Multirotor Wind Turbine Component Mounting via Tilting Securing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multirotor wind turbines face stability and loading issues during erection and servicing due to unbalanced weight distribution of energy generating units, leading to increased tower dimensions and material costs.

Innovation Solution

A method to secure the load carrying structure against tilting movements and position wind turbine components at or near the ends of the load carrying structure, using tethering cables, counterweights, balloons, or compression bars to balance loads and reduce unbalanced forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the tower is dimensioned for unbalanced loadings during erection and servicing, then the tower has sufficient strength and stiffness, but the tower dimensions and material use are considerably increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetower strengthVSAvoidtower weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by securing the load carrying structure against tilting movements before positioning or dismounting wind turbine components. This preventive measure ensures that unbalanced loadings during erection and servicing do not exceed design limits, allowing the tower to be dimensioned for normal operational loads rather than worst-case erection scenarios, thereby reducing tower weight and material use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the tower wall thickness and reinforcement are increased to handle unbalanced loadings, then the tower stiffness and strength are improved, but the material use and costs are correspondingly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetower stabilityVSAvoidmaterial use

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By implementing securing measures against tilting movements before component positioning or dismounting, the patent prevents excessive unbalanced loadings that would require increased tower wall thickness and reinforcement. This allows the tower to be constructed with optimal rather than excessive material quantities, reducing both material use and costs while maintaining sufficient stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Power

If larger rotor diameters are used to increase power production, then the energy generating capacity is improved, but the loadings induced in the tower and yawing arrangement by missing components are correspondingly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower productionVSAvoidtower loadings

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by securing the load carrying structure against tilting movements before positioning or dismounting components. This prevents unbalanced loadings from scaling with rotor size, allowing large rotor diameters to be used for increased power production without proportionally increased tower loadings, as the securing measures ensure loadings remain within design limits regardless of rotor dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method reduces bending moments and loadings in the tower and yawing arrangement, allowing for smaller tower dimensions and lower material costs, while maintaining stability and reducing the need for excessive reinforcement.

Implementation Method 1

The securing comprises tethering the load carrying structure with one or more cables

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

The securing comprises attaching a counterweight to the load carrying structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

The securing comprises attaching a balloon to the load carrying structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 4

The securing comprises attaching a compression bar to the load carrying structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11365714B2Methods for mounting or dismounting a wind turbine component of a multirotor wind turbine

Publication Date: 2022.06.21 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

AI summary

A method for mounting or dismounting a wind turbine component of an energy generating unit in a multirotor wind turbine is disclosed. The multirotor wind turbine comprises a tower configured to support one or more load carrying structures each arranged for supporting at least two energy generating units arranged at or near its ends and at opposite sides of the tower. The method comprises securing the load carrying structure against up and down tilting movements before positioning or dispositioning the wind turbine component at an end of the load carrying structure thereby reducing the loadings arising from the unbalance caused by the positioning or dispositioning the wind turbine component. The securing may be realized by compression bars, tethering, or the use of a counterweight.