Abstract: A method for erecting a multirotor wind turbine (10) is disclosed. A carrier structure (1, 1a, 1b) is arranged circumferentially with respect to a tower structure (2) and hoisted to an upper part of the tower structure (2), using a hoisting arrangement, such as a wire winch arrangement (3, 4, 8). Furthermore, energy generating units (5) may be hoisted to the carrier structure (1, 1a, 1b) using the hoisting arrangement (3, 4, 8). A similar method for dismantling a multirotor wind turbine (10) is also disclosed. The multirotor wind turbine (10) can be erected or dismantled without the need for an external crane.

Abstract: A wind turbine tower configured to support a wind turbine nacelle and a rotor, and with a tower wall of an inner surface and an outer surface. The tower is tethered by a number of cables, each cable extending between a first end anchored to an anchoring element and an opposite, second end attached to the tower at an attachment element. Two cables extending from two different anchoring elements are attached to the tower such that longitudinal projection lines from the second ends of the two cables converge at a convergence point, which lies at a location at a certain height and inside the tower wall thickness. Alternatively, the convergence point lies inside the tower within a distance of three wall thicknesses from the wall inner surface as measured at the height and in a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the tower.

Abstract: This application relates to tower segment handling methods and apparatus and, in particular, to methods and apparatus for handling segments of steel wind turbine towers. The wind turbine tower comprises a plurality of cylindrical vertical tower sections, which in the finished tower are mounted on top of one another. The vertical section of the tower has a longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of wind turbine tower segments, the tower segments have vertical and horizontal edges and combine to form a complete vertical tower section by joining along their vertical edges. Adjacent vertical tower sections are joined to each other along the horizontal edges of the wind turbine tower segments. The tower segments are combined into a tower section using a flat roller bed on which the segments can be assembled. A method of assembling a tower section is discussed.

Abstract: This application relates to hinged tower segments and transport methods, and particularly to methods and apparatus for transporting and storing hinged segments of steel wind turbine towers. The wind turbine tower comprises a plurality of cylindrical vertical tower sections, which in the finished tower are mounted on top of one another. The vertical section of the tower has a longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of wind turbine tower segments, the tower segments have vertical and horizontal edges and combine to form a complete vertical tower section by joining along their edges. Adjacent vertical tower sections are joined to each other along the horizontal edges of the wind turbine tower segments. Hinges are secured between tower segments and the tower segments rotated about the hinged axis to make them suitable for transport or storage. A method of assembling a tower section is discussed.

Abstract: A method for moving a wind turbine component (42) relative to a wind turbine (16) having a tower (18) with a door (26) for closing off an opening (90) through the tower (18) includes removably positioning a transport system (40) relative to the wind turbine (16), the transport system (40) having a track (44) and a powered drive device (118), such that a first end (78) of the track (44) is positioned outside the tower (18), a second end (80) of the track (44) is positioned inside the tower (18), and the track (44) extends through the opening (90) in the tower (18). The transport system (40) is configured to facilitate movement of the wind turbine component (42) between an inside of the tower (18) and an outside of the tower (18) through the opening (90). The method further comprises moving the wind turbine component (42) vertically within the tower (18) away from or toward the track (44) using the powered drive device (118) of the transport system (40).

Abstract: The application relates to an alignment tool (200) for the alignment of a pair of vertical flanges for the connection of the longitudinal edges of adjacent segments of a cylindrical section of a wind turbine tower, and to a system and method utilising one or more such alignment tools (200). The alignment tool comprises mounting means (202) for connecting the alignment tool to a portion of a vertical flange of a tower segment; and a longitudinal alignment head (204) for aligning the vertical flange with an op posing vertical flange of an adjacent tower segment.

Abstract: This application relates to tower segment handling methods and apparatus, and in particular to methods and apparatus for handling segments of steel wind turbine towers. The wind turbine tower comprises a plurality of cylindrical vertical tower sections, which in the finished tower are mounted on top of one another. The vertical section of the tower has a longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of wind turbine tower segments, the tower segments have vertical and horizontal edges and combine to form a complete vertical tower section by joining along their vertical edges. Adjacent vertical tower sections are joined to each other along the horizontal edges of the wind turbine tower segments. The tower segments are combined into a tower section using a flat roller bed on which the segments can be assembled. A method of assembling a tower section is discussed.

Abstract: This application relates to tower segment handling methods and apparatus, and in particular to methods and apparatus for handling segments of steel wind turbine towers. The wind turbine tower comprises a plurality of cylindrical vertical tower sections, which in the finished tower are mounted on top of one another. The vertical section of the tower has a longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of wind turbine tower segments, the tower segments have vertical and horizontal edges and combine to form a complete vertical tower section by joining along their vertical edges. Adjacent vertical tower sections are joined to each other along the horizontal edges of the wind turbine tower segments. The tower segments have support members facilitating storage and transport of the segments. A method of assembling and disassembling a tower section on a roller bed is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a turning stand for turning a rotor hub from a position having its prospective axis of rotation oriented vertically to a position having its prospective axis of rotation oriented inclined or transversally to a vertical orientation. The turning stand comprises a base frame, a curved support frame and a second attachment structure for attachment of a lifting device to the rotor hub. The base frame has a support plane and a first attachment structure for attachment to a rotor shaft link of a rotor hub, the support plane and the first attachment structure being arranged on opposite sides of the base frame. The curved support frame comprises a curved frame section and a straight frame section having a curved support surface section and a straight support surface section, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for moving a wind turbine component, such as a wind turbine hub, from a transportation position to a wind turbine assembly position. The method comprises the steps of: attaching a handling unit to a structural part of the wind turbine component, operatively connecting the handling unit to a wire of a crane system, lifting the wind turbine component with the crane system to an assembly position of the wind turbine, the handling unit and the wind turbine component being suspended from a wire of the crane system, and rotating the wind turbine component with the handling unit during the lifting of the wind turbine component in order to orientate the wind turbine component for assembly. The invention also relates to a handling unit and a wind turbine hub and use hereof.

Abstract: A system and method for handling a wind turbine tower section generally includes a fixture that supports an end of the tower section in a substantially horizontal orientation. The fixture includes a plurality of adaptor holes. A corresponding number of inserts are positioned within the adaptor holes. Each of the inserts include at least one bolt hole aligned with a bolt hole in a flange of the tower section when positioned in the corresponding adaptor hole. This allows the fixture to be secured to the tower section by bolting the inserts to the flange. The fixture can then be used as a storage foot, a lifting point, a lashing point to a truck, railcar, or vessel, or in other ways to handle the tower section.

Abstract: A service crane for a wind turbine having a nacelle and a hub. One or more wing blades is attached to the hub via a wing pitch bearing, and the service crane includes an attachment foundation for connection to the hub. The service crane is adapted to be mounted on the wind turbine during operation and to be dismounted when not being used. The attachment foundation of the service crane is mounted on the hub of the wind turbine via the wing pitch bearing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport system for transporting a large element having a longitudinal extension, such as a wind turbine nacelle. The transport system comprises a transport means having a first and a second transport unit, a base structure having a first and a second side and being adapted for supporting and connecting with the large element to be transported, and transport equipment having a first part adapted to be connected to the first side of the base structure and to the first transport unit and a second part adapted to be connected to the second transport unit. The first part engages with the second part. The invention also relates to a transport method.

Abstract: A system and method for handling a wind turbine tower section generally includes a fixture that supports an end of the tower section in a substantially horizontal orientation. The fixture includes a plurality of adaptor holes. A corresponding number of inserts are positioned within the adaptor holes. Each of the inserts include at least one bolt hole aligned with a bolt hole in a flange of the tower section when positioned in the corresponding adaptor hole. This allows the fixture to be secured to the tower section by bolting the inserts to the flange. The fixture can then be used as a storage foot, a lifting point, a lashing point to a truck, railcar, or vessel, or in other ways to handle the tower section.

Abstract: A telescopic vehicle for road transport of at least one long object, comprising: a rear vehicle portion being supported by at least one pair of wheels, the rear vehicle portion having a rear support structure for supporting the long object; and a front vehicle portion being telescopically connected to the rear vehicle portion to enable adjustment of a total length of the vehicle, the front vehicle portion having a front support structure for supporting the long object. At least one of the rear support structure and the front support structure is configured to allow relative movement between the long object and the respective vehicle portion, when the total length of the vehicle is adjusted.

Abstract: A method of transporting a wind turbine component on an existing road includes loading the wind turbine component on a transportation device in a first orientation using the transportation device, reorienting the component to a second orientation while mounted on the transportation device, and using the transportation device to transport the component on the road. The transportation device includes a trailer having a front portion and a rear portion, each including a fixed frame, a movable frame, lift actuators, and a connecting member configured to be coupled to the component. A drive system is provided for rotating the component when mounted on the transportation device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of lifting a wind turbine nacelle (1), the method comprising: arranging a first and second anchoring point (2,3) on each of two opposing sides of the nacelle (1), the first point (2) of each side being arranged below the center of gravity (4) of the nacelle (1) and the second point (3) of each side being arranged above the center of gravity (4), wherein one of said first and second anchoring point (2,3) of each side is immovably arranged, and wherein the other one of said first and second anchoring point (2,3) of each side is movably arranged; interconnecting said first and second anchoring point (2,3) on respective side of the nacelle (1) by means of one connecting element (5) per each of the two sides; connecting each of said connecting elements (5) to a hoisting means (11); adjusting the position of each of the movable anchoring points such that each of the connecting elements (5) is vertically aligned when lifting the nacelle (1) by the hoisting means (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport system for transporting a large element having a longitudinal extension, such as a wind turbine nacelle. The transport system comprises a transport means having a first and a second transport unit, a base structure having a first and a second side and being adapted for supporting and connecting with the large element to be transported, and transport equipment having a first part adapted to be connected to the firstside of the base structure and to the first transport unit and a second part adapted to be connected to the second transport unit. The first part engages with the second part. The invention also relates to a transport method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of lifting a wind turbine nacelle (1), the method comprising: arranging a first and second anchoring point (2,3) on each of two opposing sides of the nacelle (1), the first point (2) of each side being arranged below the centre of gravity (4) of the nacelle (1) and the second point (3) of each side being arranged above the centre of gravity (4), wherein one of said first and second anchoring point (2,3) of each side is immovably arranged, and wherein the other one of said first and second anchoring point (2,3) of each side is movably arranged; interconnecting said first and second anchoring point (2,3) on respective side of the nacelle (1) by means of one connecting element (5) per each of the two sides; connecting each of said connecting elements (5) to a hoisting means (11); adjusting the position of each of the movable anchoring points such that each of the connecting elements (5) is vertically aligned when lifting the nacelle (1) by the hoisting means (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a service crane for a wind turbine comprising a nacelle and a hub. One or more wing blades is attached to the hub via a wing pitch bearing, and the service crane comprises an attachment foundation for connection to the hub. The service crane is adapted to be mounted on the wind turbine during operation and to be dismounted when not being used. The attachment foundation of the service crane is mounted on the hub of the wind turbine via the wing pitch bearing.