Lift system mountable in a nacelle of a wind turbine
AssigneeLiftWerx Holdings Inc.
InventorGlen D. AITKEN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lift system mountable in a nacelle of a wind turbine has a mounting interface removably securable to a generator in the nacelle of the wind turbine, and a knuckle boom rotatably and removably mounted on the mounting interface. The knuckle boom has an extendable boom arm having a translatable boom section slidably mounted on the boom arm. Modularity of the lift system permits lifting components of the lift system up to the nacelle using an existing service crane of the wind turbine, and rapidly dismounting the knuckle boom to permit closing doors of the nacelle in the event of inclement weather without dismounting all of the lift system components.
Claims12
A lift system mountable in a nacelle of a wind turbine, the lift system comprising:
- a mounting interface removably securable to a generator in the nacelle of the wind turbine;
- a swivel rotatably and removably mounted on the mounting interface;
- a hydraulic motor for operating the swivel;
- a power pack comprising a hydraulic pump and an electric motor for operating the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic pump connectable to the hydraulic motor through hydraulic lines and quick connect hydraulic fittings;
- and,
- a knuckle boom rigidly mounted on the swivel, the knuckle boom comprising an extendable boom arm, the extendable boom arm comprising a translatable boom section slidably mounted on the boom arm,
- wherein the swivel is rotatable to rotate the knuckle boom mounted thereon about a vertical axis,
- and wherein the power pack is mounted on the mounting interface and does not extend beyond a maximum height to permit closing the nacelle when the mounting interface is mounted on the generator and the knuckle boom is dismounted from the mounting interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.