Elevator Wire Rope Stabilization in Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems in wind turbine towers face issues with traction and safety wire ropes vibrating and swaying due to wind forces, leading to potential tangling, interference with working platforms and tower components, and increased wear, which complicates maintenance and operation.
Innovation Solution
A wire guiding system with a transverse element and pulley cable system that moves in sync with the elevator cabin, stabilizing the wire ropes by acting as a spacer and reducing impacts with other components, eliminating the need for buffer elements on the cabin and allowing safe operation even in curved paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wire ropes run free in the elevator shaft, then the elevator system is simple in structure, but the wire ropes vibrate and sway due to wind forces causing tangling and interference with tower components
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the wire ropes and the tower environment. This guide structure confines and stabilizes the wire ropes, preventing them from swaying and tangling while maintaining the overall simplicity of the elevator system.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure utilizes flexible guiding elements that allow the wire ropes to move vertically while preventing lateral displacement. This flexible confinement stabilizes the wire ropes without requiring rigid, complex structural interventions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If buffer elements are added to the cabin to prevent wire rope impacts, then wire rope stability improves, but the cabin structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure serves as a mediator that prevents wire ropes from contacting the cabin, eliminating the need for buffer elements on the cabin itself. This transfers the stabilization function from the cabin to the guide structure, keeping the cabin design simple.
3Productivity
If the tower is made high and slender to increase power generation capacity, then energy production improves, but wind forces increase causing significant tower oscillation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure converts the harmful effect of tower oscillation into a controlled situation by providing a stable reference framework. The guide structure remains relatively stable despite tower movement, and uses this stability to constrain the wire ropes, transforming the oscillation problem into a manageable condition.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the elevator path is curved to accommodate tower geometry, then adaptability to tower structure improves, but wire ropes may strike working platforms and tower flanges
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure acts as a mediator between the curved elevator path and the wire ropes. It follows the curved path geometry while maintaining wire rope confinement, preventing strikes with working platforms and tower flanges despite the curved trajectory.
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 system effectively stabilizes wire ropes, reduces tangling and wear, and maintains safe operation by ensuring the transverse element moves in tandem with the elevator cabin, thus preventing wire rope interference with tower components and extending the lifespan of the elevator system.
Implementation Method 1
the traction and/or safety wire ropes may begin to move and sway within an elevator shaft
Implementation Method 2
a pulley cable system operationally coupled to the elevator cabin and to the transverse element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Elevator systems are disclosed. The elevator systems comprise an elevator cabin configured to perform an up and down movement along an elevator path, and a traction wire rope for driving the elevator cabin in the up and down movement and/or a safety wire rope. The elevator system further comprises a wire guiding system including a transverse element provided above the elevator cabin in the elevator path. The transverse element is adapted to be guided along the traction wire rope and/or safety wire rope .The wire guiding system further comprises a pulley cable system operationally coupled to the elevator cabin and to the transverse element such that along at least a portion of the elevator path, the transverse element moves in the same direction as the elevator cabin.