Hybrid Wind Turbine Tower with Lattice Lower Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid wind turbine tower structures face challenges in optimizing structural support and construction efficiency, particularly in using lattice structures that require complex welding and do not efficiently utilize internal space, while also being costly and vulnerable to vandalism.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid tower structure featuring a lattice lower portion with hollow steel profiles and a continuous outer surface upper portion, connected by an adapter with adjustable stay cables, allowing for tension adjustment and utilizing pre-fabricated sections with bolted connections to reduce construction complexity and enhance load-bearing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If lattice structures are used in the lower portion of the tower, then the tower can achieve lighter weight and better wind flow through, but the construction complexity increases due to complex welding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion with distinct structural characteristics. The upper portion uses a conventional tubular design while the lower portion employs a lattice structure, allowing each section to be optimized independently for its specific functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different structural qualities are applied to different parts of the tower. The lower portion uses an open lattice structure optimized for wind flow and weight reduction, while the upper portion uses a closed tubular structure optimized for blade clearance and structural simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the lower portion of the tower is made as a solid concrete or closed structure, then construction is simpler, but the internal space cannot be utilized and the structure becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The tower structure is segmented into an upper closed portion and a lower open lattice portion, allowing the lower section to provide internal space for equipment while maintaining structural integrity through the lattice design.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower portion of the tower is given a different structural quality (open lattice) compared to the upper portion (closed tube), enabling local optimization for equipment housing and weight reduction where these functions are needed.
3Strength
If the lattice structure uses solid steel bars, then the load bearing capacity is sufficient, but the internal space cannot be utilized and the structure becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The lattice structure uses hollow steel profiles instead of solid bars, creating a composite effect where the hollow sections provide both structural strength and internal space utilization, reducing overall weight while maintaining load bearing capacity.
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 design enables a lighter, more efficient tower structure with adjustable frequencies, faster construction, and internal space utilization, reducing costs and vulnerability to vandalism while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Plurality of stay cables are connected to the tower structure to provide support for the tower structure. The stay cables are equipped with means for adjusting the tension of the cables for obtaining specific frequencies for the tower structure.
Implementation Method 2
adjusting the tension of the cables for obtaining specific frequencies for the tower structure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hybrid tower structure (1), and a method for building the same, which tower structure comprises a lower portion (3) in form of a lattice structure (8, 9), an upper portion (5) with continuous outer surface, and an adapter construction (4) between the lower and upper portions, wherein the tower structure (1) further comprises plurality of stay cables (6) connected to the tower structure, and that the lower portion (3) of the tower structure has a hollow cross-section through its length where the load bearing lattice structure (8, 9) extends only on the circumference of the cross section, and the lattice structure is formed from hollow steel profiles.