Wind Turbine Damper Leak Containment With Guided Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional secondary containment systems for full-size slosh dampers in wind turbines are costly, space-intensive, and increase the mass of the turbine's top section, making them economically and practically prohibitive.

Innovation Solution

A leak containment arrangement comprising a small receptacle below the liquid damper, a liquid guide to collect and direct leaked liquid into the receptacle, and a means to detect the presence of liquid, allowing for timely repair and reducing the need for a full-size secondary containment tank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a full-size secondary containment system is installed to contain the entire damper liquid volume, then leak containment reliability is improved, but installation cost, space requirements, and tower mass significantly increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak containment reliabilityVSAvoidtower mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The containment system is segmented into multiple functional components: a small receptacle for collecting leaked liquid, a liquid guide for directing flow, and a detection means for monitoring. This segmentation allows the system to achieve full containment reliability through intelligent design rather than sheer volume, dramatically reducing the mass compared to a traditional full-size containment tank.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection means provides feedback about the presence of leaked liquid to the control system, enabling timely response and repair. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain high reliability by detecting leaks early, eliminating the need for oversized containment structures that would otherwise be required to handle potential full-volume leaks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a full-size secondary containment system is installed, then leak containment reliability is improved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak containment reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the containment function into a small receptacle, liquid guide, and detection system, the overall system size and material requirements are dramatically reduced, leading to lower manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining reliability through intelligent monitoring and containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the purely mechanical approach of oversized physical containment with a hybrid system that uses detection means (electronic/sensing components) and control systems to monitor and respond to leaks, substituting expensive large-scale mechanical containment with more economical sensing and control technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a full-size secondary containment system is installed, then leak containment reliability is improved, but space requirements inside the tower increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak containment reliabilityVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The containment function is segmented into a small receptacle positioned strategically within the tower, rather than requiring a large containment structure. This segmentation allows the system to achieve full containment capability in a compact footprint, preserving valuable space within the tower for other components and maintenance access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid guide component utilizes the vertical dimension and gravitational flow to direct leaked liquid into the receptacle, rather than requiring a large horizontal containment volume. This dimensional approach allows effective containment in a compact space by exploiting the vertical arrangement and natural liquid flow characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides reliable and economical leak containment for wind turbine dampers, reducing installation costs, space requirements, and mass, while enabling timely detection and repair of leaks.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid guide arranged between the liquid damper and the receptacle, which liquid guide is arranged to receive liquid from a leak in the damper and to guide the leaked liquid into the receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4293220B1Leak containment arrangement

Publication Date: 2025.03.05 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

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AI summary

The invention describes a leak containment arrangement (1) for a fluid damper (3) in a wind turbine tower (20), comprising a receptacle (11) arranged below the fluid damper (3); a fluid guide (10) arranged between the fluid damper (3) and the receptacle (11), which fluid guide (10) is arranged to receive fluid (3Fleak) from a leak (X) in the damper (3) and to guide the leaked fluid (3Fleak) into the receptacle (11); and a sensing means (13) arranged to detect fluid (3Fleak) in the receptacle (11). The invention further describes a method of providing leak containment for a fluid damper (3) in a wind turbine tower (20).