Wind Turbine Generator Cooling Airflow Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face challenges in reducing noise emissions while maintaining efficient cooling, as larger turbines increase sound propagation and require more cooling power, leading to higher noise levels and maintenance costs due to the ingress of water and dirt.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates strategically arranged air inlet and outlet ducts on the generator's end faces, with optional silencers and shut-off units to manage airflow and minimize noise, allowing for targeted cooling and protection from environmental contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If larger cooling devices are used to increase cooling capacity, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but noise emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The generator housing is designed with adjustable noise emission characteristics through selectively openable and closable sections. The cooling devices can be operated at different power levels to match actual cooling needs, dynamically adjusting both cooling capacity and noise emissions according to environmental conditions and operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of cooling devices by allowing selective operation of individual cooling devices or groups thereof. Additionally, the noise emission parameter is made variable through the adjustable housing sections, enabling optimization between cooling effectiveness and noise control
2Temperature
If open generator design is used to improve cooling efficiency, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but protection from water and dirt deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The generator housing is segmented into multiple selectively openable and closable sections rather than a single fixed structure. This allows specific areas to be opened for cooling airflow while other areas remain closed to protect against water and dirt ingress, achieving both cooling efficiency and protection
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the generator housing have different functional qualities - some sections are designed to be openable for cooling purposes while other sections remain closed or have protective features. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of cooling efficiency and protection from environmental contaminants
3Temperature
If cooling air is discharged radially through annular gap, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but noise emissions worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge path for cooling air is made dynamically adjustable through selectively openable housing sections. Instead of fixed radial discharge through annular gaps, the system can dynamically select different discharge locations and paths, optimizing between cooling effectiveness and noise emission reduction
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
This configuration reduces noise emissions, extends maintenance intervals, and lowers operational costs by ensuring effective cooling while adhering to site-dependent noise limits and preventing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
at least one silencer is arranged on the generator
Implementation Method 2
cooling air flow through the generator interior
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Generator (10), in particular generator (10) for a wind turbine (100), the generator (10) comprising: two end faces (17, 18) between which a generator interior (16) of the generator (10) extends in an axial direction (A); wherein the two end faces (17, 18) have: an inner side facing a generator interior (16) of the generator (10), and an outer side (13) opposite the inner side (12) facing an environment (E) of the generator (10), at least one air outlet channel (14) and at least one air inlet channel (15) extending between the inner side (12) and the outer side (13) and each connecting the generator interior (16) to the environment (E) in a fluid-technical manner, characterized in that the at least one air outlet channel (14) and the at least one air inlet channel (15) are arranged on the same end face (17, 18) of the generator (10).