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Counterweight Assembly For Use During Single Blade Installation Of A Wind Turbine
Abstract: A method (100) for installing a plurality of rotor blades (22) to a rotatable hub (20) secured atop a tower (12) of a wind turbine (10) includes providing a counterweight assembly (80) having, at least, a mounting assembly (84) and a counterweight mass (83) secured at a distal end of the mounting assembly (84). The method (100) also includes securing the mounting assembly (84) at a first position on the hub (20) of the wind turbine (10) such that the counterweight mass biases the hub (20) to rotate about its rotation axis in a first direction. Further, the method (100) includes consecutively installing the plurality of rotor blades (22) onto the hub (20) of the wind turbine (10). Moreover, the method (100) includes adjusting a position of the counterweight mass (83) between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22) to continuously change a center of gravity of the hub (20) and maintain a balanced rotor (18) of the wind turbine (10) during installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22).
Notices, Deadlines & Correspondence
Patent Information
Applicants
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Inventors
1. NIES, Jacob
Specification
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A method (100) for installing a plurality of rotor blades (22) to a rotatable hub (20) secured atop a tower (12) of a wind turbine (10), the method (100) comprising:
providing a counterweight assembly (80) having, at least, a mounting assembly (84) and a counterweight mass (83) secured at a distal end of the mounting assembly (84);
securing the mounting assembly (84) at a first position on the hub (20) of the wind turbine (10) such that the counterweight mass (83) biases the hub (20) to rotate about its rotation axis in a first direction;
consecutively installing the plurality of rotor blades (22) onto the hub (20) of the wind turbine (10); and,
adjusting a position of the counterweight mass (83) between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22) to continuously change a center of gravity of the hub (20) and maintain a balanced rotor of the wind turbine (10) during installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22).
2. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the mounting assembly (84) is fixed with respect to the hub (20).
3. The method (100) of claim 2, wherein securing the mounting assembly (84) of the counterweight assembly (80) at the first position on the hub (20) of the wind turbine (10) such that the counterweight mass (83) biases the hub (20) to rotate about its rotation axis in a first direction further comprises:
positioning the hub (20) with a first pitch axis in a twelve o’clock position, a second pitch axis between a three o’clock position and a six o’clock position, and a third pitch axis between the six o’clock position and a nine o’clock position; and, securing the mounting assembly (84) between the first pitch axis and the second pitch axis.
4. The method (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein a proximal end of the mounting assembly (84) is secured to the hub (20) at a hinge point.
5. The method (100) of claim 4, wherein adjusting the position of the counterweight mass (83) between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22) further comprises:
securing the mounting assembly (84) to a pitch bearing of a pitch system of the wind turbine (10), the pitch system having a pitch drive mechanism, the mounting assembly (84) initially being substantially parallel to a pitch axis of the pitch bearing; and,
allowing the counterweight mass (83) to rotate about the hinge point of the hub (20) to bias the hub (20) to rotate about its rotation axis in the first direction.
6. The method (100) of claim 5, wherein adjusting the position of the counterweight mass (83) between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22) further comprises rotating the counterweight mass (83) about the pitch axis via the pitch drive mechanism.
7. The method (100) of claim 5, wherein adjusting the position of the counterweight mass (83) between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22) further comprises changing a direction of rotation of the
counterweight mass (83) in an opposite direction of the first direction after first and second rotor blades (22) of the plurality of rotor blades (22) are installed.
8. The method (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting assembly (84) further comprises a set of arm members, the set of arm members comprising a first arm member and a second arm member, the second arm member secured to the first arm member at a controllable hinge point.
9. The method (100) of claim 8, wherein adjusting the position of the counterweight mass (83) between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22) further comprises:
initially securing the second arm member to the first arm member at a first angle; and,
adjusting the first angle by rotating the second arm member about the controllable hinge point as the hub (20) rotates about its rotation axis and subsequent rotor blades (22) are installed to the hub (20).
10. The method (100) of claim 9, further comprising limiting rotation of the second arm member with respect to the first arm member via at least one mechanical stop.
11. The method (100) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising: affixing an outer race of a slewing ring bearing to a front, exterior location of the hub (20) and allowing an inner race of the slewing ring bearing to rotate with respect to the outer race;
mounting the first arm member to the slewing ring bearing, wherein rotation of the inner race of the slewing ring bearing allows for rotation of the arm member and the counterweight mass (83).
12. The method (100) of claim 11, wherein the inner race of the slewing ring bearing further comprises gear teeth that mesh with a drive mechanism (95), the drive mechanism (95) configured to drive rotation of the inner race with respect to the outer race.
13. The method (100) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising locking the counterweight mass (83) in a predetermined position.
14. A counterweight assembly (80) for maintaining balance of a rotor (18) of a wind turbine (10) during installation of a plurality of rotor blades (22) onto a rotatable hub (20) secured atop a tower (12) of the wind turbine (10), the
counterweight assembly (80) comprising:
a counterweight mass (83) configured to be moved to multiple positions between consecutive installations of the plurality of rotor blades (22) to continuously change a center of gravity of the hub (20) and maintain a balanced rotor of the wind turbine (10) during installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22); and,
a mounting assembly (84) comprising a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end to provide a predetermined distance between the counterweight mass (83) and the hub (20), the proximal end configured for securing the mounting assembly (84) to the hub (20), such that, when the mounting assembly (84) is secured to the hub (20), the counterweight mass (83) biases the hub (20) to rotate about its rotation axis.
15. The counterweight assembly (80) of claim 14, further comprising a rotor drive mechanism (92) for rotating or braking the rotor (18) during installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22).
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A method (100) for installing a plurality of rotor blades (22) to a rotatable hub (20) secured atop a tower (12) of a wind turbine (10), the method (100) comprising:
providing a counterweight assembly (80) having, at least, a mounting assembly (84) and a counterweight mass (83) secured at a distal end of the mounting assembly (84);
securing the mounting assembly (84) at a first position on the hub (20) of the wind turbine (10) such that the counterweight mass (83) biases the hub (20) to rotate about its rotation axis in a first direction;
consecutively installing the plurality of rotor blades (22) onto the hub (20) of the wind turbine (10); and,
adjusting a position of the counterweight mass (83) between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22) to continuously change a center of gravity of the hub (20) and maintain a balanced rotor of the wind turbine (10) during installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22).
2. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the mounting assembly (84) is fixed with respect to the hub (20).
3. The method (100) of claim 2, wherein securing the mounting assembly (84) of the counterweight assembly (80) at the first position on the hub (20) of the wind turbine (10) such that the counterweight mass (83) biases the hub (20) to rotate about its rotation axis in a first direction further comprises:
positioning the hub (20) with a first pitch axis in a twelve o’clock position, a second pitch axis between a three o’clock position and a six o’clock position, and a third pitch axis between the six o’clock position and a nine o’clock position; and, securing the mounting assembly (84) between the first pitch axis and the second pitch axis.
4. The method (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein a proximal end of the mounting assembly (84) is secured to the hub (20) at a hinge point.
5. The method (100) of claim 4, wherein adjusting the position of the counterweight mass (83) between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22) further comprises:
securing the mounting assembly (84) to a pitch bearing of a pitch system of the wind turbine (10), the pitch system having a pitch drive mechanism, the mounting assembly (84) initially being substantially parallel to a pitch axis of the pitch bearing; and,
allowing the counterweight mass (83) to rotate about the hinge point of the hub (20) to bias the hub (20) to rotate about its rotation axis in the first direction.
6. The method (100) of claim 5, wherein adjusting the position of the counterweight mass (83) between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22) further comprises rotating the counterweight mass (83) about the pitch axis via the pitch drive mechanism.
7. The method (100) of claim 5, wherein adjusting the position of the counterweight mass (83) between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22) further comprises changing a direction of rotation of the
counterweight mass (83) in an opposite direction of the first direction after first and second rotor blades (22) of the plurality of rotor blades (22) are installed.
8. The method (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting assembly (84) further comprises a set of arm members, the set of arm members comprising a first arm member and a second arm member, the second arm member secured to the first arm member at a controllable hinge point.
9. The method (100) of claim 8, wherein adjusting the position of the counterweight mass (83) between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22) further comprises:
initially securing the second arm member to the first arm member at a first angle; and,
adjusting the first angle by rotating the second arm member about the controllable hinge point as the hub (20) rotates about its rotation axis and subsequent rotor blades (22) are installed to the hub (20).
10. The method (100) of claim 9, further comprising limiting rotation of the second arm member with respect to the first arm member via at least one mechanical stop.
11. The method (100) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising: affixing an outer race of a slewing ring bearing to a front, exterior location of the hub (20) and allowing an inner race of the slewing ring bearing to rotate with respect to the outer race;
mounting the first arm member to the slewing ring bearing, wherein rotation of the inner race of the slewing ring bearing allows for rotation of the arm member and the counterweight mass (83).
12. The method (100) of claim 11, wherein the inner race of the slewing ring bearing further comprises gear teeth that mesh with a drive mechanism (95), the drive mechanism (95) configured to drive rotation of the inner race with respect to the outer race.
13. The method (100) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising locking the counterweight mass (83) in a predetermined position.
14. A counterweight assembly (80) for maintaining balance of a rotor (18) of a wind turbine (10) during installation of a plurality of rotor blades (22) onto a rotatable hub (20) secured atop a tower (12) of the wind turbine (10), the
counterweight assembly (80) comprising:
a counterweight mass (83) configured to be moved to multiple positions between consecutive installations of the plurality of rotor blades (22) to continuously change a center of gravity of the hub (20) and maintain a balanced rotor of the wind turbine (10) during installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22); and,
a mounting assembly (84) comprising a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end to provide a predetermined distance between the counterweight mass (83) and the hub (20), the proximal end configured for securing the mounting assembly (84) to the hub (20), such that, when the mounting assembly (84) is secured to the hub (20), the counterweight mass (83) biases the hub (20) to rotate about its rotation axis.
15. The counterweight assembly (80) of claim 14, further comprising a rotor drive mechanism (92) for rotating or braking the rotor (18) during installation of the plurality of rotor blades (22).
Documents
Orders
| Section | Controller | Decision Date |
|---|---|---|
Application Documents
| # | Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 202117005989-ASSIGNMENT WITH VERIFIED COPY [12-03-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-03-12 |
| 1 | 202117005989-STATEMENT OF UNDERTAKING (FORM 3) [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 2 | 202117005989-FORM-16 [12-03-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-03-12 |
| 2 | 202117005989-PROOF OF RIGHT [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 3 | 202117005989-POWER OF AUTHORITY [12-03-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-03-12 |
| 3 | 202117005989-POWER OF AUTHORITY [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 4 | 202117005989-IntimationOfGrant05-03-2024.pdf | 2024-03-05 |
| 4 | 202117005989-FORM 1 [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 5 | 202117005989-PatentCertificate05-03-2024.pdf | 2024-03-05 |
| 5 | 202117005989-DRAWINGS [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 6 | 202117005989-Written submissions and relevant documents [04-03-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-03-04 |
| 6 | 202117005989-DECLARATION OF INVENTORSHIP (FORM 5) [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 7 | 202117005989-Correspondence to notify the Controller [14-02-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-02-14 |
| 7 | 202117005989-COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 8 | 202117005989-Proof of Right [31-03-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-03-31 |
| 8 | 202117005989-FORM-26 [14-02-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-02-14 |
| 9 | 202117005989-FORM 3 [19-07-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-07-19 |
| 9 | 202117005989-US(14)-HearingNotice-(HearingDate-19-02-2024).pdf | 2024-02-06 |
| 10 | 202117005989-CLAIMS [21-02-2023(online)].pdf | 2023-02-21 |
| 10 | 202117005989.pdf | 2021-10-19 |
| 11 | 202117005989-DRAWING [21-02-2023(online)].pdf | 2023-02-21 |
| 11 | 202117005989-FORM 18 [18-08-2022(online)].pdf | 2022-08-18 |
| 12 | 202117005989-FER.pdf | 2022-08-24 |
| 12 | 202117005989-FER_SER_REPLY [21-02-2023(online)].pdf | 2023-02-21 |
| 13 | 202117005989-OTHERS [21-02-2023(online)].pdf | 2023-02-21 |
| 14 | 202117005989-FER.pdf | 2022-08-24 |
| 14 | 202117005989-FER_SER_REPLY [21-02-2023(online)].pdf | 2023-02-21 |
| 15 | 202117005989-DRAWING [21-02-2023(online)].pdf | 2023-02-21 |
| 15 | 202117005989-FORM 18 [18-08-2022(online)].pdf | 2022-08-18 |
| 16 | 202117005989-CLAIMS [21-02-2023(online)].pdf | 2023-02-21 |
| 16 | 202117005989.pdf | 2021-10-19 |
| 17 | 202117005989-US(14)-HearingNotice-(HearingDate-19-02-2024).pdf | 2024-02-06 |
| 17 | 202117005989-FORM 3 [19-07-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-07-19 |
| 18 | 202117005989-FORM-26 [14-02-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-02-14 |
| 18 | 202117005989-Proof of Right [31-03-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-03-31 |
| 19 | 202117005989-Correspondence to notify the Controller [14-02-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-02-14 |
| 19 | 202117005989-COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 20 | 202117005989-Written submissions and relevant documents [04-03-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-03-04 |
| 20 | 202117005989-DECLARATION OF INVENTORSHIP (FORM 5) [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 21 | 202117005989-PatentCertificate05-03-2024.pdf | 2024-03-05 |
| 21 | 202117005989-DRAWINGS [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 22 | 202117005989-IntimationOfGrant05-03-2024.pdf | 2024-03-05 |
| 22 | 202117005989-FORM 1 [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 23 | 202117005989-POWER OF AUTHORITY [12-03-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-03-12 |
| 23 | 202117005989-POWER OF AUTHORITY [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 24 | 202117005989-PROOF OF RIGHT [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
| 24 | 202117005989-FORM-16 [12-03-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-03-12 |
| 25 | 202117005989-ASSIGNMENT WITH VERIFIED COPY [12-03-2024(online)].pdf | 2024-03-12 |
| 25 | 202117005989-STATEMENT OF UNDERTAKING (FORM 3) [12-02-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-02-12 |
Search Strategy
| 1 | 202117005989E_23-08-2022.pdf |