Transport apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12291433-B2
Application number	US-202017770100-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 9, 2020
Priority date	Oct 24, 2019
Publication date	May 6, 2025
Grant date	May 6, 2025

Abstract

A transport apparatus for use in the transport of a heavy structure includes a shape-adjustable adapter realized to adjust between an initial shape and a mating shape; and an actuator configured to effect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into its initial shape to facilitate positioning of the adapter relative to the structure; and to effect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into its mating shape to engage the shape-adjustable adapter with a surface of the structure. A method of securing a frustoconical structure during transport is further provided.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A transport apparatus for use in the transport of a heavy structure, the transport apparatus comprising:
a shape-adjustable adapter configured to adjust between an initial shape and a mating shape; and
an actuator configured to:
affect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into the initial shape to facilitate positioning of the shape-adjustable adapter relative to the heavy structure, and
affect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into the mating shape to engage the shape-adjustable adapter with a surface of the heavy structure;
wherein the shape-adjustable adapter has an essentially circular cross-section between a fixed end and a variable end, further wherein a diameter at the variable end is larger in the mating state than in the initial state.

2. The transport apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the shape-adjustable adapter comprises a high-friction surface arranged to lie against the surface of the heavy structure.

3. The transport apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the shape-adjustable adapter comprises a plurality of plates linked together, further wherein the transport apparatus further comprises an actuator-controlled mechanism for moving the plurality of linked plates between the initial shape and the mating shape.

4. The transport apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the shape-adjustable adapter comprises an inflatable mantle configured to assume the initial shape when deflated, and to assume the mating shape when inflated.

5. The transport apparatus according to claim 1 , a mechanism configured to effect the change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter between the initial shape and the mating shape.

6. The transport apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transport apparatus is a lifting fitting of a lifting apparatus.

7. The transport apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transport apparatus is a fixture mounted on a deck of a transport vessel.

8. The transport apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising a release means configured to assist in releasing the heavy structure from the transport apparatus.

9. The transport apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transport apparatus is configured for use in the transport of a frustoconical structure, further wherein the mating shape of the shape-adjustable adapter is essentially frustoconical.

10. The transport apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the shape-adjustable adapter in the initial state is smaller than an interior volume of the frustoconical structure.

11. A method of securing a structure during transport, the method comprising:
providing the transport apparatus according to claim 1 ;
controlling the actuator to effect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into the initial shape;
positioning the adapter relative to the structure; and
engaging the shape-adjustable adapter with the structure by controlling the actuator to effect the change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into the mating shape.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of providing the transport apparatus comprises a step of mounting the transport apparatus as a fixture onto a deck of a transport vessel.

13. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of providing the transport apparatus comprises a step of suspending the transport apparatus from a lifting assembly.

14. The method according to claim 11 , comprising a step of controlling the actuator to effect the change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into the initial shape to release the shape-adjustable adapter from the structure.

Assignees

• Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy As

Inventors

• Soerensen Johnny

Classifications

• B66C1/62

  comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled · CPC title

• B66C1/46

  by inflatable elements · CPC title

• B66C1/427

  by hydraulic or pneumatic motors · CPC title

• B66C1/108 Primary

  for lifting parts of wind turbines · CPC title

• F03D13/10

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