Wind turbine alignment tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12000374-B2
Application number	US-202118270107-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 23, 2021
Priority date	Jan 5, 2021
Publication date	Jun 4, 2024
Grant date	Jun 4, 2024

Abstract

A tool ( 600 ) for aligning tubular structures ( 200, 300 ) of a wind turbine comprises: a plurality of hanger members ( 601 ) configured to be pivotably attached to an end region of a first tubular structure ( 300 ) so as to extend axially outward therefrom, each of the hanger members comprising a guide part ( 605 ) adapted to engage an interior wall ( 203 ) of a second tubular structure ( 200 ); at least one cable ( 615 ) connecting the hanger members ( 601 ) together; and a tension mechanism arranged to adjust a tension of the at least one cable ( 615 ). The tension mechanism is operable to adjust said tension to pivot the guide parts ( 605 ) into engagement with the interior wall ( 203 ) of the second tubular structure ( 200 ) when the first tubular structure ( 300 ) is moved axially toward the second tubular structure ( 200 ), thereby to guide the first tubular structure ( 300 ) into axial alignment with the second tubular structure ( 200 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A tool for aligning tubular structures of a wind turbine, comprising:
a plurality of hanger members configured to be pivotably attached to an end region of a first tubular structure so as to extend axially outward therefrom, each of the hanger members comprising a guide part adapted to engage an interior wall of a second tubular structure;
at least one cable connecting the hanger members together; and
a tension mechanism arranged to adjust a tension of the at least one cable,
wherein the tension mechanism is operable to adjust said tension to pivot the guide parts into engagement with the interior wall of the second tubular structure when the first tubular structure is moved axially toward the second tubular structure, thereby to guide the first tubular structure into axial alignment with the second tubular structure.

2. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of hanger members comprises a support part including a first pivot feature for said pivotable attachment.

3. The tool according to claim 2 , wherein the support part comprises a cable attachment feature for attaching the at least one cable to the hanger member, the cable attachment feature and the guide part being located on opposite sides of the first pivot feature, such that the tension mechanism is operable to adjust said tension to pivot the guide part into engagement with the interior wall of the second tubular structure.

4. The tool according to claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of hanger members comprises an interface member for attachment to the end region of the first tubular structure, the interface member comprising a second pivot feature connected to the first pivot feature for said pivotable attachment.

5. The tool according to claim 4 , wherein:
the first pivot feature comprises a through-hole formed in the support part of the hanger member; and
the second pivot feature comprises a clevis joint including a clevis pin which is received by the through-hole.

6. The tool according to claim 4 , wherein the interface member comprises a resilient element arranged to abut the support part of the hanger member, the resilient element being:
elastically deformable so as to allow said pivoting of the guide part into engagement with the interior wall of the second tubular structure due to said adjustment of said tension; and
elastically recoverable so as to oppose said tension so as to bias the guide part away from the interior wall of the second tubular structure.

7. The tool according to claim 2 , comprising a plurality of brace members each configured to brace a respective one of the hanger members against an interior wall of the first tubular structure, thereby to limit the extent of a pivotal movement of the guide parts away from the interior wall of the second tubular structure.

8. The tool according to claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of brace members is formed integrally with and extends from the support part of the respective one of the hanger members, an end portion of each brace member being adapted to engage the interior wall of the first tubular structure.

9. The tool according to claim 7 , wherein:
each of the plurality of hanger members comprises an interface member for attachment to the end region of the first tubular structure, the interface member comprising a second pivot feature connected to the first pivot feature for said pivotable attachment;
each of the plurality of brace members comprises an extension part of the interface member, the extension part comprising a through-hole for receiving a fastener; and
the tool further comprises a plate adapted to engage each of the extension part and the interior wall of the first tubular structure such as to be located there between, the plate including a threaded hole for receiving a threaded portion of the fastener in order to secure the plate to the extension part, thereby for a head portion of the fastener to abut the support part of the hanger member,
wherein the fastener is adjustable so as to vary the distance between the head portion and the interior wall of the first tubular structure.

10. The tool according to claim 9 , wherein the plate comprises a resilient material for said engagement with the interior wall of the first tubular structure.

11. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the tension mechanism comprises:
an actuator comprising a movable part connected to the at least one cable and arranged to move the at least one cable in order to adjust said tension; and
a controller arranged to control the movable part of the actuator.

12. The tool according to claim 11 , wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder and the movable part comprises a piston thereof.

13. The tool according to claim 11 , wherein the actuator comprises an electromechanical linear actuator and the movable part comprises a screw shaft thereof.

14. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the tension mechanism comprises:
a spring having first and second ends connected to respective portions of the at least one cable;
a clamp arranged to selectively compress and relax the spring; and
a controller arranged to control the clamp.

15. A wind turbine generator, at least partially installed and comprising a tool according to claim 1 .

16. A method of installing a wind turbine generator, comprising:
pivotably attaching a plurality of hanger members of an alignment tool to an end region of a first tubular structure of the wind turbine generator so as to extend axially outward therefrom, each of the hanger members comprising a guide part adapted to engage an interior wall of a second tubular structure of the wind turbine generator, the hanger members being connected together by at least one cable of the tool; and
moving the first tubular structure axially toward the second tubular structure and operating a tension mechanism of the tool in order to adjust a tension of the at least one cable, thereby to pivot the guide parts into engagement with the interior wall of the second tubular structure so as to guide the first tubular structure substantially into axial alignment with the second tubular structure.

Assignees

• Vestas Wind Sys As

Inventors

• Botwright Adrian

Classifications

• F05B2270/602

  electrical actuators · CPC title

• F03D13/112 Primary

  of towers; of masts · CPC title

• F05B2230/604

  using positioning or alignment devices for aligning or centering, e.g. pins · CPC title

• F03D13/10 Primary

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

• F03D13/126 Primary

  Offshore · CPC title