A fan tower platform limiting device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a fan tower platform stop device belongs to wind power generation equipment technical field. The device includes the platform of setting in the tower, the platform circumference's rim, a plurality of circumference support unit and platform anti -collision rubber pad. Circumference support unit makes its chassis tightly tower inner wall through adjustable screw, provides rigid support and macroscopic limit, platform anti -collision rubber pad adopts the unique hook type section design, and its thick side inserts tower and platform rim gap and forms the buffer layer, and the thin side is inboard embedding in the rim and realizes the constraint. The utility model through the synergistic effect of rigid support and flexible buffering, has effectively absorbed the impact and vibration energy that platform suffered, has limited the displacement of platform, has solved the stress concentration and fatigue fracture problem caused by traditional rigid connection completely, has improved the stability, security and service life of offshore fan tower platform under the complex marine environment obviously.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of wind turbine technology, specifically to a wind turbine tower platform limiting device. Background Technology

[0002] Offshore wind power, as an important component of clean energy, operates in extremely harsh environments, enduring significant impacts and vibrations from complex loads such as wind, waves, and currents. The tower, as the core structure supporting the entire unit, provides the foundation for maintenance personnel access and the installation of critical equipment. Traditional tower platforms often employ rigid fixing methods, such as welding or bolting directly to the inner wall of the tower, which have significant technical drawbacks. First, rigid connections lack the necessary buffering capacity. Under continuous alternating loads, huge stress concentrations will occur at the connection between the platform and the tower, which can easily lead to fatigue microcracks in the connecting plates or welds. These cracks will continue to propagate under the combined action of salt spray corrosion, eventually causing structural fracture, seriously threatening the safety of the platform itself and the equipment on it, and even affecting the integrity of the main tower structure.

[0003] Secondly, installation and adaptability are poor. Offshore wind turbine towers have large diameters and are manufactured in sections, resulting in unavoidable manufacturing errors and installation roundness deviations. Traditional rigid connection methods are difficult to adapt to these dimensional changes, leading to problems such as difficulty in centering and localized loose or excessive tightness during platform installation. This further exacerbates local stress and poses a hidden danger to long-term safe operation.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a new type of limiting device that can effectively buffer vibration, adapt to structural deviations, and significantly improve the reliability and durability of platform connections. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a wind turbine tower platform limiting device.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this utility model is as follows: A wind turbine tower platform limiting device includes: The platform is located inside the tower, and its outer edge forms an annular installation gap with the inner wall of the tower. The circumferential support includes at least three, with one end fixed to the platform in a circular array and the other end supported to the inner wall of the tower by adjustable screws; A cushioning pad is placed in the installation gap.

[0007] Furthermore, the circumferential support includes a base, a support plate, an adjustable screw, and a chassis. The base is fixedly mounted on the platform, and the support plate is vertically mounted on the base. The upper end of the support plate is provided with bolt holes, and the chassis is located at one end of the adjustable screw. The adjustable screw is threadedly engaged with the bolt holes to adjust the distance between the circumferential support and the tower.

[0008] Furthermore, the circumferential support also includes reinforcing ribs, with one end of the reinforcing ribs located on the base and the other end located on the support plate.

[0009] Furthermore, bolt holes are provided at corresponding positions on the platform, and the chassis is fixed to the platform by bolts.

[0010] Furthermore, the platform is surrounded by a perimeter, and its height is less than that of the support plate.

[0011] Furthermore, a buffer pad is installed around the perimeter to separate the tower and the platform.

[0012] Furthermore, the cushioning pad is provided with a mounting groove that matches the surrounding edge, so that the cushioning pad can be directly fitted onto the surrounding edge during installation.

[0013] Furthermore, the mounting groove divides the buffer pad into a thick side and a thin side, with the thick side positioned in the mounting gap and the thin side positioned within the surrounding edge.

[0014] Furthermore, the contact surface between the chassis and the tower is matched with the curvature of the tower.

[0015] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: This invention solves the problems of stress concentration and fatigue fracture by employing a synergistic mechanism combining rigid support and flexible buffering, thereby altering the force transmission path. The circumferential support unit provides stable and reliable restraint, resisting the main loads; while the hook-shaped cross-section anti-collision rubber pad efficiently absorbs and disperses the energy of high-frequency micro-vibrations and instantaneous impacts. This design, combining rigidity and flexibility, transforms traditional hard impacts into elastic buffering, fundamentally eliminating stress peaks at connection points and significantly extending the structural fatigue life.

[0016] The overall stability and safety of the platform are significantly improved: the circumferentially evenly distributed adjustable support units ensure precise alignment and robust support within the tower, effectively suppressing large swaying in any direction. The restraint sections of the anti-collision rubber pads further provide redundant limiting. This dual-insurance mechanism ensures that sensitive electrical, hydraulic, and other equipment installed on the platform can operate in a stable environment, while also guaranteeing the safety of maintenance personnel.

[0017] It possesses excellent engineering adaptability and adjustability: the adjustable screw design allows installers to precisely compensate for tower manufacturing tolerances and installation deviations, enabling personalized preload application and ensuring uniform stress on each support point. This adaptive adjustment capability solves common problems in the installation of large-sized structural components, improving installation accuracy and quality.

[0018] Enhanced maintainability and lifecycle economics: The bolted connection design of the support unit and the sleeve-type installation of the rubber pads allow for quick and easy replacement or maintenance of critical vulnerable components without the need for costly welding or large-scale disassembly. This significantly reduces subsequent maintenance costs and downtime, improving the overall return on investment for wind power assets.

[0019] The design achieves protection of the main structure: the curved surface matching design of the support chassis and the inner wall of the tower, as well as the setting of the rubber buffer layer, avoids damage to the anti-corrosion layer of the inner wall of the tower by hard contact, and protects the structural safety of the more valuable main tower body, reflecting the advantages of systematic design from the local to the overall.

[0020] In summary, this utility model not only solves specific technical pain points, but also improves the overall performance of offshore wind turbine tower platforms from multiple dimensions such as stability, adaptability, and maintainability, and has extremely high engineering application value and market prospects. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of this utility model; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of section AA structure; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram of the local structure at point C; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the circumferential support structure of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model.

[0024] Example 1 In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, a wind turbine tower platform limiting device includes: The platform is located inside the tower, and its outer edge forms an annular installation gap with the inner wall of the tower. The circumferential support includes at least three, with one end fixed to the platform in a circular array and the other end supported to the inner wall of the tower by adjustable screws; A cushioning pad is placed in the installation gap.

[0025] Platform: Its shape is a circular structure that matches the inner diameter of the tower. Its diameter is designed to be precisely smaller than the inner diameter of the tower. This difference is not a manufacturing error, but an intentional design parameter, thus forming a uniformly wide annular installation gap between its outer edge and the inner wall of the tower. This gap is the "working chamber" of the entire device.

[0026] The platform serves as the core carrier, the installation base for circumferential support, and also as the indirect support for the buffer pad.

[0027] The circumferential supports, arranged in a circumferential array of at least three (preferably 12) supports, apply their supporting force to the platform at one end and react on the platform at the other end through the inner wall of the tower.

[0028] The buffer pad is filled in the aforementioned "working chamber", and its inner and outer sides may come into contact with the platform (through the perimeter) and the inner wall of the tower, respectively.

[0029] During operation: The tower deforms and sways under wind and wave loads. The platform tends to move relative to the tower due to inertia. At this time, due to the installation gap, the platform does not immediately collide hard with the tower, but has a small displacement space. This space is filled by the buffer pad and restricted by the circumferential support, so the kinetic energy of the platform will be converted into the elastic potential energy of the buffer pad and the structural strain energy of the circumferential support, and thus safely absorbed and dissipated, rather than converted into destructive stress.

[0030] Beneficial effects: This basic architecture fundamentally avoids the "head-to-head" force transmission path, providing a brand-new systematic solution to the industry problem of stress concentration and fatigue fracture in platform connection plates.

[0031] Furthermore, the circumferential support includes a base, a support plate, an adjustable screw, and a chassis. The base is fixedly mounted on the platform, and the support plate is vertically mounted on the base. The upper end of the support plate is provided with bolt holes, and the chassis is located at one end of the adjustable screw. The adjustable screw is threadedly engaged with the bolt holes to adjust the distance between the circumferential support and the tower.

[0032] Base: It is a thick steel plate, the lower surface of which is attached to the upper surface of the platform.

[0033] Support plate: It is a vertical steel plate whose bottom is connected to the upper surface of the base by a full penetration weld to ensure smooth force transmission.

[0034] Adjustable screw and chassis: The adjustable screw is typically a trapezoidal threaded rod made of high-strength alloy steel. Fixing bolts are installed on both sides of the support plate to provide self-locking and load-bearing capacity. The chassis is a circular or square steel plate, rotatably connected to the screw via bearings in the center. Its bottom surface facing the tower is specially treated.

[0035] The platform serves as the fulcrum, the support plate as the lever arm, the adjustable screw as the telescopic push rod, and the chassis as the actuating end. The entire system converts rotary motion into linear motion through a threaded joint.

[0036] During operation: The worker uses a wrench to rotate the screw. Because the screw engages with the threaded hole on the support plate, the rotational motion is converted into axial movement of the screw. Since the base has contacted the inner wall of the tower, a preload force is applied to the platform, "pulling" it away from the inner wall of the tower.

[0037] Therefore, due to the presence of preload, the platform needs to overcome this preload before it can move under external loads in the initial stage, which greatly improves the initial stiffness and stability of the system.

[0038] Beneficial effects: It enables the quantification, adjustment, and maintainability of support force. Installers can precisely control the preload of each support point as needed to ensure uniform support. Even if the tower undergoes minor deformation later, it can be readjusted, which is impossible with permanent connections such as welding.

[0039] Furthermore, the circumferential support also includes reinforcing ribs, with one end of the reinforcing ribs located on the base and the other end located on the support plate.

[0040] Reinforcing ribs: These are usually right-angled triangular steel plates, with their two right-angled sides continuously welded to the side of the support plate and the upper surface of the base.

[0041] The reinforcing rib adds a triangular stabilizing structure at the T-joint formed by the support plate and the base. In structural mechanics, the triangle is the most stable geometric shape, which can effectively convert the bending moment borne by the root of the support plate into tensile and compressive stresses within the rib itself.

[0042] When the tower sways and exerts pressure on the chassis, this pressure generates a large bending moment at the root of the support plate (where it connects to the base). Because of the added reinforcing ribs, this bending moment is dispersed; part of it is borne by the support plate itself, and the other part is transferred to a larger area of ​​the base via the ribs.

[0043] Without reinforcing ribs, stress concentrates at the weld root, making it prone to fatigue cracking over time. With the addition of reinforcing ribs, stress is dispersed, structural stiffness is doubled, and fatigue life is significantly extended.

[0044] Beneficial effects: With minimal material increment, an exponential increase in the stiffness and fatigue life of the support unit is achieved, ensuring the long-term reliability of the rigid support.

[0045] Furthermore, bolt holes are provided at corresponding positions on the platform, and the chassis is fixed to the platform by bolts.

[0046] Drilling and tapping are performed at the preset positions on the platform to create high-strength internal threaded holes. Corresponding smooth holes are then machined on the base.

[0047] Use high-strength bolts of grade 8.8 or higher, along with spring washers, to screw into the threaded holes of the platform through the base's smooth holes and tighten to the specified torque.

[0048] This design changes the connection between the base and platform from a "fixed connection" to a "detachable connection." The clamping force provided by the bolts is sufficient to ensure that there is no relative movement between the base and platform during use, thus meeting functional requirements.

[0049] When a circumferential support unit is damaged after long-term use or needs to be replaced due to impact, because it is connected by bolts, maintenance personnel only need to use tools to loosen the nuts to remove the old support unit, replace it with a new unit, and then tighten it again.

[0050] Therefore, the entire platform can be maintained without hot work (welding), which greatly improves safety and efficiency and reduces maintenance costs and downtime.

[0051] Furthermore, the platform is surrounded by a perimeter, and its height is less than that of the support plate.

[0052] Platform perimeter: This is a vertical plate that is the same length as the outer edge of the platform. Its height must be such that after the platform is installed in place, the top of the perimeter is much lower than the threaded hole position at the top of the support plate in the circumferential support.

[0053] The perimeter and platform are usually welded together to form an "L-shaped" composite section, which in itself enhances the bending stiffness of the platform edge.

[0054] Its height limitation is a functional design: to ensure that the circumferential support screw (52) has enough space for adjustment and can abut against the inner wall of the tower at the best angle, the perimeter must not interfere with the operation of the support system.

[0055] Because the perimeter is lower than the support point, it provides a mounting location for the cushioning pad without interfering with the rigid support system.

[0056] Furthermore, a buffer pad is installed around the perimeter to separate the tower and the platform.

[0057] Furthermore, the cushioning pad is provided with a mounting groove that matches the surrounding edge, so that the cushioning pad can be directly fitted onto the surrounding edge during installation.

[0058] The cushioning pad is made of highly elastic, aging-resistant, and wear-resistant rubber (such as polyurethane). A mounting groove is precisely machined into its inner side, the width and depth of which match the thickness and height of the platform's perimeter, forming an "interference fit" or "tight fit".

[0059] The cushioning pad is stretched and fitted into the top of the platform perimeter (30) by its own elastic deformation, and is fixed to the perimeter by the elasticity and friction of the rubber.

[0060] During installation, the cushioning pad and platform are pre-assembled into a single module on the ground due to the interlocking design. This simplifies the high-altitude work process, greatly improving installation efficiency and safety. The cushioning pad will not detach due to shaking during hoisting.

[0061] During use, because it is fixed by a socket, the buffer pad can always move synchronously with the platform no matter how the platform vibrates, ensuring that its thick side is always in the optimal buffer position and will not move or twist within the gap, thus ensuring the stability and reliability of the buffering effect.

[0062] Beneficial effects: It enables rapid, reliable, and non-destructive integration of flexible components with rigid bodies, ensuring the accuracy and durability of the buffer system's functional positions.

[0063] Furthermore, the mounting groove divides the buffer pad into a thick side and a thin side, with the thick side positioned in the mounting gap and the thin side positioned within the surrounding edge.

[0064] The presence of the mounting groove naturally divides the cross-section of the cushioning pad into a thick side (located on the outside of the perimeter) and a thin side (located on the inside of the perimeter). The volume of the thick side is significantly larger than that of the thin side.

[0065] This is a typical "one-piece, two-function" design. Although the thick side and the thin side belong to the same component, they play different roles in the mechanical model.

[0066] Thick side (buffer energy absorption section): As the platform approaches the inner wall of the tower, the thick side is compressed and undergoes large deformation. Rubber materials are viscoelastic, so during compression, the impact kinetic energy is converted into internal energy (heat) and dissipated. Due to its thick cross-section and large deformation space, it can absorb more energy, and the restoring force it provides is gradual, avoiding rigid impact.

[0067] Thin side (limiting and restraining section): Its main working conditions are tension and shear. When the platform tends to move away from the inner wall of the tower, the thin side, through contact with the inner side of the surrounding edge, restricts the separation of the buffer pad from the platform. Simultaneously, throughout the process, it provides an additional radial frictional force through close contact with the surrounding edge, further limiting the radial displacement of the platform. The thin side is embedded, thus ensuring that the buffer pad always participates in the work as a whole, preventing it from being "squeezed out" of its working position. Together with the thick side, it forms an asymmetric, highly efficient limiting-buffering system.

[0068] Beneficial effects: Through a simple and ingenious change in cross-sectional shape, a perfect unity of "buffering" and "anti-detachment", "energy absorption" and "limiting" is achieved, realizing complex functions with the lowest cost and the simplest structure.

[0069] Furthermore, the contact surface between the chassis and the tower is matched with the curvature of the tower.

[0070] The bottom surface of the chassis is no longer a flat plane, but a concave arc surface machined using a machine tool, which has the same radius of curvature as the inner wall of the tower. A thicker layer of wear-resistant rubber pad can also be bonded to this arc surface.

[0071] This design elevates the contact theory between the chassis and the inner wall of the tower from point or line contact to surface contact. Because the contact method changes to surface contact, the pressure (pressure per unit area) on the contact surface is significantly reduced under the same preload. This significantly reduces the risk of damage to the anti-corrosion coating (such as paint) on the inner wall of the tower, protecting the main structure of the tower and preventing corrosion initiation points. Simultaneously, surface contact ensures uniform force distribution, avoiding localized stress concentration, resulting in more stable support and preventing abnormal noises or slippage due to minor vibrations.

[0072] Example 2 A method for using a wind turbine tower platform limiting device includes the following steps: S1: This step emphasizes "matching". Since there are standard series of tower diameters, the platform, support and buffer pad need to be selected according to the specific tower model. This is the basis for successful implementation.

[0073] S2: This step is the pre-activation of the flexible system. It is completed in a safe ground environment. Due to its socket design, the operation is simple and quick, and it ensures 100% accuracy in the initial position of the buffer pad. This is a prerequisite for realizing its preset functions.

[0074] S3: At this point, the platform module guides the tower through a flexible buffer pad with "soft contact," avoiding hard impact damage during the hoisting process.

[0075] S4: This is the final activation and system tuning step for a rigid system.

[0076] Adjust each screw in a diagonal order, gradually increasing the force to the designed torque value in two or three steps.

[0077] By adjusting each component evenly, the platform was smoothly "uprighted" and "centered" at the center of the tower. Due to the applied preload, a tight static equilibrium system was formed between the platform, the support, and the tower. At this point, the circumferential support bears most of the steady-state load and low-frequency, large-amplitude swaying; while the buffer pad maintains a very small gap or slight preload with the inner wall of the tower, specifically designed to cope with high-frequency micro-vibrations and impact loads.

[0078] Rigid support and flexible buffer do not work independently, but form a dynamic, hierarchical defense system. Small disturbances are absorbed by the buffer, while large disturbances are shared by both, with rigid support serving as the ultimate safety guarantee. This collaborative working mechanism of "combining rigidity and flexibility, with clear distinction between primary and secondary elements" is the ultimate and most crucial beneficial effect that this method can achieve.

[0079] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. The present utility model extends to any new features or combinations disclosed in this specification, and any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present utility model is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and that detailed technical features not disclosed in this embodiment, such as specific structures, are all prior art and can be obtained by those skilled in the art from the prior art; the connection method can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a fixed connection, a movable connection, or a hinged connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific manner of the above terms in the embodiments of the present utility model according to the specific circumstances, and the present disclosure does not specifically limit this aspect.

[0080] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0081] In this embodiment of the invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment of the invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0082] In this embodiment of the invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature include the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature.

[0083] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A wind turbine tower platform limiting device, characterized in that, include: The platform is located inside the tower, and its outer edge forms an annular installation gap with the inner wall of the tower. The circumferential support includes at least three, one end of which is fixed to the platform in a circular array, and the other end is supported to the inner wall of the tower by an adjustable screw. A cushioning pad is placed in the installation gap.

2. The wind turbine tower platform limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circumferential support includes a base, a support plate, an adjustable screw, and a chassis. The base is fixedly mounted on the platform, and the support plate is vertically mounted on the base. The upper end of the support plate is provided with a bolt hole. The chassis is rotatably mounted on one end of the adjustable screw. The adjustable screw is threadedly engaged with the bolt hole to adjust the distance between the circumferential support and the tower.

3. The wind turbine tower platform limiting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The circumferential support also includes a reinforcing rib plate, one end of which is disposed on the base and the other end of which is disposed on the support plate.

4. The wind turbine tower platform limiting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The platform has bolt holes at corresponding positions, and the chassis is fixed to the platform with bolts.

5. A wind turbine tower platform limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The platform is surrounded by a perimeter, and its height is less than that of the support plate.

6. A wind turbine tower platform limiting device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The buffer pad is located around the perimeter of the enclosure to separate the tower and the platform.

7. A wind turbine tower platform limiting device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The buffer pad is provided with an installation groove that matches the surrounding edge, and the buffer pad is directly fitted onto the surrounding edge during installation.

8. A wind turbine tower platform limiting device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The mounting groove divides the buffer pad into a thick side and a thin side. The thick side is located in the mounting gap, and the thin side is located inside the surrounding edge.

9. A wind turbine tower platform limiting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The contact surface between the chassis and the tower is matched with the curvature of the tower.

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