US20090173577A1

US20090173577A1 - Working platform

Info

Publication number: US20090173577A1
Application number: US11/817,950
Authority: US
Inventors: Aloys Wobben
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-16
Filing date: 2006-03-16
Publication date: 2009-07-09
Also published as: EP1861564B1; NO20075276L; AU2006224584B2; AU2010202780A1; CA2600853A1; DE502006006976D1; NO339741B1; PT1861564E; KR20100021534A; JP2008533334A; CN101137806A; KR101009519B1; DE102005012497A1; CA2600853C; WO2006097505A1; PL1861564T3; ES2343368T3; DK1861564T3; KR20070112238A; CN100535361C

Abstract

The invention concerns a working platform assembly for use in the interior of a tower-like building. The object of the present invention is to provide a working platform assembly which can be used in the interior of a tower-like building even if the tower is closed at the top by an upper structure thereon. According to the invention that object is attained by a scissor lattice-like carrier structure and a working platform arranged on the carrier structure. In that respect the invention is based on the that the working platform assembly according to the invention can be adapted to different inside diameters of the tower-like building by virtue of the scissor lattice-like carrier structure and can thus extend completely across the tower cross-section. That makes it possible to work on the platform assembly. The working platform assembly can be released from the tower wall by the scissor lattice-like carrier structure and fixed again in another region of the building of a different cross-section.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
The present invention concerns a working platform assembly for use in the interior of a tower-like building.
2. Description of the Related Art
When erecting a tower-like building such as for example a pylon of a wind power installation it is necessary inter alia also to carry out operations in the interior of the tower-like building. For that purpose typically a working platform assembly is fixed to a crane and introduced from above into the interior of the tower-like building. That is only possible however as long as the upper end of the tower-like building is open. As soon as the tower-like building is closed off upwardly it is no longer possible to use a working platform assembly on a crane. As the pylon of a wind power installation can attain for example a height of 100 meters operations in the interior of the pylon are not readily possible.
At this juncture as state of the art attention is directed generally to the following publications: DE 366 A; AT 203 033 and U.S. Pat. No 1,652,403.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide a working platform assembly which can be used in the interior of a tower-like building.
That object is attained by a working platform assembly as set forth in claim 1 and by a system for the use of a working platform assembly as set forth in claim 8.
Thus there is provided a working platform assembly which can be used in the interior of a tower-like building such as for example a pylon of a wind power installation. The working platform assembly has a scissor lattice-like carrier structure. A working platform is arranged on that carrier structure.
Therefore there is provided a working platform assembly which can be adapted to different cross-sections. That is of significance in particular in relation to tower-like buildings whose cross-sections narrow upwardly so that the available area for a working platform assembly varies accordingly.
A scissor lattice-like support arrangement is provided as the carrier structure for a working platform assembly, which support arrangement climbs upwardly in the interior of a tower or pylon with the building progress and has a working platform assembly. Such a working platform assembly or internal platform assembly can advantageously be used in relation to towers or pylons which are made from pre-cast concrete parts.
The pre-cast concrete parts used for erecting a tower or pylon have at their inner periphery holders on which the inner platform assembly or parts thereof can be suspended. Preferably those holders are disposed at predetermined heights and spacings. Holders can either be mounted at the outset in the pre-cast concrete parts or they can be subsequently fitted therein. The holders which are arranged in a distributed configuration permit the working platform assembly to behave in a similar fashion to a mountain climber who drives hooks into a mountain face above his position and then continues to climb up to those hooks.
Subsequent fitment of those hooks is basically possible but is time-consuming. Thus the holders are preferably fitted at the start so that a working platform assembly can quickly climb up or down on those holders.
It will be noted however that subsequent installation may be appropriate if the alternative is temporary dismantling of the wind power installation pod as that requires considerably more effort.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention arranged around the central carrier element is an actuating element which acts on the lower scissor lattice bars which bear against the central carrier element. The lower scissor lattice bars can be subjected to a tensile force by the actuating element. That results in retraction of the scissor lattice and thus a reduction in the size of the working platform assembly so that it can be moved into a part of the tower which is of smaller cross-section. In contrast, acting on the scissor lattice bars with a pressure force results in extension of the scissor lattice structure and thus an increase in the size of the working platform assembly. If the working platform assembly already extends through the entire tower cross-section and bears against the wall of the tower the pressing force exerted on the scissor lattice bars can provide for adjusting the contact pressure with which the peripheral edge of the working platform assembly bears against the tower wall.
Further configurations of the invention are set forth in the appendant claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments by way of example of the present invention are described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 to 4 each show a cross-section through a tower-like building in the erection of the building in accordance with the first embodiment,

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a tower-like building with a working platform assembly disposed therein,

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through a tower-like building with a corresponding working platform assembly,

FIG. 7 shows a further cross-section of a tower-like building with a working platform assembly in accordance with the first embodiment, and

FIG. 8 shows a simplified view of an individual plate of the working platform assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through a tower-like building 100 with a working platform assembly in accordance with the first embodiment. The building 100 which is in the course of construction, preferably a pylon of a wind power installation, has two pre-cast concrete parts 10, 11 which were produced at the outset and which are arranged one upon the other. The working platform assembly 50 is lowered into the interior of the tower-like building by means of a crane cable 20. In this example, the working platform assembly 50 substantially comprises a carrier structure which has scissor lattice-like carrier arms 5, and a working platform 7. A cable 2 may extend from a Tirak winch 1 for power input from the ground region. Tirak is a brand of winches well known in the art for lifting objects and other functions.
FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through a tower-like building with a working platform assembly in accordance with the first embodiment. While FIG. 1 shows a situation in which the working platform assembly is introduced into the interior of the tower-like building, FIG. 2 shows the situation in which the working platform assembly has been extended and extends completely across the tower cross-section. That is substantially achieved by the scissor lattice-like carrier arms 5 being extended until they are in contact with the inside wall of the tower-like building. A plurality of Tirak winches 1 are provided in the lower region of the working platform assembly. They are preferably each mounted to an outer end of each scissor lattice arm. People and material and tooling can be disposed on the platform 7 which preferably extends over the entire cross-section of the interior of the tower-like building. In that respect the platform 7 takes over the function of a working platform assembly and the people can there perform working steps in order to erect the tower-like building.
FIG. 3 shows a further cross-section through the tower-like building with a working platform assembly in accordance with the first embodiment. While only two pre-cast concrete parts 10 and 11 are shown in a condition of already being fitted in position in each of FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 3 shows the situation in which a further pre-cast concrete part 12 is being mounted on the two pre-cast concrete parts 10 and 11 which have already been installed. Additional sections will be added as desired to build the pylon tower. In order on the one hand to secure the working platform assembly and on the other hand to permit it to climb in the interior of the tower, provided in the inside wall of the pre-cast concrete parts are holders 3 on which cables (not shown) are suspended. Those cables pass through the Tirak winches so that the platform assembly according to the invention can move in a vertical direction along the cables within the tower by suitable actuation of the Tirak winches.
A power supply for the working platform assembly and its Tirak winches can be provided for example by a cable 2 from below.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of a tower-like building with a working platform assembly in accordance with the first embodiment. Here, three pre-cast concrete parts 10, 11 and 12 have now been assembled and the working platform assembly 50 has to be moved upwardly in order to permit operations to be carried out in the upper pre-cast concrete part 10 and/or fitment of the subsequent pre-cast concrete part. For that purpose one of the workers can climb by means of a ladder 15 to the holder 3 on the inside wall of the third pre-cast concrete part 12 in order to appropriately fix a cable of the Tirak winch 1 there. As an alternative to the ladder 15 it is also possible to use a telescopic bar. Preferably the number of holders 3 at the inside wall of the tower-like building should be at least equal to the number of Tirak winches so that the cables of the Tirak winches can be suitably fixed thereto. For that purpose, the brake on a respective winch is released so that the cable can be pulled upwardly. After the cable has been attached to the upper holder the cable is fixed in the winch again so that the platform assembly is also again carried by that cable. Thereupon the next winch is released and attached to the corresponding upper holder 3, and so forth.
During those preparatory operations for displacing the working platform assembly within the tower it is repeatedly not held for a short time by a respective winch or the associated cable. The load of the working platform assembly must then be respectively carried by the other holders and cables.
FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through a tower-like building with a working platform assembly in accordance with the first embodiment. The scissor lattice-like carrier arms 5 of the working platform assembly are to be seen here. In addition the working platform assembly has rollers 16 (6 rollers are shown in this example but fewer or less can be used) externally on the working platform assembly. When the working platform assembly is extended the rollers then come into contact with the inside wall of the tower-like building so that the working platform assembly 50 can be more easily moved upwardly or downwardly and damage to the inside wall of the tower and/or the working platform assembly during the movement is avoided.
The platform includes a predetermined number of plates 17, which is greater by 1 than the number of carrier arms. All plates 17 are of a circular round configuration in the present embodiment. One of those plates includes a central rod (see reference 60 in FIG. 6) in order to close the central part of the platform.
The other plates 17 are each arranged on a respective carrier arm and fixed to the outer end of the carrier arm. Those plates are further provided with an opening slot 19. That opening 19 extends outwardly in a straight line in a radial direction from the center of the plate. In that respect the opening is of a width which is slightly greater than the diameter of the central rod. In situ each of those plates is so oriented that its opening faces towards the central rod 60. As the arms 5 expand, the plates 17 spread apart, providing a larger platform 7.
FIG. 6 shows a detailed sectional view through the working platform assembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. In this case the scissor lattice-like carrier arms 5 are extended on the right-hand side. In that way a larger internal cross-section of the tower-like building can be covered by the working platform assembly.
FIG. 7 shows a further detailed cross-section of the tower-like building with the working platform assembly in accordance with the first embodiment. This FIG. 7 shows a situation in which the working platform assembly is disposed within a pre-cast concrete part 12 in the upper region of the tower-like building. In this case, the cross-section of that pre-cast concrete part is smaller than the cross-section of the pre-cast concrete part 10 shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly the scissor lattice-like carrier arms 5 of the working platform assembly are adapted to the cross-section which decreases in size when the working platform assembly is displaced upwardly, by the arms being retracted.
Accordingly there can be provided an internal platform assembly or working platform assembly which can itself climb up or down in the tower. For example in the case of a pylon of a wind power installation it is no longer necessary to go up or down from the pod in a basket with a winch. Rather there is now provided an internal platform assembly which can extend completely across the pylon and which can easily climb up where precisely working operations are to be executed. Furthermore by virtue of the configuration of the scissor lattice-like carrier arms 5 it can adapt to different pylon cross-sections.
As soon as the working platform assembly is no longer required it can be retracted by the scissor lattice-like carrier arms being contracted. Thereafter the working platform assembly can be removed again for example through a door in the pylon of a wind power installation. Preferably the working platform assembly has a central rod 60 and scissor lattice/carrier arms 5 pivotably mounted thereto. Arranged on the carrier arms 5 are plates 17 which then form the working platform 7. The so-called through-pass winches or Tirak winches are provided beneath the carrier arms. With Tirak or through-pass winches of that kind, the working platform assembly can itself climb up or down on cables extending through the winches. The cables of the Tirak winches 1 are preferably fixed to holders 3 at the inside of the tower-like building so that the Tirak winches can run up or down on the cables. Preferably a plurality of Tirak winches are provided at the periphery of the working platform assembly. For moving up or down the cables of the Tirak winches have to be successively released from the holders and fitted to the next higher or next lower holder, depending on whether the working platform assembly is to be moved up or down. Preferably there are at least five Tirak winches at the periphery of the working platform assembly so that there are also at least five cables with the corresponding holders 3.
The plates 17 of the working platform are preferably of such a configuration that they overlap each other so that the working platform 7 can adapt to the different cross-sections within a tower-like building.
That adaptation operation takes place as follows. As the plates 17 of the working platform 7 overlap and do not lie in front of each other in butting relationship, they can move relative to each other. That movement of a plate 7 inevitably occurs upon actuation of the scissor lattice. When the scissor lattice is retracted the plate which is fixed thereto moves towards the central rod and vice-versa.
As each of the plates 17 in fixed to a carrier arm 5 has an opening which is directed towards the central rod and is somewhat wider than same retraction of a carrier arm with the concomitant movement of the corresponding plate 7 does not result in the plate 7 colliding with the central rod. Rather the opening moves towards the central rod and receives it. The length of the opening is a measurement of the extent to which the platform can be pushed together or the scissor lattice-like carrier arm can be retracted.
A simplified representation of a plate 17 is shown in FIG. 8.
The rollers 6 at the periphery of the working platform assembly 50 are provided so that the working platform assembly rolls against the inside of the tower wall and does not scrape along it there.
The working platform assembly which is adjustable in its cross-section can provide a working platform which is adapted to the cross-section of a tower-like building which narrows upwardly.
The above-described working platform assembly is found to be particularly advantageous when a pod of a wind power installation is already arranged on the pylon of the wind power installation and there is thus no longer any possible way of gaining access to the interior of the pylon of the wind power installation by means of a crane from above. In such a situation the working platform assembly which can be collapsed or which can be dismantled can be introduced through the door in the lower region of the pylon and appropriately set up so that it can then move up and down along the pylon by means of the holders 3 which are disposed in the pylon segments.
As the scissor expands, the plate 17 that is fixed to the respective arm 5 also moves from the center, providing an enlargement of the platform 10. As the arms are pushed together, the slots 19 go over central rod 60, making the platform smaller.
The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.
These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A working platform assembly for use in the interior of a tower-like building comprising:

a scissor lattice-like carrier structure,

a working platform arranged on the carrier structure,

wherein the carrier structure has at least three scissor lattice-like carrier arms spaced at a uniform arcuate distance,

a central carrier element to which the scissor lattice-like carrier structures are pivotably mounted in radial orientation and are radially extendable,

a plurality of mutually partially overlappling plates that form at least a portion of the working platform.

each of the plates having an opening that, extends from a central position of the plate in a radial direction towards the central carrier element.

2. A working platform assembly according to claim 1 characterized by a Tirak winch at the peripheral end of each carrier arm.

3. A working platform assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized by an actuating element which is arranged around the central carrier element and acts on the lower scissor lattice bars bearing against the central carrier element and is arranged along the central carrier element.

4. A working platform assembly according to claim 1 characterized by a holder for attaching cables which are fixed to the wall in the interior of the tower-like building at predetermined spacings, wherein the cables are guided through the Tirak winches.

5. A working platform assembly according to claim 4 characterized by a transverse member which can be arranged releasably in a tower segment which is to be fitted in position and which co-operates with the actuating element by means of a cable and a winch.