direction. The disc 15 has a circular shape. It can be rotated about the centre line 17, for exam- pie by using the handles 32 which a placed on the back side 41 of the disc 15.
Figure 6 schematically shows the second fixture 11 in a per¬ spective view onto the back side 41. The second disc 11 com- prises a base plate 23b. Four discs 15 are connected to the base plate 23b in the same way as it is described in con¬ junction with figures 3 and 4. The second fixture 11 further comprises four openings 38 for lifting means, which can be designed as fork lift pockets. Furthermore, the second fix- ture 11 comprises two locking mechanism 35, which can for example be used for securing the fixture 11 in the frame 1. The fixture 11 further comprises a number of pins 36 which can be used for connecting the fixture 11 to the frame 1. Figure 7 schematically shows the front side 40 of the second fixture 11 in a perspective view. The base plate 23b of the second fixture 11 comprises a slit 19b which extends in transversal direction 34. Preferably, the slit 19b is lo¬ cated in the middle of the base plate 23b. Advantageously, two of the discs 15 are located on one side of the slit 19b and the other two discs 15 are located on the other side of the slit 19b. Figure 8 schematically shows the back side 41 of the third fixture 12 in a perspective view. The third fixture 12 has generally the same shape as the second fixture 11. Figure 9 schematically shows the front side 40 of the third fixture 12 in a perspective view. Compared with the second fixture 11, the third fixture 12 additionally comprises a hook 42. The hook 42 comprises a supporting surface 43, which can for example be use for hanging a flange of a mem- ber on the third fixture 12, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 10 schematically shows the bottom portion 3 of the inventive frame 1 in a perspective view. The frame 1 com¬ prises holes 145 at each edge of the bottom portion 3 of the frame 1 for connecting the supporting legs 6 to the frame 1. Therefore, the supporting legs 6 comprise corresponding holes 146. By using the holes 145 and 146 the support legs 6 can be bolted or screwed to the frame 1. The frame 1 addi¬ tionally comprises at least one upper fixture 49 for sup- porting the supporting leg 6, preferably one upper fixture 49 per supporting leg 6.
Figure 11 schematically shows part of the top portion 2 of the frame 1 in a perspective view. Figure 11 schematically shows the connection between the frame 1 and the first fix¬ ture 10 using a longitudinal adjustment means 7. The adjust¬ ment means 7 comprises a first plate 44 and a second plate 46. The first plate 44 comprises a number of holes 45, for example through holes, which can be used for bolt connec- tions. Preferably, the holes 45 are arranged in the plate 44 in a pattern which allows a stepwise adjustment.
The second plate 46 also comprises a number of holes 47, for example through holes. The holes 47 are disposed in the plate 46 in a pattern which allows a stepwise adjustment. The holes 47 can be used for bolt connections between the first plate 44 and the second plate 46. The second plate 46 further comprises two protrusions 48 which can be used to provide a plug connection between the second plate 46 and the first fixture 10.
The first plate 44 is connected to the frame 1. The second plate 46 can be placed at a desired longitudinal position related to the frame 1. The longitudinal direction is desig¬ nated by reference numeral 33. Then the second plate 46 can be connected to a first plate 44 using the holes 45 and 47. For example, the second plate 46 can be bolted or screwed onto the first plate 44. Afterwards the first fixture 10 can be laid onto the second plate 46. The first fixture 10 can be hold in its position by means of the protrusions 48.
The use of the inventive frame with at least inventive fix- ture will now be described in a second embodiment with ref¬ erence to Figures 12 to 21. Elements corresponding to ele¬ ments of the first embodiment will be designated the same reference numerals and will not be described again in de¬ tail .
Figures 12 and 13 schematically show part of a wind turbine tower section 50. The wind turbine tower section 50 comprises a circular flange 51 forming an end of the wind tur¬ bine tower section 50. The flange 51 comprises a number of holes 52 which are arranged about the circumference of the end of the wind turbine tower section 50. The first fixture or flange bracket 10 is lifted up to the bottom portion 39 of the end of the wind turbine tower section. The first fix¬ ture can for example be lifted up to the bottom portion 39 of the tower flange 51 by a fork lift, for instance using the openings 18 in the base plate of the fixture 10.
After lifting up the fixture 10 the lowermost hole 52 in the tower flange 51, also designated as "six o'clock hole", is connected to the long hole 19a in the base plate 23a of the fixture 10. For example, the lowermost hole 52 of the flange 51 and the long hole 19a in the fixture 10 can be bolted to¬ gether . Then the four discs 15 are rotated about its centre line 17 until the long hole 16 of the particular disc 15 matches a hole 52 in the tower flange 51. The flange 51 can then be connected, for example bolted, to each of the discs 15.
Figures 14 and 15 schematically show the connection of a frame 1 comprising a second fixture 11 and a third fixture 12 to a second wind turbine tower section 60. The wind tur- bine tower section 60 comprises an end formed by a flange 61 as described in conjunction with the wind turbine tower sec¬ tion 50 in figures 12 and 13.
A frame 1 comprising a second fixture 11 and a third fixture 12 as described in conjunction with the first embodiment is lifted up, for example by a fork lift. Then the hook 42 is placed on the inside of the tower flange 61. The uppermost hole 62 of the flange 61 and the long hole or slit 19c in the third fixture 12 are connected together, for example bolted together. Then the four discs 15 in the third fixture 12 are rotated until each long hole 16 of the discs matches a hole 62 in the tower flange 61. The third fixture 12 and the flange 61 can then be connected, for example bolted, to¬ gether .
The lowermost hole 62 in the tower flange 61 and the slit or long hole 19b in the second fixture 11 are connected, for example bolted, together. Then the four discs 15 in the sec¬ ond fixture 11 are rotated until the long hole 16 of each disc matches a hole 62 in the tower flange 61. Then the discs and the flange can be connected, for example bolted, together .
Figure 16 schematically shows a wind turbine tower section 60 which is connected to two inventive frames la, lb. The wind turbine tower section 60 comprises two ends formed by a first flange 61a and a second flange 61b. A first frame la is connected to the first flange 61a and a second frame lb is connected to a second flange 61b, as previously de¬ scribed .
Figure 17 schematically shows part of one of the frames 1 connected to the tower section 60 in a perspective view. A J-hook is inserted into the frame 1 for lifting the frame 1 and the tower section 60. The frames la and lb and the tower section 60 can then be lifted on board of a vessel, for ex¬ ample. The system can either be lifted by the J-hook 30 or by means of slings or shackles. The frames 1 can then be fastened to the ship deck by corner castings 4 and twist locks .
Figure 18 and 19 schematically show how to connect a second wind turbine tower section 50 with a first fixture 10 onto the frame 1. In Figure 18 the wind turbine tower section 50 to which a first fixture 10 is connected as described in conjunction with Figures 12 and 13 is lifted, for example on board of the vessel where the second wind turbine tower sec- tion 60 is located which is connected to the frame la as de¬ scribed in conjunction with Figures 14 and 15. The first tower section 50 comprises two fixtures 10, one fixture placed on each end of the tower section 50. The fixtures or flange brackets 10 are then attached to the frames la and lb. If necessary the protrusions 48 or cones are moved in longitudinal direction using the described longitudinal ad¬ justment means 7. The longitudinal adjustment may be neces¬ sary to compensate for variations in the tower length be¬ tween the two tower sections 50 and 60.
After connecting the first fixture 10 to the frame 1, the frame 1 can be fastened, for example on the ship deck by lashing. This is schematically shown in Figure 20. In Figure 20 the frame la is connected to a vehicle, for example a ship deck by means of a number ropes 54 which run diagonally. Moreover, the flange 51 of the first tower section 50 is secured to the vehicle, for example a ship deck, by means of a second set of ropes 53 which run vertically. Figure 21 schematically shows a number of inventive frames stacked on each other in a perspective view. A first frame la is stacked onto a second frame lb which is stacked onto a third frame lc. The third frame lc is stacked onto a fourth frame Id. In Figure 21 the back side 41a of the first frame faces the front side 40b of the second frame. The back side 41b of the second frame lb faces the frond side 40c of the third frame lc and so forth. The frames la to Id are stacked onto each other using the corner castings 4 for stacking. The frames 1 can be stacked and transported in a standard 20ft container.
A number of variations are now described in conduction with figures 22 to 24 which can be applied to both of the previ¬ ously described embodiments.
Figure 22 schematically shows a fixture 70 which is connected to a flange 71 in a frontal view. Figure 23 schematically shows the fixture 70 connected to part of the flange 71 in a perspective view.
The fixture 70 in figure 22 comprises a base plate 73. The base plate 73 comprises a slit 79 which runs in transversal direction 34. A base plate 73 comprises four discs 75 which differ from the discs 15 described the context with the first and the second embodiment in such that they comprise a number of openings or holes 76 in state of one long hole 16. The openings or holes 76 are through holes which are eccentri- cally placed, advantageously in a helix pattern. As in the previously described embodiments the discs 75 can be rotated until one of the openings or holes 76 fixes or matches to an opening 72 of a flange 71, which can for example be a wind turbine tower flange. Alternative the openings 76 comprise one or more oblong holes or long holes or slits. The fixture 70 which is shown in figure 22 and figure 23 may for example be a first fixture 10 of an inventive frame 1. Figure 24 schematically shows the adjustment of the fixture in a frame depending on the size of the member to be fixed. Figure 24A shows the fixture of two flanges 80 with a diame¬ ter of 5 meters on one inventive frame 1. Figure 24B sche- matically shows the same frame as shown in figure 24A but ad¬ justed for being connected to flanges 81 with a diameter of 4.8 meters. Figure 24C schematically shows the same frame as shown in figures 24A and 24B but adjusted for being connected to two flanges 82 of a diameter of 4.5 meters. Figure 24D schematically shows the frame 1 adjusted for being connected to two flanges 83 with a diameter of 2.392 meters. The exam¬ ples shown in figure 24 give examples for a flexible use of the inventive frame and the inventive fixture. Using the holes 8 in the frame 1 the fixtures 11 and 12 can be adapted to a number of different sizes of members to be fixed.
The inventive frame 1 can also be used as flange suspension. This is shown in figure 25 and figure 26. Figure 25 and fig¬ ure 26 schematically show an inventive frame used as flange suspension in a perspective view.
Figure 25 shows a front side 91 and figure 25 shows a back side 92 of the frame 90. The frame 90 comprises a first fix¬ ture 10 as described in the first and in the second embodi- ment . Moreover, the frame can be comprise a number of tower flange suspensions 93 which can be placed between the top portion 2 and the bottom portion 3 of the frame 90. A number of flanges 95 of different sizes can be stored by the hanging them on the tower flange suspensions 93 of the frame 90. Al- ternatively or additionally, one of the flanges 95 can be connected to the first fixture 10 as described in the previ¬ ous embodiments.
Generally, a tower section can be hanged on a frame by some kind of flange suspension means 93 displaceable attached to the frame 90 or by a flange bracket or fixture 10 attached to an upper tower section 2. The fixture 10 can be connected to the flange of the tower by rotatable discs having one or more openings, as previously described, and one or more supporting legs (not shown) attached to the frame 90.
The inventive frame as previously described in conduction with the embodiments can be flexibly used as transporting and lifting means or as storing means for different members, es¬ pecially wind turbine components.

Claims

Claims
1. A fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) which is connectable to an end of a member (50, 60), the end of the member comprising a num- ber of holes (52, 62, 72),
characterised in that
the fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) comprises a base element (23, 73) and at least two discs (15, 75), each disc (15, 75) com¬ prising a centre line (17) and each disc (15, 75) is con- nected to the base element (23, 73) such that it can be freely rotated about the centre line (17), each disc (15, 75) comprising at least one opening (16, 76) which is located eccentrically related to the centre line (17) .
2. The fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that
the end of the member (50, 69) comprises a flange (51, 61, 71) with a number of holes (52, 62, 72) .
3. The fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2,
characterised in that
the discs (15, 75) are detachably connected to the base ele¬ ment (23, 73) .
4. The fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 3,
characterised in that
the opening (16, 76) has the shape of a round hole or a long hole or a slit.
5. The fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 4,
characterised in that
the disc (15, 75) comprises a number of holes (76) placed on the disc (15, 75) in a helix pattern.
6. The fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 5,
characterised in that
the base element (23, 73) comprises at least one opening (22) with a centre line and at least one of the discs (15, 75) is connected to the base element (23, 73) such that it is lo¬ cated in the opening (22) or such that the centre line (17) of the disc (15, 75) is located parallel to the centre line of the opening (22) .
7. The fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 6,
characterised in that
the disc (15, 75) comprises at least one handle (32) for ro- tating the disc (15, 75) .
8. The fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 7,
characterised in that
the base element (23, 73) comprises at least one through go¬ ing long hole or slit (19, 79) .
9. A frame (1) comprising at least one fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 8.
10. The frame (1) as claimed in claim 9,
characterised in that
the fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) is displaceably and/or detach- ably connected to the frame (1) .
11. The frame (1) as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10,
characterised in that
the frame (1) comprises a top portion (2) and a bottom por¬ tion (2) and a first fixture (10) is connected to the frame (1) at the top portion (2) and/or a second fixture (11) is connected to the frame (1) at the bottom portion (3) and/or a third fixture (12) is connected to the frame (1) between the top portion (2) and the bottom portion (3) .
12. A method for connecting a fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 8 to an end of a member (50, 60), the end of the member (50, 60) comprising a number of holes (52, 62, 72),
characterised in
- placing the fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) at the end of the mem¬ ber (50, 60),
- rotating each disc (15, 75) until one opening (16, 76) of the disc (15, 75) matches a hole (52, 62, 72) of the end of the member (50, 60), and
- detachably fixing the end of the member (50, 60) to the disc (15, 75) using the openings (16, 76) of the disc (15, 75) catching a hole (52, 62, 72) of the member (50, 60) .
13. The method as claimed in claim 12,
characterised in
bolting or screwing the end of the member (50, 60) to the base element (23, 73) using at least one through going long hole or slit (19, 79) in the base element (23, 73) .
14. The fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 8 or the frame (1) as claimed in any of the claims 9 to 11 or the method as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13,
characterised in that
the member (50, 60) is a wind turbine tower section or a wind turbine rotor blade.
15. The fixture (10, 11, 12, 70) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 8 or 14 or the frame (1) as claimed in any of the claims 9 to 11 or 14 or the method as claimed in any of the claims 12 to 14,
characterised in that
the end of the member (50, 60) has a circular cross section with a diameter between 1.5 m and 5.5 m.
PCT/EP2010/063662 2010-04-21 2010-09-17 Fixture and frame which is connectable to an end of a member and method for connecting a fixture to an end of a member WO2011131254A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE112010005504T DE112010005504T5 (en) 2010-04-21 2010-09-17 A bracket and frame connectable to one end of an element and methods of connecting a bracket to an end of an element

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10160553.3 2010-04-21
EP10160553 2010-04-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2011131254A2 true WO2011131254A2 (en) 2011-10-27
WO2011131254A3 WO2011131254A3 (en) 2012-01-26

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Country Status (2)

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WO (1) WO2011131254A2 (en)

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EP3342637A1 (en) * 2016-12-23 2018-07-04 Time Marine, Inc. Transit support bracket for cylindrical tubular structure
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WO2023033848A1 (en) * 2020-09-28 2023-03-09 Bnsf Logistics, Llc Transit bracket assembly for wind turbine tower sections

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DE102016009269B4 (en) * 2016-08-01 2018-05-03 Axzion Gks Stahl Und Maschinenbau Gmbh Fastening arrangement and hook for transporting objects
DE102016220626A1 (en) * 2016-10-20 2018-04-26 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Connecting device for a wind turbine component
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EP2527284A1 (en) * 2011-12-16 2012-11-28 Vestas Wind Systems A/S System and method for handling wind turbine tower sections
DE102012002755A1 (en) * 2012-02-11 2013-08-14 Ge Wind Energy Gmbh Method for handling tower segments for a tower and apparatus for handling tower segments
WO2013117182A1 (en) * 2012-02-11 2013-08-15 Ge Wind Energy Gmbh Method for handling tower sections for a tower and device for handling tower sections
EP3098435A1 (en) * 2012-10-26 2016-11-30 LM WP Patent Holding A/S Method and system for transporting and storing at least two wind turbine blades
EP3342637A1 (en) * 2016-12-23 2018-07-04 Time Marine, Inc. Transit support bracket for cylindrical tubular structure
WO2019122186A1 (en) * 2017-12-21 2019-06-27 Lm Wind Power International Technology Ii Aps Method and system for transporting wind turbine blades
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WO2023033848A1 (en) * 2020-09-28 2023-03-09 Bnsf Logistics, Llc Transit bracket assembly for wind turbine tower sections
US11939954B2 (en) 2020-09-28 2024-03-26 Bnsf Logistics, Llc Transit bracket assembly for wind turbine tower section
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