Vibration damper assembly for reducing the transmission of vibrations

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibration damper assembly (40; 140) for an elongate first component (10; 30), which is arranged at a connecting end (11; 31) in a longitudinal direction (LD) of the first component (10; 30) for mechanical connection to a second component (20). The vibration damper assembly (40; 140) comprises at least two damper groups (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e) which are arranged in an end section (12; 32) of the first component (10; 30) with the connection end (11; 31) and are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction (LD), wherein each of the damper groups (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e) comprises a plurality of individual vibration dampers (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e) which are arranged distributed on a circumferential wall (14) of the first component (10; 30) in a circumferential direction (CD). In order to reduce the problems caused by tonalities in wind energy installations (1) in a simple and cost-effective way, the damper groups have different natural frequencies from each other. The invention also relates to a wind energy installation (1).

Description

[0001] Vibration damper arrangement to reduce the transmission of vibrations

[0002] The invention relates to a vibration damper arrangement for an elongate first component, which is arranged at a connecting end along a longitudinal direction of the first component for mechanical connection to a second component.

[0003] A typical wind turbine consists of a tower, a nacelle with a rotor hub, and several rotor blades, each attached to the rotor hub. During operation, vibrations occur, and the wind turbine emits noise. So-called "tonality" in the wind turbine's noise emissions is perceived as particularly disturbing. This can lead to violations of legal noise emission limits. In some cases, the wind turbine's output must be throttled to reduce noise emissions. This leads to economic disadvantages.

[0004] The cause of the tonality is vibration sources in the wind turbine's drive train. The drive train includes, for example, a generator and a gearbox. The drive train, specifically the generator and gearbox, is located in the nacelle. The vibrations generated there are transmitted to the rotor blades and the tower, where they are passed on. The main acoustic emitters of the tonality are the tower and the rotor blades, not the nacelle itself.

[0005] A well-known approach attempts to dampen vibrations directly at the drive train. This approach reduces vibrations before they are transmitted from the nacelle to the tower and rotor blades. Vibration reduction directly at the drive train is possible using passive and active vibration dampers. The design of active and passive vibration dampers on the drive train first requires characterizing the tonal stability problems, for example, determining relevant frequencies and tonal audibility. This is usually followed by an investigation of the drive train vibrations during operation using a variety of acceleration sensors and measurement data. Based on the vibration modes during operation and the acoustics, suitable positions for vibration dampers are derived from the results.This is followed by an analysis of the available installation space and design challenges for implementing a vibration damper solution on the drivetrain. The design of active and passive vibration dampers directly on the drivetrain is therefore very complex. Furthermore, there is the problem that the installation space on the drivetrain is very limited.

[0006] Passive vibration dampers on the drivetrain have the disadvantage of having a narrowband effect. They are therefore only effective in a narrow frequency range. Active vibration dampers on the drivetrain, while very powerful, are also expensive. Especially for minor tonal stability problems, a solution using an active vibration damper on the drivetrain can be disproportionately costly.

[0007] US 10,408,194 B2 demonstrated an acoustic damping system for a wind turbine tower. The approach involves damping the tower against vibrations over a large area. This requires installing vibration dampers at all points on the tower with vibrations above a certain threshold. The vibration dampers must be distributed over a large area and installed at many different locations. Such large-area damping with vibration dampers at many different locations on the tower is disadvantageous due to the high costs, the high additional weight of the vibration dampers, and the required effort. Another approach involves adequately stiffening the respective main radiator. However, this approach also has disadvantages due to the high masses, effort, and costs required.

[0008] EP 3 211 218 A1 discloses an acoustic damping system for a wind turbine tower.

[0009] Furthermore, EP 2 238 347 A2 deals with a method for reducing noise emissions from a wind turbine tower and with a wind turbine.

[0010] CN 114 151 274 A shows a rotor blade for a wind turbine with a plurality of wind-resistant damping parts.

[0011] The object of the invention is to reduce the problems caused by clay content in wind turbines in a simple and cost-effective way.

[0012] The object is achieved by a vibration damper arrangement according to the invention.

[0013] The vibration damper arrangement is for an elongated first component which is arranged at a connecting end (along a longitudinal direction of the first component) for mechanical connection to a second component.

[0014] The vibration damper assembly comprises at least two damper groups, which are arranged in an end section of the first component with the connecting end and are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction. Each of the damper groups comprises a plurality of individual vibration dampers, which are arranged distributed along a circumferential direction on a peripheral wall of the first component.

[0015] The vibration damper arrangement is suitable or configured to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the connection end, in particular to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the connection end to a section of the first component beyond the end section.

[0016] The transmission of vibrations due to drive train oscillations is reduced locally in the end section at the connecting end, for example, in the end section of a tower head or in the end section at the root of a rotor blade. No further vibration damping needs to be implemented on the first component, such as the tower or rotor blade, beyond the end section. Therefore, the first component does not need to be damped "globally." This ensures low costs.

[0017] The vibration damper assembly shields the rest of the first component from the vibrations introduced at the terminal end.

[0018] The invention is described below based on its use in a wind turbine. However, it is also applicable to other slender structures and components.

[0019] According to one aspect, the first component may be at least partially hollow.

[0020] In one embodiment, the individual vibration dampers of the respective damper group are arranged in a ring. Each damper group forms a "dampering ring." The damper rings are spaced apart longitudinally. All damper rings are arranged in the end section. This allows for simple planning and installation.

[0021] In a further development, the vibration damper arrangement comprises at least three damper groups (e.g., damper rings). In particular, the vibration damper arrangement can comprise at least five damper groups (e.g., damper rings).

[0022] In one embodiment, the vibration damper arrangement comprises a maximum of twelve damper groups (e.g., damper rings). It has been shown that this is sufficient to handle the tonal content. A smaller number of damper groups saves effort and costs.

[0023] According to one aspect, individual vibration dampers can be arranged one behind the other in the end section, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. The "longitudinal installation" is repeated in the circumferential direction, spaced apart at angular intervals, preferably around the entire circumference. This forms the damper groups spaced apart along the longitudinal direction.

[0024] According to one aspect, the individual vibration dampers of the respective damper group can be arranged uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction. For example, they can be arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction and / or at equal angular intervals around a (possibly local) longitudinal axis and / or central axis of the first component at the location of the respective damper ring.

[0025] The second component can be a wind turbine nacelle. The connecting end is the nacelle-side end of the first component. The end section is a nacelle-side end section. Although the cause of the tones in the wind turbine is vibration sources in the drive train in the nacelle, the nacelle is not the main acoustic emitter of the disturbing noise emissions. The main acoustic emitters are the tower and the rotor blades of the wind turbine. It is sufficient to reduce the transmission of vibrations in the nacelle-side end section. Although the vibrations at the connecting end (at the nacelle-side end) of the first component can still be transmitted to the first component, their transmission in the first component is reduced in the (nacelle-side) end section. They cannot develop freely, and the risk of emitting disturbing tones is reduced.In the nacelle itself, an active and / or vibration damper can be omitted if necessary. This saves costs and space in the nacelle.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first structural element is a wind turbine tower and the connecting end is an upper end of the wind turbine tower for supporting the wind turbine nacelle.

[0027] The wind turbine tower is a tower of a wind turbine or a tower for a wind turbine.

[0028] In this case, the end section is an upper section of the tower (a tower head). The vibration damper assembly can be installed completely locally in the tower head. The nacelle sits on the tower head. Vibrations from the nacelle are transferred to the tower head via this connection, but are still reduced within the tower head by the vibration damper assembly.

[0029] In particular, if the first structural element is the tower, according to one aspect, adjacent damper groups can be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction by less than 300 cm, for example, by less than 110 cm. Alternatively or additionally, the individual vibration dampers within the respective damper group can be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction by less than 200 cm, for example, by less than 66 cm. For example, for steel towers with total heights between 50 m and 150 m, average diameters between 3 m and 5 m, and average wall thicknesses between 2 cm and 5 cm, such arrangements have been shown to be advantageous. For example, the above-mentioned criteria each help to achieve a reduction in vibrations in the important frequency range around 100 Hz.

[0030] According to another aspect, the second component may be the wind turbine nacelle with a rotor hub. The first component may be a wind turbine rotor blade, wherein the connecting end is a blade root (of the rotor blade) for attachment to the rotor hub.

[0031] The wind turbine rotor blade is a rotor blade of a wind turbine or a rotor blade for a wind turbine.

[0032] In particular, if the first component is the rotor blade, according to one aspect, adjacent damper groups can be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction by less than 300 cm, for example, by less than 90 cm. Alternatively or additionally, the individual vibration dampers within the respective damper group can be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction by less than 100 cm, for example, by less than 34 cm. This applies to 50 m long blades with average diameters between 0.5 m and 1.5 m and a wall thickness between 1 cm and 3 cm.

[0033] A significant reduction in the transmission of vibrations is achieved if the maximum distances between individual vibration absorbers within a respective absorber group in the circumferential direction and the maximum distances (along the longitudinal direction) between the absorber groups are not exceeded. The maximum distances can be determined by simulation and / or measurement. They can vary for different tower and rotor blade variants.

[0034] According to one aspect, the damper groups (the individual vibration absorbers) are mounted on an inner side of the perimeter wall. This protects the vibration absorbers from the elements and facilitates installation.

[0035] In a further development, the natural frequencies of the damper groups are in a range of 50 Hz to 500 Hz. In practice, vibrations in this range are often responsible for disturbing tones, so their transmission should be particularly reduced.

[0036] Within each damper group, all individual vibration absorbers can have the same natural frequency. Alternatively or additionally, all individual vibration absorbers within each damper group can be of the same type. In particular, all individual vibration absorbers within each damper group can be of the same design.

[0037] The natural frequency of each individual vibration absorber can be designed based on an absorber mass and a stiffness of the individual vibration absorber.

[0038] In one embodiment, the damper groups have different natural frequencies from one another. Each damper group has an individual natural frequency. This enables a broader reduction of vibrations or a reduction in multiple frequency ranges. In one embodiment, each of the natural frequencies of the damper groups is designed for a target frequency to reduce the tonality of the wind turbine. The individual vibration dampers of a respective damper group can differ in their absorber mass and / or stiffness from the individual vibration dampers of the other damper groups. This is an effective approach to implementing vibration reduction for different frequencies or frequency ranges.

[0039] The respective damper group can have a frequency reduction range around its natural frequency. In one embodiment, the frequency reduction range of a respective damper group overlaps with at least one of the frequency reduction ranges of another of the damper groups. The frequency reduction range can encompass the frequency range around the natural frequency until a reduction has fallen to 80% of the reduction at the natural frequency.

[0040] According to another aspect, each damper group comprises at least five vibration absorbers. This helps to significantly reduce the transmission of vibrations.

[0041] In a further development, at least one of the absorber groups is arranged in a region which extends from the connection end over 10% of a total length of the first component along the longitudinal direction.

[0042] This reduces at least some of the vibrations in the immediate vicinity of the connection end, where the vibrations are introduced into the first component. In particular, at least two or even at least three of the damper groups can be arranged in the region extending from the connection end over 10% of the total length of the first component along the longitudinal direction.

[0043] In one embodiment, the end section extends a maximum of 14% from the connection end. The end section extends not far from the connection end. The vibration reduction occurs near the connection end, where the vibrations that determine the tonal quality are introduced. This prevents the first component from acting as a strong acoustic main radiator over a large area.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, the vibration damper assembly can be arranged entirely within the end section. All individual vibration dampers of the vibration damper assembly are arranged exclusively within the end section. Outside the end section, the vibration damper assembly has no vibration dampers on the first component.

[0045] In a further development, all individual vibration dampers are passive vibration dampers. Passive vibration dampers are easier to design and more cost-effective. The disadvantage of narrow bands can be compensated for by providing multiple damper groups. Passive vibration dampers can have a damper mass and a stiffness. The damper mass is mechanically coupled to the first component via the stiffness. Passive vibration dampers can be made of metal, for example, steel. They can have steel stiffnesses.

[0046] The frequency range (or frequency ranges) as well as a desired amplitude reduction can be designed via the distances between the absorber groups along the longitudinal direction, the number of individual vibration absorbers per absorber group, the absorber masses of the individual vibration absorbers, the number of absorber groups and the tuning of the natural frequencies of the absorber groups.

[0047] The individual vibration dampers can each be attached to the first component by means of a magnetic base, gluing, screwing, and / or welding. The above-mentioned problem is further solved by a first component, for example, a wind turbine tower or a wind turbine rotor blade, which comprises the vibration damper assembly according to one of the described embodiments.

[0048] The above-mentioned problem is also solved by a wind turbine comprising a vibration damper arrangement according to one of the described embodiments.

[0049] The previously described embodiments and advantages apply accordingly.

[0050] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures. All described and / or illustrated features, individually or in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their references.

[0051] They show schematically:

[0052] Fig. 1 shows a wind turbine with a tower, a nacelle and several rotor blades, wherein the tower and the rotor blades each have a vibration damper arrangement;

[0053] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a vibration damper arrangement for the tower of the wind turbine in Fig. 1.

[0054] Fig. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a wind turbine 1 with a tower 10, a nacelle 20, and several rotor blades 30, more precisely, with three rotor blades 30. The tower 10 extends along a longitudinal direction LD (see Fig. 2) with a total length L10 from a lower end 15 at the ground vertically upwards to an upper end. The upper end forms a connection end 11 for the nacelle 20. The nacelle 20 is mounted on the connection end 11 of the tower 10.

[0055] The nacelle 20 comprises a rotor hub 21. The rotor blades 30 are each attached to the rotor hub 21 by their blade root 31. For the rotor blades 30, the blade root 31 is the "connecting end" for attachment to the nacelle 20 (more precisely, to its rotor hub 21). The rotor blades 30 each extend along their longitudinal direction over a total length L30 from the blade root 31. In Fig. 1, the longitudinal direction for the rotor blades 30 is not shown separately. For the lower rotor blade 30, the longitudinal direction is parallel to an arrow indicating the total length L30.

[0056] The nacelle 20 contains a drive train, which includes, for example, a gearbox 22 and a generator 23. During operation of the wind turbine 1, the drive train generates oscillations or vibrations. The vibrations are introduced into the tower 10 at the connecting end 11 (the upper end) of the tower 10. They are also introduced via the rotor hub 21 and the blade roots 31 of the rotor blades 30. If no measures are taken, the tower 10 and the rotor blades 30 can become the primary emitters of noise emissions with disturbing tones.

[0057] To reduce the transmission of vibrations from the connecting end 11 (the upper end) of the tower 10, on which the nacelle 20 rests, into a main area 13 of the tower 10, a vibration damper assembly 40 is installed in an upper end section 12 of the tower 10. The end section 12 of the tower 10 directly adjoins the connecting end 11 (the upper end) of the tower 10 with the nacelle 20. The end section 12 of the tower 10 at the connecting end 11 forms a "tower head," so to speak. For the vibration damper assembly 40, the tower 10 forms an elongated first component for connection to a second component, namely the nacelle 20, at the connecting end 11 of the tower 10.

[0058] For the vibration damper arrangements 140, the respective rotor blade 30 forms an elongated first component for connection to the second component, namely the nacelle 20, at the connecting end, namely the respective blade root 31.

[0059] The tower 10 is at least partially "hollow." It forms, at least in sections, a tower interior. The rotor blades 30 can also be at least partially "hollow." They form, at least in sections, a respective blade interior.

[0060] Fig. 2 shows the vibration damper assembly 40 in detail. It is completely installed in the tower head 20.

[0061] The vibration damper assembly 40 comprises a plurality of damper groups 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d, 41 e. Five damper groups 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d, 41 e are shown here as examples. All damper groups 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d, 41 e are installed exclusively in the end section 12 of the tower 10 at the connecting end 11, i.e., in the tower head.

[0062] Each damper group 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e comprises a plurality of individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e. The individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e of the respective damper group 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e are installed on a peripheral wall 14 of the first structural element, in this case, the tower 10. More precisely, in this example, they are attached to an inner side of the peripheral wall 14. The individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e of the respective damper group 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e are arranged distributed along a circumferential direction CD, in this exemplary embodiment at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e of the respective damper group 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e are arranged in a ring shape here, further in detail in a ring shape around a longitudinal axis LA of the first component (here, the tower 10).Each of the damper groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e forms an individual "damper ring" with the multitude of associated individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e.

[0063] For example, a first damper group 41a (the first damper ring), which is closest to the connecting end 11, comprises a plurality of first individual vibration dampers 42a. The first damper group 41 does not have to be installed directly at the connecting end 11. However, it can be installed, for example, directly at the connecting end 11 or immediately near the connecting end 11. An adjacent second damper group 42b (a second damper ring) comprises a plurality of second individual vibration dampers 42b, and so on.

[0064] The damper groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction LD. Within this distance, all adjacent damper groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e are evenly spaced from one another by a longitudinal distance LS. In modifications (not shown), the longitudinal distances of individual adjacent damper groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e or of all adjacent damper groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e may differ.

[0065] In this embodiment, a "damper-free zone" without individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e exists in the longitudinal spacing LS between adjacent damper groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e. Each of the damper groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e has its own natural frequency. The natural frequencies of all damper groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e are different. The vibration damper arrangement thus enables a reduction of vibrations of several different frequencies or in several different frequency ranges. The individual natural frequencies can each be designed for a specific tonal content.

[0066] In the present example, all individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e each comprise a damper mass and a stiffener. The damper mass is attached to a peripheral wall 14 of the tower 10 by means of the stiffener, for example, a steel stiffener, here to an inner side of the peripheral wall 14. The individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e of a respective one of the damper groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e have the same natural frequency, namely the natural frequency of this damper group 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e. The natural frequency of the individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e and thus of the respective damper groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e can be varied based on the size of the damper mass and / or stiffness, and thus can be specifically designed. According to one aspect, all individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e of the same damper group 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e can be of the same type, in particular of identical construction.This reduces costs.

[0067] Here, the individual vibration absorbers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e of a respective absorber group 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e differ in their absorber mass and / or in their stiffness from the individual vibration absorbers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e of the other absorber groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e.

[0068] According to another aspect, individual (for example) vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e with different natural frequencies are installed in the end section 12 on the circumferential wall 14, spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction LD. By repeating this linear "damper chain" along the circumferential direction, for example, at regular angular intervals around the longitudinal axis LA, the vibration damper arrangement 40 can be formed.

[0069] In Fig. 2, all individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e are designed as passive vibration dampers. This makes the vibration damper assembly 40 particularly cost-effective, simple, and reliable.

[0070] In general, the first damper group 41a does not have to be arranged directly on or in the immediate vicinity of the connection end 11. However, it can optionally be provided that at least the first damper group 41a is arranged in a region which, starting from the connection end 11 in the longitudinal direction L10, extends only over 10% of the total length L10 of the first component (here the tower 10). In the embodiment in Fig. 2, the first damper group 41a is even arranged directly on the connection end 11 or in the immediate vicinity of the connection end 11. Furthermore, at least the second damper group 41b is also arranged in the region which, starting from the connection end 11 in the longitudinal direction L10, extends only over 10% of the total length L10 of the first component (here the tower 10).A third absorber group 41c, which is adjacent to the second absorber group 41b along the longitudinal direction LD on the other side than the first absorber group 41a, can also be arranged in this area.

[0071] In this exemplary embodiment, the end section 12, in which all damper groups 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e are arranged, extends from the connecting end 11 over a maximum of 14% of the total length L10 of the first component 10 along the longitudinal direction LD, for example, over a maximum of 14%. The main region 13 of the first component, here the tower 10, is correspondingly large. Since the reduction in the transmission of vibrations in the relatively short end section 12 occurs directly at the connecting end 11, a reduced portion of the vibrations relevant to the tonal content does not reach the much larger main region 13 at all. The main region 13 cannot therefore act as a problematic acoustic abstractor, or only to a greatly reduced extent. One advantage is that no damper groups 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d, 41 e and no individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e need to be installed in the main area 13.In the illustrated embodiment, the main area 13 is "absorber-free." This means considerably less effort and cost than with large-area damping of the tower 10.

[0072] The design of the vibration assembly 40 generally depends on the dimensions, shape, and materials of the tower 10. Purely exemplary embodiments are described below.

[0073] Assuming that for towers 10, which are (at least essentially) made of steel and have total lengths L0 between 50 m and 150 m, average diameters between 3 m and 5 m, and average wall thicknesses (of the peripheral wall 14) between 2 cm and 5 cm, a good reduction in the transmission of vibrations at 100 Hz is to be achieved. Then, the longitudinal spacing LS should be less than 300 cm, and even better, less than 110 cm. The individual vibration absorbers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e of the respective absorber group 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e should have a circumferential spacing CS of less than 200 cm, and even better, less than 66 cm, along the circumferential direction CD.

[0074] Assume that tower 10 is (at least essentially) made of steel and 50 m high, has an average diameter of 6 m, and an average wall thickness of 3 cm. Furthermore, the vibration damper assembly 40 should reduce the transmission of vibrations in a frequency range around 250 Hz. Then, the longitudinal spacing LS should be less than 86 cm. The circumferential spacing CS (along the circumferential direction CD) of the individual vibration dampers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e of the respective damper group 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e should be less than 55 cm.

[0075] Assume that the tower 10 is 100 m high, has an average diameter of 4 m, and an average wall thickness of 3 cm. Furthermore, the vibration damper assembly 40 should reduce the transmission of vibrations in the range of 95 Hz to 105 Hz from the connecting end 11 to the main area 13 by (at least) 10 dB. This can be achieved, for example, if the vibration damper assembly 40 has a relative weight in the range of 0.1% to 0.2% compared to the weight of the tower 10. In an exemplary implementation, the vibration damper assembly 40 consists of 80 damper groups 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d, 41 e, each of which consists of approximately 280 individual vibration dampers 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d, 42 e. In total, the vibration absorber assembly consists of approximately 22,400 individual vibration absorbers 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e, each with a mass of 28 g. The end section 11 extends only over the top 10 m of tower 10.All 80 absorber groups 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d, 41 e are installed in the top 10 m of tower 10.

[0076] The vibration damper assemblies 140 at the blade roots 31 of the rotor blades 30 are constructed similarly to the vibration damper assembly 40 in the tower head. Due to the smaller dimensions of the rotor blades 30, the spacing of the vibration damper assemblies 140 can also be different, in particular smaller. The design of the vibration damper assemblies 140 generally depends on the dimensions, shapes, and materials of the rotor blades 30. A purely exemplary embodiment is described below.

[0077] Assume that the rotor blade 30 is (at least essentially) made of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic, 50 m long, has an average diameter in the range of 0.5 m to 1.5 m, and an average wall thickness between 1 cm and 3 cm. Furthermore, the vibration damper assembly 140 should reduce the transmission of vibrations in a frequency range around 100 Hz. Then, the longitudinal spacing of the damper groups should be less than 300 cm, even better, less than 90 cm. The circumferential spacing (along the circumferential direction) of the individual vibration dampers of the respective damper group should be less than 100 cm, even better, less than 34 cm.

Claims

Claims:

1. Vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) for an elongate first component (10; 30), which is arranged at a connecting end (11; 31) along a longitudinal direction (LD) of the first component (10; 30) for mechanical connection to a second component (20), wherein the vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) comprises at least two damper groups (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e) which are arranged in an end section (12; 32) of the first component (10; 30) with the connecting end (11; 31) and are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction (LD), wherein each of the damper groups (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e) comprises a plurality of individual vibration dampers (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e) which are arranged distributed on a circumferential wall (14) of the first component (10; 30) along a circumferential direction (CD), characterized in that the absorber groups (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e) have different natural frequencies from one another.

2. Vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) according to claim 1, wherein the individual vibration dampers (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e) of the respective damper group (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e) are arranged in a ring shape.

3. Vibration damper arrangement (40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second component is a wind turbine nacelle (20), characterized in that the first component is a wind turbine tower (10) and the connection end (11) is an upper end of the wind turbine tower (10) for supporting the wind turbine nacelle (20).

4. Vibration damper arrangement (40) according to claim 3, wherein adjacent damper groups (41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d, 41 e) are spaced from one another by less than 300 cm along the longitudinal direction (LD), and / or wherein the individual vibration dampers (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e) within the respective damper group (41a, 41 b, 41c, 41 d, 41 e) are spaced from one another by less than 200 cm along the circumferential direction (CD).

5. Vibration damper arrangement (140) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second component is a wind turbine nacelle (20) with a rotor hub (21), characterized in that the first component is a wind turbine rotor blade (30), wherein the connection end is a blade root (31) for attachment to the rotor hub (21).

6. Vibration damper arrangement (140) according to claim 5, wherein adjacent damper groups are spaced apart from one another by less than 300 cm along the longitudinal direction, and / or wherein the individual vibration dampers within the respective damper group are spaced apart from one another by less than 100 cm along the circumferential direction.

7. Vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual vibration dampers (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e) within the respective damper group (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e) have the same natural frequency and / or are of the same type.

8. Vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual vibration dampers (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e) of a respective damper group (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e) are arranged in their damper mass and / or differ in their stiffness from the individual vibration absorbers (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e) of the other absorber groups (41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d, 41 e).

9. Vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) is arranged completely in the end section (12; 32).

10. Vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the damper groups (41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d, 41 e) is arranged in a region which extends from the connection end (11; 31) over 10% of a total length (L10; L30) of the first component (10; 30) along the longitudinal direction (LD).

11. Vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) according to claim 10, wherein at least two of the damper groups (41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d, 41 e) are arranged in the region which extends from the connection end (11; 31) over 10% of the total length (L10; L30) of the first component (10; 30) along the longitudinal direction (LD).

12. Vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end section (12; 32) extends from the connection end (11; 32) over a maximum of 14% of the total length (L10; L30) of the first component (10; 30) along the longitudinal direction (LD).

13. Vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein all individual vibration dampers (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e) are passive vibration dampers.

14. Wind energy plant (1), characterized in that the wind energy plant (1) comprises a vibration damper arrangement (40; 140) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images