Magnetic Component Attachment for Wind Turbine Rotating Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine systems face difficulties in easily attaching and retrofitting components like lubrication systems and sensors to rotating systems due to the challenges of achieving a tight connection, especially in existing setups.

Innovation Solution

A wind turbine design that utilizes magnetic forces to suspend components, allowing them to move along with one part of the rotating system while sliding in tight abutment with another, ensuring easy mounting and effective operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If components are fixed onto one part of the rotating system by means of bolting, welding, or soldering, then a tight connection is obtained between the component and the attached part, but it becomes difficult to retrofit the component in an existing wind turbine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetight connectionVSAvoiddifficulty of retrofitting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical attachment methods (bolting, welding, soldering) with a magnetic attachment system. The component includes magnetic elements that magnetically attach to the rotating system part, eliminating the need for permanent mechanical fastening while maintaining a tight connection. This allows for easy installation and removal, enabling retrofitting in existing wind turbines without complex assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If components are fixed onto one part of the rotating system, then the component is securely attached, but it cannot easily slide along another part of the rotating system in tight abutment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidability to slide along surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic attachment system where the component can be securely held in position by magnetic forces while simultaneously being able to slide along the surface of the rotating system. The magnetic attraction provides secure attachment perpendicular to the surface, while the component's design allows parallel movement along the surface, combining both secure attachment and sliding capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If traditional mechanical attachment methods are used, then the component is firmly fixed, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirm fixationVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical attachment processes with a simple magnetic attachment mechanism. The component includes magnetic elements that can be easily positioned and attached to the rotating system by simply bringing them into proximity, eliminating the need for bolting, welding, or soldering operations. This dramatically reduces installation time while maintaining firm fixation through magnetic forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enables easy installation and retrofitting of components, maintains a tight connection, and ensures efficient lubrication and reliable sensor measurements by utilizing magnetic forces to maintain close abutment with rotating surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

the component moves along with the first part while sliding along the second part in abutment with the second part, due to magnetic forces provided by the at least one magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic forces: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3169894B1A wind turbine with a rotating system comprising a magnetic component
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS
  • EP3169894B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3169894B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3169894B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wind turbine comprising a rotating system(1), as well as a rotating system(1), is disclosed. The rotating system (1) comprises a first part (2, 11) and a second part (3, 12) being arranged to rotate relative to each other. The rotating system (1) further comprises a component (8) comprising at least one magnet(10), said component (8) being attached to the rotating system (1) in such a manner that the component (8) moves along with the first part (2, 11) while sliding along the second part (3, 12) in abutment with the second part(3, 2), due to magnetic forces provided by the at least one magnet(10). The component (8) can be easily mounted at the rotating system(1), and a good contact between the component (8) and the second part (3, 12) is ensured. The component (8) may be a 10 lubrication system, a sensor or a mounting device for mounting a cable or a tube. The rotating system (1) may be a yaw system, a pitch system, a main bearing system, a gear system or a generator.