Tower erection system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11754048-B2
Application number	US-202117212578-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 25, 2021
Priority date	Mar 25, 2021
Publication date	Sep 12, 2023
Grant date	Sep 12, 2023

Abstract

Tower erection systems and methods utilizing a load-sharing support member (LS support member) are disclosed. The LS support member can have a first end coupled to a crane tower and a second end configured to repeatably couple to the upper-most tower section of a partially assembled tower stack during assembly. During lifting, a portion of the vertical load is transferred to the partially assembled tower stack.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of assembling a wind tower, the method comprising:
coupling a load-sharing (LS) support member to an upper-most tower section of a partially assembled tower stack of the wind tower, the LS support member extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to a tower crane and the second end is coupled to the upper-most tower section of the partially assembled tower stack, wherein the LS support member is suspended from the upper-most tower section via tension members, wherein a first set of connection points between the LS support member and the tension members is below a second set of connection points between the upper-most tower section and the tension members; and
lifting a subsequent tower section to be coupled to the partially assembled tower stack,
wherein, during lifting, a portion of vertical load experienced by the tower crane during lifting is transferred to the partially assembled tower stack via the LS support member.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tower crane has a maximum capacity, wherein a first portion of the maximum capacity used during lifting with the LS support member is less than a second portion of the maximum capacity used during lifting the subsequent tower section without the LS support member.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein a maximum lifting capacity of the tower crane with the LS support member is greater than a maximum lifting capacity of the tower crane without the LS support member.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tension members are coupled to and extend between the LS support member and a hanger plate of the upper-most tower section.

5. The method of claim 1 , further including:
coupling the subsequent tower section to the partially assembled tower stack;
increasing a height of the tower crane such that the second end of the LS support member is adjacent to a top end of the subsequent tower section.

6. The method of claim 5 , further including:
coupling the LS support member to the subsequent tower section.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein, once a desired height of a tower stack is achieved, the method further includes:
lifting a nacelle to be coupled to the tower stack while the LS support member is coupled to the tower stack.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the LS support member includes two vertical A-frame members extending from the first end to a second end, the second end defining a base frame.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the base frame includes a plurality of stationary members and at least one moveable member that can move from a closed position to an open position.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein a maximum capacity of the LS support member is within a range of about 50 metric tons to about 500 metric tons.

11. A method of assembling a wind tower, the method comprising:
coupling a load-sharing (LS) support member to a crane; and
iteratively attaching a plurality of towers sections together to form a tower stack of the wind tower by repeatedly:
coupling the LS support member to a first upper-most tower section of a partially assembled tower stack, wherein the LS support member is suspended from the first upper-most tower section via tension members, wherein a first set of connection points between the LS support member and the tension members is below a second set of connection points between the first upper-most tower section and the tension members;
lifting a second tower section of the plurality of tower sections while the LS support member is coupled to the first tower section such that a portion of a vertical load experienced during lifting is transferred to the partially assembled tower stack via the LS support member;
attaching the second tower section to the partially assembled tower stack to form a second upper-most tower section; and
increasing a height of the tower such that the LS support member is adjacent to a top of the second upper-most tower section.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein a maximum capacity of the crane with the LS support member is greater than a maximum capacity of the crane without the LS support member.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the LS support member extends from a first end to a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the crane and the second end is coupled to the first upper-most tower section.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein, after the tower stack is formed, the method includes lifting a nacelle with the crane including the LS support member, the nacelle to be coupled to the tower stack.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the crane is a mast-type crane, and wherein the coupling an LS support member to the crane includes coupling the LS support member to a boom of the mast-type crane.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the crane is a luffing-jib crane, and wherein the coupling an LS support member to the crane includes coupling the LS support member to a top of a crane tower of the luffing-jib crane.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the LS support member includes two arms extending laterally from the tower, the two arms extending from a first end, coupled to the crane tower, to a second end, the second end configured to couple to each upper-most tower section.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the two arms are adjustable to accommodate various widths of tower sections.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the LS support member includes two vertical A-frame members extending from a first end to a second end, the second end defining a base frame.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the base frame includes a plurality of stationary members and at least one moveable member that can move from a closed position to an open position.

Assignees

• Nat Oilwell Varco Lp

Inventors

• Azizi Farzad
• Miller Travis James
• Harms Anthony Jason
• Donnally Robert Benjamin

Classifications

• F03D13/10 Primary

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

• F03D13/20 Primary

  Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors · CPC title

• F05B2230/61

  using auxiliary equipment for lifting or holding · CPC title

• B66C23/185

  for use erecting wind turbines (B66C23/207 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B66C23/207

  with supporting couples provided by wind turbines · CPC title