Modular Wind Turbine Support with Nautical Rigging Stays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support structures for electric energy eolian generators are inefficient and complex, requiring hydraulic or oleo-dynamic systems for installation, which are costly and burdensome, and do not ensure balanced support under varying atmospheric conditions.

Innovation Solution

A modular support structure using a system of nautical rigging stays and ballast weights distributed around a central vertical section bar, allowing for easy installation with common lifting equipment and ensuring balanced operation under strong winds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If hydraulic or oleo-dynamic systems are used for installation, then the support structure can be installed, but the installation becomes costly and burdensome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidinstallation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes hydraulic or oleo-dynamic systems from the installation process entirely. Instead, it uses a modular support structure with ballast weights that can be installed using only common lifting equipment, thereby extracting the complex installation systems while maintaining installation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive hydraulic/oleo-dynamic installation systems with simple, inexpensive ballast weights and modular components that can be installed and potentially reconfigured or relocated using basic equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Device complexity

If a modular support structure is used, then installation complexity is reduced, but the ability to withstand strong winds may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidwind resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses ballast weights as counterweights to provide stability and wind resistance. The ballast weights are distributed around the central vertical section bar to create a balanced structure that can withstand strong winds while maintaining modular simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is divided into modular components including a central vertical section bar, inclined section bars, and ballast weights that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly while maintaining overall structural strength through proper configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If ballast weights are distributed around the central vertical section bar, then balanced support is achieved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport balanceVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ballast weights serve multiple functions: they provide stability through distributed mass, act as counterweights against wind forces, and serve as anchor points for the inclined section bars. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate stabilization components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable support system that reduces installation complexity and costs by using common lifting equipment, ensuring stable operation of eolian generators under various conditions without the need for expensive hydraulic systems.

Implementation Method 1

a system of nautical rigging stays 51-60, which join to each other all the component parts of the support structure, and which are stretched by a system of rigging devices 61, 62, in order to raise the different component parts from their initial operative positions, in which the ballasts are arranged around, to a final operative position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2943682B1Support structure for electric energy eolian generators of various kind
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 INTERMEK
  • EP2943682B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2943682B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2943682B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Support structure for electric energy eolian generators of various kind, made of modular type, able to be installed and applied in the ground into limited spaces for ensuring an efficient and balanced support to such generators, such as to withstand with safety to different atmospheric conditions. Structure comprising at least a vertical section bar (13), the lower end portion of which is supported by supporting means (14, 15, 16, 17; 66, 67, 68), joined in an articulated manner with the vertical section bar (13) and distributed uniformly on the ground all around the same section bar, together with ballast means (24, 25, 26, 27; 69, 70, 71) fixed to the same support means, and able to be applied on roofs of buildings or in the ground. The support structure furthermore comprises a system of rigging stays shroud of nautical type, fixed to the support means (14, 15, 16, 17; 66, 67, 68) and the ballast means (24, 25, 26, 27; 69, 70, 71), able to be installed in position by winches 94) or the like and cable stretching devices.