Method for installing or uninstalling a component of a wind turbine

{
  "publication_number": "US11155446B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Method for installing or uninstalling a component of a wind turbine",
  "abstract": "Provided is a method for installing or uninstalling a component of a wind turbine, which component is moved with a lifting device at which the component is fixed with cables, whereby two ropes are fixed to the component, with each rope running to a winch attached at a previously installed component of the wind turbine, with the ropes crossing each other and being moved around the winches for tensioning the rope while the component is lowered to its installation position or is lifted from its installation position.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for installing or uninstalling a component of a wind turbine, which wherein the component is moved with a lifting device to which the component is fixed with cables, comprising: fixing at least two ropes to the component, with each rope running to a winch attached at a previously installed component in a nacelle of the wind turbine, with the ropes crossing each other and being moved around the winches for tensioning the ropes, and; one of lowering the component to an installation position of the component or lifting the component from the installation position, wherein the installation position is in the nacelle of the wind turbine.",
    "2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ropes are manually pulled or slackened when the component is moved.",
    "3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the winches are motor driven for moving and tensioning the respective rope.",
    "4. The method according to claim 1, wherein four ropes and respective winches are used, with two ropes being attached to each of opposite sides of the component.",
    "5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the component to be installed or uninstalled is a gear box.",
    "6. The method according to claim 5, wherein two ropes run from fixation means at the gear box to two winches attached to a generator or nacelle frame and/or wherein two ropes run from fixation means at the gear box to two winches attached to a main shaft bearing.",
    "7. A lifting arrangement for installing and uninstalling a component of a wind turbine, comprising: a component configured to be installed into and/or uninstalled from within a nacelle of the wind turbine; a lifting device for moving the component; cables fixing the component to the lifting device; and at least two ropes fixed to the component, with each rope running to a winch attached at a previously installed component in the nacelle of the wind turbine, with the ropes crossing each other and being moved around the winches for tensioning the ropes while the component is lowered to its installation position or is lifted from its installation position.",
    "8. The lifting arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the ropes are configured to be manually pulled or slackened when the component is moved.",
    "9. The lifting arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the winches are motor driven for moving and tensioning the respective rope.",
    "10. The lifting arrangement according to claim 7, wherein four ropes and respective winches are provided, with two ropes being attached to each of opposite sides of the component.",
    "11. The lifting arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the ropes are fixed to shackles or to fixation means connecting a cable to a shackle attached to the component.",
    "12. The lifting arrangement according to claim 7, wherein each winch is attached to a mounting console attached to a previously installed component of the wind turbine.",
    "13. The lifting arrangement according to claim 12, wherein each mounting console comprises a component mounting part fixed to the component and a winch mounting part to which the winch is fixed.",
    "14. The lifting arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the winch mounting part is pivotable and fixable in different orientations relative to the component mounting part.",
    "15. The lifting arrangement according to claim 7, wherein guide consoles are attached to a previously installed component of the wind turbine for interacting with the component to be installed while lowering the component to its mounting position.",
    "16. The lifting arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the guide console comprises a base plate and a guide plate extending from the base plate at one of an angle between 100-170°, and an angle between 120-150°.",
    "17. The lifting arrangement according to claim 16, wherein one or more shim plates are arranged below the base plate for adjusting a height of the guide console."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The following relates to a method for installing or uninstalling a component of a wind turbine, which component is moved with a lifting device at which the component is fixed with cables.\n\nBuilding a wind turbine involves the installation of several separate components which usually need to be lifted by a lifting device like a crane. Also when uninstalling a turbine component a lifting device is necessary.\n\nA problem arises, when the respective component hanging at the lifting device via one or several cables starts to swing or vibrate due to external forces, for example wind or, when working off-shore, the rolling sea which makes the ship moving. These vibrations or movements bear problems especially when the respective component is positioned to be fixed to another, previously installed component. A usual technique is to attach cables or ropes at a component, which are handheld by several workers for stabilizing the component, while it is positioned by the lifting device and the interaction of the workers. This way of stabilizing or controlling the movement of wind turbine components during their installation or uninstallation is very effortful for the workers trying to control or stabilize a movement and can provide a control only to a certain extend. This situation is unsatisfying.\n\nAn aspect relates to provide an improved method for installing or uninstalling components of a wind turbine with a better stabilization of the component.",
  "cpc": [
    "B66C 23/185",
    "B66C 1/108",
    "B66C 13/08",
    "B66D 2700/0183",
    "F03D 13/40",
    "F03D 80/50",
    "F05B 2230/61",
    "Y02E 10/72",
    "Y02P 70/50"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B66C 1/10",
    "B66C 13/08",
    "B66C 23/18",
    "F03D 13/40",
    "F03D 80/50"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy AS"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jacob Skjold Elbrandt",
    "Henning Sahl Helsager"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-01-08",
  "publication_date": "2021-10-26",
  "grant_date": "2021-10-26",
  "priority_date": "2017-04-18",
  "application_number": "US-201816605831-A",
  "family_id": "61094401",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
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}