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EP-4739911-A1 - IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO SERVICE GALLERIES IN WIND TURBINE TOWERS

EP4739911A1EP 4739911 A1EP4739911 A1EP 4739911A1EP-4739911-A1

Abstract

According to one aspect there is provided a wind turbine tower platform assembly comprising a platform floor adapted to be connected to a wind turbine tower section. The platform floor defines a hatchway, and the wind turbine tower platform assembly further comprises a fall protection barrier surrounding at least a portion of the hatchway in the platform floor. The fall protection barrier comprises a first barrier module connected to the platform floor and configured to extend away from the platform floor for a first distance. The fall protection barrier further comprises a second barrier module connected to the first barrier module and configured to extend away from the first barrier module for a second distance.

Inventors

  • Irulappan, Nilaventhan
  • P K, Shoban
  • Ramasamy, Mohan
  • NASREEN, Zuvera

Assignees

  • VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240618

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) comprising: a platform floor (32) adapted to be connected to a wind turbine tower section (22), the platform floor defining a hatchway (34); a fall protection barrier (35) surrounding at least a portion of the hatchway in the platform floor; wherein the fall protection barrier comprises: a first barrier module (36) connected to the platform floor and configured to extend away from the platform floor for a first distance Hi; a second barrier module (38) connected to the first barrier module and configured to extend away from the first barrier module for a second distance H2.
  2. 2. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of Claim 1, wherein the second barrier module (38) is removably connected to the first barrier module (36).
  3. 3. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein one of the first barrier module (36) and the second barrier module (38) comprises a socket arrangement (44) which engages with a rail arrangement (42) of the other one of the first barrier module and the second barrier module.
  4. 4. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first barrier module (36) has an open-frame structure.
  5. 5. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of Claim 4, further comprising a plurality of substantially planar panels (50) attached to the open-frame structure of the first barrier module (36).
  6. 6. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second barrier module (38) has an open-frame structure.
  7. 7. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of Claim 6, wherein the open-frame structure of the second barrier module (38) comprises a plurality of interconnected frame members (48).
  8. 8. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of Claim 7, wherein the interconnected frame members (48) are attachable independently to the first barrier module (36).
  9. 9. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of substantially planar panels (50) attached to the second barrier module (38).
  10. 10. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of Claim 5 or Claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of substantially planar panels (50) defines a viewing window (52).
  11. 11. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first barrier module (36) and/or the second barrier module (38) includes a coupling (54) adapted to be connectable to a surface of an associated tower section (22).
  12. 12. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of Claim 11 , wherein the coupling (54) is adapted to provide at least one degree of freedom for the respective first and/or second barrier module (36, 38).
  13. 13. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of Claim 12, wherein the at least one degree of freedom is perpendicular to the surface of the associated tower section (22).
  14. 14. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of any one of Claims 11 to 13, wherein the coupling (54) is adapted to releasably affix to the associated tower section (22) and, optionally, to releasably affix magnetically.
  15. 15. The wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second distance H2 that the second barrier module (38) extends away from the first barrier module (36) is greater than the first distance Hi that the first barrier module extends away from the platform floor (32).
  16. 16. A method of enhancing safety in a wind turbine tower section (22), wherein the wind turbine tower section comprises a tower section wall (24) having a tower section upper flange (26), a wind turbine tower platform assembly (30) attached to the tower section wall below the tower section upper flange, wherein the wind turbine tower platform assembly comprises a platform floor (32) defining a hatchway (34), wherein a fall protection barrier (35) surrounds at least a portion of the hatchway, the fall protection barrier comprising a first barrier module (36) connected to the platform floor, the method comprising: transporting a second barrier module (38) through the hatchway to a position above the platform floor; assembling the second barrier module on top of the first barrier module so as to extend away from the first barrier module so that the second barrier module extends above the tower section upper flange.
  17. 17. The method of Claim 16, wherein the first barrier module (36) is configured to extend away from the platform floor (32) for a first distance Hi that is less than or equal to the distance from the platform floor to the tower section upper flange (26) that is less than or equal to the distance from the platform floor to the tower section upper flange.
  18. 18. The method of Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein the step of assembling the second barrier module (38) on top of the first barrier module (36) comprises connecting a plurality of second barrier module frame members (48) to the first barrier module.
  19. 19. The method of any one of Claims 16 to 18, wherein the step of assembling the second barrier module (38) on top of the first barrier module (36) comprises attaching substantially planar panels (50) to the second barrier module (38).
  20. 20. The method of any one of Claims 16 to 19, wherein the step of assembling the second barrier module (38) on top of the first barrier module (36) comprises connecting the second barrier module to the tower section wall (24) using a releasable coupling arrangement (54).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO SERVICE GALLERIES IN WIND TURBINE TOWERS Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a wind turbine tower, and more particularly to a wind turbine tower platform assembly. Background Wind turbine towers are typically tall, tubular structures that support the rotor and nacelle of a wind turbine and are designed to elevate the turbine components to a height where the wind is stronger and more consistent, thereby maximizing the efficiency of energy generation. The construction and maintenance of wind turbine towers require specialized equipment and techniques, as well as skilled personnel who can safely and effectively perform the necessary tasks. A wind turbine tower may be constructed according to several different principles, for example, as tubular steel towers, lattice towers, or even concrete towers. Most large wind turbines comprise tubular steel towers manufactured in sections (referred to herein as ‘tower sections’) of 20-40 meters in length with flanges at either end. The tower sections are bolted together at their flanges on the site of the wind turbine installation. Wind turbine towers are typically conical in order to increase strength and save materials. Tower sections typically are manufactured complete with internal components to make on-site installation less complex and time consuming. Therefore, each tower section is usually equipped with auxiliary items such as ladders, lights, and power cables installed on the inner surface of the tower by suitable techniques such as welded or bolted connections. Typically, a tower section will include a platform located close to its upper flange. The platform provides a safe working space for installation personnel to perform various tasks, and particularly during installation to install the bolted connection at the tower flange. Such work platforms typically include at least one hatchway which provide an access route for personnel and/or equipment to be lifted through the tower section. To improve safety, such hatchways are required to be provided with a safety cage, barrier or gallery which guards against personnel or objects falling through the hatchway. However, the proximity of the platform assembly to the upper flange of the tower section compromises the design of such safety barriers. It is against this background that the invention has been devised. Summary of the Invention According to one aspect there is provided a wind turbine tower platform assembly comprising a platform floor adapted to be connected to a wind turbine tower section. The platform floor defines a hatchway, and the wind turbine tower platform assembly further comprises a fall protection barrier surrounding at least a portion of the hatchway in the platform floor. The fall protection barrier comprises a first barrier module connected to the platform floor and configured to extend away from the platform floor for a first distance. The fall protection barrier further comprises a second barrier module connected to the first barrier module and configured to extend away from the first barrier module for a second distance. Such an arrangement increases safety for personnel supported by the platform floor when working in the wind turbine tower. The fall protection barrier reduces the risk of accidents such as fall or trips related to the hatchway defined in the platform floor. In particular the second barrier module increases safety by increasing the height of the fall protection barrier. Optional features of the aspects of the invention are set out in the dependent claims. Note that these optional features are combinable with each other without limitation, save for the case that a specific limitation is discussed explicitly in the discussion that follows. Brief Description of the Drawings So that it may be more fully understood, the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which like features are assigned like reference numerals, and in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a wind turbine comprising a nacelle supported on a tower; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tower section of the wind turbine in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tower platform assembly in the tower section; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fall protection barrier of the tower platform assembly; Figure 5 is another perspective view of the fall protection barrier; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fall protection barrier including substantially planar panels; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a tower platform assembly including a fall protection barrier for arrangement at an upper level of the tower; Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an attachment arrangement for connecting first and second barrier modules of the fall protection barrier; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of a coupling for connecting the fall protection barrier to an interior surface of the tower section. Detailed Descrip