Lifting apparatus for a lifting crane

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12466700-B2
Application number	US-202117402719-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 16, 2021
Priority date	Aug 19, 2020
Publication date	Nov 11, 2025
Grant date	Nov 11, 2025

Abstract

Provided is a lifting apparatus for a lifting crane, adapted to carry an elongated component having a non-circular cross section extending over the major part of its length, especially a rotor blade of a wind turbine, including a frame with at least one holder for holding the component with a horizontal orientation, wherein a pitching system for pitching the component around its longitudinal axis is provided.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A lifting yoke for a lifting crane, adapted to carry an elongated rotor blade comprising a non-circular cross section extending over a major part of its length, comprising:
a frame with at least one holder for holding the elongated rotor blade with an essentially horizontal orientation and a pitching system for pitching the elongated rotor blade around its longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one holder comprises a C-shaped holding part with holding elements for engaging the elongated rotor blade, and wherein the C-shaped holding part is movable along an arched guide of the pitching system, the arched guide equipped with a plurality of rollers or slide elements arranged along a whole path of the arched guide or at separate points along a path of the arched guide that are both above and below the longitudinal axis of the elongate rotor blade, wherein the frame is configured to be lifted by the lifting crane, wherein the frame is suspended by a cable while lifted by the lifting crane, at least one sensor for sensing a vertical movement of the lifting yoke or of the frame or of at least one support arm caused by a pressure difference resulting from wind acting on the elongated rotor blade while the frame is suspended by the cable, and at least one control device for controlling the movement of the at least one holder, wherein the at least one control device is adapted to control the movement of the C-shaped holding part along the arched guide of the pitching system to change an aerodynamic arrangement of the elongated rotor blade depending on the vertical movement caused by the pressure difference resulting from wind acting on the elongated rotor blade sensed by the at least one sensor while the frame is suspended by the cable.

2 . The lifting yoke according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one holder is pivotable around a rotation axis.

3 . The lifting yoke according to claim 2 , further comprising at least two support arms, wherein each support arm has a respective at least one holder adapted for a synchronized rotation, or wherein the at least one holder extends from one support arm to the other support arm.

4 . The lifting yoke according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one holder is movable by at least one controllable actuator.

5 . The lifting yoke according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one controllable actuator is or comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic or electric cylinder, an electric motor or a spindle drive.

6 . The lifting yoke according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one holder is adapted to hold the elongated rotor blade in a region with the non-circular cross section.

7 . The lifting yoke according to claim 1 , wherein the holding part is guided on rollers or slide elements arranged in or along the arched guide.

8 . The lifting yoke according to claim 1 , wherein pitching system respectively the at least one holder is adapted to rotate the elongated rotor blade over an angle of at least 20°, of at least 40°, or over a maximum angle of 90°.

9 . A crane comprising a lift with the lifting yoke according to claim 1 .

10 . The crane according to claim 9 , wherein a connection device is attached to the lifting yoke and the cable.

11 . The crane according to claim 9 , wherein one or more taglines are attached to the lifting yoke.

12 . A method for lifting a rotor blade comprising a non-circular cross section extending over the major part of its length, using the crane according to claim 9 , wherein during a lifting process, when a vertical movement of the lifting yoke is detected, the pitching system is controlled for pitching the rotor blade around its longitudinal axis for counteracting the vertical movement.

13 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein during the lifting process the orientation of the lifting yoke is constantly sensed by at least one sensor of the lifting crane, whereby the pitching system is controlled by a control device based on provided sensor information.

14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the control device controls the movement of the at least one holder.

15 . A lifting yoke for a lifting crane, the lifting crane configured to carry an elongated rotor blade comprising a non-circular cross section extending over a major part of its length, wherein the lifting crane is configured to be lifted by the lifting crane, wherein the lifting yoke is suspended by a cable when the lifting yoke is lifted by the lifting crane, the lifting crane comprising:
a frame with a holder for holding the elongated rotor blade with a substantially horizontal orientation and a pitching system for pitching the elongated rotor blade around a longitudinal axis, wherein the holder comprises a C-shaped holding part with holding elements for engaging the elongated rotor blade, and wherein the C-shaped holding part is movable along an arched guide of the pitching system that has a plurality of rollers that are arranged in the arched guide to form a roller bearing system that is C-shaped and curves around the elongated rotor blade so that a portion of the roller bearing system is located above and below the longitudinal axis, or a plurality of slide elements to form a sliding bearing system that is C-shaped and curves around the elongated rotor blade so that a portion of the roller bearing system is located above and below the longitudinal axis, a sensor for sensing a pressure difference resulting from the wind speed while the lifting crane is suspended by the cable, and a control device for controlling the movement of holder, wherein the control device is configured to analyze information from the sensor and determine a vertical movement of lifting crane that is expected based on the information from the sensor, wherein the determined vertical movement is a result of the wind speed and/or the pressure difference acting on the elongated rotor blade, further wherein the control device is configured to control the movement of the C-shaped holding part along the arched guide of the pitching system to change an aerodynamic arrangement of the elongated rotor blade depending on the determined vertical movement.

Assignees

• Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy As

Inventors

• Jepsen Andreas Winther
• Moeller Jesper

Classifications

• F05B2230/61

  using auxiliary equipment for lifting or holding · 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

• Y02P70/50

  Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product · CPC title

• Y02E10/72

  Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction · CPC title