Patent ID: 12258938

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustration in the drawings is in schematic form. It is noted that in different figures, similar or identical elements are provided with the same reference signs or with reference signs, which are different from the corresponding reference signs only within the first digit.

The arrangement1for transporting a wind turbine component illustrated in a isometric schematic view inFIG.1comprises a first portion (configured as funnel frame)3which is adapted to be placed on a not illustrated loading area, in particular of a trailer. The arrangement1further comprises a second portion5(also referred to as component adapter portion) which is adapted to support a not illustrated wind turbine component, in particular via component support portion7. In the illustrated example, the component support portion7has cylindrical shape.

The first portion3and the second portion5both have a respective connection interface9and11, respectively. The connection interface of the first portion3is denoted by reference sign9and the connection interface of the second portion5is denoted by reference sign11. Via the connection interfaces9,11, the first portion3and the second portion5is reversibly coupled to each other.

The arrangement further comprises connection means or connector13, in particular bolts15, which are adapted to mount the connection interface9of the first portion to the connection interface11of the second portion5.

In particular, the connection interface9of the first portion3comprises at least one, in particular several, connection plates17a,17b,17c,17don a first longitudinal beam19and also plural connection plates21a,21b,21c,21don a second longitudinal beam23, as is illustrated inFIG.2. InFIG.2, the second portion5is omitted, thereby more clearly showing the connection plates17b,17d,17c,21b,21cand21dwhich are employed for coupling the second portion5to the first portion3exclusively shown onFIG.2.

All connection plates17a, . . . ,17d,21a, . . . ,21dlie in a single plane. Each of the connection plates17a, . . . ,17d,21a, . . . ,21dcomprise at least one hole25,31(seeFIG.3), in particular ten (or less or more) holes, for bolts or screws. In particular, at least some of the holes25may comprise an internal screw thread for screwing a bolt screw or threaded rod into the thread.

Also, the second portion5illustrated inFIG.3together with the component support portion7but without the first portion3comprises as the connection interface11several connection plates27a(and27band27c, not illustrated obscured by the component support portion7) and further connection plates29a,29b,29ceach having at least one through hole31. The second portion5comprises the component support portion7, and holding and/or fixing beams or structures30specifically designed for supporting and/of fixing the second portion and therefore indirectly the component.

As is illustrated inFIG.1, the screws15are inserted through the through holes31of the second portion5and through the through holes25at the respective connection plates of the first portion3and fixed using nuts for coupling the first portion3to the second portion5.

In some places the holes are equipped with bolt extenders which could be welded on or just be loose parts. Bolt extender steel tube may reduce eventual loss of pretension.

As is illustrated inFIG.2, the first portion3comprises beside the parallel longitudinal beams19,23(on which the connection plates17,21are arranged) at least two cross beams33,35, in particular at longitudinal ends of the longitudinal beams19,23and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal beams19,23.

As is apparent fromFIG.2, the connection plates17a, . . . ,17d,21a, . . . ,21dare arranged in a particular pattern, in particular two-dimensional rectangular pattern. In particular, the pattern of the connection plates17b,17c,17d,21b,21c,21dmatches the pattern of the connection plates27a,27b,27c,29a,29b,29cof the second portion5such that for example the holes in the respective connection plates register with respective holes in the connection plates of the respective other portion. In particular, the column of connection plates17a,17b,17c,17dand the other column21a,21b,21c,21dare spaced apart (in the width direction38) by a first distance d1which is substantially constant with respect to two connection plates (having same suffix reference literal) in the same row. For example, the distance between the connection plate17aand the connection plate21aequals the distance between the connection plate17band21b. However, in the longitudinal direction37, adjacent connection plates (at least of the first portion3) are spaced apart in at least two different second distances d2_1, d2_2or d2_3. Thereby, different variants of the second portion5may be coupled to the first portion3.

A lower surface of the cross beams33,35forms a loading area contact surface39,41which may be placed onto a loading surface, for example of a trailer. As can also be appreciated fromFIG.2, the first portion3is configured as a tunnel frame forming a tunnel when placed at a ground43, wherein a not illustrated trailer can be moved into the tunnel45and can lift the first portion3from the ground43for transporting the wind turbine component.

FIG.4schematically illustrates in a side view several variants of a first portion, namely variants, but not limited to,3a,3b,3c, at which different variants, but not limited to,5a,5b,5cof a second portion may be placed and coupled thereto. Thereby, each the variants3a,3b,3cof the first portion comprises a respective connection interface9a,9b,9cand also the variants5a,5b,5cof the second portion comprise respective connection interfaces Ila,11b,11c.

All variants3a,3b,3cof the first portion comprise the connection plates17a,17b,17c,17darranged in a same pattern. The variants3a,3b,3cof the first portion vary by their size.

The variant5aof the second portion comprises connection plates26a,26bwhich are spaced apart by a distance d26which equals the distance between the connection plates17aand17dof all variants of the first portion. Thus, the variant5aof the second portion may be coupled to any of the first portions3a,3b,3cusing the connection plates26a,26bscrewed to the connection plates17a,17d.

The variant5bof the second portion comprises connection plates28a,28b, which are spaced apart (in the longitudinal direction37) by the distance d28which equal the distance between the connection plates17b,17dof all variants3a,3b,3cof the first portion. Thus, the variant5bof the second portion may be coupled to any of the first portions3a,3b,3cby screwing the connection plates28a,28bto respective connection plates17b,17dof the first portion.

The variant5cof the second portion comprises the connection plates27a,27b,27cwhich are also comprised in the second portion5illustrated inFIG.3. The distances d27between adjacent connection plates match the distance between the connection plate17aand17band also match the distance between the connection plate17band17cof all variants3a,3b,3cof the first portion. As can be appreciated fromFIG.4, all variants5a,5b,5cof the second portion can be coupled to each of the variants3a,3b,3cof the first portion.

FIG.5schematically illustrates the arrangement of connection plates17a, . . . ,17d,21a, . . . ,21dof the first portion3as illustrated inFIG.2in a top view. Each of the connection plates comprises in the illustrated embodiment ten holes into which or through which bolts or threaded rods may be inserted or screwed.

FIG.6illustrates in a schematic side view another arrangement101for transporting a wind turbine component107, in the illustrated embodiment a nacelle. At the second portion105, the nacelle107is supported or mounted. The second portion105is coupled to the first portion103via a connection interface similar as illustrated inFIGS.1to5. The first portion103is configured as a tunnel frame which is loaded onto a self-propelled modular transport (or trailer)140having plural wheels141and a loading area145at which the first portion105is placed.

With reference toFIG.4, a two-part transport system is provided. The second portions5a,5b,5cmay be turbine-specific or wind turbine component-specific and the first portions3a,3b,3cmay be trailer-specific. Variations in the two portions may be introduced as different demands (turbine/trailer configuration) arise, moreover in specific cases for larger/heavier components the configuration can look like 2× first portions are arranged side by side (an then supported by 2 SPMTs) and second portion is designed so it ranges over 2 first portion creating one transport setup. Additionally, first portion can be designed wider so it can be used with 1.5 or 2 or more SPMT's assembled. All parts may be based on the same interface layout which is illustrated in, but not limited to, a schematic view inFIG.5. The design of the interface ensures that any variation of the upper part can fit to any variation of the lower part (inFIG.4). In order to do this, a standardized bolted interface between the two parts is proposed. The interface will ensure reusability of individual components without retrofit.

As can be seen inFIG.6, the nacelle is attached to an adapter (second portion105), where the nacelle107with the adapter105is placed on and mounted to a tunnel frame (first portion103) via the connection interface. All items are moved between the location on a self-propelled modular transport (SPMT)140, or a setup with a compromising passive trailer and pulling tractor. The same setup: first portion(s) with second portion but with/without trailer can be used to support the component on storage location, sea transportation on the vessel's deck and assembly and/or testing and/or weighing of the component in assembly/testing facilities. The tunnel frame comprises the different interfaces, a standardized bolted interface or other kind of standardized connection/attachment interface that fits to different adapters depending on for example different kinds of nacelles, hubs or other large wind turbine components using adapters for transportation and/or local storage. Instead of an SPMT, a trailer for a truck or other transportation means or transporter could be used for transportation in relation to embodiments of the invention. The tunnel frame may also vary in size depending on the size and weight of the wind turbine components to be transported.

The two-part system with bolted interface will lead to higher reusability and extended life of the transport equipment. Bolted interface between parts will characterize the transition to other trailer or turbine components as an assembly task rather than a retrofit task, thereby significantly reducing the costly retrofits seen in the conventional methods. For example, the first portion can be reused 1:1 with a new second portion, if for example a new trailer setup is to be used and the weight of the component is within the weight limits for the tunnel. For example, a second portion can be reused 1:1 with a new first portion when a new turbine is released. Thereby, a transport system with increased flexibility towards coming turbines is provided. All items of the transport system may be based on the same layout of the interfaces. Thereby, retrofit costs are reduced.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements.