GB2580281A

GB2580281A - An apparatus for a wind turbine

Info

Publication number: GB2580281A
Application number: GB1804075.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Orr Declan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-03-14
Filing date: 2018-03-14
Publication date: 2020-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-14
Also published as: GB201804075D0; GB2580281B

Abstract

The apparatus has a load bearing means, eg an arm 2 or a platform, coupled with an upright support 4 to engage with and bear the load of a yaw brake caliper or a power tool for installing, servicing or repairing the yaw brake caliper. The load support arm 2 may carry an engagement tool 8 having spaced prongs 9a,9b for insertion in the caliper. The apparatus further has an arrangement 3 for raising and lowering the arm 2, eg comprising a threaded spindle 13 rotated by an electric motor 19 and engaging a threaded member 15 pivotably attached to the arm 2. The apparatus also comprises means 17 for mounting the apparatus on a wind turbine, eg comprising spaced hooks 18a,18b extending from the base 16 of the apparatus. The apparatus may have a lateral support member 41, eg a telescopic rod, to stabilise the apparatus by pressing against a wind turbine structure.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR A WIND TURBINE

The present invention relates to an apparatus for a wind turbine, in particular, an apparatus adapted for engaging with and moving components of a wind turbine yaw s system.

Wind turbines require regular observation and maintenance to maintain optimal functionality and efficiency. Industrial-scale wind turbines, such as those used in wind farms, typically comprise a vertical tower, a nacelle fitted to the top of the tower and a to rotor fitted at one end of the nacelle. The rotor has blades which, when moved by the wind, cause a horizontal rotor shaft, which extends into the nacelle, to rotate. This kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy by a generator situated within the nacelle. These wind turbines further typically have a yaw system that rotates the nacelle about the vertical axis of the tower to ensure that the rotor is optimally positioned relative to the current wind direction. The yaw system, which is located near the top of the tower where the tower meets the nacelle, includes a yaw drive, a yaw motor, a disk brake and a series of brake calipers positioned around the disk brake. When the yaw motor is operated it engages the yaw drive and the nacelle rotates about the axis of the vertical tower. However, when the yaw motor is turned off the nacelle may still freely rotate and so it is necessary to use a braking system. When operated, the brake calipers clamp on the disk brake and slow the rotation of the nacelle and can hold the nacelle in place when rotation about the vertical axis is not required.

The orientation of the rotor must be altered each time the wind changes direction to ensure optimal efficiency of the wind turbine. Accordingly, the yaw brakes are consistently in use and the brake pads can quickly wear. It is important that the condition of the yaw brakes is regularly monitored and, when required, the yaw brake calipers are repaired or replaced. To do so, at least two engineers must ascend the tower to a platform just below the yaw system. A torque drill is then raised by the engineers up to a brake caliper and used to loosen the bolts that hold the caliper in place. The caliper is then slid away from the disk brake by the engineers who must bear the weight of the caliper which, in some wind turbines, can weigh more than 100 kg. The engineers then lower the caliper to the platform and check for wear and replace components if necessary. The caliper then must be returned to the disk brake by the engineers and a torque drill used to tighten the bolts to fix the caliper in position.

Maintenance of wind turbine yaw systems is, therefore, a very physically demanding task. The number of wind turbines that can be assessed by a group of engineers in a day is limited by the levels of physical exhaustion experienced by the engineers. Employers of wind turbine engineers can therefore express an employment selection bias towards engineers having high physical strength. This limits the pool of candidates that can be employed, and the high levels of physical exertion can cause early, forced retirement for engineers who are no longer physically able to work. Further, injury rates in wind turbine engineers are unacceptably high due, in large part, to manual handling of heavy wind turbine components.

It is an object of the invention to mitigate or obviate the problems associated with manual handling of wind turbine components.

It is a further object of the invention to mitigate or obviate the raising and lowering component parts of wind turbine yaw systems.

It is a further object of the invention to mitigate or obviate the problems associated with raising a tool to a yaw brake.

It is a further object of the invention to mitigate or obviate the problems associated with raising and lowering yaw brake calipers to a yaw brake disk.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for use with a wind turbine, the wind turbine apparatus comprising an upright support means, a load bearing means for engaging a load, a means for raising and lowering the load bearing means, and a means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus on a wind turbine.

Ideally, the load bearing means being operably coupled with the upright support means.

Preferably, the means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus being capable of mounting the wind turbine apparatus on or about a tower of a wind turbine.

Ideally, the means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus being capable of mounting the wind turbine apparatus within a tower of a wind turbine.

Preferably, the means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus being capable of mounting the wind turbine apparatus proximal to a yaw system of a wind turbine.

Ideally, the means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus being capable of mounting the wind turbine apparatus on a platform within the tower of a wind turbine, below the yaw system.

Ideally, the means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus on a wind turbine being a means for fixedly mounting the wind turbine apparatus on the wind turbine.

Preferably, the means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus on a wind turbine being a means for releasably fixedly mounting the wind turbine apparatus on the wind turbine.

Ideally, the load bearing means being operable to engage with and bear the load of a yaw brake caliper.

Ideally, the upright support means comprising the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means.

Preferably, the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means being operable to raise and lower the load bearing means between a platform within the tower of a wind turbine and the yaw system of the wind turbine.

Ideally, in use, the upright support means being situated proximal to a yaw system of a wind turbine.

Preferably, in use, the upright support means being situated away from any access openings within the platform of the wind turbine.

Preferably, the wind turbine apparatus can support the weight of a yaw brake caliper and can raise or lower a yaw brake caliper.

Ideally, the wind turbine apparatus can support a weight of at least 50 kg. Preferably, the wind turbine apparatus can support a weight of at least 75 kg. Ideally, the wind turbine apparatus can support a weight of at least 100 kg.

Preferably, the wind turbine apparatus can support a weight of at least 125 kg.

Advantageously, an engineer is not required to physically raise or lower a yaw brake caliper when inspecting, repairing or replacing the yaw brake calipers. Preferably, the load bearing means comprising an arm and/or a platform.

In another embodiment the load bearing means comprising a plurality of arms.

Ideally, the load bearing means being operable to extend and/or contract.

Preferably, the arm being operable to extend and/or contract.

Ideally, the arm being operable to extend away from the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means and/or contract towards the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means.

In one embodiment, the arm being a telescopic arm.

Preferably, the load bearing means being operable to extend and/or contract within a plane.

Ideally, the arm being operable to extend and/or contract within a plane.

Preferably, the load bearing means being operable to extend and/or contract within a lateral plane.

Preferably, the arm being operable to extend and/or contract within a lateral plane.

Ideally, the arm being an articulated arm.

to Advantageously, this provides the arm with manoeuvrability such that it can be easily positioned within the tower of the wind turbine.

Ideally, the load bearing means being adaptable for engagement with a yaw brake caliper.

Preferably, the arm being adaptable for engagement with a yaw brake caliper.

Advantageously, the arm can engage with a yaw brake caliper and move a brake caliper. In some wind turbines there are access openings located directly beneath the brake calipers. In such cases it is not possible to directly lower a brake caliper vertically downwards as it could fall within or block the access opening. Advantageously, the wind turbine apparatus is capable of lowering a brake caliper and moving it away from an access opening such that it can be safely set on the platform of the wind turbine without requiring manual handling.

Ideally, the wind turbine apparatus being operable to support a yaw brake caliper above a platform surface of a wind turbine such that there is a clearance space between the yaw brake caliper and the platform surface of the wind turbine, the clearance space being directly beneath the yaw brake caliper.

Preferably, the load bearing means being adaptable for engagement with a torque drill.

Ideally, the arm being adaptable for engagement with a torque drill. Advantageously, the wind turbine apparatus can be used to raise a torque drill up to the bolts of a yaw brake caliper thereby obviating requirement for engineers to manually lift the torque drill.

Preferably, the load bearing means comprising an adaptable utility apparatus. Ideally, the arm comprising an adaptable utility apparatus.

Preferably, the adaptable utility apparatus being adaptable to engage with a tool and/or a wind turbine yaw component.

Ideally, the load bearing means comprising two terminal ends.

Preferably, the arm comprising two terminal ends.

Preferably, the load bearing means comprising a first terminal end located at or about the means for raising or lowering the load bearing means.

Ideally, the arm comprising a first terminal end located at or about the means for raising or lowering the load bearing means.

Preferably, the load bearing means comprising a second terminal end, the to adaptable utility apparatus being located at or about the second terminal end.

Preferably, the arm comprising a second terminal end, the adaptable utility apparatus being located at or about the second terminal end.

Preferably, the means for raising or lowering the load bearing means being operable to raise or lower the adaptable utility apparatus.

Ideally, the adaptable utility apparatus being pivotable by at least 45°.

Preferably, the adaptable utility apparatus being pivotable by at least 70°. Ideally, the adaptable utility apparatus being pivotable by at least 90°. Preferably, the adaptable utility apparatus being pivotal relative to load bearing means.

Preferably, the adaptable utility apparatus being pivotal relative to arm.

Ideally, the adaptable utility apparatus being pivotal about the load bearing means.

Ideally, the adaptable utility apparatus being pivotal about the arm.

In one embodiment, the adaptable utility apparatus comprising a yaw brake engagement tool.

Ideally, the yaw brake engagement tool comprising at least one prong for engaging a yaw brake caliper.

Preferably, the yaw brake engagement tool comprising a plurality of prongs for engaging a yaw brake caliper.

Ideally, the plurality of prongs being spaced apart.

Preferably, the at least one prong being sized to correspond to an opening in a yaw brake caliper such that the at least prong can be inserted into said opening. Ideally, the at least one prong being substantially cylindrical.

Preferably, the at least one prong comprising a shoulder.

Ideally, the shoulder being situated approximately centrally along the at least one prong.

Advantageously, in use, the yaw brake caliper rests on the shoulder of the at least one prong.

Ideally, the yaw brake engagement tool being pivotal relative to the load bearing means.

Ideally, the yaw brake engagement tool being pivotal relative to the arm. Ideally, the yaw brake engagement tool being pivotable by at least 45°. Preferably, the yaw brake engagement tool being pivotable by at least 70°.

Ideally, the yaw brake engagement tool being pivotable by at least 90°.

Advantageously, the orientation of the yaw brake engagement tool can be altered. A yaw brake caliper sitting on the platform of the wind turbine can be tipped on its side to expose the apertures for receiving bolts to fix the yaw brake caliper to the brake disk. The yaw brake engagement tool can be orientated to be aligned with these apertures and the prongs inserted into the apertures. An operator can then raise the load bearing means of the wind turbine apparatus thereby raising the yaw brake caliper off the platform. Once sufficiently clear of the platform the operator can pivot the yaw brake engagement tool to reposition the yaw brake caliper into the correct orientation. With the exception of some minimal manoeuvring of yaw brake caliper to expose the apertures (if necessary), the operator does not need to manually handle the yaw brake caliper to install the yaw caliper.

In another embodiment, the adaptable utility apparatus comprising an apparatus for engaging a power tool.

Ideally, the apparatus for engaging a power tool being operable to engage with a torque drill.

Preferably, the apparatus for engaging a power tool being operable to secure a torque drill to the wind turbine apparatus.

Preferably, the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means comprises a drive means for raising or lowering the load bearing means.

Preferably, the wind turbine apparatus comprising an upright guide apparatus.

Ideally, the means for raising or lowering the load bearing means comprising an upright guide apparatus.

Preferably, the load bearing means being guided by the upright guide apparatus.

Ideally, the arm being guided by the upright guide apparatus.

Preferably, the drive means being operable to move the load bearing means along the upright guide apparatus.

Ideally, the drive means being operable to move the arm along the upright guide apparatus.

Ideally, the drive means comprising a screw drive actuator.

Preferably, the drive means comprising a lead screw actuator.

Preferably, the upright guide apparatus comprising an elongate rail.

Ideally, the elongate rail being a spindle, most preferably, a threaded spindle.

to Preferably, the elongate rail being rotatable.

Ideally, the drive means being operable to rotate the elongate rail.

Preferably, the drive means being operable to rotate the elongate rail thereby moving at least pad of the load bearing apparatus along the upright guide apparatus. Preferably, the drive means being operable to rotate the elongate rail thereby moving at least pad of the arm along the upright guide apparatus.

Preferably, the means for raising or lowering the load bearing means comprising a carriage.

Preferably, the means for raising or lowering the load bearing means comprising a load bearing means engagement member.

Preferably, the load bearing means engagement member forming a part of the carriage.

Ideally, the upright guide apparatus comprising a load bearing means engagement member.

Preferably, the carriage being in operable engagement with the elongate rail.

Ideally, the load bearing means engagement member being in operable engagement with the elongate rail.

Preferably, the load bearing means engagement member comprising a threaded portion.

Ideally, the load bearing means engagement member comprising a tube.

Preferably, the tube comprising an internal thread.

Preferably, the internal thread being sized to engage with the threaded spindle.

Preferably, the drive means being operable to rotate the elongate rail thereby moving the carriage and the load bearing means engagement member along the elongate rail.

Ideally, the wind turbine apparatus comprising a stop means for stopping the movement of load bearing means in at least one direction.

Ideally, the stop means being operable to stop movement of the carriage along the elongate rail.

Preferably, the stop means being operable to stop the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means when the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means is in operation.

Probably, the stop means being operable to stop the rotation of the elongate rail.

to Preferably, the stop means being operable to stop the drive means.

Ideally, the stop means being operable to temporarily stop the drive means.

Preferably, the stop means being operable to stop the motor.

Ideally, the stop means being operable to temporarily stop the motor.

Ideally, the stop means being adapted to detect when the carriage is at least one preset location along the elongate rail.

Preferably, the at least one present location comprising the end portions of the elongate rail.

Preferably, the stop means comprising at least one cut-off switch. Advantageously, this prevents the drive means from working more than is 20 necessary. It can also prevent damage to component parts of the wind turbine apparatus.

Preferably, the wind turbine apparatus comprising a base.

Ideally, the base forming a part of the upright support means.

Preferably, the base defining the bottom of the upright support means.

Ideally, the upright guide apparatus being disposed on, most preferably connected to, the base.

Preferably, the base comprising a substantially planar portion.

In one embodiment, the base comprising feet, ridges and/or grooves.

Ideally, the feet, ridges and/or grooves being sized and shaped to interact with corresponding features on a wind turbine surface.

Ideally, the base being dimensioned to rest on a wind turbine platform at or near the yaw system.

Preferably, the base being mountable and/or connectable to a wind turbine surface.

Ideally, the means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus comprising a hook or latch.

Ideally, the means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus comprising a plurality of hooks and/or latches.

Preferably, the hook or latch being dimensioned to engage with a part of a wind turbine.

Ideally, the hook or latch operable to stabilise the wind turbine apparatus when the weight of the arm is altered.

Ideally, the hook or latch being disposed on the base.

to Preferably, the hook or latch extending upwards from the base.

In one embodiment, the means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus comprising the base having apertures and/or through-bores for receiving bolts, screws and/or other fixing devices.

Preferably, the upright guide apparatus being perpendicular to the base.

Ideally, the drive means comprising a motor, the motor being operable to drive rotation of the elongate rail.

Preferably, the motor being an electrically-powered motor.

Ideally, the motor being disposed on the base.

Preferably, the drive means comprising a driving member and a driven member.

Preferably, the motor being operable to drive the driving member.

Ideally, the driving member being operable to drive the driven member. Preferably, the driving member being operably connected to the driven member by a connection means.

Ideally, the connection means transfers motion from the driving member to driven member.

Ideally, the driven member being situated at or about the upright guide apparatus.

Preferably, the driven member forming a part of the upright guide apparatus. Ideally, the driving member and/or the driven member being situated at or about the base.

Preferably, the driving member and/or the driven member being disposed on and fixed to the base.

Ideally, the driving member and/or the driven member being a sprocket wheel. Preferably, the driving member being spaced apart from the driven member.

Ideally, the connection means comprises a loop.

Ideally, the loop being a closed belt.

Preferably, the loop being situated around the driving member and driven member.

Ideally, the closed belt having teeth and being operable to engage with the driving member and the driven member.

Ideally, the motor being operable to rotate the driving member.

Preferably, when the driving member is rotated by the motor, the connection means and the driven member are correspondingly rotated.

to Preferably, when the driven member is rotated it causes the elongate rail to rotate.

Ideally, the drive means comprising a housing.

Preferably, the housing houses at least part of the motor, the driving member, the driven member and/or the connection means.

Ideally, the housing extending upwards from the base.

Preferably, the housing forming a part of the base.

Ideally, the housing being formed from metal, most preferably, aluminium. Preferably, the load bearing means being substantially perpendicular to the upright guide apparatus.

Ideally, the arm being substantially perpendicular to the upright guide apparatus.

Preferably, the wind turbine apparatus comprising a means for moving the load bearing means laterally.

Preferably, the means for moving the load bearing means laterally being operable to move at least part of the load bearing means annularly about a pivot point.

Advantageously, this enables the load bearing means to support and position a load in a range of lateral locations.

Ideally, the load bearing means being pivotally engaged with the upright guide apparatus.

Preferably, the arm being pivotally engaged with the upright guide apparatus.

Ideally, the load bearing means being pivotally engaged with the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means.

Preferably, the load bearing means engagement member comprising a pivoted arrangement such that the arm can pivot relative to the load bearing means engagement member.

Ideally, the load bearing means engagement member comprising a hinge.

Preferably, the load bearing means being connected to the load bearing means engagement member via the hinge.

Ideally, the arm being connected to the load bearing means engagement member via the hinge.

Preferably, by pivoting the load bearing means relative to the load bearing to means engagement member, at least part of the load bearing means can be moved through a lateral plane.

Preferably, by pivoting the arm relative to the load bearing means engagement member, at least part of the arm can be moved through a lateral plane.

Ideally, the arm being laterally articulated.

Preferably, the arm comprising a plurality of arm portions.

Ideally, the plurality of arm portions are hingedly or flexibly connected together.

Advantageously, this provides articulation to the arm.

Preferably, the arm comprising an arm hinge.

Ideally, the arm comprising two arm portions.

Preferably, the two arm portions are connected by the arm hinge.

Ideally, the arm hinge is located between the first terminal end and the second terminal end of the arm.

Preferably, the arm hinge is located between the load bearing means engagement member and the adaptable utility apparatus.

Preferably, the arm hinge is located on the arm at a position equidistance from the first terminal end and the second terminal end.

Ideally, in use, the plurality of arm portions being coplanar.

Ideally, the upright support means comprising at least one elongate support member.

Preferably, the upright support means comprising a plurality of elongate support members.

Ideally the upright support means comprising a plurality of spaced apart elongate support members.

Preferably, the upright support means comprising two spaced apart elongate support members.

Ideally, the at least one elongate support member comprising a cylindrical or polygonal cross section.

Ideally, the at least one elongate support member extending proximal to the elongate rail.

Ideally, the at least one elongate support member extending upwards from the base.

Ideally, the upright support means providing support to the carriage.

to Preferably, the upright support means stabilizing the carriage when the carriage is moved along the elongate rail.

Preferably, at least part of the carriage being situated at or about the at least one elongate support member.

Ideally, the elongate rail is disposed adjacent to the two elongate support 15 members such that the elongate rail and the two elongate support members define a triangular shape.

Preferably, the carriage comprising a bracket for engaging with the at least one elongate support member.

Ideally, the bracket mounting the carriage to the at least one elongate support 20 member.

Preferably, the bracket being disposed around the at least one elongate support member.

Ideally, the bracket being slidably engaged with the at least one elongate support member.

Preferably, the bracket comprising locating means for locating the bracket on the at least one elongate support member.

Ideally, the locating means comprising means for preventing lateral movement of the bracket.

Ideally, the bracket prevents lateral movement of the carriage.

Preferably, the means for preventing lateral movement of the bracket comprising a rear component, the at least one elongate support member being located between the rear component and the elongate rail.

Preferably, the rear component extending between the two elongate support members.

Ideally, the rear component pressing against the two elongate support members.

Preferably, the rear component prevents the bracket from being moved in a direction towards the location of the elongate rail.

Ideally, the locating means comprises at least one, most preferably, two stoppers.

Preferably, the at least one stopper being disposed on the rear component. Ideally, the locating means comprising a stopper being disposed on the rear component adjacent to the at least one elongate support member.

Preferably, the rear component comprising two opposing terminal ends.

Ideally, a stopper being disposed at each of the two opposing terminal ends. Preferably, the stoppers abutting the two elongate support members.

Ideally, the two elongate support members being located between the two stoppers.

Advantageously, the stoppers prevent movement of the bracket in a lateral direction.

Ideally, the means for preventing horizontal movement of the bracket comprising a front component.

Preferably, the front component being at least partially disposed on the at least 20 one elongate support member at a location opposing the position of rear component. Ideally, the front component comprising at least one protrusion positioned abutting the at least one elongate support member.

Preferably, the front component, most preferably the at least one protrusion, prevents movement of the bracket in a direction away from the location of the elongate rail.

In another embodiment, the rear component and/or the front component prevents movement of the bracket in a direction towards and/or away from the location of the elongate rail.

Ideally, the wind turbine apparatus comprising a lateral support member.

Preferably, the upright support means comprising a lateral support member.

Preferably, the lateral support member extending perpendicularly to the upright guide apparatus.

Ideally, the lateral support member is extendible and/or contractible.

Ideally, the lateral support member being an elongate rod.

Preferably, the lateral support member having a means for extending and/or contracting.

Ideally, the means for extending and/or contracting being provided by the elongate rod being arranged in a telescopic configuration.

Preferably, the lateral support member being operable to engage with and/or anchor the wind turbine apparatus to a wind turbine structure.

Ideally, the lateral support member comprising a means for engaging with and/or anchoring the wind turbine apparatus to a wind turbine structure.

Preferably, the means for engaging with and/or anchoring the wind turbine to apparatus to a wind turbine structure comprising an anchor, hook or abutment member.

Advantageously, this provides additional structural support to the wind turbine apparatus. When the abutment member is located abutting a wind turbine structure, and the wind turbine apparatus is tilted in the direction of extension of the lateral support member, for example, when an additional weight is added to the arm, the abutment member presses against the wind turbine structure and stabilises the wind turbine apparatus.

Ideally, the lateral support member being pivotable.

Preferably, the lateral support member being laterally pivotable.

Preferably, the wind turbine apparatus comprising a lateral support member pivot.

Preferably, the upright guide apparatus extending upwards from the base. Ideally, the upright guide apparatus having an upper terminal end.

Preferably, the upright guide apparatus comprising a stop member at or about the upper terminal end.

Advantageously, this prevents the arm from being moved up and off the terminal end of the upright guide apparatus.

Ideally, the at least one elongate support member being joined to the stop member.

Ideally, part of the lateral support member being disposed at or about the stop member.

Preferably, the lateral support member pivot being disposed at or about the stop member.

Preferably, the stop member being disposed between at least part of the lateral support member and the elongate rail.

Ideally, the stop member being disposed between the lateral support member pivot and the elongate rail.

Preferably, the wind turbine apparatus comprising a means for securing the lateral support member at or about the upright guide apparatus.

Ideally, the wind turbine apparatus comprising a means for securing the lateral support member to the stop member.

Preferably, the means for securing the lateral support member to the stop to member comprising an adjustable screw.

Preferably, the wind turbine apparatus comprising a control means, the control means being operable to control movement of the load bearing means.

Preferably, the wind turbine apparatus comprising a control means, the control means being operable to control movement of the arm.

Ideally, the upright support means comprising a control means, the control means being operable to control movement of the arm.

Ideally, the control means being operable to control the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means.

Preferably, the control means being operable to control the drive means.

Ideally, the control means being operable to control the motor.

Preferably, the control means comprising a control panel.

Ideally, the control panel being operably connected to the motor.

Preferably, the control panel comprising a user interface such that a user can input commands to control movement of the wind turbine apparatus.

Ideally, the user interface comprising a switch, a button, touchscreen, a microphone and/or other means of inputting commands.

Ideally, the control means having an up button, a down button and/or a stop button for moving the arm up, down and stopping upward/downward movement of the arm respectively.

Preferably, the wind turbine apparatus being formed at least partially from metal.

Ideally, the wind turbine apparatus being formed at least partially from a metal alloy, most preferably steel.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wind turbine comprising a tower, a nacelle, a yaw system, and a platform below the location of the yaw system, the yaw system comprising a yaw brake disk and yaw brake calipers arranged around the yaw brake disk, the wind turbine further comprising a wind turbine apparatus disposed proximal to the yaw brake calipers and operable to engage with the yaw brake calipers, the wind turbine apparatus comprising an upright support means, a load bearing means for engaging a load, a means for raising and lowering the load bearing means, and a means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus on a wind turbine.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for installing, repairing and/or replacing wind turbine yaw brake calipers, the method comprising using a wind turbine apparatus to raise or lower a yaw brake caliper, the wind turbine apparatus comprising an upright support means, a load bearing means for engaging a load, a means for raising and lowering the load bearing means, and a means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus on a wind turbine.

Ideally, the method comprising mounting the wind turbine apparatus to a wind turbine proximal to a yaw system via the means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus on a wind turbine.

Preferably, the method comprising ensuring that the wind turbine apparatus is safely secured to the wind turbine.

Ideally, the method comprising extending or contracting and/or anchoring the lateral support member to a wind turbine support structure.

Ideally, the method comprising fitting a torque drill to the apparatus for engaging a power tool.

Ideally, the method comprising raising the load bearing means.

Preferably, the method comprising raising the arm.

Preferably, the method comprising raising the load bearing means by inputting a command via the control means.

Ideally, the method comprising raising the arm by inputting a command via the control means.

Preferably, the method comprising raising the load bearing means via the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means.

Preferably, the method comprising positioning the torque drill at a yaw brake caliper.

Ideally, the method comprising extending or contracting the arm.

Preferably, the method comprising extending or contracting the arm through a lateral plane.

Ideally, the method comprising moving the load bearing means via the means for moving the load bearing means laterally.

to Ideally, the method comprising moving the arm via the means for moving the load bearing means laterally.

Preferably, the method comprising moving the arm via bending the arm about the arm hinge.

Ideally, the method comprising using the torque drill to release bolts of a yaw brake caliper.

Preferably, the method comprising lowering the load bearing means.

Preferably, the method comprising lowering the arm.

Ideally, the method comprising lowering the load bearing means.

Ideally, the method comprising lowering the arm by inputting a command via the control means.

Preferably, the method comprising removing the torque drill.

Ideally, the method comprising fitting a yaw brake engagement tool to the adaptable utility apparatus.

Preferably, the method comprising raising the load bearing means.

Preferably, the method comprising raising the arm.

Ideally, the method comprising positioning the yaw brake engagement tool such that it engages with the yaw brake caliper.

Preferably, the method comprising moving the load bearing means such that the yaw brake caliper moves away from its location within the yaw system.

Preferably, the method comprising moving the arm such that the yaw brake caliper moves away from its location within the yaw system.

Ideally, the method comprising moving the load bearing means such that the yaw brake caliper is not directly above any access openings in the wind turbine.

Ideally, the method comprising moving the arm such that the yaw brake caliper is not directly above any access openings in the wind turbine.

Preferably, the method comprising extending or contracting the load bearing means through a lateral plane.

Ideally, the method comprising moving the arm via the means for moving the load bearing means laterally.

Preferably, the method comprising lowering the load bearing means and therefore the yaw brake caliper.

Preferably, the method comprising lowering the arm and therefore the yaw brake caliper.

Ideally, the method comprising lowering the load bearing means to set the yaw brake caliper on a surface of the wind turbine.

Ideally, the method comprising lowering the arm to set the yaw brake caliper on a surface of the wind turbine.

Preferably, the method comprising pivoting the adaptable utility apparatus. Ideally, the method comprising moving the arm such that the yaw brake engagement tool disengages with the yaw brake caliper.

Preferably, the method comprising visually inspecting the yaw brake caliper.

Ideally, the method comprising repairing or replacing the yaw brake caliper.

Ideally, the method comprising installing a yaw brake caliper.

It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which shows by way of example only one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a wind turbine apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 2 is the wind turbine apparatus of Figure 1 with the arm raised to a higher position.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the wind turbine apparatus of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the wind turbine apparatus of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is the wind turbine apparatus as shown in Figure 4 with the arm at a lower position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the wind turbine apparatus shown in Figure 2. Figure 7 is the wind turbine apparatus as shown in Figure 6 with the arm at a lower position.

Figure 8 is the wind turbine apparatus as shown in Figure 7 with the arm contracted inwards via pivoting at the hinge.

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the wind turbine apparatus.

In the drawings there is shown an apparatus for use with a wind turbine indicated generally by reference numeral 1, which can support the weight of a yaw brake caliper up to 110 kg and can raise or lower a yaw brake caliper. The wind turbine apparatus 1 has an arrangement 17 for mounting the wind turbine apparatus 1 to a wind turbine. The arrangement 17 for mounting the wind turbine apparatus 1 enables the wind turbine apparatus 1 to be mounted within the wind turbine, at the top of the tower where the tower meets the nacelle. Specifically, beneath the location of the yaw system. The arrangement 17 for mounting the wind turbine apparatus 1 is further designed such that the wind turbine apparatus 1 can be releasably fixedly mounted to a wind turbine. This enables the wind turbine apparatus 1 to be mounted but also easily repositioned as required. The wind turbine apparatus 1 further has an upright support arrangement 4, formed from steel, and an arm 2, which is formed from aluminium and is adaptable for engagement with a torque drill (not shown) or a wind turbine yaw component (not shown). The wind turbine apparatus 1 further has an arrangement 3, formed from steel, for raising and lowering the arm.

The arm 2 is articulated, extends from the arrangement 3 for raising and lowering the arm, and can extend or contract about a lateral axis. The arm 2 can contract towards the arrangement 3 for raising and lowering the arm, as shown in Figure 8, or be extended fully outwards as shown in Figures 1 to 7. It is further adaptable for engagement with a yaw brake caliper (not shown), being operable to engage and move a yaw brake caliper. Further, the arm 2 can support a yaw brake caliper above a platform surface of a wind turbine without having any support structures being directly below the yaw brake caliper, as the upright support arrangement 4 is anchored at a distance from the fully extended arm 2. This is advantageous when, for to example, an access opening is directly beneath a yaw brake caliper and so it is not possible to locate support structures of a wind turbine apparatus 1 directly beneath the yaw brake caliper.

The arm 2 has an adaptable utility apparatus 5 formed from aluminium that is adaptable to engage with a wind turbine yaw component. The arm 2 further has a first terminal end 6 located at the arrangement 3 for raising or lowering the arm 2 and a second terminal end 7, the adaptable utility apparatus 5 being located at or about the second terminal end 7. The arrangement 3 raising and lowering the arm 2 is operable to raise or lower the adaptable utility apparatus 5. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the adaptable utility apparatus 5 is fitted with a yaw brake engagement tool 8, formed from aluminium. The yaw brake engagement tool 8 has two; spaced apart prongs 9a, 9b that are shaped and sized to correspond to openings in a yaw brake caliper, having cylindrical cross-sections, such that the prongs 9a, 9b can be inserted into a yaw brake caliper. The two prongs 9a, 9b each have a shoulder 10a, 10b that are situated centrally along the prongs 9a, 9b.

The arrangement 3 for raising and lowering the arm 2 has a drive arrangement 11, formed from steel, which is operable to raise or lower the arm 2. The wind turbine apparatus 1 further has an upright guide apparatus 12, formed from steel, that guides movement of the arm 2 in a vertical direction. When the drive arrangement 11 is operated it moves the arm 2, the movement being guided by the upright guide apparatus 12. The upright guide apparatus 12 further has an elongate, rotatable, threaded spindle 13 formed form specialized tempered steel. Operation of the drive arrangement 11 rotates the threaded spindle 13 and this moves the arm 2 along the upright guide apparatus 12. The arrangement 3 for raising and lowering the arm involves a carriage 14, formed form steel and further having an arm engagement member 15. The carriage 14 is in operable engagement with the threaded spindle 13. The arm engagement member 15 has a tube-shaped portion which has an interior thread that is engaged with the threaded spindle 13. Rotating the threaded spindle 13 moves the carriage 14 and the arm engagement member 15 along the threaded spindle 13.

The wind turbine apparatus 1 has a base 16, formed from aluminium, that forms a part of the upright support arrangement 4. The base 16 defines the bottom of the upright support arrangement 4 and the upright guide apparatus 12 is connected to and extends from the base 16 in an orientation that is perpendicular to the plane of the base 16. The base 16 is planar and rectangular. The arrangement 17 for mounting the wind turbine apparatus 1 to a wind turbine surface is disposed on the base 16 and is operable to mount the base 16 to a wind turbine surface. The arrangement 17 for mounting the wind turbine apparatus 1 involves two steel spaced apart hooks 18a, 18b that extend upwards from the base 16 and are dimensioned to be hooked onto a part of a wind turbine (not shown).

The drive arrangement 11 has an electrically-powered motor 19 that is operable to drive rotation of the threaded spindle 13. The motor 19 is disposed on the base 16. The drive arrangement 11 has a driving member 20 and a driven member 21, both of which are steel sprocket wheels, the driving member 20 is operable to drive rotation of the driven member 21. The driving member 20 is spaced apart from the driven member 21 and they are connected by a closed loop 22, the closed loop 22 being a rubber composite belt having teeth 24, for engaging with and moving the driving member 20 and driven member 21. The driven member 21 is positioned at the bottom of the upright guide apparatus 12 and forms a part of the upright guide apparatus 12. Both the driving member 21 and the driven member 22 are situated proximal to the base 16 and are fixed to the base 16. The motor 19 is operable to rotate the driving member 20, this in turn rotates the closed loop 22 which then rotates the driven member 21 thereby causing the threaded spindle 13 to rotate. The drive arrangement 11 has a housing 25, formed from aluminium, which houses part of the motor 19, the driving member 20 and a part of the closed loop 22. The housing 25 extends upwards from the base 16 and has a cylindrical cross-section.

The arm 2 is perpendicular to the upright guide apparatus 12 and is pivotally engaged with the upright guide apparatus 12. The arm engagement member 15 has a hinge 28, formed from aluminium, enabling the arm 2 to pivot about the arm engagement member 15 thereby moving the arm 2 through a horizontal axis. The arm 2 is horizontally articulated and has two arm portions 29a, 29b that are hingedly connected via an arm hinge 30. The arm hinge 30 is located between the first terminal end 6 and the second terminal end 7 of the arm 2. In use, the two arm portions 29a, 29b are coplanar.

The upright support arrangement 4 has two, spaced apart elongate support members 32a, 32b, formed from steel, having a square cross section. The two elongate support members 32a, 32b extend upwards from the base 16 and proximal and parallel to the threaded spindle 13. The upright support arrangement 4 provides support to the carriage 14. The two elongate support members 32a, 32b and the threaded spindle 13 are arranged in a triangular fashion such that each of the elongate support members 32a, 32b and the threaded spindle 13 define a corner of the triangle. The carriage 14 is positioned on the two elongate support members 32a, 32b and the threaded spindle 13.

The carriage 14 further has a bracket 33 that is engaged with the two elongate support members 32a, 32b, thereby mounting the carriage 14 to the two elongate support members 32a, 32b. The bracket 33 is fitted around, and is slidably engaged with, the two elongate support members 32a, 32b. The bracket 33 has an arrangement 35 for preventing lateral movement of the carriage 14, the arrangement 35 having a rear component 36. The two elongate support members 32a, 32b are positioned between the rear component 36 and the threaded spindle 13, the rear component 36 extending between and pressing against the two elongate support members 32a, 32b. The rear component 36 further has two stoppers 37a, 37b positioned around the two elongate support members 32a, 32b such that the elongate support members 32a, 32b are between the two stoppers 37a, 37b; the stoppers 37a, 37b being at a distance to prohibit lateral movement of the bracket 33.

The arrangement 35 for preventing lateral movement of the carriage 14 has a front component 39 disposed on the two elongate support members 32a, 32b at location opposing the position of the rear component. The two elongate support members 32a, 32b are located between the rear component 36 and the front component 37. The front component 37 has two protrusions 40a, 40b which are each positioned to abut the two elongate support members 32a, 32b, respectively. The two protrusions 40a, 40b prevent movement of the bracket 33 in a direction away from the location of the threaded spindle 13.

The wind turbine apparatus 1 further has a lateral support member 41, formed from steel, that extends perpendicularly to the upright guide apparatus 12. The lateral support member 41 is extendible and contractible and operable to engage with a wind turbine support structure. The lateral support member 41 is a telescopic elongate rod, the telescopic configuration operable to extend or contract the lateral support member 41. Also provided is a screw 46 positioned on the elongate rod that can be tightened to prevent the lateral support member from extending/contracting and loosened to enable extension/contraction. The lateral support member 41 further has an abutment member 45 for abutting a wind turbine structure. This stabilises the wind turbine apparatus 1 by pressing against a wind turbine structure so that when a weight is added to the arm, the lateral support member 41 can prevent the wind turbine apparatus 1 from tipping substantially towards the wind turbine structure that is in abutting engagement with the lateral support member 41.

The wind turbine apparatus 1 has a lateral support member pivot 42 about which the lateral support member 41 can pivot. The upright guide apparatus 12 has an upper terminal end 43 and a stop member 44, formed form aluminium, located at the upper terminal end 43. The two elongate support members 32a, 32b are joined to the stop member 44 and the lateral support member pivot 42 is located at the stop member 44, the stop member 44 being disposed between the lateral support member pivot 42 and the threaded spindle 13. The lateral support member 41 is secured to the upright guide apparatus 12 via an adjustable, hardened steel screw 47 that can be tightened or loosened to adjust the freedom of movement of the lateral support member 41.

The wind turbine apparatus 1 has an arrangement (not shown) for controlling movement of the arm 2. The control arrangement is operable to control the arrangement 3 raising and lowering the arm 2. The control arrangement can control the drive arrangement 11 and the motor 19 and has a control panel (not shown) operably connected to the motor 19. The control panel has a user interface (not shown) enabling the user to input commands to activate the motor 19 and therefore move the arm 2 up or down along the upright guide apparatus 12.

In use, the wind turbine apparatus 1 can be operated to assist in the installation, repair and replacement of wind turbine yaw brake calipers (not shown). Firstly, the wind turbine apparatus 1 is anchored to a structure of the wind turbine by the arrangement 17 for mounting the wind turbine apparatus. The lateral support member 41 can provide additional support by extending or contracting the lateral support member 41 such that the abutment member 45 abuts against a wind turbine structure. This will prevent the wind turbine apparatus 1 from tipping in a direction towards the surface which the lateral support member 41 is abutting against.

To remove a yaw brake caliper from a yaw system of a wind turbine, the engineer must first loosen the bolts of the yaw brake caliper. Typically, this is done using a torque drill. The engineer can utilize the wind turbine apparatus 1 in this process by first lowering the arm 2 to the bottom of the upright guide apparatus 12. This is done by inputting the command in the control panel thereby engaging the motor 19, causing rotation of the driving member 20, driven member and threaded spindle to 13. This in turn causes the carriage 14 to move down the threaded spindle 13. Once the arm 2 is lowered the engineer can fit a torque drill (not shown) to the adaptable utility apparatus 5. The arm 2 is then raised by inputting the command in the control panel. If necessary, the engineer can bend the arm about the hinge 28 and the arm hinge 30 to line the torque drill (not shown) up with a brake caliper, the arm 2 can then be raised to engage the torque drill with the brake caliper. The process is repeated until the bolts are sufficiently loosened to remove the bolts and release the brake caliper. The arm 2 is then lowered as previously and the torque drill changed for the yaw brake engagement tool 8. The yaw brake engagement tool 8 is raised up to the brake caliper and adjusted laterally about the hinge 29 and arm hinge 30 such that the prongs 9a, 9b engage the brake caliper. The engineer can then further adjust the hinge 29 and/or arm hinge 30 such that the brake caliper slides out of position. The wind turbine apparatus 1 fully bears the weight of the brake caliper. The engineer then inputs a command via the control panel for the arm 2 to be lowered thereby lowering the brake caliper. In an embodiment not shown, the adaptable utility apparatus 5 is pivotable thus enabling the brake caliper to be rotated when the arm 2 reaches the surface of the wind turbine platform to set the brake caliper on the surface. The prongs 9a, 9b can be slid away from the brake caliper and used to raise a new brake caliper into position if required. Using the wind turbine apparatus 1, the engineer is not required to lift either a torque drill or a brake caliper throughout any yaw brake installation or maintenance processes.

In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of the parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of the alternatives, is itself preferred to the less preferred value and also to each value lying to between the less preferred value and the intermediate value.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1) An apparatus for use with a wind turbine, the wind turbine apparatus comprising an upright support means, a load bearing means for engaging a load, the load bearing means being operably coupled with the upright support means and being operable to engage with and bear the load of a yaw brake caliper of a yaw system, the apparatus further comprising a means for raising and lowering the load bearing means, and a means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus on a wind turbine, wherein the means for mounting the wind turbine apparatus is capable of mounting the wind turbine apparatus on a platform within the tower of a wind turbine, below the yaw system. 2) 3) C\I 4)CO 5) 6)
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upright support means comprises the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means.
An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means is operable to raise and lower the load bearing means between a platform within the tower of a wind turbine and the yaw system of the wind turbine.
An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the load bearing means comprises an arm and/or a platform.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the arm is an articulated arm.
An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the load bearing means is operable to extend and/or contract.
7) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the wind turbine apparatus is operable to support a yaw brake caliper above a platform surface of a wind turbine such that there is a clearance space between the yaw brake caliper and the platform surface of the wind turbine, the clearance space being directly beneath the yaw brake caliper.
8) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the load bearing means is adaptable for engagement with a torque drill.
9) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the load bearing means comprises an adaptable utility apparatus that is adaptable to engage with a tool and/or a wind turbine yaw component.
10) An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the adaptable utility apparatus is pivotal about the load bearing means.
11) An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein the adaptable utility apparatus comprises a yaw brake engagement tool, the yaw brake engagement tool comprising at least one prong for engaging a yaw brake caliper.
12) An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein the adaptable utility apparatus comprises an apparatus for engaging a power tool such as a torque drill.
13) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means comprises a drive means for raising or lowering the load bearing means.
14) An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the drive means comprising a screw C\I 15 drive actuator.
CO 15) An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14 wherein the drive means comprises a housing which houses at least part of the motor, the driving member, the driven member and/or the connection means.
16) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for raising or lowering the load bearing means comprises an upright guide apparatus, the load bearing means being guided by the upright guide apparatus.
17) An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 when dependent on claim 15 wherein the drive means is operable to move the load bearing means along the upright guide apparatus.
18) An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 when dependent on claim 14 wherein the upright guide apparatus comprises an elongate rail, the elongate rail being a rotatable spindle, and wherein the drive means is operable to rotate the elongate rail thereby moving at least part of the load bearing apparatus along the upright guide apparatus.
19) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the wind turbine apparatus comprises a stop means for stopping the movement of load bearing means in at least one direction.
20) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the wind turbine apparatus comprises a base, the base forming a part of the upright support means.
21) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the load bearing means is substantially perpendicular to the upright guide apparatus.to 22) An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 comprising a means for moving the load bearing means laterally and wherein the load bearing means is pivotally engaged with the means for raising and lowering the load bearing means.23) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a lateral support member, the lateral support member being operable to engage with and/or anchor C\I 15 the wind turbine apparatus to a wind turbine structure.CO 24) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a control means, the control means being operable to control movement of the load bearing means.