Modular tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11448197-B2
Application number	US-202017037116-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2020
Priority date	Oct 1, 2019
Publication date	Sep 20, 2022
Grant date	Sep 20, 2022

Abstract

Provided is a modular tool for installing a platform into a tower section of a wind turbine tower, comprising a first body element, a second body element, wherein each body element has a first base plate, on which the tower section rests in use of the modular tool, and a second base plate, which rests on a foundation in use of the modular tool, wherein the base plates are spaced apart from each other and are arranged parallel to each other, and at least one connecting beam that detachable connects the body elements to each other and that defines a width of a gap between the body elements. Due to the fact that the at least one connecting beam detachable connects the body elements to each other, the modular tool can be easily adapted to different tower diameters by replacing the at least one connecting beam.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A modular tool for installing a platform into a tower section of a wind turbine tower, comprising a first body element, a second body element, wherein each body element has a first base plate, on which the tower section rests in use of the modular tool, and a second base plate, which rests on a foundation in use of the modular tool, wherein the base plates are spaced apart from each other and are arranged parallel to each other, at least one connecting beam that detachable connects the body elements to each other and that defines a width of a gap between the body elements, and tower bumpers for guiding the tower section when lowering it to the modular tool, wherein the tower bumpers protrude over the body elements in a height direction of the modular tool.

2. The modular tool according to claim 1 , wherein the body elements are arc-shaped.

3. The modular tool according to claim 1 , wherein each body element comprises a plurality of beams that connect the base plates to each other.

4. The modular tool according to claim 1 , wherein each body element has a plurality of beams that are arranged framework-shaped, and wherein the at least one connecting beam connects two of these beams together.

5. The modular tool according to claim 1 , further comprising support struts for supporting the platform, wherein the support struts protrude over the body elements in the height direction.

6. The modular tool according to claim 5 , wherein the tower bumpers protrude further over the body elements than the support struts.

7. The modular tool according to claim 5 , wherein the support struts are adjustable in the height direction, in at least one of width direction and in a depth direction of the modular tool.

8. The modular tool according to claim 7 , further comprising a skidding system for adjusting the support struts in the depth direction.

9. The modular tool according to claim 8 , wherein the skidding system comprises a frame, that carries the support struts and that is supported by the body elements, and an actuation device for moving the frame along the depth direction.

10. The modular tool according to claim 1 , further comprising pivotable adjustment devices on which the tower section rests in use of the modular tool.

11. The modular tool according to claim 10 , wherein each adjustment device comprises an adjustable bolt that is received in a flange of the tower section.

12. The modular tool according to claim 1 , further comprising a sliding guide system that allows a linear movement of the tower section relatively to the modular tool.

13. The modular tool according to claim 1 , further comprising stairs that are reachable through the gap.

14. The modular tool according to claim 1 , further comprising a walking platform that is arranged between the base plates.

Assignees

• Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy As

Inventors

• Sotos Richard Marc Artur
• Noergaard Jacob

Classifications

• B25B11/00

  Work holders not covered by any preceding group in the subclass, e.g. magnetic work holders, vacuum work holders (for holding or positioning work for welding, soldering, or cutting by applying heat locally B23K37/04; specially adapted to machine tools B23Q3/00) · CPC title

• F05B2240/916

  with provision for hoisting onto the structure · CPC title

• E04H12/342

  Arrangements for stacking tower sections on top of each other (E04H12/344 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F05B2240/915

  which is vertically adjustable · CPC title

• F03D13/10 Primary

  Assembly of wind motors; Arrangements for erecting wind motors · CPC title