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US 9,316,208 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for handling wind turbine components during transport and assembly
AssigneeVestas Wind Systems A/S
InventorJesper Fyhn Friis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for handling wind turbine sub-assemblies includes coupling a connecting device to a connector of a hoisting device at a first connection interface of the connecting device; coupling a first wind turbine sub-assembly to the connecting device at a second connection interface of the connecting device; moving the first wind turbine sub-assembly with the hoisting device; coupling a second wind turbine sub-assembly different than the first wind turbine sub-assembly to the connection device at a third connection interface of the connecting device; and moving the second wind turbine sub-assembly with the hoisting device. An apparatus for handling wind turbine sub-assemblies is also disclosed.
Claims17
A method for handling wind turbine sub-assemblies, comprising:
- coupling a connecting device to a connector of a hoisting device at a first connection interface of the connecting device;
- coupling a first wind turbine sub-assembly to the connecting device at a second connection interface of the connecting device;
- moving the first wind turbine sub-assembly with the hoisting device;
- coupling a second wind turbine sub-assembly different than the first wind turbine sub-assembly to the connection device at a third connection interface of the connecting device;
- and
- moving the second wind turbine sub-assembly with the hoisting device,
- wherein the first wind turbine sub-assembly includes a nacelle, wherein the connecting device includes trunnions at spaced-apart locations thereon, and wherein the step of coupling the first wind turbine sub-assembly to the connecting device at the second connection interface further comprises:
- extending cables from the trunnions of the connecting device to connectors on the nacelle;
- and
- limiting movement of the cables along the trunnions.
7 more elements
A method for handling wind turbine sub-assemblies, comprising:
- coupling a connecting device to a connector of a hoisting device at a first connection interface of the connecting device;
- coupling a first wind turbine sub-assembly to the connecting device at a second connection interface of the connecting device;
- moving the first wind turbine sub-assembly with the hoisting device;
- coupling a second wind turbine sub-assembly different than the first wind turbine sub-assembly to the connection device at a third connection interface of the connecting device;
- and
- moving the second wind turbine sub-assembly with the hoisting device,
- wherein the second wind turbine sub-assembly includes a tower, wherein the third connection interface includes a movable element movable between a first position and a second position, the connecting device being coupled to second sub-assembly when the movable element is in the first position and the connecting device being uncoupled from the second sub-assembly when the movable element is in the second position, and wherein the step of coupling the second wind turbine sub-assembly to the connecting device at the third connection interface further comprises:
- positioning the movable element in the second position;
- positioning the connecting device on an end of the tower;
- and
- positioning the movable element in the first position so as to couple the tower to the connecting device.
8 more elements
A method for handling wind turbine sub-assemblies, comprising:
- coupling a connecting device to a connector of a hoisting device at a first connection interface of the connecting device;
- coupling a first wind turbine sub-assembly to the connecting device at a second connection interface of the connecting device;
- moving the first wind turbine sub-assembly with the hoisting device;
- coupling a second wind turbine sub-assembly different than the first wind turbine sub-assembly to the connection device at a third connection interface of the connecting device;
- and
- moving the second wind turbine sub-assembly with the hoisting device;
- coupling a third wind turbine sub-assembly different than the first and second sub-assemblies to the connecting device at a fourth connection interface of the connecting device;
- and
- moving the third wind turbine sub-assembly with the hoisting device.
6 more elements
An apparatus for handling wind turbine sub-assemblies, comprising:
- an elongate main body member;
- a first connection interface coupled to the main body member and configured for coupling the apparatus to a connector of a hoisting device;
- a second connection interface coupled to the main body member and configured for coupling the apparatus to a first wind turbine sub-assembly;
- and
- a third connection interface different than the second connection interface and configured for coupling the apparatus to a second wind turbine sub-assembly different than the first wind turbine sub-assembly,
- wherein the first wind turbine sub-assembly includes a nacelle and the second connection interface includes trunnions at opposed ends of the main body member.
3 more elements
An apparatus for handling wind turbine sub-assemblies, comprising:
- an elongate main body member;
- a first connection interface coupled to the main body member and configured for coupling the apparatus to a connector of a hoisting device;
- a second connection interface coupled to the main body member and configured for coupling the apparatus to a first wind turbine sub-assembly;
- a third connection interface different than the second connection interface and configured for coupling the apparatus to a second wind turbine sub-assembly different than the first wind turbine sub-assembly;
- and
- a fourth connection interface different than the second and third connection interfaces coupled to the main body member and configured for coupling the apparatus to a third wind turbine sub-assembly different than the first and second wind turbine sub-assemblies.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.