Cross-reference to Related

This application claims the benefit of United States patent application USSN 63/421 ,387 filed November 1 , 2022 and United States patent application USSN 63/530,600 filed August 3, 2023, the entire contents of all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

Field

This application relates to wind turbines, more particularly to a system and method for opening a roof panel of a nacelle of a wind turbine.

Background

A nacelle of a wind turbine typically comprises one or more roof panels that require opening in order to access the inside of the nacelle to replace major components of the wind turbine (e.g., main shaft, gearbox, generator, rotor and the like) and/or to install one or more robust lift systems in the nacelle. Heretofore, it has been necessary to lower roof panels to the ground in order to provide enough space to enable major components and more robust lift systems to be removed and installed. However, for an offshore wind turbine or other wind turbines erected in areas where the ground is unavailable to receive the roof panels, there is a need for being able to completely open and remove at least one of the roof panels from the nacelle without needing to lower a roof panel to the ground.

A system for opening a roof panel of a nacelle of a wind turbine, the system comprising: a bracket arm mountable in the nacelle beneath the roof panel, the bracket arm pivotally connectable to a sidewall of the nacelle inside the nacelle, the bracket arm mountable underneath the roof panel to a portion of the roof panel; and, a lifting device mountable in the nacelle, the lifting device operable when connected to the roof panel to move the roof panel vertically and horizontally to move the roof panel into a vertical orientation by the sidewall of the nacelle outside the nacelle.

A method for opening a roof panel of a nacelle of a wind turbine comprises utilizing the system described above.

In one embodiment, the method of opening a roof panel of a nacelle of a wind turbine comprises: connecting a lifting device to the roof panel proximate an inner edge of the roof panel; disconnecting the roof panel from roof panel connections that connect the roof panel to a sidewall of the nacelle; pivotally mounting a bracket arm to the sidewall of the nacelle and pivotally mounting the bracket arm to a portion of the roof panel on an underside of the roof panel farther from the inner edge of the roof panel than where the lifting device is connected to the roof panel; and, operating the lifting device to move the roof panel vertically and horizontally to move the roof panel into a vertical orientation by the sidewall of the nacelle outside the nacelle.

In another embodiment, the method of opening a roof panel of a nacelle of a wind turbine comprises: rigidly connecting a bracket arm to the roof panel; pivotally connecting the bracket arm to sidewall of the nacelle inside the nacelle; pivotally connecting a lifting device in the nacelle to the nacelle and the bracket arm; and, operating the lifting device to move the roof panel vertically and horizontally to move the roof panel into a vertical orientation by the sidewall of the nacelle outside the nacelle.

The system and method permit opening a roof panel of a nacelle of a wind turbine and situating the opened roof panel in a location that is mostly below an upper edge of the sidewall of the nacelle and out of the way of any lift systems and wind turbine components during a maintenance operation, while not needing to lower the roof panel to the ground.

Further features will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description. It should be understood that each feature described herein may be utilized in any combination with any one or more of the other described features, and that each feature does not necessarily rely on the presence of another feature except where evident to one of skill in the art.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For clearer understanding, preferred embodiments will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 depicts a schematic front cross-section of a nacelle of a wind turbine showing a first variation of a roof panel opening system, the roof panel opening system mounted in the nacelle holding a nacelle roof panel when the nacelle roof panel has been disconnected from the nacelle but is still in a horizontal orientation in the nacelle.

Fig. 2 depicts the nacelle after Fig. 1 when the roof panel opening system has lifted the nacelle roof panel to a position higher than a side of the nacelle. Fig. 3 depicts the nacelle after Fig. 2 when the roof panel opening system has begun to tilt the nacelle roof panel and to move the nacelle roof panel over the side of the nacelle.

Fig. 4 depicts the nacelle after Fig. 3 when the roof panel opening system has moved the nacelle roof panel substantially completely over the side of the nacelle.

Fig. 5 depicts the nacelle after Fig. 4 when the nacelle roof panel is opened and the roof panel opening system has tilted the nacelle roof panel into a vertical orientation and lowered the nacelle roof panel to a temporary storage position outside and beside the nacelle.

Fig. 6 depicts an overview of a method of opening a nacelle roof panel in which Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 are depicted sequentially side-by-side.

Fig. 7 depicts a schematic front cross-section of a nacelle of a wind turbine showing a second variation of a roof panel opening system, the roof panel opening system installed in the nacelle below the roof panel.

Fig. 8 depicts the nacelle after Fig. 7 when the roof panel opening system has lifted the nacelle roof panel to a position higher than a side of the nacelle.

Fig. 9 depicts the nacelle after Fig. 8 when the roof panel opening system has begun to move the nacelle roof panel over the side of the nacelle.

Fig. 10 depicts the nacelle after Fig. 9 when the roof panel opening system has moved the nacelle roof panel higher and further over the side of the nacelle.

Fig. 11 depicts the nacelle after Fig. 10 when the roof panel opening system has begun to tilt the nacelle roof panel downward and has moved the nacelle roof panel even further over the side of the nacelle

Fig. 12 depicts the nacelle after Fig. 11 when the roof panel opening system has almost completely moved the nacelle roof panel over the side of the nacelle.

Fig. 13 depicts the nacelle after Fig. 12 when the nacelle roof panel is opened and the roof panel opening system has tilted the nacelle roof panel into a vertical orientation and lowered the nacelle roof panel to a temporary storage position outside and beside the nacelle.

Fig. 14 depicts the nacelle after Fig. 13 with the roof panel opening system uninstalled and with the nacelle roof panel secured in the temporary storage position. Fig. 15 depicts an overview of a method of opening a nacelle roof panel in which Fig. 7 to Fig. 14 are depicted sequentially from top left to bottom right.

Detailed Description

The system for opening a roof panel of a nacelle of a wind turbine comprises a lifting device and a bracket arm, and optionally one or more stabilizing devices.

The lifting device may be powered manually, hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically. Some examples of lifting devices include cranes, winches, turnbuckles, ratcheted lines or straps, telescoping actuators (e.g., hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders or electric linear actuators) and the like. One or more than one lifting device may be utilized. In some embodiments, the lifting device may be an existing service crane found in the nacelle of many models of wind turbines or some other lift system installed in the nacelle. In some embodiments, the lifting device comprises a boom crane comprising a boom, a hydraulic cylinder to raise and lower the boom and a winch connected to a lift line to raise and lower the lift line. In some embodiments, the lifting device comprises a first telescoping actuator pivotally connectable to the nacelle and pivotally connected to the arm bracket. In some embodiments, the lifting device comprises a second telescoping actuator connected to the arm bracket and pivotally connected to the second telescoping actuator. However, any lifting device that is mountable in the nacelle of the wind turbine and that can lift, hold and move vertically and horizontally a roof panel of the nacelle is suitable.

When installed inside the nacelle, the bracket arm is connected to the roof panel. The bracket arm may be connected rigidly (i.e., immovably) or pivotally to the roof panel. The bracket arm may be connected to an underside of the roof panel, or to any other accessible portion of the roof panel, for example a front or rear edge of the roof panel. The bracket arm preferably has a U-shaped portion that hooks over the sidewall of the nacelle to support the opened door on a top edge of the sidewall of the nacelle outside and beside the sidewall nacelle with arms of the U-shaped portion bracketing the sidewall therebetween.

In some embodiments, the bracket arm comprises a first link rigidly mountable to the sidewall inside the nacelle. In some embodiments, the bracket arm comprises a second link pivotally mounted to the first link and pivotally mountable to the roof panel. The second link is sized shaped to hook over an upper edge of the sidewall when the roof panel is moved vertically and horizontally by the lifting device. In some embodiments, the bracket arm comprises more than two independent links in which some of the independent links are rigidly connected to another of the independent links. In some embodiments, the bracket arm comprises a single monolithic link pivotally connected to the roof panel and the sidewall of the nacelle.

In some embodiments, the bracket arm has a U-shaped portion configured to straddle an upper edge of the sidewall of the nacelle. In some embodiments, a portion of the bracket arm on one side of the U-shaped portion is pivotally connected to the roof panel. The bracket may comprise linear sections, arcuate sections or sections that have both linear and arcuate portions. However independent sections are shaped, the bracket arm has dimensions and an overall shape designed to be able to rotate about a pivot point to carry and re-orient the roof panel so that the roof panel can be moved by the lifting device from a horizontal orientation over the nacelle to a vertical orientation by the sidewall of the nacelle outside the nacelle.

In some embodiments, the bracket arm comprises a first link rigidly mountable to the sidewall inside the nacelle. In some embodiments, the bracket arm comprises a second link pivotally mounted at a first pivot point to the first link and pivotally mountable at a second pivot point to the roof panel. In some embodiments, the second link comprises a proximal section pivotally mounted to the first link at the first pivot point. In some embodiments, the second link comprises a distal section pivotally mountable to the roof panel at the second pivot point. In some embodiments, the second link comprises a middle section between the proximal and distal sections defining a U-shaped portion between the first and second pivot points. In some embodiments, the proximal section has a length longer than a first distance between the first link and an upper edge of the sidewall. In some embodiments, the middle section has a length longer than a second distance between the first pivot point and sidewall. In some embodiments, the distal section has a length longer than a third distance between the second pivot point and a meeting point where the middle section meets the distal section. In some embodiments, the second link folds over the upper edge of the sidewall to situate the roof panel in the vertical orientation by the sidewall outside the nacelle when the roof panel is moved vertically and horizontally by the lifting device.

In some embodiments, the bracket arm is pivotally mountable to a central portion of the roof panel on the underside of the roof panel. In some embodiments, the bracket arm is pivotally mountable to a side portion of the roof panel on the underside of the roof panel. In some embodiments, the bracket arm is pivotally mountable to a center of the central portion of the roof panel. In some embodiments, the bracket arm is pivotally mountable to the central portion but off-center from the center of the central portion. In some embodiments, the nacelle comprises a roof panel connection to which the roof panel was connected, wherein the first link is mountable to the roof panel connections.

In some embodiments, the bracket arm comprises a series of arm segments sized and shaped to permit the bracket arm to hook over an upper edge of the sidewall when the roof panel is moved vertically and horizontally by the lifting device. In some embodiments, the series of arm segments comprises a proximal segment pivotally mountable at a proximal end thereof to the sidewall inside the nacelle. In some embodiments, the series of arm segments comprises a distal segment rigidly mountable to the roof panel. In some embodiments, the series of arm segments comprises a middle segment between the proximal and distal segments defining a U-shaped portion between the proximal end of the proximal segment and a distal end of the distal segment. In some embodiment, the middle segment comprises a tail portion extending beyond a meeting point between the proximal segment and the middle segment.

The one or more stabilizing devices stabilize and/or regulate speed of movement of the roof panel while the roof panel is being moved by the lifting device. In some embodiments, the one or more stabilizing devices are connectable to the nacelle and to the roof panel to stabilize and/or regulate speed of movement of the roof panel while the roof panel is being moved by the lifting device. In some embodiments, the one or more stabilizing devices is connectable to the nacelle and to the bracket arm to stabilize and/or regulate speed of movement of the bracket arm while the roof panel is being moved by the lifting device.

In some embodiment, the one or more stabilizing devices is connected to the bracket arm and connectable to the sidewall of the nacelle so that the bracket arm is pivotally connectable to the sidewall to stabilize and/or regulate speed of movement of the roof panel while the roof panel is being moved by the lifting device. In some embodiments, the one or more second stabilizing devices is connected to the lifting device and connectable to the nacelle to stabilize and/or regulate speed of movement of the roof panel while the roof panel is being moved by the lifting device. In some embodiments, the one or more stabilizing devices comprise: a first stabilizing device connectable to the nacelle and to the roof panel to stabilize and/or regulate speed of movement of the roof panel while the roof panel is being moved by the lifting device; and, a second stabilizing device connectable to the nacelle and to the bracket arm to stabilize and/or regulate speed of movement of the bracket arm while the roof panel is being moved by the lifting device. In some embodiments, the one or more stabilizing devices comprise one or more of a chain fall, a turnbuckle, a telescoping actuator (e.g., a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator or an electric linear actuator), a ratcheted line or strap, a traction winch and the like.

With reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6, a variation of a system 1 and a method for opening a roof panel 102 of a nacelle 101 of a wind turbine 100 is illustrated. Fig. 6 depicts Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 in sequence in a single Figure to provide an overview of the method. In the illustrated variation, the nacelle 101 has a bifold roof comprising two roof panels 102, 103, each of the roof panels 102, 103 being hingedly connected through roof panel connections to respective sidewalls 104, 105 of the nacelle 101 at respective outer edges 106, 107 of the roof panels 102, 103. The roof panel 103 is opened in the usual manner so that the roof panel 103 points vertically upward from an upper edge of the sidewall 105, which gives space for a lifting device 2 to operate but not enough space for major components of the wind turbine 100 to be lifted in and out of the nacelle 101 because the roof panel 103 blocks access over the upper edge of the sidewall 105.

The system 1 comprises the lifting device 2, which may be an existing service crane found in the nacelle of many models of wind turbines or some other lift system installed in the nacelle 101 after the roof panel 103 is opened. In the illustrated variation, the lifting device 2 is a boom crane comprising a boom 3, a hydraulic cylinder 4 to raise and lower the boom 3 and a winch 5 to raise and lower a lift line 6. Various alternative types of lifting devices known in the art may be utilized. The lift line 6 is connected to the roof panel 102 at an inner edge 108 of the roof panel 102.

The system 1 further comprises a bracket arm 10 mounted to the sidewall 104 inside the nacelle 101 utilizing the roof panel connections for the roof panel 102. In this embodiment, the roof panel 102 is disconnected from the sidewall 104 before the bracket arm 10 is mounted to the sidewall 104. The bracket arm 10 comprises a first link 11 , which is rigidly mounted to the sidewall 104 inside the nacelle 101. The bracket arm 10 also comprises a second link, collectively 12, 13, 14. The second link comprises a proximal section 12 pivotally mounted to the first link 11 at a first pivot point 15, a distal section 14 pivotally mounted to the roof panel 102 at the second pivot point 16 and a middle section 13 between the proximal section 12 and the distal section 14 defining a U-shaped portion between the first pivot point 15 and the second pivot point 16.

While the bracket arm is shown with two links, the bracket arm could instead comprise only one link or more than two links. Where more than two links are utilized, the connection between some of the links may by rigid rather than pivotal. Where one link is utilized, the link may be pivotally connected directly to the sidewall. The overall length and shape of the bracket arm can be modified to accommodate the number of links while still functioning as described herein.

Further, while the first link 11 and the sections 12, 13, 14 of the second link are shown as either linear or arcuate, any of the links and link sections can be either linear or arcuate, or have one or more linear portions and/or one or more arcuate portions. The shape and length of each link and link section contributes to an overall shape and length of the bracket arm that results in the bracket arm being able to fold over an upper edge 109 of the sidewall 104 to hold the roof panel 102 in a vertical orientation by the sidewall 104 outside the nacelle 101.

While the pivot point 16, to which the distal section 14 of the second link is connected, is shown in the middle of the roof panel 102, i.e., at the center of gravity of the roof panel 102, the pivot point 16 does not need to be exactly at the center of gravity. Likewise, while the lift line 6 is shown connected to the roof panel 102 at the inner edge 108 of the roof panel 102, the lift line 6 can be connected to the roof panel 102 at a different location between the pivot point 16 and the inner edge 108 of the roof panel 102.

The system 1 further comprises a first chain fall 21 connected to the nacelle 101 and to the roof panel 102 to stabilize and/or regulate speed of movement of the roof panel 102 while the roof panel 102 is being moved by the lifting device 2. The first chain fall 21 is connected to the roof panel 102 between the lift line 6 and the second pivot point 16. The system 1 further comprises a second chain fall 22 connected to the nacelle 101 and to the bracket arm 10, preferably to the distal section 14 of the second link, to stabilize and/or regulate speed of movement of the bracket arm 10 while the roof panel 102 is being moved by the lifting device 2. The chain falls 21 , 22 do not need to be connected directly to the nacelle 101 , but may be connected to an immobile wind turbine component mounted in the nacelle 101 , for example the gearbox, the generator, the main shaft, the main bearing, structural points in the nacelle framework, the bedplate, or the like.

The evolution of Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 illustrates the method of using the system 1 to open the roof panel 102 and place the roof panel 102 out of the way beside the sidewall 104 outside the nacelle 101 and mostly below the upper edge 109 of the sidewall 104. The evolution of Fig. 6 to Fig. 1 illustrates how the roof panel 102 is re-closed using the system 1.

Fig. 1 illustrates a point in the method at which the roof panel 103 is opened as usual in the upwardly extending orientation, the roof panel 102 is still closed in the horizontal orientation, the lifting device 2 has been deployed, the lift line 6 has been connected to the inner edge 108 of the roof panel 102, the bracket arm 10 has been mounted to the underside of the roof panel 102 at the second pivot point 16, the roof panel 102 has been disconnected from the sidewall 104, the bracket arm 10 has been mounted to the sidewall 104 where the roof panel 102 used to be connected, the first chain fall 21 has been connected between the roof panel 102 and the nacelle 101 and the second chain fall 21 has been connected between the bracket arm 10 (specifically the distal section 14 of the second link) and the nacelle 101.

As seen in Fig. 2, the lifting device 2 is then operated to raise the lift line 6 and lower the boom 3 in tandem to raise the roof panel 102 above the upper edge 109 of the sidewall 104 while keeping the roof panel 102 in the horizontal configuration. In so doing, the roof panel 102 is moved somewhat horizontally so that the roof panel 102 is located directly above the upper edge 109 of the sidewall 104, the first chain fall 21 becomes completely vertically oriented thereby preventing any further vertical movement of the roof panel 102 and the bracket arm 10 pivots at the first and second pivot points 15 and 16, respectively, beginning a folding motion of the bracket arm 10.

As seen in Fig. 3, the lifting device 2 is then operated to lower the lift line 6 and raise the boom 3 in tandem to start raising the inner edge 108 of the roof panel 102 and lowering the outer edge 107 of the roof panel 102 thereby tilting the roof panel 102 toward the vertical orientation, as seen in Fig. 3. The bracket arm 10 continues to pivot at the first pivot point 15, thereby continuing the folding motion of the bracket arm 10. Also, at this point, the second chain fall 22 is essentially aligned with the second pivot point 16. Thus, the restraining force of the second chain fall 22 switches from pulling the distal section 14 of the second link of the bracket arm 10 in a counterclockwise direction to a clockwise direction (from the viewpoint in Fig. 3).

As seen in Fig. 4, the lifting device 2 is then operated to raise the lift line 6 and lower the boom 3 in tandem to continue to raise the inner edge 108 of the roof panel 102 thereby continuing to tilt the roof panel 102 toward the vertical orientation, to continue the folding motion of the bracket arm 10 and to fold the distal section 14 of the second link of the bracket arm 10 over the upper edge 109 of the sidewall 104. As can be seen from Fig. 2 through Fig. 4, the folding motion of the bracket arm 10 results in decreasing an angle between the roof panel 102 and the distal section 14 of the second link of the bracket arm 10. As seen in Fig. 5, the lifting device 2 is then operated to lower the boom 3 thereby completing the folding motion of the bracket arm 10 to bring both the roof panel 102 and the distal section 14 of the second link of the bracket arm 10 into the vertical orientation parallel to each other outside the nacelle 101 and beside the sidewall 104. The upper edge 109 of the sidewall 104 is now situated under the middle section of the second link of the bracket arm 10 and between the proximal and distal sections 12 and 14, respectively, of the second link of the bracket arm 10. The chain falls 21 , 22 are then removed so that they do not interfere with subsequent activities in the nacelle 101. The lift system 2 remains connected to the roof panel 102 to holds the roof panel 102 out of the way of the upper edge 109 of the sidewall 104 of the nacelle 101 .

With reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 15, in another variation, a system 201 and a method for opening a roof panel 302 of a nacelle 301 of a wind turbine 300 is illustrated. Fig. 15 depicts Fig. 7 to Fig. 14 in sequence in a single Figure to provide an overview of the method. In the illustrated variation, the nacelle 301 has a bifold roof comprising two roof panels 302, 303, each of the roof panels 302, 303 being connected through roof panel connections 306, 307 to respective sidewalls 304, 305 of the nacelle 301 at respective outer edges of the roof panels 302, 303.

The system 201 comprises two lifting devices, a first telescoping actuator 202 and a second telescoping actuator 203, for example hydraulic cylinders. The system 201 further comprises a bracket arm 210 pivotally mounted to a mount 308 on the sidewall 304 inside the nacelle 301 through a first stabilizing device, which in the illustrated variation is a first chain fall 221. The bracket arm 210 comprises a proximal arm segment 212, which is pivotally mounted to the sidewall 304 inside the nacelle 301 through the first chain fall 221 The bracket arm 210 also comprises a distal arm segment 214 rigidly mounted to an underside of the roof panel 302 and a middle arm segment 213 between the proximal arm segment 212 and the distal arm segment 214 defining a U-shaped portion of the bracket arm 210. The bracket arm 210 also comprises a tail portion 211 extending from the middle arm segment 213 beyond a meeting point between the proximal arm segment 212 and the middle arm segment 213. The system 201 further comprises a second stabilizing device, which in the illustrated .to the nacelle 301 .

The evolution of Fig. 7 to Fig. 14 illustrates the method of using the system 201 to open the roof panel 302 and place the roof panel 302 out of the way beside the sidewall 304 outside the nacelle 301 and mostly below the upper edge of the sidewall 204. The evolution of Fig. 14 to Fig. 7 illustrates how the roof panel 302 is re-closed using the system 201. Fig. 7 illustrates a point in the method representing the initial installation of the system 201 in the nacelle 301. The distal arm segment 214 of bracket arm 210 is rigidly secured to the roof panel 302 and the proximal arm segment 212 of the bracket arm 210 is pivotally connected through the first chain fall 221 to the sidewall 304 of the nacelle 301. One end of the first telescoping actuator 202, for example the rod end, is pivotally connected to the nacelle 301 , while the other end, for example the barrel end, of the first telescoping actuator 202 is pivotally connected to the proximal arm segment 212 of the bracket arm 210, for example at the same point to which the first chain fall 221 is connected. The second chain fall 222 is pivotally connected to the nacelle 301 and is connected to the portion of the first telescoping actuator 202 that is connected to the proximal arm segment 212. One portion of the second telescoping actuator 203, for example the barrel portion, s mounted on the tail portion 211 of the bracket arm 210, while the other portion of the second telescoping actuator 203, for example the rod, is pivotally connected to the portion of the first telescoping actuator 202 that is connected to the proximal arm segment 212. The first telescoping actuator 202 and the second chain fall 222 do not need to be connected directly to the nacelle 301 , but may be connected to an immobile wind turbine component mounted in the nacelle 301 , for example the gearbox, the generator, the main shaft, the main bearing, structural points in the nacelle framework, the bedplate, or the like.

As seen in Fig. 8, once the roof panel opening system 201 has been installed the roof panel connection 306 is released and the second telescoping actuator 203 is actuated (e.g., extended) to pivot the first telescoping actuator 202 into a more vertical orientation to slightly raise the roof panel 302 vertically upward. The second chain fall 222 is slack while the first chain fall 221 is under tension.

As seen in Fig. 9, the upper portion of the first telescoping actuator 202 is then pivoted toward the sidewall 304 past the directly vertical orientation by shortening the first chain fall 221 .and, if necessary, lengthening the second chain fall 222 and/or retracting the second telescoping actuator 203. As a result, the roof panel 302 is shifted horizontally over top of the sidewall 304 and the first telescoping actuator 202 is oriented toward the sidewall 304 rather than toward the sidewall 306.

As seen in Fig. 10, the first telescoping actuator 202 is then further actuated (e.g., extended) and the chain falls 221 , 222 adjusted appropriately to raise the roof panel 302 to a higher elevation and to move the roof panel 302 further past the sidewall 304.

As seen in Fig. 1 1 , the second chain fall 222 is then lengthened and the first chain fall 221 is removed so that the upper portion of the first telescoping actuator 202 tilts further toward the sidewall 304, the roof panel 302 shifts even more horizontally and the outside edge of the roof panel 302 begins to tilt downward.

As seen in Fig. 12, further lengthening of the second chain fall 222 tilts the first telescoping actuator 202 even further toward the sidewall 304, the roof panel 302 shifts even further horizontally and the outside edge of the roof panel 302 tilts further downward. Furthermore, the bracket arm 210 begins to hook over the top edge of the sidewall 304.

As seen in Fig. 13, the second telescoping actuator 203 is then actuated (e.g., extended), which pushes the bracket arm 210 upwards and horizontally thereby causing the U-shaped portion of the bracket arm 210 to hook completely over the top edge of the sidewall 304 bringing the roof panel 302 into a vertical orientation outside and beside the sidewall 304 of the nacelle 301. The middle arm segment 213 of the bracket arm 210 is over the top edge of the sidewall 304 and the sidewall 304 is bracketed by the proximal and distal arm segments 212 and 214, respectively. At this position, the roof panel 302 has been completely opened.

As seen in Fig. 14, the second chain fall 222, the first telescoping actuator 202 and the second telescoping actuator 203 are then removed so that the middle arm segment 213 of the bracket arm 210 is supported on the top edge of the sidewall 304, thereby supporting the roof panel 302 on the top edge of the sidewall 304. A pin 225 is inserted to connect the middle arm segment 213 of the bracket arm 210 to a door hinge 309 on which the roof panel 302 was originally mounted. A turnbuckle 226 can also be added between the proximal arm segment 212 of the bracket arm 210 and the mount 308 on the sidewall 304 inside the nacelle 301 to keep the roof panel 302 in place.

The novel features will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon examination of the description. It should be understood, however, that the scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the wording of the claims and the specification as a whole.