Hoistable platform assembly within a nacelle of a wind turbine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018313334-A1
Application number	US-201715498704-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 27, 2017
Priority date	Apr 27, 2017
Publication date	Nov 1, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a hoistable platform assembly used in uptower wind turbine repairs. The platform assembly includes at least one working platform having a working surface and a platform frame. The platform frame is configured for securement within a nacelle of the wind turbine. The platform assembly also includes a plurality of tooling containers secured to the working surface. Each of the tooling containers includes at least one tool secured therein that is required for the uptower wind turbine repairs. Further, the platform assembly includes a frame structure arranged above the plurality of tooling containers and secured to the working surface via one or more connecting members.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A hoistable platform assembly used in uptower wind turbine repairs, the platform assembly comprising:
at least one working platform comprising a working surface and a platform frame, the platform frame configured for securement within a nacelle of the wind turbine; a plurality of tooling containers secured to the working surface, each of the tooling containers comprising at least one tool secured therein that is required for the uptower wind turbine repairs; and, a frame structure arranged above the plurality of tooling containers and secured to the working surface via one or more connecting members.

2 . The platform assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame structure comprises a first set of lifting devices and a second set of lifting devices.

3 . The platform assembly of claim 2 , wherein the working surface comprises a corresponding set of lifting devices that align with the first set of lifting devices of the frame structure, the one or more connecting members being secured to each of the lifting devices.

4 . The platform assembly of claim 2 , wherein the frame structure further comprises parallel columns having a plurality of beams mounted perpendicularly thereto.

5 . The platform assembly of claim 4 , further comprising an even number of the second set of lifting devices, wherein the same number of lifting devices is mounted to each of the parallel columns.

6 . The platform assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a hoisting cable configured with each of the first set of lifting devices, the hoistable cables joined together at a node, the node comprising an attachment location for a crane capable of lifting the platform assembly uptower.

7 . The platform assembly of claim 3 , wherein the lifting devices comprise hoist rings.

8 . The platform assembly of claim 1 , wherein the platform frame is configured to sit within an opening within the nacelle where one or more drivetrain components has been removed.

9 . The platform assembly of claim 8 , wherein the platform frame comprises one or more locking features configured to secure the working platform within the opening.

10 . The platform assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an additional platform secured to the platform frame of the working platform.

11 . The platform assembly of claim 1 , wherein the working platform is constructed of a material configured to support a weight of at least five hundred (500) pounds per square feet (lbs/ft 2 ), wherein the material comprises at least one of aluminum, wood, steel, a composite material, or combinations thereof.

12 . A disassembled wind turbine under repair, comprising:
a tower secured to a foundation; a nacelle mounted atop the tower, the nacelle comprising a base wall, side walls, a front wall, a rear wall, and a top lid, the base wall comprising at least one opening; a bedplate arranged within the nacelle, the bedplate comprising one or more areas configured to receive at least one drivetrain component; and, a hoistable platform assembly secured within the nacelle in at least one of the opening or the one or more areas, the hoistable platform assembly comprising a working surface, a platform frame, and a plurality of tooling containers secured to the working surface, each of the tooling containers comprising at least one tool secured therein that is required for the uptower wind turbine repairs.

13 . The wind turbine of claim 12 , wherein the hoistable platform assembly further comprises a frame structure arranged above the plurality of tooling containers and secured to the working surface via one or more connecting members, the frame structure comprising a first set of lifting devices and a second set of lifting devices.

14 . The wind turbine of claim 13 , wherein the working surface comprises a corresponding set of lifting devices that align with the first set of lifting devices of the frame structure, the one or more connecting members being secured to each of the lifting devices.

15 . The wind turbine of claim 13 , wherein the frame structure further comprises parallel columns having a plurality of beams mounted perpendicularly thereto and an even number of the second set of lifting devices, wherein the same number of lifting devices is mounted to each of the parallel columns.

16 . The wind turbine of claim 13 , further comprising a hoisting cable configured with each of the first set of lifting devices, the hoistable cables joined together at a node, the node comprising an attachment location for a crane capable of lifting the platform assembly uptower.

17 . The wind turbine of claim 12 , wherein the platform frame is configured to sit within an opening within the nacelle where one or more drivetrain components has been removed.

18 . A method for preparing a wind turbine for an uptower repair procedure, the method comprising:
removing at least one drivetrain component supported by a bedplate of the wind turbine from within of a nacelle of the wind turbine; lifting a platform assembly uptower, the platform assembly having a working surface, a platform frame, and a plurality of tooling containers secured to the working surface, each of the tooling containers having at least one tool secured therein that is required for the uptower repair procedure; and, installing the platform frame of the platform assembly within the nacelle at a location of the removed drivetrain component.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein installing the platform frame of the platform assembly within the nacelle at the location of the removed drivetrain component further comprises fitting the platform frame into the location via one or more locking features thereof.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein removing at least one drivetrain component supported by the bedplate of the wind turbine from within of the nacelle of the wind turbine reveals an opening in a base wall of the nacelle, the method further comprising covering the opening in the base wall of the nacelle with the platform assembly.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Manikas Brian William
• Misavage Brian Thomas
• Sander Michael Frederick
• Thomas Gregory Clarence
• Eherts Kevin Tyler
• Anderson Hunter Ryan
• Vanderwalker Darrick Adam
• Esser Waylon James

Classifications

• F05B2230/61

  using auxiliary equipment for lifting or holding · CPC title

• B66C1/16

  Slings with load-engaging platforms or frameworks · CPC title

• F05B2240/916

  with provision for hoisting onto the structure · CPC title

• F05B2230/80

  Repairing, retrofitting or upgrading methods · CPC title

• F03D80/50 Primary

  Maintenance or repair · CPC title