Inverted T-Shaped Connection Members for Irregular Wind Turbine Tower Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Securing the lower end of a wind turbine tower with non-symmetrical, angled wall sections to a foundation is challenging due to its irregular shape and inwardly extending edge portions, which complicates traditional anchoring methods.
Innovation Solution
Inverted T-shaped connection members are used, with a horizontally disposed base and vertically disposed web portion, secured to the foundation and the lower end of the tower, allowing for secure attachment of both angled wall sections and inwardly extending edge portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional anchoring methods are used for a tower with non-symmetrical, angled wall sections, then the installation process becomes complicated, but the tower shape remains irregular and difficult to anchor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces connection members as intermediary elements between the irregular tower structure and the foundation. These connection members have T-shaped configurations with base portions that contact the foundation and upwardly extending portions that engage with the tower's angled wall sections and inwardly extending edge portions, thereby mediating the connection between the non-symmetrical tower and the foundation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection members are segmented into distinct functional portions: base portions for foundation engagement and upwardly extending portions for tower engagement. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, with the base portion providing stable foundation contact and the upwardly extending portions providing multiple engagement points for the irregular tower structure.
2Reliability
If inverted T-shaped connection members are used to secure the tower to the foundation, then secure attachment is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection members are designed as multi-functional elements that simultaneously perform multiple tasks: the base portions anchor to the foundation while the upwardly extending portions engage with both the angled wall sections and inwardly extending edge portions of the tower. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate anchoring components for different parts of the irregular tower structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection members use an inverted T-shape configuration where the broader base portion contacts the foundation and the narrower upwardly extending portions engage the tower. This inverted geometry allows the connection members to effectively span from the foundation upward to engage with multiple surfaces of the irregular tower structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An inverted T-shaped connection member is disclosed for securing the lower end of an upstanding wind turbine tower to a foundation with the tower comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending peripheral sections joined together with each of the peripheral sections being bent along a plurality of longitudinally extending break lines to define a plurality of angled wall sections extending between inwardly extending edge portions with the lower ends of the peripheral sections having bolt openings formed therein. Each of the inverted T-shaped connection members has a generally horizontally disposed base portion and a generally vertically disposed web portion. The base portions of the connection members are secured to the foundation by bolts or the like. The upper ends of the web portions have bolt openings formed therein with the same being secured to the lower end of the tower by means of splice plates.