Method and crane for installing, maintaining and decommissioning wind turbines

Abstract

Method and apparatus for installing, maintaining and decommissioning wind turbines, both onshore and offshore, comprises a crane having extendable legs that allow it to climb a tower that it is erecting in sections by engaging the tower by friction or mechanical interference. The crane may carry the wind turbine nacelle on its upper members during construction of the tower and may be fitted with a crane for handling tower sections, or it may carry an “A” crane for lifting the nacelle and its components once the tower is complete or for constructing heavy maintenance. The crane may be fitted with various lifting and handling means to facilitate maintenance or the installation, maintenance or removal or airfoil rotor blades.

1 . Apparatus for use in the onshore and offshore wind farm industry, said apparatus comprising a jacking crane and a plurality of tower sections adapted to be combined to form a tower on which a nacelle and one or more blades are mounted, wherein the jacking crane is adapted to be extended and climb upwards on the tower as the tower is erected from the tower sections and is used to position each of the tower sections during erection, and is further adapted to mount the nacelle and one or more blades the tower.  
     
     
         2 - 7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nacelle is positioned on top of the jacking crane.  
     
     
         9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the jacking crane comprises a number of legs capable of being extended and retracted.  
     
     
         11 - 13 . (canceled)  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tower sections are buoyant.  
     
     
         15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the jacking crane has a winch adapted to lift each of the tower sections into a position on top of a previous tower section.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the winch is located within the nacelle.  
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nacelle rotates on top of the jacking crane to facilitate lifting operations.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nacelle is equipped with a winch or crane adapted to assist with the installation of the nacelle or blades and their subsequent maintenance or replacement.  
     
     
         22 - 24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tower sections are provided with purpose built attachment points, which are adapted to receive the jacking mechanism.  
     
     
         26 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the purpose built attachment points are pockets.  
     
     
         27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the jacking crane has one or more clamps which engage the tower sections by compression and friction.  
     
     
         29 - 32 . (canceled)  
     
     
         33 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the one or more clamps are mounted on an arrangement of struts, ties and beams which are capable of being adjusted to accommodate a change in the cross section of the tower or tower sections.  
     
     
         34 . Apparatus for use in the onshore and offshore wind farm industry, said apparatus comprising a jacking crane and a plurality of tower sections which can be combined to erect a tower on which a nacelle and one or more blades can be mounted using the same jacking crane, wherein the jacking crane comprises a friction clamp having a flexible backing substrate that is tensioned at the ends.  
     
     
         35 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the flexible backing substrate contacts the tower in a plurality of locations or sections to provide even distribution of load.  
     
     
         36 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the length of the flexible backing substrate can be altered to ensure the clamp maintains a secure fit to the tower.  
     
     
         37 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the length of the flexible backing substrate is adjusted using rollers or sprockets.  
     
     
         38 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the ends of the flexible substrate are made from or covered with a compliant material, and are adapted to be passed around the rollers or sprockets which rotate as the length of the substrate is altered.  
     
     
         39 - 40 . (canceled)  
     
     
         41 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the tower sections have a high grip surface achieved by the use of anti-slip paint or glue-on grip strips.  
     
     
         42 - 51 . (canceled)  
     
     
         52 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the jacking crane comprises facilities for construction or maintenance personnel.  
     
     
         53 - 68 . (canceled)  
     
     
         69 . A jacking crane the for use in the construction of wind turbine apparatus for the onshore and offshore wind farm industry, said jacking crane comprising: 
 means for positioning a plurality of tower sections to form a tower;    a jacking mechanism adapted to be extended and climb upwards on the tower as the tower is erected from the tower sections, and;    means for carrying a nacelle on the jacking crane as the as the tower is erected.    
     
     
         70 . A jacking crane the for use in the construction of wind turbine apparatus for the onshore and offshore wind farm industry, said jacking crane comprising: 
 means for positioning a plurality of tower sections to form a tower;    a jacking mechanism adapted to be extended and climb upwards on the tower as the tower is erected from the tower sections, and;    a friction clamp having a flexible backing substrate which contacts the tower in a plurality of locations or sections to provide even distribution of load.    
     
     
         71 . A method of constructing wind turbine apparatus for the onshore and offshore wind farm industry, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. Providing a jacking crane and a nacelle on a foundation platform, the nacelle being positioned on the jacking crane;    b. Erecting a tower from a plurality of tower sections by positioning each tower section using the jacking crane;    c. Extending the jacking crane to climb up the tower as the tower is erected while carrying the nacelle on the jacking crane; and    d. Installing the nacelle on top of the erected tower.    
     
     
         72 . The method as claimed in  claim 71 , wherein the method is automated.  
     
     
         73 . The method as claimed in  claim 71 , wherein the method is controlled by remote control.