SPINNER-LESS HUB ACCESS AND LIFTING SYSTEM FOR A WIND TURBINE
First Claim
1. An access and lifting system, adapted for gaining entry to a rotor hub for a wind turbine, comprising:
- a wind turbine tower with a nacelle including a rotor hub mounted at a forward end, wherein the rotor hub supports a plurality of rotor blades distributed circumferentially around the rotor hub and includes an entry hatch and a pitching mechanism for each rotor blade including a pitch bearing; and
a plurality of ladder-like structures, each structure positioned over a surface of the rotor hub centered between adjacent rotor blades and each structure including a plurality of rungs distributed axially along a length, opposing side-members, and mounting elements on both the opposing side-members, wherein the mounting elements attach the structure to the rotor hub at a junction between the rotor hub and the pitch bearing for the adjacent rotor blade.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A simple and safe means is provided to gain entry into the rotor hub of a wind turbine for maintenance operations within the hub. A ladder-like structure is mounted onto the rotor hub using the same bolts attaching a fixed outer race of the pitch bearing for the rotor blades. The ladder-like structure has integral with it a protective cage to the front, forming a basket. Structural elements for grasping are provided to a worker over the full path traversed from the nacelle to the entry hatch of the hub. An expanded area between rungs may be provided to facilitate entry by a service worker into the safety cage area. Lifting ears made also be formed with tubular sections integrated into the ladder-like structure.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An access and lifting system, adapted for gaining entry to a rotor hub for a wind turbine, comprising:
-
a wind turbine tower with a nacelle including a rotor hub mounted at a forward end, wherein the rotor hub supports a plurality of rotor blades distributed circumferentially around the rotor hub and includes an entry hatch and a pitching mechanism for each rotor blade including a pitch bearing; and a plurality of ladder-like structures, each structure positioned over a surface of the rotor hub centered between adjacent rotor blades and each structure including a plurality of rungs distributed axially along a length, opposing side-members, and mounting elements on both the opposing side-members, wherein the mounting elements attach the structure to the rotor hub at a junction between the rotor hub and the pitch bearing for the adjacent rotor blade. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method for accessing an interior of a rotor hub for a wind turbine through an entry hatch at a forward end, the method comprising:
-
positioning a rotor hub for a wind turbine to locate an exterior climbing surface for a hub ladder at a topmost position of hub rotation with respect to the ground; climbing over the exterior climbing surface of the hub ladder forward from an area adjacent to a nacelle; entering between adjacent rungs into a safety cage upon reaching an access opening in the ladder; opening the entry hatch; and entering through the entry hatch into the hub. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
19. A method for lifting a hub of a rotor for a wind turbine, comprising:
-
providing lifting ears integral to a ladder-like structure adapted for mounting on the hub between adjacent rotor blades; bolting the ladder-like-structure to the hub at the rotor pitch bearing; attaching lifting slings to lifting ears formed integral to a ladder-like structure; and performing a lift of the hub using the lifting slings to a mounting position at the nacelle. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification