Wind Turbine Damper Leak Containment With Guided Receptacles

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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 placed below the liquid damper, a liquid guide to 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 tank is installed to contain the entire damper liquid volume, then leak containment reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak containment reliabilityVSAvoidcontainment system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The containment system is segmented into multiple small receptacles distributed around the tower, each capable of containing a portion of the damper liquid volume. This segmentation replaces the single large containment tank, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable leak containment through distributed protection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing full containment for the entire damper liquid volume, the system uses multiple small receptacles that collectively provide sufficient containment capacity. Each receptacle contains only the portion of liquid that could leak to its specific location, representing a partial action approach that reduces total containment volume and system complexity while maintaining adequate protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If a conventional secondary containment system is installed, then leak containment capability is improved, but the space available in the tower is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak containment capabilityVSAvoidavailable tower space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The containment capacity is segmented into multiple small receptacles positioned at different locations around the tower rather than using a single large tank. This segmentation allows efficient use of available tower space by distributing containment functions throughout the structure, preserving central tower volume for other components while maintaining adequate leak containment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The containment system transitions from a vertical stacking approach (single large tank occupying tower height) to a radial distribution approach (multiple small receptacles arranged around the tower circumference). This dimensional change from vertical to radial arrangement maximizes space utilization and preserves tower interior volume for other purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a water-tight tank secondary containment system is used, then leak containment is improved, but the mass of the wind turbine's top section increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak containmentVSAvoidtop section mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy single large containment tank is segmented into multiple small lightweight receptacles. Each small receptacle requires minimal material and structural support, dramatically reducing the total mass of the containment system while maintaining effective leak containment through distributed protection points around the tower.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses simple, lightweight receptacles that are easier and cheaper to manufacture than a large permanent containment tank. These receptacles can be easily replaced if needed, representing a move toward simpler, lighter containment components that reduce overall system mass while maintaining functional effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 a reliable and economical secondary containment system that is lightweight, space-efficient, and can be retrofitted into existing wind turbines, significantly reducing installation costs and downtime.

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

PatentUS12264721B2Leak containment arrangement

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

A leak containment arrangement for a fluid damper in a wind turbine tower includes a receptacle arranged below the fluid damper; a fluid guide arranged between the fluid damper and the receptacle, which fluid guide is arranged to receive fluid from a leak in the damper and to guide the leaked fluid into the receptacle; and a sensing means arranged to detect fluid in the receptacle. Further provided is a method of providing leak containment for a fluid damper in a wind turbine tower.