Tower and round tube diagonal bracing connection device and floating wind power platform

Abstract

The application discloses a tower drum and circular tube diagonal brace connecting device and a floating wind power platform, and relates to the technical field of wind power generation, in particular to a tower drum and circular tube diagonal brace connecting device and a floating wind power platform. The tower drum and circular tube diagonal brace connecting device comprises a tower drum, a circular tube diagonal brace, a transition section, a soft knee plate, a semicircular tube and a second knee plate. The tower drum is a vertically arranged cylindrical structure. The circular tube diagonal brace is arranged obliquely. The upper end of the circular tube diagonal brace is connected to the outer wall of the tower drum through the transition section. The cross section of the transition section is D-shaped. The planar side of the transition section is attached and welded to the outer wall of the tower drum. The top plate of the transition section extends along the two lateral sides to form a first knee plate. A plurality of soft knee plates are arranged in the vertical direction on the outside of the weld between the top plate of the transition section and the outer wall of the tower drum. A layer of horizontal inner deck is arranged in the tower drum at the same height as the top plate. A semicircular tube is welded in the vertical direction below the junction between the lower half of the transition section and the outer wall of the tower drum. A second knee plate is arranged between the semicircular tube and the transition section, so as to reduce the fatigue stress of the connecting node and facilitate construction and inspection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of floating wind power platforms, and particularly relates to a tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device and a floating wind power platform. Background Technology

[0002] Offshore floating wind power platforms are key equipment for developing deep-sea wind energy resources. In floating wind power platforms, circular tube braces are typically installed between the tower (or tower column) and the floating foundation structure to transfer the load from the upper wind turbine and improve the overall rigidity and stability of the floating foundation structure. Currently, common connection methods between the circular tube braces and the tower column include: direct penetration of the brace, insertion plates at the ends of the brace, and a round-to-square transition at the ends of the brace.

[0003] The direct-through method of the diagonal bracing involves passing the diagonal bracing directly through the tower wall, with a radial bulkhead structure inside the tower to connect the diagonal bracing. This connection method has significant drawbacks: the locally high-stress fillet welds are at a watertight boundary, requiring extremely high welding quality (e.g., pre- and post-weld heat treatment, post-weld grinding, etc.). However, the narrow welding space inside the tower makes operation difficult, compromising welding quality and increasing inspection complexity. One method involves installing insert plates at the ends of the diagonal braces, which are then welded to the outer wall of the tower. Radial bulkheads are also required inside the tower to support the insert plates. The drawbacks of this structure are: fatigue hotspots exist on the insert plates, and their out-of-plane bending stiffness is low, resulting in poor support for the diagonal braces under lateral wave impact loads. Furthermore, their fatigue performance is unlikely to meet requirements during long-term service.

[0004] The round-to-square transition method at the end of the diagonal brace transforms the cross-section from a circular tube to a square section, and then a square structure extends horizontally from the side of the tower to connect with the round-to-square section of the diagonal brace. However, in practical engineering applications, the stress level of the square structure extending horizontally from the side of the tower is relatively high, and its fatigue performance is also relatively poor.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device and a floating wind power platform to solve the problems mentioned above. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tower and circular pipe diagonal brace connection device and a floating wind power platform, which reduces fatigue stress at the connection nodes and facilitates construction and inspection.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the specific technical solution of the tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device and the floating wind power platform of the present invention is as follows: A tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device includes: a tower, a circular tube diagonal brace, a transition section, a flexible elbow plate, a semi-circular tube, and a second elbow plate; The tower is a vertically arranged cylindrical structure; the circular tube braces are arranged at an incline, and the upper ends of the circular tube braces are connected to the outer wall of the tower through a transition section; the transition section has a D-shaped cross-section, with the upper semicircular cross-section being a square plane and the lower semicircular cross-section maintaining an arc shape, forming a D-shaped cross-section as a whole, and the planar side of the transition section is welded to the outer wall of the tower; the top plate of the transition section extends laterally to form a first elbow plate; several flexible elbow plates are arranged vertically at intervals on the outside of the weld between the top plate of the transition section and the outer wall of the tower; a horizontal inner deck is provided inside the tower at the same elevation as the top plate; below the junction of the lower semicircle of the transition section and the outer wall of the tower, a semicircular tube is welded vertically, and the semicircular tube and the lower semicircular outer wall of the transition section form a saddle-shaped lap weld; a second elbow plate is provided between the semicircular tube and the transition section.

[0008] Furthermore, the top surface of the transition section is a rectangular flat plate, the bottom surface of the transition section is a semi-circular arc shell, and the two sides of the transition section are transition inclined plates.

[0009] Furthermore, the first elbow plate is a triangular reinforcing plate symmetrically arranged on both sides of the top plate in the width direction of the transition section. The bottom edge of the first elbow plate is welded to the top plate, and the side edge is welded to the outer wall of the tower.

[0010] Furthermore, the flexible elbow plate is a vertically arranged triangular or trapezoidal thin plate, the lower edge of the flexible elbow plate is welded to the upper surface of the top plate, the side edge of the flexible elbow plate is welded to the outer wall of the tower, and each flexible elbow plate is arranged at equal intervals along the intersection line of the top plate and the tower.

[0011] Furthermore, the horizontal inner deck is an annular plate or a fan-shaped plate, and the outer edge of the horizontal inner deck is fully welded to the inner wall of the tower. The setting height of the horizontal inner deck is flush with the top plate, which enhances the radial deformation resistance of the tower in the diagonal brace connection area.

[0012] Furthermore, the diameter of the semicircular tube is smaller than the diameter of the transition section, the axis of the semicircular tube is parallel to the axis of the tower, and the opening direction of the semicircular tube faces the direction of the transition section, so that the lower semicircular outer wall of the transition section is embedded in and fits against the inner concave surface of the semicircular tube.

[0013] Furthermore, there are multiple second elbow plates, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the saddle-shaped lap weld. Each second elbow plate is distributed at intervals along the circumference of the transition section, and each second elbow plate is simultaneously welded between the outer wall of the semi-circular tube and the outer wall of the inclined brace transition section.

[0014] A floating wind power platform includes: a floating foundation, a tower disposed on the floating foundation, and at least one circular pipe brace connecting the tower and the floating foundation, wherein the tower and the circular pipe brace are connected by the aforementioned tower and circular pipe brace connection device.

[0015] Furthermore, the tower is a wind turbine support tower or a floating column structure.

[0016] Furthermore, there are multiple circular tube braces, which are evenly arranged along the circumference of the tower.

[0017] The tower-to-circular tube diagonal brace connection device and floating wind power platform of the present invention significantly increase the connection interface between the diagonal brace and the tower by welding a large area of ​​the D-shaped cross-section transition section to the outer wall of the tower, thereby transferring the load more evenly to the tower structure. At the same time, the synergistic effect of the first elbow plate extending from the top plate, the vertical soft elbow plate group, the saddle-shaped overlap of the lower semi-circular tube, and the second elbow plate effectively improves the out-of-plane stiffness of the plate near the weld and significantly reduces stress concentration at the connection interface. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device according to the present invention; Figure 2 (a) is a schematic diagram of the surface stress when a traditional circular tube brace is directly connected to the tower. Figure 2 (b) is a schematic diagram of the surface stress of the tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device of the present invention.

[0019] Explanation of markings in the diagram: 1. Tower; 2. Circular tube diagonal brace; 3. Transition section; 4. Flexible elbow plate; 5. Horizontal inner deck; 6. Semi-circular tube; 7. First elbow plate; 8. Second elbow plate. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0022] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes a tower and circular tube diagonal bracing connection device and a floating wind power platform according to the present invention.

[0023] This invention provides a connection device between a tower and a circular tube diagonal brace. This device utilizes a composite structure consisting of a D-shaped transition section welded to the outer wall of the tower, a top flat plate extending to form a first elbow plate, a flexible elbow plate, an inner horizontal deck, a lower semi-circular tube saddle-shaped overlap, and a second elbow plate. This significantly increases the connection interface between the diagonal brace and the tower, improves the out-of-plane stiffness of the plates near the weld, and effectively reduces fatigue stress at the connection interface. Furthermore, except for the inner horizontal deck, all other reinforcing structures are arranged in the open space outside the tower, providing ample construction space and facilitating construction, inspection, and ensuring construction quality.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, a tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device includes: tower 1, circular tube diagonal brace 2, transition section 3, flexible elbow plate 4, semi-circular tube 6, and second elbow plate 8. The tower 1 is a vertically arranged cylindrical structure formed by rolling and welding steel plates. The circular tube brace 2 is arranged at an angle, with its upper end connected to the outer wall of the tower 1 via a transition section 3. The circular tube brace 2 is a cylindrical shell structure formed by rolling and welding steel plates. The transition section 3 has a D-shaped cross-section, with the upper semicircular cross-section being a square plane and the lower semicircular cross-section remaining arc-shaped, forming a D-shaped cross-section. The plane side of the transition section 3 is welded to the outer wall of the tower 1. The portion of the circular tube brace 2 near the tower 1 transitions the upper semicircle into a square cross-section with a width equal to the diameter of the circular tube brace 2, while the lower semicircle... The tube retains its circular cross-section and is welded to the outer wall of the tower 1 after forming a D-shaped cross-section. The top plate of the transition section 3 extends laterally to form a first elbow plate 7. Several soft elbow plates 4 are vertically spaced on the outside of the weld between the top plate of the transition section 3 and the outer wall of the tower 1. A horizontal inner deck 5 is provided inside the tower 1 at the same elevation as the top plate. A semi-circular tube 6 is vertically welded below the junction of the lower semicircle of the transition section 3 and the outer wall of the tower 1. The semi-circular tube 6 and the lower semicircle of the transition section 3 form a saddle-shaped lap weld. A second elbow plate 8 is provided between the semi-circular tube 6 and the transition section 3.

[0025] In this embodiment, the D-shaped transition section 3 is welded over a large area to the outer wall of the tower 1, significantly increasing the connection interface between the diagonal brace and the tower 1, and transferring the load more evenly to the tower 1 structure. Simultaneously, the synergistic effect of the first elbow plate 7 extending from the top plate, the group of vertical soft elbow plates 4, the saddle-shaped overlap of the lower semi-circular tube 6, and the second elbow plate 8 effectively improves the out-of-plane stiffness of the plate near the weld and significantly reduces stress concentration at the connection interface. The transition section 3 adopts a D-shaped cross-section design with the upper semi-circle turning square and the lower semi-circle remaining circular, preserving the load-bearing characteristics of the circular tube diagonal brace 2 while achieving a large-area welded connection with the tower 1 through a square plane. The first elbow plate 7 formed by the extension of the top plate enhances the bending stiffness of the connection area, and the saddle-shaped overlap of the lower semi-circular tube 6 provides additional vertical support, giving the entire connection node excellent out-of-plane stiffness and resistance to lateral wave impact loads.

[0026] like Figure 2 (a) and Figure 2 As shown in (b), finite element analysis verified that under the same load conditions, the surface stress of the steel plate near the weld in the present invention is about 200 MPa, while the stress in the traditional scheme where the circular tube brace 2 is directly connected to the tower 1 is as high as 450 MPa. The stress reduction of the present invention exceeds 50%, and the local fatigue performance is greatly improved. Although the stress in the part of the top plate of the brace extending to both sides reaches about 260 MPa, it is far lower than the stress in the traditional scheme where the circular tube brace 2 is directly connected to the tower 1.

[0027] Furthermore, the top surface of the transition section 3 is a rectangular flat plate, the bottom surface of the transition section 3 is a semi-circular arc shell, and the two sides of the transition section 3 are transition inclined plates. The transition section 3 is composed of four triangular flat plates and four specially pressed curved plates welded together, realizing a smooth transition between the circular tube section and the D-shaped section.

[0028] Furthermore, the first elbow plate 7 is a triangular reinforcing plate symmetrically arranged on both sides of the top plate of the transition section 3 in the width direction. The bottom edge of the first elbow plate 7 is welded to the top plate, and the side edge is welded to the outer wall of the tower 1.

[0029] Furthermore, the flexible elbow plate 4 is a vertically arranged triangular or trapezoidal thin plate. The lower edge of the flexible elbow plate 4 is welded to the upper surface of the top plate, and the side edge of the flexible elbow plate 4 is welded to the outer wall of the tower 1. Each flexible elbow plate 4 is arranged at equal intervals along the intersection line of the top plate and the tower 1.

[0030] Furthermore, the horizontal inner deck 5 is an annular plate or a fan-shaped plate, and the outer edge of the horizontal inner deck 5 is fully welded to the inner wall of the tower 1. The setting height of the horizontal inner deck 5 is flush with the top plate, which enhances the radial deformation resistance of the tower 1 in the diagonal brace connection area.

[0031] Furthermore, the diameter of the semicircular tube 6 is smaller than the diameter of the transition section 3, the axis of the semicircular tube 6 is parallel to the axis of the tower 1, and the opening direction of the semicircular tube 6 faces the direction of the transition section 3, so that the lower semicircular outer wall of the transition section 3 is embedded and fits against the inner concave surface of the semicircular tube 6.

[0032] Furthermore, there are multiple second elbow plates 8, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the saddle-shaped lap weld. Each second elbow plate 8 is distributed at intervals along the circumference of the transition section 3, and each second elbow plate 8 is simultaneously welded between the outer wall of the semi-circular tube 6 and the outer wall of the inclined brace transition section 3.

[0033] The aforementioned tower section 1, circular tube diagonal brace 2, circular-to-square section, flexible elbow plate 4, horizontal inner deck 5, semi-circular tube 6, and second elbow plate 8 are all made of steel, and all external welds are fillet welds or butt welds. The transition section 3, flexible elbow plate 4, semi-circular tube 6, and second elbow plate 8 are all arranged in the open space outside the tower section 1, providing ample space for construction and inspection.

[0034] Except for the horizontal inner deck 5 located inside the tower 1, all other reinforcing structures, including the transition section 3, the first elbow plate 7, the flexible elbow plate 4, the semi-circular tube 6, and the second elbow plate 8, are arranged in the open space outside the tower 1. The ample external welding space facilitates welding operations, weld inspection, and necessary post-weld treatment, thus helping to ensure construction quality.

[0035] A floating wind power platform includes: a floating foundation, a tower 1 disposed on the floating foundation, and at least one circular tube brace 2 connecting the tower 1 and the floating foundation, wherein the tower 1 and the circular tube brace 2 are connected by the aforementioned tower 1 and circular tube brace 2 connection device.

[0036] Furthermore, the tower 1 is a wind turbine support tower 1 or a floating column structure.

[0037] Furthermore, there are multiple circular tube braces 2, which are evenly arranged around the circumference of the tower 1.

[0038] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connection device between a tower and a circular tube diagonal brace, characterized in that, include: Tower, circular tube diagonal brace, transition section, flexible elbow plate, semi-circular tube and second elbow plate; The tower is a vertically arranged cylindrical structure; the circular tube braces are arranged at an incline, and the upper ends of the circular tube braces are connected to the outer wall of the tower through a transition section; the transition section has a D-shaped cross-section, with the upper semicircular cross-section being a square plane and the lower semicircular cross-section maintaining an arc shape, forming a D-shaped cross-section as a whole, and the planar side of the transition section is welded to the outer wall of the tower; the top plate of the transition section extends laterally to form a first elbow plate; several flexible elbow plates are arranged vertically at intervals on the outside of the weld between the top plate of the transition section and the outer wall of the tower; a horizontal inner deck is provided inside the tower at the same elevation as the top plate; below the junction of the lower semicircle of the transition section and the outer wall of the tower, a semicircular tube is welded vertically, and the semicircular tube and the lower semicircular outer wall of the transition section form a saddle-shaped lap weld; a second elbow plate is provided between the semicircular tube and the transition section.

2. The tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top surface of the transition section is a rectangular flat plate, the bottom surface of the transition section is a semi-circular arc shell, and the two sides of the transition section are transition inclined plates.

3. The tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first elbow plate is a triangular reinforcing plate symmetrically arranged on both sides of the top plate in the width direction of the transition section. The bottom edge of the first elbow plate is welded to the top plate, and the side edge is welded to the outer wall of the tower.

4. The tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible elbow plate is a vertically arranged triangular or trapezoidal thin plate. The lower edge of the flexible elbow plate is welded to the upper surface of the top plate, and the side edge of the flexible elbow plate is welded to the outer wall of the tower. The flexible elbow plates are arranged at equal intervals along the intersection line of the top plate and the tower.

5. The tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The horizontal inner deck is an annular plate or a fan-shaped plate. The outer edge of the horizontal inner deck is fully welded to the inner wall of the tower. The setting height of the horizontal inner deck is flush with the top plate, which enhances the radial deformation resistance of the tower in the diagonal brace connection area.

6. The tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the semicircular tube is smaller than the diameter of the transition section. The axis of the semicircular tube is parallel to the axis of the tower. The opening direction of the semicircular tube faces the direction of the transition section, so that the outer wall of the lower semicircle of the transition section is embedded in and fits the concave surface of the semicircular tube.

7. The tower and circular tube diagonal brace connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple second elbow plates, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the saddle-shaped lap weld. Each second elbow plate is distributed at intervals along the circumference of the transition section, and each second elbow plate is simultaneously welded between the outer wall of the semi-circular tube and the outer wall of the inclined brace transition section.

8. A floating wind power platform, characterized in that, include: The floating foundation, the tower set on the floating foundation, and at least one circular tube brace connecting the tower and the floating foundation, wherein the tower and the circular tube brace are connected by the tower and circular tube brace connection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The floating wind power platform according to claim 8, characterized in that, The tower is either a wind turbine support tower or a floating column structure.

10. The floating wind power platform according to claim 8, characterized in that, The circular tube diagonal brace consists of multiple tubes, which are evenly arranged along the circumference of the tower.

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