Wind Turbine Nacelle Shell Three-Point Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nacelle shell structures in wind turbines face challenges with vibration, deformation, and stress transfer from the main structure to the shell elements, leading to material fatigue, as they require a separate lattice structure for support and are costly to transport and manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A direct drive wind turbine design where the nacelle shell structure is attached to the main structure at only three static points, eliminating the need for a separate lattice structure and using interconnected, self-supporting sub-structures with a circular flange for connection, reducing stress transfer and simplifying manufacturing and transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a separate lattice structure is built to support the nacelle shell elements, then the shell structure can be securely attached to the main structure, but the device complexity and material usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separate lattice structure from the support system. Instead of building a complex lattice framework around the nacelle components, the shell structure is directly attached to the main structure at three strategically positioned static points, removing the unnecessary intermediary lattice elements while maintaining structural support functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the support function into the main structure itself. The three attachment points directly connect the nacelle shell structure to the main structure, combining the support role that previously required a separate lattice into the existing main structure, thereby simplifying the overall device
2Stability of the object's composition
If the nacelle shell structure is attached to the main structure through a lattice structure, then the shell elements can be held in position, but vibrations and stresses are transferred from the main structure to the shell elements, increasing material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lattice structure that acted as a vibration and stress transmission pathway. By eliminating this intermediary structure and using direct attachment at three static points, the transmission route for vibrations and stresses from the main structure to the shell elements is removed, reducing material fatigue
Solution Approach 2:
The three static points serve as optimized intermediary connection points that provide positional stability while minimizing stress transfer. These discrete attachment points allow the shell structure to be positioned correctly while isolating it from the vibrational and stress loads that would otherwise be transmitted through a continuous lattice structure
3Shape
If multiple shell structure elements are attached to a lattice structure, then the nacelle shell can be constructed, but the transportation and manufacturing costs increase due to the additional lattice structure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lattice structure from the manufacturing and transportation requirements. By eliminating the need to manufacture, transport, and assemble a separate lattice framework, the overall manufacturing complexity and transportation costs are significantly reduced, while the nacelle shell structure can still be constructed using only the essential shell elements attached at three points
Solution Approach 2:
The nacelle shell structure is divided into multiple shell elements that can be manufactured and transported separately, then assembled by attaching them directly to the main structure at three static points. This segmentation eliminates the need for a separate lattice structure while maintaining the ability to construct the complete nacelle shell
Data Source
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AI summary
A nacelle shell structure (10, 20) which is attachable to a main structure (2) of a wind turbine (1) is described. The nacelle shell structure (10, 20) is attachable to the main structure (2) such that the nacelle shell structure (10, 20) is carried by the main structure (2) at only three static points. Moreover, a nacelle shell structure (10, 20) is provided which is attachable to a main structure (2) of a wind turbine (1). The nacelle shell structure (10, 20) comprises a number of interconnected shell sub-structures (11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 24, 25, 35, 36). Furthermore, a lock-labyrinth (50) for positioning between a rotating part with a rotation 15 axis (9) and stationary part of a wind turbine (1) is disclosed, which comprises a shield structure (41) and a support structure (40), the shield structure (41) being located radially outward of the support structure (40) and protruding the support structure (40) in axial direction (47). The shield structure (41) comprises a nose (42) protruding radially inward and being located at an axial position where the support structure (40) forms a water-tight channel which opens towards the nose (42).