Method of servicing the outer components of a wind turbine such as the wind turbine blades and the tower with a work platform and work platform
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B66F-011/04
E04G-003/28
출원번호
US-0074845
(2011-03-29)
등록번호
US-8453797
(2013-06-04)
발명자
/ 주소
Iversen, Paul
출원인 / 주소
Vestas Wind Systems A/S
대리인 / 주소
Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
5인용 특허 :
8
초록▼
A method of servicing a wind turbine generally comprises rotating a rotor of the wind turbine until a blade extends downwardly next to the wind turbine tower. A work platform is positioned next to the tower with at least one steering wheel in contact with the tower. The work platform is connected to
A method of servicing a wind turbine generally comprises rotating a rotor of the wind turbine until a blade extends downwardly next to the wind turbine tower. A work platform is positioned next to the tower with at least one steering wheel in contact with the tower. The work platform is connected to an upper part of the wind turbine with at least one cable and then moved vertically and horizontally to a first position. A section of the blade within reach is serviced in the first position, and then the work platform is moved vertically and horizontally to a second position for servicing a different section of the blade. The steering wheel is in contact with the tower when the work platform is moved.
대표청구항▼
1. A method of servicing a wind turbine, the wind turbine having a tower, a nacelle positioned on top of the tower, and a rotor rotatably connected to the nacelle, the method comprising: rotating the rotor until a blade of the rotor extends downwardly next to the tower, wherein the distance between
1. A method of servicing a wind turbine, the wind turbine having a tower, a nacelle positioned on top of the tower, and a rotor rotatably connected to the nacelle, the method comprising: rotating the rotor until a blade of the rotor extends downwardly next to the tower, wherein the distance between the blade and the tower varies along the length of the blade;positioning a work platform next to the tower with at least one steering wheel of the work platform in contact with the tower, the at least one steering wheel being configured to roll along a surface of the tower;connecting the work platform to an upper part of the wind turbine with at least one cable;moving the work platform vertically and horizontally to a first position, wherein the at least one steering wheel contacts the tower when the work platform is moved to the first position;servicing a section of the blade within reach of the work platform in the first position;moving the work platform vertically and horizontally to a second position, wherein the at least one steering wheel contacts the tower when the work platform is moved to the second position; andservicing a different section of the blade within reach of the work platform in the second position, wherein the at least one steering wheel is mounted to at least one holding arm of a gripper, the method further comprising: holding the work platform against the tower with the gripper, wherein moving the work platform vertically and horizontally to the first position or second position further comprises: extending or retracting a horizontal forcer connecting the gripper to the work platform. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: securing the blade to the work platform before servicing the blade in the first or second position. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein securing the blade further comprises: forcing one or more retainer members against sides of the blade, the retainer members being secured to the work platform. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: applying suction to the blade with the retainer members. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: moving the work platform horizontally toward the tower after servicing the blade in the first or second position;rotating the rotor until a different blade extends downwardly next to the tower;moving the work platform horizontally toward the different blade; andservicing the different blade from the work platform. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein rotating the rotor comprises at least one of the following steps: turning a high speed shaft of the wind turbine with an auxiliary device, the high speed shaft linking a generator to a gear in the nacelle;using energy from the generator in the nacelle as an electric motor by taking energy from an electrical grid to which the generator is connected; orpitching one or more blades into the wind. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the work platform vertically and horizontally to the first position or second position further comprises: raising or lowering the work platform with the cable and a cable winder. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the cable winder is positioned on the work platform. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the cable winder is positioned in the nacelle. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein holding the work platform against the tower with the gripper further comprises: wrapping the at least one holding arm around an exterior portion of the tower, the at least one holding arm including a base arm section, an inner arm section, and an outer arm section. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the inner arm section of the at least one holding arm is pivotally connected to the outer arm section, and wherein wrapping the at least one holding arm around the exterior portion of the tower further comprises: moving the outer arm section relative to the inner arm section using an actuator. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the gripper has first and second holding arms each including a holder, and wherein wrapping the at least one holding arm around the exterior portion of the tower further comprises: stretching the first and second arms out to grip the tower at two positions with the holders. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the tower is gripped with the holders by applying suction or an electromagnetic force. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the work platform horizontally to the first or second position further comprises extending or retracting telescoping arms of the horizontal forcer. 15. A method of servicing a wind turbine, the wind turbine having a tower, a nacelle positioned on top of the tower, and a rotor rotatably connected to the nacelle, comprising: rotating the rotor until a blade of the rotor extends downwardly next to the tower, wherein the distance between the blade and the tower varies along the length of the blade;positioning a work platform next to the tower;connecting the work platform to an upper part of the wind turbine with at least one cable;moving the work platform to a first position by: raising or lowering the work platform with the cable and a cable winder; andmoving the work platform horizontally toward the blade while contacting the tower;servicing a section of the blade within reach of the work platform in the first position;moving the work platform to a second position by: raising or lowering the work platform with the cable and cable winder; andmoving the work platform horizontally toward or away from the blade while contacting the tower; andservicing a different section of the blade within reach of the work platform in the second position,wherein the steps of moving the work platform horizontally toward or away from the blade while contacting the tower is achieved by providing a pair of holding arms for gripping to the tower, each holding arm having at least one steering wheel for contacting the tower, and a horizontal forcer centrally disposed relative to the holding arms and between the holding arms and the work platform; and activating the horizontal forcer to move the work platform horizontally relative to the blade. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: moving the work platform horizontally toward the tower after servicing the blade in the first or second position;rotating the rotor until a different blade extends downwardly next to the tower;moving the work platform horizontally toward the different blade; andservicing the different blade from the work platform. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the work platform horizontally toward or away from the blade further comprises extending or retracting telescoping arms of the horizontal forcer.
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