Hinged Ice Shield Assembly for Tower Equipment Impact Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice shield assemblies for towers in cold climates are inadequate in reducing the impact of falling ice on tower-mounted equipment and structures, leading to potential damage and reduced lifespan due to instantaneous energy transfer during ice collisions.
Innovation Solution
An ice shield assembly featuring a tower fixture arrangement, an ice shield connected via a hinge, and at least one spring element that allows the ice shield to pivot and absorb energy from falling ice, distributing the impact gradually to the tower, thereby reducing peak loads and fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid ice shield is mounted directly to the tower, then the equipment is protected from falling ice, but the tower experiences high impact forces and peak loads from ice collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The ice shield is made dynamically movable through a hinge connection instead of being rigidly fixed. The hinge allows the shield to pivot and absorb impact energy through motion, transforming the static rigid structure into a dynamic system that can adapt to ice impacts while reducing force transmission to the tower
Solution Approach 2:
A spring element is pre-installed in the hinge mechanism to provide cushioning before impact occurs. The spring is pre-loaded or positioned to engage during ice collisions, absorbing impact energy elastically before it can be transmitted to the tower structure, thereby reducing peak loads and impact forces
2Force
If a shock absorber is incorporated into the ice shield assembly, then impact energy is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex shock absorber mechanism is replaced by changing the parameter of the hinge connection to include a spring element. This transforms the hinge from a simple rigid pivot into a compliant joint with elastic properties, achieving shock absorption through a parameter change rather than adding a separate complex shock absorber device
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorption function is merged with the hinge connection itself. Instead of having a separate shock absorber component, the spring element is integrated into the hinge mechanism, combining the rotational connection function with the energy absorption function in a single unified component
3Force
If the ice shield is made movable to reduce impact, then the tower experiences reduced peak loads, but the shield may not remain in optimal protective position
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded or pre-positioned in the hinge mechanism to anticipate and counteract the impact force before it fully occurs. This preliminary elastic readiness ensures that when ice impacts the shield, the spring immediately engages to control the motion, preventing the shield from moving out of its protective position while still absorbing the impact energy
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 effectively protects tower-mounted equipment from falling ice by distributing the energy of ice impacts over time, reducing the risk of damage and extending the lifespan of the tower by minimizing peak loads and fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element, connected at one end to the ice shield and at an opposite end to the tower, wherein the at least one spring element is configured to allow the ice shield to pivot relative to the tower at the hinge in order to absorb energy from falling ice
Data Source
AI summary
A tower (1) having equipment (3) mounted thereon is disclosed. The tower (1) has an ice shield assembly (2) for protection to of the equipment (3) against falling ice mounted thereon. The ice shield assembly (2) comprises a tower fixture arrangement (5) being secured to the tower (1) and an ice shield (4) connected 5 to the tower fixture arrangement (5) via a hinge (6). The ice shield (4) is configured for vertically overlapping the horizontal extends of the equipment (3). The ice shield assembly (2) further comprises at least one spring element (7), e.g. in the form of a curved rod, connected at one end to the ice shield (4) and at an opposite end to the tower (1), the at least one spring element (7) 10 being configured to allow the ice shield (4) to pivot relative to the tower (1) at the hinge (6) in order to ensure a gradual transfer of energy from falling ice, which collides with the ice shield (4).