Nested Inverted Pendulum Vibration Control for Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large wind turbine generators face challenges in installing vibration control apparatus due to limited space within the tower and high production costs, especially when requiring precise machining for smooth operation.
Innovation Solution
A vibration control apparatus comprising a first vibration system with a supporting bar and universal joints, a second vibration system with an elastic member, and a restraining unit that allows the weights to move in the same horizontal plane while allowing vertical movement, enabling adjustment of natural frequency without increasing total weight or space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vibration control apparatus (Patent Literature 1 and 2) are used, then effective vibration damping is achieved, but the required installation space becomes too large for the wind turbine tower
Solution Approach 1:
The first weight is nested inside the frame of the second weight, allowing both vibration damping mechanisms to occupy the same spatial envelope. This nesting arrangement enables the vibration control apparatus to fit within the limited tower space while maintaining the functionality of both pendulum and inverted pendulum systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes vertical stacking arrangement where the first weight moves vertically relative to the second weight, while both weights move together horizontally. This three-dimensional arrangement optimizes space utilization within the tower's vertical clearance
2Volume of moving object
If the vibration control apparatus of Patent Literature 3 is used, then the height is reduced for small space installation, but machining precision requirements increase leading to higher production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the degree of freedom parameters by allowing the first weight to move vertically relative to the second weight through the restraining unit, while both weights move horizontally together. This parameter configuration reduces machining precision requirements compared to fully constrained systems
Solution Approach 2:
The restraining unit dynamically constrains the first weight's movement to vertical direction relative to the second weight, while allowing horizontal movement of both weights. This dynamic constraint system achieves space efficiency without requiring high-precision fixed constraints
3Reliability
If the first weight and second weight are freely movable, then vibration damping is effective, but the apparatus cannot be adjusted to match different natural frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The restraining unit provides dynamic vertical constraint between the first and second weights, creating a coupled vibration system whose natural frequency can be adjusted by changing the vertical constraint characteristics. This allows frequency adaptation while maintaining effective vibration damping
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the vertical movement constraint parameters of the restraining unit, the natural frequency of the coupled weight system can be adjusted to match different tower natural frequencies, providing adaptability without sacrificing damping effectiveness
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 apparatus effectively dampens vibrations in wind turbine generators, allowing for installation in small spaces and reducing production costs, while maintaining efficient damping of tower vibrations without increasing weight or wall thickness.
Implementation Method 1
a second vibration system which comprises an elastic member installed upright on the structure and a second weight arranged on the elastic member
Implementation Method 2
a first vibration system which comprises a first weight, a supporting bar installed upright on the structure to support the first weight on the structure
Data Source
AI summary
It is intended to provide a vibration control apparatus that can be installed in a small pace and can be produced at low cost, as well as a wind turbine generator equipped with the vibration control apparatus and a vibration control method. The vibration control apparatus 7 includes a first vibration system 10 of inverted-pendulum type, second vibration systems 20 of inverted-pendulum type which are provided on both sides of the first vibration system 10, a restraining unit 30 which restrains a first weight 11 of the first vibration system 10 and a second weight 21 of the second vibration system 20 and a damper which damps vibration of the first weight 11 and the second weight 21. The vibration control apparatus 7 is installed on an upper floor 8a of a plurality of floors 8.